Stone by Stone
Mae Robertson
Lyric Partners
2000
12 tracks
Mae Robertson has potential. Most often, to say this about an artist already on her fourth release might sound almost negative. No so here. Robertson's first three releases were aimed at a child audience. This one is, as her promo material says, "a grown-up recording" and so a change of pace. Based on what I hear, this is not so much a sudden change as a transition. As such, Stone by Stone is a good beginning.
The selection of songs helps. Although she still has room to grow, Robertson is herself a polished lyricist. More important, she has mixed her own songs with a selection from some very fine songwriters including Lynn Miles, Janis Ian, and Jennifer Warnes. The effect is unified and consistent.
Known as a lullabye singer for kids, Robertson continues to present most of her songs in a quiet, lullabye-like fashion. This is a comfortable set of music that would work well as background while sitting with a glass of wine before the fireplace.
Vocally, Robertson reminds me a lot of Jennifer Warnes [at least, the softer edge of Warnes], so I wasn't surprised to see a Warnes song in the mix. In fact, the Robertson composition "Thinking of Your Eyes" sounds very much like a Warnes composition, in some ways echoing "Song of Bernadette" written by Warnes and Leonard Cohen. While there is this resemblance both in voice and in style to Warnes, Robertson does not have the power, the emotional edge of Warnes.
There seems to be lacking a certain level of confidence. Perhaps this reflects uncertainty in moving from the accepting child's world to seek an adult audience. Perhaps it's something else. Certainly the quality of this recording reveals no reason for less than total self-confidence. Robertson sounds like the artist who has risen above her local or regional peers but has not yet made the break to the next level. Once she takes the risk and stops holding back, the next step will come naturally.
There are some interesting things happening in the instrumental music for this release. Some examples? "Love is our Cross to Bear" features some breathy flutes, possibly of a South American variety, enhanced by what sounds like wind in the background. While not at all a doowop song, the "Start All Over Again" includes "ooo ooo ooo, bow bow bow bow" and other very doowop sounding backup vocals. There are some very interesting arrangements on this release.
Stone by Stone is, all in all, a strong entry by Mae Robertson into the "grown-up" music world. This experience will hopefully bring to her voice the confidence that will push her next release to the next level.
Those interested in learning more about Mae Robertson and her music will find information at www.maerobertson.com.|
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