My Mother's Voice

Kathy Kallick has reached a time in her musical career when she doesn't mind a backward glance at the songs she learned from her mother during her youth. The 17 songs of My Mother's Voice are presented simply, as though a few friends dropped by for an informal jam. This down-to-earth quality infuses overworn classics like "Cotton-Eyed Joe," "Shady Grove," and "Banks of the Ohio" with a natural verve. Numerous guests populate the album, but the spare arrangements keep things uniform. Just a guitar; an occasional dobro, mandolin, or fiddle; and a little harmony, all focused around Kallick's lovely country vocals. There are nice takes on "Hello Stranger" and "Banks of the Ohio," with a little help from Peter Rowan, and a good version of "Row Us Over the Tide," with Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin, and Amy Stenberg. John Reischman's mandolin inserts frills and fills on "I Never Will Marry" and "My Native Home," while Laurie Lewis lends her vocals and fiddling to "Wreck of the Old #9." A number of tracks stand out due to the fine harmony of singers like Keith Little, Suzanne Thomas, James Leva, and Carol Elizabeth Jones. Kallick succeeds on My Mother's Voice by singing traditional songs in the spirit that they were first fashioned in. Traditional folk and old-timey fans will appreciate this. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., Rovi