fRoots, December 2008

Bette is Mary Beth Carty, singer, accordeon and pi...
Bette is Mary Beth Carty, singer, accordeon and pianist from Nova Scotia and Wallet is Gabriel F. Ouellette from Quebec, singer fiddle, banjo and guitar player and foot-tapper. There is enough evidence on their debut album by this young duo to show that here are considerable, exciting talents. They have synthesised a number of traditional influences to come up with a distinctive and vibrant approach incorporating the diverse Canadian dance music tradition and their call-and-response singing along with blues, klezmer and Cajun influences. There is also evidence in their observant, everyday song-writing that they have listened well to that icon of Québecois music, Mary Bolduc.

They are both solid instrumentalists and would probably achieve recognition without the outstanding calibre that gives them their undoubted star quality. Singing in French and English, often within the same song, Bette's memorable voice continues to ring in your head long after you have stopped listening. The quality and tone of her voice is reminiscent of La Talvera's Céline Ricard but Bette's delivery is less cool, more passionate. Here she has some very fine songs to display these talents, including Squeegees, Minister's Daughter, OGM, Fonctionaire and Family Photo, all except the last named composed by Bette.

This is much better than any home-recorded first album ought to be.

Vic Smith