AMG Review of Transatlantic Sessions

Matt Fink
All Music Guide

Though only a brief excerpt when compared to the seven-hour BBC television special from which this is taken, this meeting in Scotland combines the best American, Scottish, and Irish traditional roots musicians, including (among others) Roseanne Cash, Nanci Griffith, Radney Foster, Ricky Skaggs, and most predominantly Aly Bain, Jerry Douglas, and Russ Barenberg all collaborating on this first-rate project. Featuring a good cross section of traditional and contemporary tunes, and mixing elements of country, bluegrass, Cajun, and Celtic folk, this is truly a rare musical event. Ricky Skaggs' "Simple Life" takes on a new gloss as it's dyed in Celtic overtones, as does the classy arrangement of Nanci Griffith's "Always Will." Combining exemplary musicianship and singing, as well as excellent song selection, Transatlantic Sessions proves that when this much talent congregates together, the results can be nothing short of stunning.