REVIEW: Alasdair Roberts at The Junction

An intriguing and versatile musical intelligence in action.... At first I thought the arrangements were trying too hard to be radical. Unique, as well as accomplished, they certainly were: in the front row, joining Roberts' acoustic guitar and lead vocals, were Stevie Jones on upright bass and the barefooted Olivia Chaney on harmonium and vocals. In the back row were Rafe Fitzpatrick on fiddle and Ben Reynolds on electric guitar. What can one say? Interesting to hear harmonium, which I much like as a solo instrument to accompany vocals, within an ensemble; interesting to hear electric guitar in a context that so definitely wasn't rock'n'roll; and, with respect to Reynolds and Fitzgerald, nice to see bass in front of guitar and fiddle for a change.

 

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