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BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW - Ready For The Times 

BROOKS WILLIAMS & AARON CATLOW - Ready For The Times 
Red Guitar Blue Music RGBM2201C 

Although there can’t be many positives to derive from the pandemic, the dearth of opportunities for artistes to tour has led to some interesting collaborations. In this instance, it’s a duo of Brooks Williams, the Cambridge-based American singer/guitarist, and Aaron Catlow, Bristol-based fiddler extraordinaire (also one half of the Hawes And Catlow duo). Following on from their successful Ghost Owl instrumental album, here they explore multiple themes, from Americana, blues and folk to more contemporary themes.

Aaron Catlow is a stylist on the fiddle in the style of Swarbrick, who can add delicate accompaniment that is royally suited to complement the songs driven by Brooks Williams – from jazzy on the 1920s standard If You Want The Rainbow to the iconic Elk River Blues. Other Brooks Williams collaborations have also provided source material – Jackson Greyhound from Rab Noakes and Snake Oil (a joint composition with Boo Hewardine).

A new reading of the classic Jean Ritchie song, The L&N, is really refreshing and an album highlight for me, although I like all of the tracks here. Perhaps the technique of recording live in the studio, without overdubs, is in essence the secret to delivering a product that replicates the intimate atmosphere of a small venue, and is a perfect showcase of the closeness of the musical alliance between the two. Refreshingly engaging, this is a cracker, and I look forward to seeing this pair live, once touring becomes a ‘thing’ again.

www.brookswilliams.com

Grem Devlin

 

This review appeared in Issue 144 of The Living Tradition magazine