Reviews of Down in My Heart

Dirty Linen (#58, June/July ‘95)

The warm and clear voice of Robin Dale Ford accompanied by a single banjo makes an irresistible musical combination. From the playful “Vagabond Moon” to the plain beauty of the Appalachian song “Merry Golden Tree,” Ford has crafted a magical recording.

Kidd Squidd (host of Kidd Squidd’s “Mystery Jukebox” KXCI-fm Tucson, AZ)

Yer sittin’ in an empty house on a cold night. All you have is the portable CD player your ex-wife forgot to take in the divorce. You pop in your only CD: Robin Dale Ford’s “Down in My Heart.” Her nightingale voice lights up your soul. You remember there’s a gorgeous full moon out tonight. The plaintive twang of her banjo adds dimension to the night. You rustle up some wood and get the fireplace cracklin’. Your life seems to take on a new hope. The sounds of a sweet feminine soul permeate the room. You suddenly realize you’re not only O.K., but truly blessed.

Flying Fish Records (Seymour Guenther)

I loved the simplicity of the presentation and the straight-from-the-heart quality of Robin’s voice.

Victory Review (April ‘95)

Just one voice and banjo could all sound alike by the end, but with Ford’s expressive voice and varied banjo style and material it was no problem at all. Great album!

William Stafford (the late poet-laureate of Oregon on the song “Down in My Heart”)

I was elated to find myself woven so gloriously into culture.

Mike Flynn (host of “The Folk Sample”)

Robin has a sweetness to her music that I really enjoy.

Ray Funk (host of “Funk Roots” KUAC-fm Fairbanks, AK)

Robin, best known as a fine singer and rhythm-solid bass player for many [roots] rock bands, is also a wonderful banjo player and folk singer and has just released an amazing CD of just vocals and banjo. I worried when I started listening that I would want lusher presentations that the voice and banjo, but that never came to pass. The recording has a warmth that makes it an intimate portrait from one of Alaska’s best folk artists.

Tom May (host of “River City Folk”)

I hope Robin will continue to perform and write these ‘songs from the heart’.

Chaos Realm Magazine (Ray Dorsey, April 2000)

We open with Ms. Ford's '93 release "Down In My Heart." It's a good album, featuring mostly covers of modern day songwriters like Dylan, Springsteen, etc. and sprinkled with the occasional traditional number and originals. It's presented in the interesting format of Robin playing banjo and singing without accompaniment and this displays her command of both. The frustrating thing about this release is that after hearing the two originals here, I wanted to hear more of that and less of the re-do's, but still, all in all, a good CD.

Massimo Ferro (Radio Voce Spazio FM 93.800 MHz - Italy)

Of course I particularly enjoy "Aint' That Skippin' & Flyin’" but "Down In My Heart" is the kind of album which is absolutely rare to find in these times and really a brave choice. However only a banjo can be more than sufficient when you have truly a wonderful voice, definitely sweet and melodious, to sing a number of superb songs, well selected among some of the best contemporary songwriters: it is also the proof that some songs such like "Vagabond Moon" and "Reason To Believe" are the product of an unbroken circle binding their composers to the rich American tradition! "Ain't That Skippin' & Flyin’" has obviously better arrangements, very fine indeed, and also shows how Robin grew as a songwriter with some terrific songs such like "Soulful Hills," "Only Myself To Blame" and above all the delightful "Falling Into Grace."

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