Album: Christine Tobin & Liam Noble, Tapestry Unravelled (Trail Belle)

Following the death of her elder sister Deirdre, who had introduced her to Carole King's Tapestry album as a child, Irish vocalist Tobin was moved to return to this most iconic set of songs and interpret them anew with the brilliant pianist Liam Noble, a regular partner.

Not everything works (what can you do with "Smackwater Jack?"), yet half are close to perfect. All the most familiar numbers are done well but "Home Again" and "So Far Away" are empathetic masterpieces, Tobin's bluesy voice wailing mightily.