Search - Robin Williamson :: Job of Journey Work

As one of the two guiding forces in the Incredible String Band in the '60s and '70s, Williamson offered his listeners a wide range of emotional and musical ideas. One of his passions was the music of Ireland and Scotland and related music in the United States. This 1998 album is a celebration of those songs, with all the cuts coming from those traditions. He delivers old folk songs like "Streams of Lovely Nancy" and "Geordie Gordon" with a quiet spirit, a joy that he shares with his family and friends who contribute music to the album. It's a pleasure to hear him play the harp and the fiddle with a personality that never mimics any of the great players. He is a good player but will never be mistaken for a master of craft. Rather, it's his thrill to have the opportunity to share music that makes this recording a pleasure. A prime example of this evident delight would be "Hard Times in Old England," where he and his children manage to find a sprightly feeling for this ultimately sad song. While this does hearken back to the old ISB sound, on this work the songs are the real core of it, and Williamson seems to feel privileged to be allowed to convey them to you on this easygoing, home-produced record. You might also like to give a listen to the companion CD to this release, Ring Dance, which features the darker, poetic side of Williamson's talents. --Louis Gibson