[FM] review of Dana Robinson's CD "The Trade"

[celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com]

Below is my review of Dana Robinson's CD "The Trade".

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                             A Review of the CD
                                "The Trade"
                              by Dana Robinson

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"The Trade"
by Dana Robinson

copyright 2001
Threshold Music
4300 Laurel Hills Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
ph: (919)789-4711
http://www.robinsongs.com
mailto:robinsongs@aol.com

This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 6/01
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
"Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html

On his latest release, Dana Robinson again opens himself up and shares his
thoughts and feelings.  The combination of his lyrics and presentation
create a comfortable level of intimacy, as if he is singing directly to the
listener. His words are aided by the sweet gentleness of his vocals and the
clear, clean instrumentation surrounding each song. Written primarily on
the road, the origin and creation date of each cut is thoughtfully detailed
in the liner notes, a nice touch more artists should emulate.

Employing a double meaning in the title song "The Trade," Robinson ties
together his craft with the exchange between performer and audience:

     "...A handful of words, these are my tools
     I'll drive for miles, I'll be the fool
     An empty sky, a long stretch of road
     Are just as familiar as any home

     That is the trade
     The distance we go for the connection we make
     That is the trade..."

In "Ballad Tree," he offers a wonderful tune that burrows beneath the
surface of the Kerrville Folk Festival and gets to the true heart of the
matter:

     "...I heard that there was breath here found for breathing
     And branch by branch the ballad tree revealed
     That I could leave behind these endless fists a' knocking
     For the safety and abundance of this glowing field...

     We take with us the taste of our communion
     And all those voices ringing in my ears
     I look forward to the moments of our reunion
     In this home away from home, year after year."

"Chautauqua Day" celebrates the spirit of this old-time community
get-together. In a very danceable rhythm, Robinson sings:

     "I'm running like the thread
     Through the eye of a needle
     Stitching up time with my hands on the wheel
     Oh Chautauqua day
     Take me to the blessing of the next cafe..."

"Rainbow Sign," in part, continues his traveling troubadour theme:

     "...I rambled o'er a mountainside
     Toward some wishing pool
     I found naught but a desert dry
     And proved to be the fool
     But a rambling fool I'd rather be
     With stories full to tell
     There we'll find the water sweet
     From a deeper well..."

This release is also loaded with excellent fiddle, mandolin, banjo and
guitar riffs and combinations, another specialty of Robinson and friends.

So settle in for your date with Dana, for he only has words for you.

Robinson, on vocals, guitar, banjo and mandolin, is assisted by Lui Collins
on vocals and guitar; Rose Sinclair on banjo and accordion; Robert Bowlin
on fiddle, mandolin and guitar; Viktor Krauss on acoustic and electric
bass; Kenny Malone on drums and percussion; Johnny Hiland on electric
guitar; Rob Ikes on dobro and Dar Williams on vocals.

Track List:

   * Pat Do This (3:09) - Traditional
   * Troy (3:49)
   * Chautauqua Day (3:28)
   * The Trade (3:01)
   * Ballad Tree (3:45)
   * Anderson Grade (2:35)
   * Lazy John (3:23) - Traditional
   * Rainbow Sign (3:16)
   * Somebody Loves You (3:29)
   * Crossing The Platte (1:32)
   * Counting Freights (4:06)
   * Little Sadie (2:31) - Traditional

All songs written by Dana Robinson, except as noted.

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Send inquiries to: celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com.

================================================
Kevin McCarthy
mailto:celtic-folk@surfnetusa.com
Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews
http://www.surfnetusa.com/celtic-folk/index.html