Sharon Ibsin
Journey To The New World
Sony Masterworks
www.sonymasterworks.com
By George W. Harris

Acoustic guitarist Sharon Ibsin has put out a lovely pastoral recording
of traditional music mixed with a pair of World Premier Recordings. Her
touch on the guitar is gentle and fragrant, and she makes you feel like
you’re walking along verdant hills on her Renaissance Lute works and
English Folk songs like “The Drunken Sailor” and “Lord Willoughby’s
Welcome Home.” Bell-toned vocalist Joan Baez comes out of hiding for a
pair of folk tunes that have the 60s icon still sounding rich, if a bit
weathered, on “Wayfaring Stranger.” The “Joan Baez Suite” includes well
crafted arrangements of tunes like “House of the Rising Son” while the
“Strings & Threads Suite” includes violinist Mark O’Connor to some pub
grub like “Cotton Pickin’ Blues” and “Sweet Suzanne.” Perfect music for
quite and contemplative walks in the hills.