Critiques CD: Alasdair Roberts | A Wonder Working Stone

Troubadour Alasdair Roberts deserves a greater spotlight than the hazy lumens currently shining on him. The Scot has been kicking at the underground music industry tires for twenty odd years – firstly as the leader of Appendix Out and for the last decade as himself – fine tuning the art of the singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Seven albums into his "solo" career, Roberts delivers another beautifully simple offering, A Wonder Working Stone, joined by a full band who help bring his modern tales of old to life. Ali has made it his mission to unearth a deep deep well of Scottish music traditions and themes, and brings them back to life through his eyes, ears, and words for the modern world to discover again for the first time. We hear the sounds of Highland folk, country, and pop as squeezed through the hands of Glasgow city dwellers.