Amber Gatherers

Perhaps simple geography--he is from Scotland--separates Alasdair Roberts from the glut of his contemporaries also influenced by the late '60s British folk renaissance. The musicality of a Scottish accent goes a long way when floating over tried and true melodies. But the stirring THE AMBER GATHERERS--his fourth solo record--proves that Roberts is no fluke. With great songs and an able cast of supporting characters--offering loose jazz flourishes a la ASTRAL WEEKS--Roberts combines his penchant for various Fairport and Pentangle-isms with the rustic soul of Yanks like Will Oldham and Gillian Welch into something wholly original.