Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman - Personae

***1/2 

Traditional Shanties

I have to say that I don't Sean Lakeman's work, as well as I know his brother Seth Lakeman's album. But an idea of what his fifth studio album with Kathryn Roberts would sound like. Yes! traditional songs of times of old, that you could find yourself singing in an Irish pub late at night. And Yes! that is what 'Personae' is, it does what it is meant to do. One thing I notice from the start of the record is that Kathryn Roberts' vocals are much higher than Sean Lakeman's, which I actually think is a mistake... because they would work so much better at the same level. 

The album opens with a little shantie called 'The Knights Ghost', this is rather fun... and very traditional. So you might have heard things like this before, but it is kind of nice and catchy. Next track 'Independence' in contrast is a very different song indeed, it's more like a Power Ballad... that you would more expect from the likes of Bonnie Tyler or even Celine Dion.or even in a Disney film. But this far nicer, and a lot more traditional and the musicians are just superb.

There is a simplicity to track number three on  'Tribute of Hands', which for a lot of it relies on just vocals and acoustic guitars. Later in the song other instruments enter, just to add a little bit of Irish flavour to the song and to add another layer to the music. One of my favourite tracks on the album is 'The Poison Club' which has a little bit of a Vaudeville Cabaret feel to it. But I think they really missed a trick with the vocals. They could have added a few nice touches to it, with Sean Lakeman's vocals. Which on this album are sometimes missing too much (I really like his voice) so this is a shame.

Sadly not everyone will get to hear their cover of the Sandy Denny's song 'Solo' which is on the CD, but not on their YouTube account. It's a very good track, so if your a big fan it's worth buying the record to get a copy of this track. Sean Lakeman and Kathryn Roberts always have known how to do a good cover and this is no different. I know people have been talking about this track on the messages boards, with people complaining about the fact it's not on their YouTube account. 

'Seasons' has a little taste of Clannad on it, and an atmospheric tempo. But I have to say Kathryn's vocals on this track are a little high pitched for me, so this song is not for my personal tastes... even though I can see what they where trying to do with it.

I think some of the tracks can be a little bit similar, so tracks like 'The Street of the cats who Dance' does not really hit me. But maybe because they show a strong vocal performance on 'Boney's Defeat', which is a harmony of Acapella vocals. They go a bit Country on 'Old, Old, Old', which verges on modern Country at moments but keeping a traditional melody. 'Goddess made Flesh' really seems like a closure, so they by the time it starts you know it's the end of the album.

I really like short albums and this one is only nine songs long, simple and sweet... if you have not heard enough you can play it again. I do have to say I prefer Seth Lakeman, he is a little darker and I think has more to his songs... but this is a personal opinion.

Review by Dan Devour

Check Out! a live performance Video for their cover of 'Solo' Below...