by bluenorther #2

Steve Gillette / Cindy Mangsen "A Sense of Place" 2001





















Stewart Levett:
A splendid mix of guitar, and concertina/accordion, a hint of oboe and bass with a sprinkling of piano and fiddle, Cindy and Steve offer us twelve songs in fine traditional fashion. Their instrumental work is particularly inspiring with “Reel Beatrice” and “Shenandoah Falls/Cincinnati Rag” a joy to listen with Cindy’s splendid concertina work. Of the original songs penned by these two, “Sunrise,” written by Cindy and “When The First Leaves Fall” by Steve are real standouts. “Sunrise” tells the story of a father taking his child out in the early morning through the fields to see the sunrise. The importance of the occasion is remembered by the grown child years after the father has passed away but the images are vivid with her fathers words, “Isn’t that a sight to see, child? It’s a dawning you’ll remember all your days.” What is striking about “When The First Leaves Fall” is how well Steve has constructed his melody, with its lovely chord changes, around such a tender moving love song. The only song that seems out of place is the John Ims’ “The Architecture Song” which, in its long narrative about what makes a good house and the collaboration between artist and client just didn’t do anything for me. Still, the rest of the CD is a delight to listen to and has found its way willingly into my CD player many times.