Acoustic Progressive Folk. I have not thought of the girl in forty years. Her name was Jerry Mershon and she taught me to ride a bicycle one October day, on Bartlett School grounds. Even at eleven she showed promise of the great beauty she would become. Sun streaked auburn hair flying behind, as she supported me on the 2-wheeler until it learned to stay upright. I still ride ten miles a day and started this review just after dawn and a return from the streets. I was struggling through the first twenty ounce cup of French Roast when "Boy With a Kite" of the CD brought everything flashing back to me. The images of childhood it evokes are so strong they will have everyone flashing back to a child of beauty from their youth.

God, what would we do without songwriters to dull the ache of night sky, to summon up cinnamon pie smells from thin dusty desert or the humid seas? It has been a privilege to work with some fine writers and witness the pain of birthing these gossamer auditory fabrics and I don't honestly think they have much choice in the matter. They display their brilliance because they are driven to it.

Vicky has a youthful female voice that shows the willow strength of Woman and the warmth of Solera wine. Just a touch of smokiness like haze fronting distant mountains, never a false step, she adds the Irish grace notes of trills and runs with a master's touch. Her lyrics all have something to say, and her melodies are fitted with the care of a Japanese swordsmith, knowing the sharpness sleeping only a finger's breadth away.

Record scouts looking for talent should take a long look at the lady who is ready. Definitely airplay, the backdrop provided by producer Bob Read and Vicky is full of the interesting texture of great musicians. Pete Kennedy shows up to captain guitar wars; Paddy Keenan wags the uillean pipes, the fine mandolin is by noted Akira Otsuka; Bob Vasile haunts the Bazouki; Rick Schmidt doubles the harmony with violin, cello, and viola. Buy it!