Various Artists
Album: The Beautiful Old: Turn Of The Century Songs
Label: Doubloon
Tracks: 19
Website: http://www.thebeautifulold.com

This delightful album is the brainchild of music producer Gabriel Rhodes and executive producer Paul Marsteller. The idea is beautifully simple- take some of the most popular songs of the 1800's to early 1900's and bring in a "Dream Team" of the cream of contemporary singers and musicians and perform the songs, using only instruments that would have been available at the time. The result is just wonderful.

Gabriel Rhodes is the son of well-known Texan singer Kimmie Rhodes and this album is dedicated to Kimmie's late husband Joe Gracey, who was a seminal figure in the development of the Austin music scene, as a disc jockey, producer and musician. Joe died in 2011 after a long struggle with cancer and this album is a most fitting tribute to Joe. It is something of a family affair as Gabriel not only produces but also plays a range of instruments and his mother Kimmie sings lead vocals [beautifully] on three of the songs. Gabriel's sister Jolie Goodnight also sings lead on two songs.

Gabriel and Paul have also assembled a stunning array of singers from both America and Britain to sing these "beautiful old" songs- the line up includes Richard Thompson, Christine Collister, Graham Parker, Heidi Talbot, Jimmy LaFave, Carrie Elkin, Dave Davies [yes,really], Kim Richey and Eric Bibb. As well as some of the best singers in the world of roots music, there are also some great players, including Garth Hudson [who needs no introduction] on accordion and piano, and violin players John McCusker, Richard Bowden and Richard Greene. On drums and percussion we have Hunt Sales who has played with Iggy Pop, David Bowie and Todd Rundgren. Quite some line up.

Notwithstanding the wide range of singers involved in the project, the album has a cohesion to it and this is due to the quality of the songs. As the producers have said, these are some of the most musical, charming and sweet songs ever written and I would certainly not disagree with that statement.

The album begins with Richard Thompson and Christine Collister singing "The Band Played On". Richard, of course, is no stranger to singing "old" songs as he has frequently performed his "1000 Years Of Popular Music Show". In fact this song sounds as though it could have been written by Richard !

Kimmie Rhodes puts in a beautiful vocal performance on "Perfect Day" [no, not the Lou Reed song] backed by son Gabriel on guitar, melodic, pump organ and glass armonica [no, this isn't a spelling mistake].

"The Flying Trapeze" is one of the better-known songs on the album but the singer is something of a surprise, in that it is none other than Graham Parker, who now lives in the States and who was recently reunited with his former band The Rumour. Graham was often compared to Bob Dylan and I must admit that his vocals on this song do sound like His Bobness. Interestingly, this track features some superb accordion work from Garth Hudson who, of course, used to back Bob, as a member of The Band.

Another relatively well-known song is "Loves Old Sweet Song", which readers might recognise from the lines "Just a song at twilight, when the lights are low". This brings back memories of listening, with my parents, to "Sing Something Simple" on the Light Programme in the early 1960's, as this song seemed to be sung every week by the Cliff Adams Singers accompanied by Jack Emblow on accordion. But I digress, this version is a real gem, with gorgeous vocals from that wonderful singer Heidi Talbot, accompanied by husband John McCusker on fiddle.

One of my favourite American singers is the charming Carrie Elkin [who I have twice seen live at the legendary Grateful Fred's]. Carrie sings a rather unusual but very touching song called "The Dying Californian" which is based on a letter about a New Englander's death at sea whilst on the way to the California Goldrush.

One of the surprises on this album is the presence of Dave Davies, who performs an extraordinary version of "After The Ball", which sounds as though the former Kink has been transported Dr.Who -like through time to a turn-of -the-century music hall. I can't help but think of the Kinks' song "Come Dancing" to which this sounds like a postscript but which was written one hundred years earlier.

Kim Richey is another favourite of mine and she turns in a fine performance of "Beautiful Ohio" which is a glorious song, which although written in 1918, sounds tailor-made for Kim to sing. Another contemporary singer who sounds as though he was born to sing these songs is the delightful Eric Bibb [who I had the pleasure of meeting recently when he was part of the Transatlantic Sessions tour]. Eric's vocals on the mournful "Just A- Wearyin' For You" capture the mood of the song perfectly.

In my view, Christine Collister is simply one of the greatest singers the roots music scene has produced. I have been a fan of her music since first seeing her as a member of Richard Thompson's band back in the '80's and have never ceased to be amazed by the power of her voice. Here she puts in a stunning version of "Home Sweet Home", which is the last song,and also the oldest song, on the album, dating back to 1823.

The album closes with a pair of instrumentals, "The Last Rose Of Summer" and "Till We Meet Again".

This is a beautiful recording, which has obviously been crafted with great love and affection for some wonderful, timeless songs. It is also a fine tribute to Joe Gracey by his family.

Peter Cowley