THERE ARE 25 TRACKS, all recorded by different means in different venues, so the quality of playing and recording across the album is variable, though the sound levels are roughly equal throughout.

With 25 tracks I can't comment on everything but, as an old-timey aficionado, I was pleased to find two songs at the beginning. The Rough Deal String Band's Boll Weevil and Tom Paley's Virginia Girls are competent renditions of familiar material which set the scene for non-old-time fanatics to be prepared to listen on. The next track, Shooting Creek, by The Henhouse Allstars, demonstrates the essence of old-timey: briefly and with panache. It's lean, mean, understated and quality.

Debbie McClatchy, as ever, shows us a different slant on the genre by presenting an old-timey version of a vaudeville number - eerily echoed three tracks later by the Maestro, Pete Stanley, in his rendition of John Diamond's Favourite jig in the same vein. Goes to show that old-timey can absorb many different influences and happily push forward!

Paul Sheridan's flat-footing is a welcome part of this album - because dancing is where this whole thing started.

The modal approach in the Metro Gnomes' track is, in my view, what it's all about - we're sometimes in danger of forgetting it . And the track from Brian Golbey and Mick Carroll, made me chuckle because of the spoken intro. Brian is such an old showman!

I was delighted to hear a very spirited and accomplished rendition of Margaret's Waltz on the 'joanna' from Colm Daley. Flavour of the month in Bluegrass and Old-Timey sessions last year, this tune is now going further afield - I played along with it in an Irish session recently!

Having listened to and played Peter Rowan's version of Moonshiner for "many a long year", I was really interested to hear Robin Gillan's earlier version. And - last time I was in West Virginia, I heard Ginny Harker and Kay Justice sing, so I was interested in Steve Read & Fiona Cameron's rendition of No Drunkard Can Enter There.

Kate Lissauer produces a competent and well arranged version of Ain't No Grave and the Weaver Valley crew vary the scenario with their dulcimer - a welcome relief by track 22! Next is Dave Arthur & Rick Townend with Trouble on my Mind. I am beginning to value people who can play in time and in tune, and who can make a vaguely professional attempt at producing a track which is good to listen to!

I must comment that some of the tracks are instrumentals where the tune is repeated three or more times with little instrumental arrangement or variation; fine in an old-timey session, but is it listening music?

Finally, Sally Ann Johnson (Sensible Shoe String Band) starts off with really authentic old-timey playing like wot I've heard at Hilltop and Galax, but it's rather let down later on by timing glitches and saggings. This is a shame, because this band has tried very hard to deliver a well thought out and arranged number.

Congratulations to the FOAOTMAD committee who have commissioned and produced this CD in record time and to Steve Read, who collated it and put it together very quickly and competently.

Gill Harrison, Bulwick, Corby

28 June 2000