The early-"80s Trapezoid line-up (Freyda Epstein, Ralph Gordon, Paul Reisler, and Lorraine Duisit) applied tightly arranged harmonies and rhythms to Appalachian instruments and motifs with such precision and beauty that they became the best American example of the chamber-folk genre. Singer/fiddler Epstein and bassist Gordon have now formed a new trio with guitarist Bob Vasile called Freyda & Acoustic AttaTude, and Midnight at Cabell Hall goes a long way toward capturing that old Trapezoid sound. The album was recorded live (though without an audience) at the University of Virginia"s Old Cabell Hall with the "Stereo Microphone Technique," which tapes the room sound rather than the sound coming right off the instruments. This approach provides a warmer, richer sound and captures this trio"s highly attuned rapport. --Geoffrey Himes