Keystone
Album: Blah, Blah, Blah
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 7
Website: http://www.keystoneacoustic.co.uk

Formerly known as Keystone Acoustic, the husband-and-wife partnership of Peter and Pam Stone has been entertaining audiences at folk clubs, festivals and acoustic venues in and beyond their Yorkshire base for the past four years or so, initially making their mark with well-considered covers of mostly Americana and folk-flavoured country material (notably from the likes of Nanci Griffith, Tift Merritt and John Prine), then subsequently branching out as folk singer-songwriters in their own right. Deservedly popular and well-received wherever they play, Pam and Peter typify the time-honoured, tried-and-tested combination whereby Pam sings and Peter accompanies on guitar and vocal harmonies - and quality is assured without a doubt.

This EP, however, is (I believe) their first CD release, and sees them concentrating almost exclusively on original self-penned material. It's nothing if not a varied selection, ranging from the affectionate, unashamedly romantic If It Wasn't For You (one of those songs you'd swear you know already!) to the tender, poignant Waiting For Albert and the tale of war hero Freddie Gilroy, with light relief provided by My Little Ukulele (no need to guess what that one's about!) and a spirited version of Jim Mackie's Yorkshire Couple; to these five songs are appended two brief "studio noodles" in the form of guitar rags that Peter clearly enjoys playing around with. Performances are assured and professional, and as highly dependable as the duo's engaging and charismatic live act; the two complementary "biographies-in-song" are especially successful, and derive as much power from close acquaintance on home listening as they do in the (different) intimacy of live performance.

However, the undoubted novelty value of Yorkshire Couple wears thin on repetition, particularly since Pam rather overdoes the character-acting, I feel, when taking the parts of the protagonists. My Little Ukulele also seems forced in its adoption of "the accent" and Formbyesque persona that's become a bit of an unfortunate stereotype for the uke player; it's companionable fun when experienced live, but doesn't really stand up to repeated play at home. Sure, Blah, Blah, Blah serves its purpose as a well-rounded introduction to Keystone's performing excellence and home-grown songwriting, but it can't really be regarded as a satisfyingly complete summation-cum-demonstration of the duo's talent, since it omits their aptitude for delivering classy, thoughtful and well-observed cover versions that do more than just please the crowds.

BTW, the Help For Heroes charity will continue to benefit from the proceeds of this CD.

David Kidman