Search - Robin Williamson :: Winter's Turning

Chilly Winter's Turning

David Gresh | 06/09/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"To me, this record is by far the coldest album that Robin has produced - it contains no work of his own and although all tunes & songs are performed as expertly as ever, it lacks the warmth & feeling that graces his other work, partly caused, perhaps, by the instruments used. The rendition of traditional work on his recent albums is much more communicative & far more human - although I still prefer his own gems.This "Winter's turning" feels like a chilly, chilly wind blowing, and if there are inky scratches showing on the cd surface, it's not from frequent use.Hans Wigman"

Nice Traditional Music on Winter Theme. NOT LIKE ISB!

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 06/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"`Winter's Turning' is a `solo' recording of traditional music, mostly of a Celtic origin by The Incredible String Band leader, Robin Williamson. While the twelve (12) pieces come from many different sources, including Vivaldi, Corelli, Praetorius, folk, and Shakespearean sources, almost all are connected by some reference to winter.



This is a solo album in the sense that Williamson plays the widest variety of instruments and does all the lead vocals. Two women provide a chorus and side musicians cover parts for the hammer dulcimer, penny whistle, percussion, synthesizer, and my favorite old time instrument, the Hurdy Gurdy.



The most important thing any prospective buyer must know is that there is very little on this album of what made `The Incredible String Band' so much fun. Williamson writes none of the pieces, and none exhibit the distinctive ISB style. The music is simply old music done on old instruments.



As I am not an expert on old music, all I can say is that I enjoyed listening to this album, but there is nothing here to `light my fire'. The album notes include all the lyrics of the vocals, but nothing about the origin of the pieces.



If you like old music such as medieval liturgical works or Renaissance pieces, you will probably like this album. Williamson is enough of a professional that he will not embarrass himself.

"

Play on random with your Chanukah albums

David Gresh | Chepachet, RI United States | 12/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an absolute joy that grabs you from the start and captivates your attention for the duration. In addition to Mr. W's slightly nasally but warm voice (think Leonard Cohen + Paul McCartney, or Loreena McKennit's crazy old uncle who taught her everything she knows) you have an operatic choir, some Vivaldi, some Shakespeare text, and lots and lots of lively Celtic music, all expertly played. 4 stars, and not 5, for the following two reasons: (1) Use of cheesy sounding synths when a pipe organ or a squeezebox would have been imminently more appropriate, and (2) too short! Otherwise, a seasonal album everyone may enjoy."