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Tinsmith : Jigsaw (US,2002)*** (vg)
The title track "Jigsaw" fulfilled the expectations which I had after having browsed the audio tracks at Tinsmyth's website : beautiful banjo with e-bow, bass, acoustic rhythm guitar. Most tracks are in a folkrock style which for some tracks is commonly but nicely balanced with the instruments of rhythm guitar, nice female voice, high whistle. Second half is, with equally good result, more original in arrangements.
The interpretations of traditionals seems fine, but difficult to judge from my limited background interests (or from my mostly psychedelic & progressive folk interest). My favourite selections are, except for the title track, all on the second half of the CD -although the rest is fine too-, with my preferred track, "Bonnie Jean Cameron", an old Scottish song, both beautiful as song and interpretation (harmonic vocals, electric finger picking, acoustic guitar, el. Bass, tinwhistle). Also "Foggy, Foggy Dew", "Cold Frosty Morning Set" are similarly arranged. The last track "Greenfield of Canada" contains the nicely and originally sounding ebow, a perfect and welcome addition to the basic, nice folkrock interpretation.
Overall I find in Tinsmith a group which has the abilities to give folkrock a fresh sound. It was a CD which I liked more after a few listens.
