AMG Review of Lowlands

Rick Anderson
All Music Guide

Jean Redpath's smoky mezzo-soprano voice was at its mature best during the late '70s when she made this record, and her taste as a song collector was also as reliable as ever. Accompanied by cellist Abby Newton and recorder player Drake Mabry, Redpath delivers a trademark set of Scottish folk songs both old and new. Among the modern compositions are "Who Shall Count for Thee," a lovely song by Rosemary Hardman, and David Goulder's mournful "Faraway Tom." The traditional material is primarily taken from the Child ballad book, and includes "Clerk Saunders," a classic song of haunted lovers, and the bittersweet "Lichtbob's Lassie." The album's highlights are a gentle song of romantic entreaty titled "Lassie Wi' the Yellow Coatie" and a lovely rendition of the popular "Rose of Allendale."