Maxwell's "Folk Songs" sits in that narrow strip between the classical and contemporary world. Folk melodies have been used by composers for centuries for their simple beauty. Here those melodies, arranged for vocal, guitar, even tiny music box, are surrounded by a rich, dynamic orchestration. Its not Muzak, nor would it satisfy the atonal listener. The orchestration boasts a romantic era lushness, but with a much steadier keel, the dynamics ebbing and flowing gracefully, the tempos flowing steadily. Some of the pieces are quite recognizable and hold fairly true to the original melodies. Others are more distant cousins, but the simple elegance so captivating is maintained. The singing by Barbary Grant, featured on 4 of the 7 tracks, demonstrates an impressive range of tone, pitch, and mood. All in all a delightful and unique offering. Review MJV Productions