Kate Lissauer
Album: Stately Mansion
Label: Get Real
Tracks: 17
Website: http://www.katelissauer.com

Originally from Maryland but currently residing in Somerset here in the UK, Kate's a champion fiddler by trade, who originally cut her teeth in local string bands over in the US; her dazzling instrumental versatility additionally encompasses clawhammer banjo and guitar. Kate's also a fine singer in the true old-time tradition, possessing a slightly mournful, yearningly earthy tone that might seem a bit different from the full-on, open-throated delivery one might customarily expect to hear in that repertoire but it's still lacking nothing either in passion or understanding (and Kate's also no mean songwriter, again much in the old-time tradition…).

Stately Mansion, Kate's third (ostensibly-) solo album, is not just a fiddle showpiece, then, but instead a well-rounded and nicely-balanced collection of tunes and songs that arguably places as much emphasis on the wholly natural collaboration Kate enjoys with her musician friends as on the equally natural showcase for her own impressive talents. The convivial old-time-session spirit is very much alive and well on the disc's 17 bracing tracks, which have their origins for the most part in the West Virginia studio sessions for Kate's previous album Walk Chalk Chicken (with subsequent re-mixing of some cuts plus fresh recording of the remainder at Get Real's studio in Bath). Kate's charismatic muso-support crew primarily comprises those redoubtable Appalachian stalwarts Tim Bing (banjo) and Dave Bing (guitar, also gifted fiddle-maker!), with Jim Martin (bass) and Gail Williams (vocals), while there are appearances from Jason Titley (guitar), Johnny Whelan (banjo) and two members of the extended Lissauer clan, elder brother Woody and daughter Katrianne, on (sadly only very) occasional harmony vocals.

The instrumental tracks (the majority of which take the form of animated fiddle 'n' banjo duets) are characterised by a stylish brand of virtuosity that's refreshingly unforced and, while clearly very much driven, is also unhurried, savouring the essential, sprightly rhythms without any desire to merely cram the notes in for effect. Especially persuasive are the unusual Kitty Puss and the more manically uptempo hoedown Hell Among The Yearlings, but Falls Of Richmond and the pungent fiddle-breaking Calloway with its solo Reprise also surely call for use of the repeat button!

The vocal selections fall loosely into three camps: firstly, and enjoying definite highlight status, the charmingly evocative numbers like Greasy String, the disc's gorgeous title track (adapted and extended by Kate herself from a Bryan Bowers original) and the wistful Wolf Hill (a tribute to Kate's late friend Ray Stewart); secondly, Kate's keenly expressive "low 'n' lonesome" interpretations of a pair of traditional ballads (Old Smokey and Willie Moore), performed solo with genuinely complementary banjo accompaniment; and last but not least, the suitably rollicking ensemble piece The Last Shot Got Him and a rip-roaring charge through Reuben's Train, which like the rest of this disc display an abundant sense of enjoyment in the performances.

Replete with excellent musicianship and fiery, committed playing (and singing) from all concerned - and sporting a really attractive booklet with well-informed notes - this is one of those can't-go-wrong purchases that no serious enthusiast of old-time music will be able to resist.

David Kidman