Rachel Sermanni – Live in Dawson City

Considering the hefty number of gigs and festivals Rachel Sermanni has racked up over the years, a live album seems like a natural step. Recorded last summer in Yukon, Canada, Live in Dawson City finds the hard-working Highlander on winning form, showcasing a natural talent that’s been tirelessly honed. Accompanied only by Jennifer Austin on piano, the low-key delivery suits the music beautifully: intimate and unfussy, with lots of space to appreciate the clarity of Sermanni’s folk songs and the purity of her voice.

‘Sounds like you’re there in the room’ is an overused, go-to phrase when critiquing live recordings yet it feels appropriate to Dawson City, which conveys genuine atmosphere. What it doesn’t convey, regrettably, is a clear sense of occasion; for all the quality of Sermanni’s performance, there’s nothing to identify this particular show as worth preserving over others, and this lack of special significance makes Dawson City that little bit less essential.