Search - Gordon Bok and Cindy Kallet :: Neighbors

Very Good Folk Album By Two Gifted Artists

Peter Hobson | Groton, CT USA | 06/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many people are familiar with Gordon Bok's rich voice. Fewer, unfortunately, know Cindy Kallet's equally rich voice. The two voices blend well together which, combined with their superb instrument playing, makes for a very good album.



The songs range from traditional folk ("Rantin' Laddie" and "High Barbary") to contemporary songs ("Blood on the Sails" and "October Song") with some interesting stops along the way. The English music hall song "Right Said Fred" describes three blokes trying unsuccessfully to move a large piece of equipment ("Took its feet off, even took the seat off, Should have got us somewhere but no!"). "Janko" is a Mongolian song beautifully sung in its original language. The "Frolic for Guitar and Small Elephant" is an instrumental with Cindy playing a guitar and Gordon playing a cellemba.



I was particularly taken by their rendition of "Farewell to Nova Scotia." Instead of the usual march, it's sung almost as a lament, in a slow tempo and with diminished chords. That song alone is worth the price of the CD.



"Sergei's Yupanqui Tune" is Argentinean flamenco filtered through a Bulgarian remembrance. Gordon and Cindy make it into a unique guitar duet.



This CD has given me hours of pleasure. There's not a clunker on it and many of the songs rise above the usual. I highly recommend it."