The Spiral Gate
With Robertson's clear soprano, expert harp playing, and lively rhythms,The Spiral Gatesounds a bit like earlyLoreena McKennitt, although McKennitt's sound was always richer, with lush textures, passionate singing, and ancient melodies. Robertson's artistry is breezier, at times slow and lovely, at times animated, but always featuring a few choice instruments (usually the harp, accordion, and fiddle) that create a light, crisp landscape over which Robertson dances with her voice. And although Robertson has long been known for her harp work, it's her pretty voice that proves intriguing on this CD. In fact, her vocals could have benefited from more spotlighting--the recording softened her vocals with special effects that blurred her tone, and this is a loss. Overall,The Spiral Gateis a pleasant affair from an artist who knows how to write lovely--if modern--Celtic-flavored music.--Karen Karleski