The second collaboration between Bobby Baby and
F.S. Blumm is just as warm and inviting as their first album,
Everybody Loves. Once again Bobby's richly sweet vocals and plangent lyrics are heartbreakingly sincere, and
Blumm's musical backing is sympathetic and note-perfect. This time out, though, the songs are a little less improvised-sounding and are given fuller arrangements. The duo brought in some outside musicians to contribute cello, percussion, and trumpet, and the broadening of the sonic palette is a welcome change. This little bit of sweetening doesn't dilute the quiet power of the songs or the mood of reflective melancholy the duo established so well on the first effort. As before,
Blumm can conjure up a tender feeling with just a few notes of his guitar and Bobby's vocals are textbook tender. Her artless and innocent singing helps put the songs over in a way that a more technically perfect singer might not quite be able to.
Blumm's vocal interjections are a nice balance to Bobby's smoothness and provide some more emotional power to the songs as well. The duo may not have created an album to take along on a picnic, but if you are looking for some company on a late night of introspection and reverie,
A Little Big may be just what you need. ~ Tim Sendra