Robin and Linda Williams
Deeper Waters
Red House Records
The Shenandoah Valley-based duo Robin and Linda Williams have accomplished what seems to be the impossible on their latest disc: a marriage of traditional-style music and lyrical themes with a contemporary sensibility that would be equally at home on country, folk or Americana radio.
If for no other reason, listen to this record to see what can be done in a string-band format, for it’s on rare discs such as this one that old-time folk, bluegrass and country forge a new sound that should appease fans of each musical style.
That’s not to say the Williamses don’t misfire on a couple of tracks, despite the redeeming value of Jimmy Gaudreau’s masterful, bubbling mandolin and mandola and Mike Auldridge’s shimmering resophonic guitar.
Even it its weakest moments, the pure emotion evident throughout “Deeper Waters” makes it a notable record — and bravo to the decision to feature Mrs. Williams’ claw-hammer banjo playing prominently in the mix.
Backing vocals by Iris Dement, Mary Chapin Carpenter and even film star Sissy Spacek also show the respect the duo have earned in a long career of songwriting and performing, most famously as frequent musical guests on National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”
The band even puts together a “dance set” of sorts, with a medley of “I’ll Remember You in My Prayers,” “Liza Jane” and “The Old Stillhouse.” The Williamses borrowed a traditional title, “Old Plank Road,” to write a new song about getting together to play music with friends.
With images of home, old quilts, family graveyards, country stores and old-time religion coupled with timeless melodies and instrumentation, Robin and Linda Williams have struck a vein of gold steeped in the tradition of American music.
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