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BARGAIN BASEMENT

COMPACT DISCS - Folk Music (American, British Isles, Europe)

THE ALBION BAND
TONY CAPSTICK
DR. STRANGELY STRANGE
THE DUBLINERS
RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOT
FAIRPORT CONVENTION
FRANK HARTE & DONAL LUNNY
ASHLEY HUTCHINGS
JIMMY HUTCHISON
BERT JANSCH CONUNDRUM
BILL JONES
SEAN KEANE
JOHN KIRKPATRICK
EWAN MACCOLL
MARY MCCASLIN
MATT MCGINN
PAUL MCGRATTAN
JULIE MURPHY
MAGGY MURPHY
LASAIRFTHIONA NI CHONAOLA
OYSTERBAND
MICK RYAN & PETE HARRIS
SHEILA STEWART
WENDY STEWART
BRAM TAYLOR
VARIOUS ARTISTS
GABRIEL YACOUB

THE ALBION BAND Castle CMDDD 843 Albion Sunrise (The HTD Recordings 1994-1999) ● CD $19.98 $14.98
2 CDs, total 32 tracks, 136 mins, good
Despite the dates in the title, this compilation culls tracks from 8 Albion releases recorded from 1990-99 and featuring the ever-shifting band lineup Albion fans have been used to over their long run. The quality of recording varies from the early demo-sounding tracks from "Captured" to the retro-rock anthem "Wings" that sounds more like the Doors without the lust. The original songs, whether by Ashley Hutchings, Julie Matthews, Kellie While, or other bandmembers, shares a determination to hold steadfastly to the aesthetics of about 1972, a quality Albion fans will find endearing and others may find tiresomely retro after a while. Even when they try to rock out they seem polite and restrained. Still this is a solid, heaping helping of music from one of the UK folk scene's seminal bands. (DC)

 
TONY CAPSTICK Rubber 008 Punch & Judy Man ● CD $21.98 $15.98
10 tracks, 40 mins, highly recommended
CD issue of 1974 album by this fine singer from Yorkshire who subsequently turned more to humor thaN singing. This is a fine collection of traditional and contemporary songs - the latter often in traditional vein. The arrangements are varied featuring musicians like Dave Price, Mick Doonan, Jed Grimes and Martin Jenkins and ranges from simple acoustic guitar to electric band and includes one song acapella. There are two songs from the brilliant songwriter John Connolly including the gorgeous title song which is alone worth the price of the disc. Other tracks include Laszlo Faher (a chilling ballad)/ Sir Hubert Vayne (dig that wah-wah guitar!)/ McCaffery/ Hughie The Graeme and others. Tony passed away in 1959 at the early age of 59. This CD is available in limited quantities. (FS)

 
DR. STRANGELY STRANGE Progressive Line 572 Heavy Petting ● CD $21.98 $17.98
Reissue of 1971 "progressive folk" album from cult band who recorded two albums in 1970 and 1971 and then disbanded and briefly reunited in 1997! The vocals and lyrics from band members Tim Goulding, Tim Booth and Ivan Pawle are strongly reminsicent of the Incredible String Band. Their songs feature interesting instrumental arrangements and has some intriguing guest musicians including Dave Mattacks/ drums, Johnny Moynihan/ bouzouki, Andy Irvine/ mandolin and a very young Gary Moore on guitar.

 
THE DUBLINERS Wooded Hill HILLCD 12 The Dubliners With Luke Kelly ● CD $14.98 $9.98
Reissue of the group's classic first album from 1964 with original notes on cover and new notes in booklet. Luke, Ronnie, Ciaron & Barney do a fine job on a set of traditional songs and tunes including The Wild Rover/ PreabSan Ol/ The Holy Ground/ Tramps & Hawkers/ Rocky Road To Dublin/ I'll Tell My Ma/ Jar Of Porter/ The Nightingale and others.

 
RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOT Vanguard 79575 The Ballad Of Ramblin' Jack ● CD $15.98 $11.98
20 tracks, 59 mins, recommended
Fine collection of recordings of this American institution drawn from the sound track of the movie about his life. The music includes studio recordings, informal recordings, songs from TV shows, films and live performances covering 45 years from 1953 to 1998. Jack's voice is a little strained on some of the more recent performances but there's a lot of fine performances here. It includes the first legitimate reissue of his 1961 duet with Bob Dylan on the quasi doo-wop song Acne, a duet with Johnny Cash on Take Me Home from a 1971 Johnny Cash TV show where he also does a great version of Muleskinner Blues with Norman Blake & randy Scruggs. There's a previously unissued 1953 recording of Railroad Bill which he sings with Woody Guthrie and Sonny Terry. Other songs include Cuckoo/ Pastures Of Plenty/ San Francisco Bay Blues/ Candy Man (a great version recorded at Alan Lomaxe's appartment in New York in 1961)/ Don't Think Twice/ If I Were A Carpenter/ 900 Miles/ 1913 Massacre and more. Includes annotations by Jack's daughter Aiyana. (FS)

 
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Burning Airlines PILOT 133 Before The Moon ● CD $22.98 $13.98
This fine two CD set features two sets by the band recorded live at the Ebbets Field Club in Denver, Colorado in 1974 - shortly after Sandy Denny had rejoined the band. In addition to Sandy, the band included Dave Swarbrick, Trevor Lucas, Jerry Donahue, Dave Pegg & Dave Mattacks. There is some duplication between the two sets but not a lot and we get to hear fine performances of Rising For The Moon/ Dirty Linen/ Sloth/ Matty Groves/ Down In The Flood/ Fiddlestix/ Like An Old Fashioned Waltz/ Bring 'Em Down/ John The Gun and others. Sound quality is not always the greatest but it's all quite listenable.

 
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Polydor (UK) 068 291-2 Fairport Convention ● CD $14.98 $10.98
Newly remastered reissue of Fairport's first album originally issued in 1968 plus four bonus cuts - one side of their first single and three previously unissued cuts recorded in 1968. Handsomely packaged in a slip case with 16 page booklet with new notes by Ashley Hutchings and some great photos in color and black and white.

 
FRANK HARTE & DONAL LUNNY Hummingbird 031 And Listen To My Song ● CD $19.98 $14.98
12 tracks, 45 mins, highly recommended
Most welcome reissue of 1976 album from this brilliant Irish singer. All traditional songs, many unfamiliar - half sung unaccompanied and half with sensitive bouzouki accompaniment by Donal Lunny. Includes Mis Brown/ SWeet Erin The Green/ Morrissey & The Russian Sailor/ Napoleon Bonaparte/ The Woods Of Truagh/ The Plains Of Waterloo and more. Has 20 page booklet with notes by Frank on all the songs plus lyric transcripts. (FS)

 
ASHLEY HUTCHINGS BGO BGOCD 353 Rattlebone & Ploughjack ● CD $17.98 $10.98
Reissue of 1976 Island album put together by Ashley Hutchings as a documentary on Molly Dancing and the Border Morris featuring both spoken and musical excerpts. None of the musicians are identified but are thought to probably be Albionites like John Kirkpatrick, Richard Thompson, etc. There is also one track from an early cylinder recording by Herefordshire gypsy fiddler John Locke.

 
ASHLEY HUTCHINGS Castle Music America CMX 519 The Guv'nor, Vol 1 ● CD $11.98 $8.98
19 tracks, 73 mins, highly recommended
In England the phrase "The Guv'nor" refers to the man in charge which certainly is an apt description of Ashley Hutchings when it comes to the English folk rock scene. He was a founding member of Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and the ever changing Albion Band. This is the first of two CDs featuring recordings from Ashley's archives of outtakes, live performances, radio broadcast tracks, etc - all previously unissued. There's some great stuff here. The disc opens with The Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra from 1966 - one of AshlEy's first groups also featuring a young Simon Nicol - a novelty group in the Cheap Suit Serenaders vein. There are three tracks from Fairport including a lovely version of Dylan's Dear Landlord with a wonderful Sandy Denny vocal. Dylan is also responsible for my favorite cut here - a stunning acapella rendering of Lay Down Your Weary by Steeleye Span from 1970 - poorly recorded but what a performance! There is also one track from the short lived acoustic band The Etchingham Steam Band with Shirley Collins vocal. The rest of the disc features every conceivable variation on the Albion Band including a terrific Sailor's Life/ One More Day with John Tams lead and Julie Covington harmony vocal. Great stuff! (FS)

 
ASHLEY HUTCHINGS & CO. HTD 39 The Guv'nor's Big Birthday Bash ● CD $17.98 $11.98
Ashley Hutchings celebrates his 50th birthday in March 1995 in the company of friends like Maartin Allcock, Polly Bolton, Vikki Clayton, Michael Gregory, Julie Matthews, Simon Nicol, Jean-Pierre Rasle, Graeme Taylor, Dave Whetstone and others!

 
JIMMY HUTCHISON Tradition Bearers 1002 Corachree ● CD $17.98 $12.98
12 tracks, 57 mins, recommended
Another in this excellent series featuring some of the best of the latter day interpreters of traditional songs. Jimmy Hutchison from the Island of Uist has been singing traditional songs for 40 years but this, surprisingly, is his first recording. Jimmy is a splendid singer - powerful and expressive and with a lovely melodic quality. Most of the songs are traditional Scottish songs - some familiar some less so - but all of them benefitting from Jimmy's assured approach. Most of the songs are performed acapella with occasional added fiddle, guitar or mouthorgan and occasional vocal support. Among the songs are Erin-go-Bragh/ Matty Groves/ The Beggarman/ Phiege A Grath/ False Lover Won Back/ Lord Donald and others. Beautifully recorded, it comes with booklet with informative notes. (FS)

 
BERT JANSCH CONUNDRUM Kicking Mule 3909 Thirteen Down ● CD $15.98 $10.98
Reissue of 1979 album, the only album by this short lived group featuring Jansch with Martin Jenkins/vocal, violin, flute & mandocello; Nigel Portman-Smith/electric bass; Fender Rhodes/accordion; and others. Mostly original compositions.

 
BILL JONES Brick Wall Music 002 Panchpuran ● CD $19.98 $11.98
The second album from this fine English artist doesn't quite impress me as much as her debut. The singing, playing and choice of songs are still superb but some of the charm and spontenaity are missing and the arrangements with string quartets and the like are a little too polished. Still it's worth a listen to hear Bill's voice on songs like William Taylor/ The Barley & The Rye/ Rocking The Cradle/ Loving Hannah and others including the long, semi autobiographical, title song.

 
SEAN KEANE Claddagh CCF 25 Jig It In Style ● CD $17.98 $10.98
Second solo album this brilliant fiddle player who is best known as a member of The Chieftains. The selection here is mostly Irish along with a few from Scotland and a couple from North America - the latter includes a tongue in cheek, but very effective bluesy treatment of Heartbreak Hotel. Sean is accompanied on some cuts by Paul Brady on guitar & synthesizer and on a set of jigs by Liam O'Floinn on uileann pipes. Lovely! (FS)

 
JOHN KIRKPATRICK Fledgling 3030 Mazurka Berserker ● CD $15.98 $11.98
Terrific new album from this stalwart of the British folk scene. John sings and plays a selection of traditional and original songs and tunes along with a few from other sources. Ostensibly a duet album John is joined by the likes of Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Alistair Anderson, Dave Swarbrick, Richard Thompson and others but the focus is squarely on John's stellar vocals, concertina and accordion playing.

 
EWAN MACCOLL Recall 149 Antiquities ● CD $15.98 $9.98
Two CD selection of 29 tracks recorded by this important artist for Cooking Vinyl in the 80s. It includes original compositions (new and old), songs by his wife Peggy Seeger and traditional songs - First Time I Saw Your Face/ Cam Ye Oer Frae France/ Ballad Of Accounting/ Looking For A Job/ Moving On Song/ We Remember (Naming Of names) / The Machester Rambler/ Maggie Went Green/ The Press Gang/ The Driver's Song/ The Joy Of Living, etc.

 
EWAN MACCOLL Topic TSCD 810 Solo Flight ● CD $15.98 $10.98
Reissue of 1972 Argo album featuring Ewan on a collection of mostly traditonal songs accompanied by Peggy Seeger and John Faulkner.

 
MARY MCCASLIN Philo 1160 Broken Promises ● CD $15.98 $8.98
13 tracks, 40 min., recommended
This set of mostly self-penned numbers dealing with disappointments in life and love is McCaslin's first new issue in several years and should be welcomed by those who value an experienced lyrical perspective. The whole program is evocative and effective, but I particularly like the title tune, Once Again/ The Old Days, her plaintive reading of the Beatles' Help/ If I Don't Miss You, and the country fiddle-backed Too Late to Pray. A weary and wise program on the whole, good listening for those of us who, like the artist here, have reached our middle years. (DH)

 
MATT MCGINN Castle Music America 699 The Best Of ... ● CD $13.98 $7.98
25 tracks, highly recommended
Most welcome compilation of this fine and important Scottish folk performer drawn from recordings made for Transatlantic & Xtra between 1967 and 1969. Matt (who tragically died in a fire in 1977) was a talented songwriter, a comic and a commited socialist and his songs reflect both his comedic wit and his social concerns. Though not an exceptional singer Matt was most appealing and his thick Glasgow accent is a joy. The songs are all original and include The Dundee Ghost/ Honesty Is Out Of Fashion/ The Ballad Of John McLean (one of his finest efforts)/ The Boys From Lisbon/ On The Road To Aldermaston/ The Pill/ The Rolling Hills Of The Border (another gem)/ Three Nights & A Sunday/ Eternity Will Soon Be Over and others. The enclosed booklet has notes by Matt's widow Janette. (FS)

 
PAUL MCGRATTAN Hare's Ear 002 Keelwest ● CD $19.98 $12.98
12 tracks, 42 mins., good
Dublin traditional flute player McGrattan comes out of the chute like he's vying for All-Ireland champion in an incendiary, slightly breathless opening reel rampage. Overall, this is very capable playing, with interesting medleys and a fine cast of accompanying support including guitarist Arty McGlynn and fiddler Paddy Glackin. There are some really inventive set arrangements, like the jigs starting with Down the Back Lane, featuring some of McGlynn's most solidly understated support work, followed by reels driven by a truly loopy reggae rhythm. (DC)

 
JULIE MURPHY Beautiful Jo 38 Lilac Tree ● CD $18.98 $13.98
Fine new album from excellent Welsh singer Murphy. With the exception of a beautiful version of the traditional Our Captain Cried All Hands, all the songs are originals by Julie and guitarist Richard Llewellyn. They are joined from time to time by bass, drums and trumpet.

 
MAGGY MURPHY Veteran Tapes 134 Linkin' O'Er The Lea ● CD $18.98 $11.98

 
LASAIRFTHIONA NI CHONAOLA Lasaifthiona 001 An Raicin Alainn ● CD $17.98 $13.98
14 tracks, highly recommended In case you were wondering her name is pronounced Lah-sah-reena Nee Can-ee-luh. She is a lovely singer with that wispy, breathy style which is very popular these days. This album features unfamiliar traditional songs, some original compositions and the writing of Aran writer Dara O Conaola. All the songs are sung in Gaelic - some are unaccompanied but many have discreet accompaniments by top notch Irish musicians like Maire Breatnach, Mary Bergin, Johnny McDonough and others. One song features the excellent singing of her brother MacDara. A very worthwhile debut. (FS)

 
OYSTERBAND Cooking Vinyl CKV 128 Deep Dark Ocean ● CD $14.98 $8.98
Fine 1997 album of mostly original songs by band members.

 
MICK RYAN & PETE HARRIS Terra Nova 011 The Widow's Promise ● CD $10.98 $8.98
Fine British duo performing traditional songs and more recent songs in traditional style. Most of the leads are Ryan with Harris providing the harmonies and instrumental accompaniment on guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, mandola, etc. and occasional lead vocal. Nothing particularly striking but some good singing, playinga dn songs - The Widow's Promise/ The Old Couple/ The Man I Killed/ Hash House Blues/ Salisbury Plain/ Adieu, Adieu, etc.

 
SHEILA STEWART Offspring 101 ... And Time Goes On ● CD $19.98 $14.98
An excellent collection featuring Sheila Stewart - a member of the famous Stewarts Of Blair. This collection includes 5 songs (Rosie/ Jock Stewart/ Never Wed An Auld Man, etc) and six delightful folk tales, usually with a humorous ending (The Parrot/ The Three Wishes/ The Trampman/ Aplley & Orangey, etc)

 
WENDY STEWART Greentrax CDTRAX 126 About Time 2 ● CD $15.98 $11.98
Fine Scottish singer and harpist, member of the group Ceolbeg, with a collection of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes with occasional accompaniments from Gary West/ small pipes & whistle, Colin Matheson/ guitar and Jim Walker/ snare drum & percussion.

 
BRAM TAYLOR Fellside FECD 148 Singing! The Bram Taylor Collection ● CD $16.98 $11.98
A collection of 19 traditional and modern songs performed by singer/ guitarist taylor drawn from three LPs he recorded for Fellside in the 80s. Pleasant, if not particularly memorable, stuff.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Castle CMETD 1273 Scarborough - The Best Of English Folk ● CD $25.98 $19.98
Another three CD set of folk music largely drawn from Transatlantic plus some labels acquired by Castle. Most of it is from the 60s and 70s along with a few tracks from the 90s by various Ashley Hutchings groups. About one-third traditional and the rest singer-songwriter. Some of the latter seems pretty dated. INcludes tracks by Mr. Fox, Dave & Toniu Arthur, Donovan, Michael Chapman, Lala & Mike Waterson, Keith Christmas, Dave Swarbrick, Pentangle, John James, Mike Cooper, Cliff Aungier, dave Sless, Dransfield, Richard Digance, Ethchingham Steam Band, Incredible String Band, Steve Tilston, The Spinners, Storyteller, Andrew Cronshaw, Synanthesia and others. Includes 12 page illustrated booklet.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS DDST 001 Caipini - Traditional Music & Song From West Kerry ● CD $21.98 $17.98
Fine collection of traditional unaccompanied singing and accordion playing by 11 veteran performers - many in their 70s. Includes notes on all of the performances though, unfortunately, they are all in Gaelic.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS DejaVu Retro Gold R2CD 42-09 The Celtic Spirit of Ireland ● CD $12.98 $5.98
2 CD set - 31 tunes and songs reissued from the Green Linnet label - Altan: Dulaman / Deanta: Dark Iniseoghain / Liz Carroll: Reel Beatrice\The Abbey Reel / Martin Hayes: Paddy Fahy's Jig\Sean Ryan's Jig, etc.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS DejaVu Retro Gold R2CD 42-33 Celtic Myths: Ballads and Songs of Scotland and Ireland ● CD $12.98 $5.98
2 CD set - 31 tunes and songs reissued from the Green Linnet Label - Altan: The Lass of Glanshee / Deanta: Where Are You? / Capercaillie: Fogsail An Doros\Nighean Bhuaaidh'Ruadh / Silly Wizard: The Banks of the Lee, etc.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Fellside FECD 176 Song Links ● CD $28.98 $22.98
A two CD set of trdaitional songs showing how the songs were changed when they traveled from England to Australia. Te first disc features the English songs performed by Tony Rose, The Copper Family, John Kirkpatrick, Bill Whaley & Dave Fletcher, Louis Killen, Shirley Collins, Martin Carthy, Bob Copper, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Norma Waterson. The second disc features their Australian variants performed by Kete Burke & Ruth Hazleton, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Dave De Hugard, james Fagan, Danny Spooner and Cathie O'Sullivan. The 17 songs include Sweet Jenny Of The Moor/ The Female Sailor Bold/ Lord Franklin/ Claudy Banks/ Barbara Ellen/ Down By The Green Bushes/ Willie The Bold Sailor Boy/ The Bonny Bunch Of Roses-O/ The Convict's Lamentation and others. All songs were newly recorded for this compilation. Beatufully packaged in a miniture hard bound book format with 76 page booklet with extensive notes.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Leader 2044 Music From The Coleman Country - Revisited ● CD $22.98 $15.98
Reissue of classic 1972 album of traditional Irish music with newly added comments between tracks by Seamus Tansey.

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Mrs. Casey 4002 Evolving Tradition 4 - Generations ● CD $21.98 $15.98
19 tracks, recommended Previous volumes in this fine series have concentrated on some of the upcoming performers on the British Isles folk scene. Quite a few of these artists are the sons and daughters of artists who rose to prominence in the 60s and 70s and this disc features both generations. It includes John Kirkpatrick by himself and then accompanying his son Benji, various members of the Waterson family (Martin, Eliza, Lal's son & duaghter and Waterson: Carthy), The Fagan Family, Taffy Thomas and his son and daughter, Carolyn Roberts with her daughters and more. Many of tracks are from previously available CDs though some are newly recorded for this compilation. (FS)
BOB CANN AND MARK BAZELEY: The Stein Song/ MARTIN CARTHY (BRASS MONKEY): The Maid Of Australia/ ELIZA CARTHY, NORMA WATERSON, MARIA GILHOOLEY: Little Gypsy Girl/ ROSIE DOONAN AND BEN MURRAY WITH PHIL MURRAY,: Gypsy Davy/ THE FAGAN FAMILY: Factory Lad/ MARIA GILHOOLEY AND OLIVER KNIGHT WITH CHRIS P: A Sweet Lullaby/ SARA GREY WITH KIERON MEANS: Hop High My Lulu Girl/ SANDRA AND NANCY KERR: The Lion's Den/ BENJI AND JOHN KIRKPATRICK: Toxic Haze/ JOHN KIRKPATRICK: The Bonnie Lass Of Bon Accord/ KIERON MEANS WITH SARA GREY: Run Mountain/ DAVID AND JOE OLIVER: Sitting In The Stern/ CAROLYN ROBSON AND THE TABBUSH SISTERS: Must I Be Round/ BARNABY STRADLING (SOEZA): They Glow At Night/ ROD AND DANNY STRADLING (OLD SWAN BAND): Curly Headed Ploughboy-the Quaker-3 Around 3/ TAFFY, SAM AND ANNIE THOMAS: Jack Turnip-snowfalls/ LINDA THOMPSON, TEDDY, KAMILA AND RICHARD THOM: Dear Mary/ WATERSON : CARTHY: Goodbye, Fare Thee Well/ CHRIS AND KELLIE WHILE: Talke To Me Of Medeccino

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Vanguard VCD 143/44 The Original New Folks ● CD $15.98 $10.98
23 tracks, 65 min., highly recommended
This generous disc reissues both Vanguard "New Folks" LPs (VRS 9096 and VRS 9140). Back in the early 60's, when they first saw the light of day, they gave the listening public its first listen to Eric Anderson, Jackie Washington, the Greenbriar Boys, and Phil Ochs, among others. It's good to hear these first rate folksters at the beginning of their careers, as well as the other, lesser known but seasoned, performers who are also featured here. Program selections include Come to my Bedside by Eric Anderson, Let Me Fly by Jackie Washington, Pretty Polly by Hedy West, Winken and Blinken and Nod by David Gude, Stewball by the Greenbriar Boys, Mole in the Ground by Lisa Kindred, Do Re Mi by Bob Jones, and There But for Fortune by Phil Ochs. Sound quality and cover art are both solid, and the updated liner notes are brief but informative. (DH)

 
VARIOUS ARTISTS Vanguard 163/166 Vanguard's Collector's Edition ● CD $44.98 $19.98
Four CD - 80 track retrospective of this important label with 100 page full color book. Includes 9 previously unissued cuts. Includes Paul Robeson, Jimmy Rushing, The Kingston Trio, Flatt & Scruggs, Odetta, The Rooftop Singers, Joan Baez, Pat Sky, Doc & Merle Watson, Judy Collins, Judy Roderick, Reverend Gary Davis, James Cotton, Buddy Guy, John Fahey, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Oregon, Poussez, Clark Terry, The Dillards, Rik Emmmett, peter Case and many more.

 
GABRIEL YACOUB Celluloid 67030 Yacoub ● CD $17.98 $12.98
Mostly original songs with varying accompaniments including hurdy gurdy, violin, uillean pipes, guitars, etc.

 
GABRIEL YACOUB E.L.F. Production 003 The Simple Things We Said (Les Choses Les Plus Simples) ● CD $16.98 $9.98
14 tracks, 49 mins, highly recommended
Lovely new album from this brilliant French singer, songwriter and guitarist - his first in quite a while. On this album Gabriel revisits some songs he has recorded before along with some newer compositions. Gabriel is one of the finest singers anywhere with a wonderful soulful and smoky voice. Arrangements are kept simple - most tracks are just Gabriel on guitar or mandocello with Nathalie Riviere/ violin and Yannick Hardouin/ bass plus occasional additional instrumental or vocal accompaniments. Gabriel's music is deeply steeped in traditional music and although the material is mostly contemporary there is a strong traditional feel throughout. Gabriel is expert at working with harmony vocals and a couple of tracks feature this spine chilling sound. My favorite track here is the magnificent Jour De Lessive based around a poem by late 19th/ early 20th century writer and proto beatnik Gaston Coute set to a simply gorgeous tune by Gabriel - it alone is worth the price of admission. The title song is a lovely song about communication and it opens the CD sung in English and ends it in French. Gabriel has been touring the USA recently and is well worth seeing if you get a chance. Delightful. (FS)

 

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