ISLA GRANT - Down Memory Lane (CMR)

Scots born Isla has made a lot of friends in the business over the years, both as a songwriter and as a performer. On this new album, she gets together with a bunch of her true friends and produces 16 duets, some of her most popular numbers, and some country classics.
The title track, which opens the album teams her up with Daniel O’Donnell, and DOD also features on the ever popular “Partners In Rhyme”. Daniel’s sister Margo is also featured on two tracks, “It’s Good To See You” and “An Old Friend Like You”.
We find perfect harmonies with husband Al joining Isla on “My Happiness” and “Jackson”.
Foster & Allen are featured on Isla’s composition, “Over The Years” and she returns the favour by joining in on their classic “After All These Years”.
Jimmy Buckley & Isla do a couple of classics proud, on “Makin’ Believe” and especially “Today I Started Loving You Again”. It’s clear to see that both have such an affection for The Hag.
Everybody’s friend George Hamilton IV pops up on “Spending Time With You”, and Australian Judy Stone shares the vocals on “What’s A Girl To Do”.
But my own favourites have to include Gail Davies “Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You”, which Isla duets with Louise Morrisseya nd her own “Will You Walk Down This Road With Me” which she shares with new Irish sensation Mike Denver.
Robert Mizzell & Isla take on George & Tammy, and do an exceptionally good job on “One”, and her teaming up with Mick Flavin on “Nobody’s Darlin’ But Mine” is just superb.
This isn’t just an album of duets. You can tell from the chemistry that Isla is with friends here, and you’re welcome to join the party.
A superb collection.

MANSON GRANT - Greatest Gift Of All (Pan Records)

This album came in just too late to be reviewed last year, but no doubt still available this year.
Wick’s long running Country showband come up with a good festive party album, with no less than 21 Christmas classics. They’re all here- “Winter Wonderland”, “An Old Christmas Card”, “Silver Bells”, “White Christmas”, “Jingle Bells” and many more.
Manson’s trumpet is much more to the fore than ever before, most notably on “Silent Night”.
Perhaps the most interesting tracks are the lesser known covers. Loretta Lynn’s “Country Christmas” is quite refeshing, but I’d pick “Christmas Long Ago” as my favourite.
Manson and the lads do a good party job on the album. Most of the tracks have been done to death, but if you’re having a Christmas party, then everything you need is here on one album.
Available through the http://www.panrecords.co.uk/ website.

MAY & MACKIE - Long Way Down The Road (Nel Music)

This husband & wife team from Shetland have been part of the Country scene for 20 years now, yet this is only their third album. They recently played the Thomas Fraser Memorial Festival (in honour of May’s father) and have been booked for next years Northern Nashville Festival. The album, produced by Phillip Anderson is a truly international affair, being recorded in Shetland, Orkney andNashville !
There are four songs written by Mackie, which he also leads the vocals on. The stand out track has to be “When I Called To Say Hello”, which has some really outstanding twin fiddles.
Mackie also does a good solid job on Springsteen’s “Lucky Town”, and Vince Gill’s classic “Kindly Keep It Country”
May leads the vocals on the other tracks, which tend veer more to the modern ballad. She kicks off the album with the song that started Martina McBride’s career, “The Time Has Come”, and closes with the beautiful folksy “You’ll Never Be The Sun” ( which also features May’s daughter Rhonda). It really is quite a masterpiece. I also enjoyed “What If We Fly”, which really captures May’s vocals.
A superbly produced album, well worth seeking out.
Obtainable from M&M Band, 28 Blydoit, East Voe, Shetland ZE1OUG.

THOMAS FRASER - Treaure Untold (Nel Music)

This is the third album of lost recordings from Shetland’s Thomas Fraser, who was hugely inspired by the likes of Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams. The amazing story of these recordings goes back to the fifties and sixties, when Thomas recorded himself on an old reel to reel tape recorder. The tapes lay gathering dust, until close to his death, when he revealled his wish that his music would be heard. When his family issued the first CD of his work back in 2002, the reaction was amazing. The acclaim came from far & near.
Now, to put things into perspective, this CD is not going to appeal to today’s Country fans, and it’s unlikely to get much, if any radio play, but for those whose idea of Country music goes back beyond the 50’s then, not only will you marvel at the story behind the recordings, but also the quality.
This 3rd volume features 25 tracks, including “Wedding Bells”, “Blue Yodel No.4”, “Waitin’ For A Train” and “Blue Canadian Rockies”. There’s also a couple of fiddle tunes for good measure.
The CD comes complete with an amazing 20 page booklet.
All of Thomas Fraser recordings are available on line at http://www.thomasfraser.com/