Once, The

If you like traditional British Isles folk songs, you will love this record. The Once is a trio from St. Johns, Newfoundland. Geraldine Hollett has an astonishing voice (much like Alison Krauss). Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale play a dozen instruments between them and provide excellent backing vocals. All tracks are good; some are truly outstanding.

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1. * Nice mid-tempo love song. Her singing is beautiful. Their harmonies are too. (4:03)
2. An old maid remembers the lover who left years ago. Quick waltz time. (3:20)
3. A fast-paced tale of obsession, abduction & escape. Elec guitar surprises. (3:32)
4. * Nice cover of a Leonard Cohen ballad. Done slow w just the 3 voices. (2:38)
5. A folk ballad about life’s priorities. Very slow and spare. (2:55)
6. *** A pioneer woman survives hardship, loss & tragedy. Breathtaking solo vocal. (4:11)
7. Medley of 3 instrumental tunes. Could follow #6, giving you time to recover. (5:26)
8. ** Traditional. Men must go to sea, women must stay home, sadness ensues. (4:06)
9. Trad murder ballad with 3 voices in harmony and a drum beating a slow march. (3:04)
10. Traditional mid-tempo ballad sung by an Army deserter. Passionate singing. (4:04)
11. ** Gorgeous, slow cover of Tom Waits song. Just three vocals. Great harmony. (3:39)
12. * Another Leonard Cohen song. It’s beautifully done (Linda Ronstadt style), but some American-ish diction (“can’t run no more”, “they’re gonna hear”) doesn’t fit the traditional style of the rest of the album. (5:18)