The pairing of
Mary Jane Lamond and
Wendy MacIsaac is something of a Cape Breton dream team in action. Unlike much of
Lamond's earlier work, this is completely acoustic, and the framework suits her very well these days, letting her voice shine on the songs, while
MacIsaac's fiddle glitters on the instrumental sets and when the two come together. The songs are mostly traditional ("Tàladh Na Beinne Guirme" is an exception) and showcase the way
Lamond's voice has grown and matured over the years into a supple, emotional instrument -- the unaccompanied duet with Mairi Smith on "Rinn Mi Còrr Is Naoi Mile" is a delight.
MacIsaac, too, has come a long way (a person whose surname has long roots in the area's fiddle music), and these women spark each other well. Cape Breton remains a musical treasure isle, where Scotland stays strong and Gaelic is a vital, living tongue. This album adds to the bounty of the place. ~ Chris Nickson