|
 When I last interviewed Robin
and Linda Williams in 1999, they defined their audience as "a little bit of
everything, just acoustic music lovers. broad based. folkies who like the
old-time ballads, bluegrassers that like the instruments and harmonies. roots
country people who like the original material. and others who come just to be
entertained." Since the Williams first received national attention in 1975 on "A
Prairie Home Companion" radio show, their eclectic group of fans has continued
to grow. From the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the duo once toured with Mary
Chapin Carpenter who appears as a harmony vocalist on "Home #235" and "Old Plank
Road." Sissy Spacey (and her daughter, Schuyler Fisk) also sing harmony on the
latter, while Iris Dement joins in on "Leaving this Land." Another special guest
on this album is dobroist Mike Auldridge.
On tour, guitarist Robin and clawhammer banjo-player Linda's "Fine Group"
includes Jim Watson on electric bass and mandolin, and Jimmy Gaudreau on
mandolin and mandola (a band member since 2000). Both bandmates appear in
prominent roles on "Deeper Waters," but two other bassists (Mark Schatz, Kevin
McNoldy) play that instrument. Fiddler Rickie Simpkins adds some beautiful fills
and breaks to the mix.
With all strong originals and one traditional medley, "Deeper Waters" showcases
the fine songwriting and arranging skills of Robin and Linda, whose
collaborators include Dave Hull, Jerome Clark, Jimmy Fortune, Jim Watson and Tim
O'Brien. All lyrics are included for their emotional and intimate songs of love,
home, remembrances and memories, happy and sad. With a goal of presenting good,
close, personal, and accessible songs, they looked to both older and newer
material.
A contemplative ballad, "Whippoorwill," opens the project with a tale of a
Kansas woman's sweet refrain for a North Dakota boy. A melodic and embracing
"October Light" demonstrates Robin and Linda's tightly-blended and smooth duet
singing. Turning up the tempo a notch on "Clarkfield" is a welcome treat. A sad
perspective of the old prairie home and impending abandonment is portrayed in
"Leaving This Land." The mandolin, banjo, and dobro riffs dance happily
throughout "Home #235," a seemingly autobiographical song that speaks to their
traveling life and love. A spirited "Old Plank Road" tells of potluck and
picking down at Charlie's store.
The 7-minute traditional medley begins with "I'll Remember You Love In My
Prayers" before its genesis drives into a toe-tappin' "Liza Jane" and "The Old
Stillhouse." The duo's longing for deceased family and dear friends will be
realized at their journey's end as they are "Saving Me A Place." This would've
made a nice closer on Deeper Waters, but they instead chose "Lost Children," a
ballad written with Tim O'Brien about emigrating Irish children and the safety
that the future brings after they reunite with the parents.
Clearly with a strong kinship to traditional music, the Williams continue to
provide fresh explorations that preserve the sound yet also innovate. Robin once
told me that he puts on Bill Monroe when he wants to hear good music and get
rejuvenated. Following the same innovative muse and spirit as Monroe, Robin and
Linda only get so far from traditional sensibilities while maintaining
themselves in the forefront of the ever-growing Americana movement.
Although this is only their first on the Red House Records (after a successful
stint with Sugar Hill), I look forward to their continued collaboration with
this fine Minnesota-based label known for its folk and Americana offerings. The
duo's optimistic attitude towards change has always led them to new heights.
Robin and Linda have now released seventeen albums, they're clearly not in any
musical ruts, nor are they constrained by any boundaries. They continue to grow
professionally. With their brand new songs and fresh look at some older
material, the waters clearly do run deep for Robin and Linda Williams. (Joe
Ross)
ROBIN and
LINDA WILLIAMS - Deeper Waters
Red House Records RHR CD 173
PO Box 4044, St. Paul, MN. 55104
www.redhouserecords.com
Playing Time - 46:02 |
