Reviews for
,
Robin's debut CD...Reviews and Press for Robin Greenstein
"It's been a pleasure introducing radio audiences to Robin and her songs. Songs with the power to entertain, enthrall, educate and to heal; a musician who mixes everything from blues to old-time banjo into a thoroughly contemporary mix." Dave Palmater, WUMB-FM, Boston
"She plays guitar like a man but sings like a woman!" Street Singer, Copenhagen
Reviews for ,
Robin's debut CD...
"I don't know why a bigger label hasn't picked her up by now."
Folk & Acoustic Music
Exchange (FAME) website
"Slow Burn is an exceptional record, one any artist would be proud to have as
their second or third release. The fact that it's Greenstein's debut makes it
even more special."
Dirty Linen
"I haven't heard anything so exciting and right-on since Carole King and Joni Mitchell cranked out mega albums in the early 1970's." Mark Horn,The Mining Co. web site 1998
"Melodic
and lyrical - it'll light a fire for you"
Mandolin Bros.' Vintage
News Newsletter
| Reviews for | 
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"She
reminds me of Carly Simon; her voice is strong and earthy and definitely pleasing
to the ear...a strong second outing....all in all, "Acousticness" is a hit -
the music is tight and the lyrics are good. This is the type of CD that makes
me want to find her first release and give it a listen."
Audrey Clark, Rambles Online Cultural Arts Magazine
"Robin Greenstein's second CD ACOUSTICNESS matches her smart, witty songwriting with some first-rate studio players for a full, radio-friendly sound. Her fluid vocals work both on the contemporary style songs and the couple of blues-influenced numbers on which she's backed by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown's band. Greenstein's banjo work on her version of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" and the touching acoustic track "Sacred Song" offer up nice contrasts. A nice all-around effort combining good singing, songwriting and arrangements." Dirty Linen April/May 2001
"Robin's two CDs show the diversity and range of her musical linfluences which blend folk, rock, pop. blues and country elements, all based around her acoustic guitar and her banjo. Greenstein voice can be smoothly seductive or whispery soft, capping off her style perfectly. She has certainly set a high standard for self produced projects, Both CDs feature tasteful production by top NY session musicians." The Sounding Board (The Official Newsletter of the Martin Guitar Company), Vol. 10, January 2001 "I've subscribed to the folkmusic digest for a long time, but just now found a really good reason to delurk. A friend in Houston hosted a house concert about a year ago featuring Robin. After a lot of procrastination, I finally took his advice and visited Robin's MP3.com page and listened to all the songs there. I was thinking that these songs sound a lot like Carly Simon or Carole King, and the lyrics are just as good or better than anything from those great singer/songwriters. How could someone produce two albums full of songs this good- living and performing in New York- and not be picked up by a major label? I visited her site and ordered copies of both of her CDs. The title song on her first album- 'Slow Burn'- is my favorite, but I like 'em all. You can hear her banjo on her cover of Dylan's 'You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome'. With a little luck, maybe we will soon be able to buy an album of Robin doing traditional material."
"LOVED IT! It's the most refreshing CD I've heard in a very long time. Great
tunes, lyrics and style."
Bob Singer, Singer House Concerts, Tamarac, FL
"We are big supporters of independent music and the people who make it.
Here are a few of our hidden gems: Robin Greenstein's 'Acousticness'. From down
and dirty to sultry soul with respectful nods at folk, rock and jazz, when you
pop this in your (CD) player you'll find yourself toe-tapping and finger-snapping
along." Mandolin
Bros. Vintage News Newsletter, April-May 2004
"A great CD, I was super-impressed and listened many
times. In my top 200!"
Derek Sivers, President and CEO, CDBaby.com
Reviews for
"Robin, who has worked with banjo legend Hedy West, goes, on this album, back two hundred (give or take) years to the Appalachian tradition, when tunes like The House Carpenter and Gypsy Davy were the means by which proletarian mores were stratified. Some tunes were collected by the Lomaxes, others from the Child Ballad collection. A "you cannot possibly go wrong" CD - all the guitars used on the recording are Martins - a 1975 000-28, a 1998 SP00C16R and a 2000 D-42." Mandolin Bros. Vintage News Newsletter April-May 2004
"Before
hearing this recording, I had only known Robin Greenstein as a singer-songwriter.
It turns out she once studied with the great Hedy West and, as she reveals on
this set, she is, herself, a very impressive interpreter of traditional folk
songs.
With the exception of West's "Cotton Mill Girls", all of the songs here are
traditional, all are performed in traditionally-oriented styles, and all are
primarily about women. The women in many of these songs are tragic figures.
There's the regretful wife who wishes she were a single girl again, the suicidal
lovers in "Katie Dear" - a variant of "Silver Dagger" - the battered, murdered
woman in "The Wind and Rain" and the young mother who deserts her baby and husband,
the house carpenter, to run away with a seaman, only to drown when his ship
sinks. There's also the rich man's wife who deserts her husband to run off with
Blackjack Davy and the wife of the farmer who was too much trouble for the Devil
himself.
Among my favorite tracks are a bluesy version of "I Know You Rider" that's reminiscent
of Hot Tuna's arrangement and a lovely version of the lonesome lament "Dink's
Song (Fare Thee Well)." Greenstein complements her comfortable-sounding vocals
with some fine guitar and banjo playing. She also sparingly uses a synthesizer
for added texture and receives some tasteful support from Barry Wiesenfeld on
bass Richard Sleigh on harmonica and fiddler Charlie Rury. As she implies in
the album title, she's planning to release a second volume of traditional songs
in the future. I'm eagerly awaiting it."
Mike Regenstreif for SING OUT Magazine
reprinted with permission of the reviewer
"If
wonderfully arranged and performed traditional music is your thing, then Robin
Greenstein's exquisite recording "Images Of Women Vol.1" is just what
you're looking for. Robin's fine and lively vocal interpretation of classic
American folk songs combine with sparkling banjo, guitar, harmonica and bass
to create an exciting piece of musical history. I could listen to this CD over
and over again! Smooth and relaxing - and a whole lot of fun to boot!"
Maggie Ferguson
Live! From the Living Room Acoustic Showcase
Host, Old Front Porch Radio Show - WXOU-FM Auburn Hills. MI
Vice President Paint Creek Folklore Society