Stolen Moments is the follow up album to 2000’s Grammy Winning Fair
Weather record. In case you can’t tell from the simple cover
shot, Alison is a banjoist, and an impressive one at that. The
music is a blend of bluegrass, folk, and pop, and it comes off as a
light and easy listen. The second track sounds like an Irish
jig—happy, throbbing with effort, and upbeat. Alison is joined by
many guest artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Indigo Girls,
and the Boomchicks to name a few. While the banjo isn’t always
the most prominent instrument in the mix, if banjo isn’t your cup of
tea then you should probably leave this disc on the shelf.
However, for the curious at heart, this disc clearly demonstrates the
tremendous range of the instrument. The way the jazz piano is
combined with Brown’s playing on a few of the tracks is very
appealing. For an easy, mellow listen (including vocals on a few
tracks), check this one out. Songs included are: The Sound
of Summer Running; The Magnificent Seven; Homeward Bound; The Pirate
Queen; Carrowkeel; Angel; McIntyre Heads South; One Morning in May;
(I’m Naked And I’m) Going To Glasgow; Prayer Wheel; Musette For a
Palindrome.
-Brian Bloom
