BASKET OF LIGHT

The first time I heard Jacqui McShee sing, I thought sure I was listening to the great Annie Haslam. The music is all acoustic, but even so, the musicians are very subtle and sophisticated in building pleasing, thin layers of music. Other than the creative blending of those acoustic instruments, there really isn't anything progressive about this album; it's a decent collection of arrangements of traditional songs and covers of blues and folk pieces. Very few of the songs are originals, and for the most part, everything is quite plain.

"Light Flight" This loose acoustic song follows varying time signatures. It's a great song, and is the best on the album.

"Once I Had a Sweetheart" This is a traditional folk song. Unfortunately, the lovely vocals are bit crusty sounding in the mix (granted, this album came out in 1968, but still).

"Spring Time Promises" The masculine vocals are a bit rigid sounding, but overall, this song sounds a bit like Cat Stevens, with all those acoustic instruments and laid back playing.

"Lyke-Wake Dirge" Here lies a traditional dirge that describes the soul's progress to heaven. It is a vocal piece, almost a chant, and is haunting in its way.

"Train Song" A sophisticated bluesy guitar goes solo at first. Behind the deep, droning masculine lead singing, McShee participates with some simple vocalizations. She takes over lead vocals at one point, introducing a completely different feel.

"Hunting Song" A glockenspiel and guitar-laced song that tells a story (with male and female vocals alternating), this traditional-sounding piece has some very good percussion and bass work throughout. The complex vocals are not exactly a treat for me, and this song does wear on after a while. The lyrics are based on part of the legend of King Arthur.

"Sally Go Round the Roses" This is a cover of a song released in 1963 by The Jaynettes. It's standard blues fare.

"The Cuckoo" This one is a basic arrangement of a traditional English folk song.

"House Carpenter" Dark banjo, sitar, and the lovely vocals of McShee make up this strange arrangement of an American take on an old British ballad called "The Daemon Lover." After a while, it becomes rather noisy, however.