...One of the more unique sounding recordings you're likely to hear this year comes from Virginia's Vicky Pratt Keating. Blue Apples is a fascinating mixture of instruments including ulliean pipes, bazouki, cello, violin, guitar and percussion, all layered very nicely over her delicate vocals. She's creating quite a stir in the fertile Washington, DC folk scene, and listening to the elegant poetry and refined melodies of songs such as "Boy With a Kite," "Into the Amazon," "Ten Step Stairs," and "Shoot for the Moon," it's easy to hear why. Definitely worth seeking out...