Within the limits of its period, before folk music was politicized and defiant, this is a very pleasing album of traditional and contemporary folk music standards ("Sylvie," "They Call the Wind Maria"), as well as folk-like numbers ("A Quiet Girl" by
Betty Comden,
Adolph Green, and
Leonard Bernstein) and one
Pete Seeger-
Lee Hays standard ("Alberta").
Pernell Roberts and guitarist
Dick Rosmini arranged the traditional material themselves in a pleasing fashion designed to bring out the richest side of
Roberts' robust baritone.
Perry Botkin, Jr. leads the band, which includes harmonica player
Tommy Morgan and drummer Earl Palmer. This is the softer, lyrical side of folk music -- pleasant and not challenging, but quite rewarding in its unassuming way. ~ Bruce Eder