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.
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 Fords Down in My Heart. Her nightingale voice lights up your soul. You remember theres 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 youre not only O.K., but truly blessed.
I loved the simplicity of the presentation and the straight-from-the-heart quality of Robins voice.
Just one voice and banjo could all sound alike by the end, but with Fords expressive voice and varied banjo style and material it was no problem at all. Great album!
I was elated to find myself woven so gloriously into culture.
Robin has a sweetness to her music that I really enjoy.
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 Alaskas best folk artists.
I hope Robin will continue to perform and write these songs from the heart.
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.
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."