Bulletin - January/ February
2010
Folk Music
Peter Bellamy -> Various Artists
| ENGLAND |
PETER BELLAMY |
Topic TSCD 582 |
Both Sides Then |
$14.98 |
15 songs, 57 mins, essential
Back in print on CD. Peter Bellamy was one of the finest folk song
interpreters on the British folk scene and his suicide in 1991 was a
major tragedy. Starting his career in the mid 60s as a founding
member of the outstanding and influential group The Young Tradition
he commenced a solo career when they disbanded and over the years
produced one significant recording after another. His unique vocal
style earned him the anagrammatic nickname Elmer P. Bleaty - once
you heard him you would never forget him. His concertina and guitar
playing, while not flashy were alway appropriate to the performance.
He loved all kinds of traditional music and this recording -
originally issued on Topic in 1979 was possibly the high point in
his career drawing together his love of both English and American
traditional music by alternating English and American songs - hence
the whimsical album title. The result is spellbinding - the choice
of songs impeccable, Peter's performances marvelous and he is joined
at various times by such sterling musicians as Dave Swarbrick, The
Watersons, Louis Killen and others. It's all so good that it's hard
to pick favorites though his exquisite treatment of A-Roving On A
Winter's Night from the family repertoire of Doc Watson with
guitar and harmony vocal accompaniment by Lisa Null & Bill Shute is
particularly fine. The Watersons join him on some lovely treatments
of American spirituals like The Lord Will Provide and Long
Time Travelling. But its all great and this CD release like the
previous Fled'gling reissue has added the risque The Maid Of
Australia previously issued on a Fellside collection. In
addition to Peter's original notes on the songs this reissue
features lengthy notes by Leslie Berman and Edward Haber and a warm
tribute from Peter's good friend Martin Carthy. Essential indeed!
(FS)
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| ENGLAND |
DAVY GRAHAM |
Decca (UK) 532 263-1 |
A Scholar And A Gentleman |
$29.98 |
Two CDs, 36 tracks, essential
A tribute to one of Britain's greatest and most influential
guitarists who died in December 2008. This collection features some
of the best tracks drawn from a number of albums and E.P.s recorded
between 1962 and 1970 when Davy (or Davey as he later called
himself) was at his very peak. Davy was adept at fusing blues, jazz,
folk, world and even classical music and his playing influenced a
generations of folk guitarists. This set opens with his original
recording from 1962 of his original tune Angi which became a
much covered tune and bcame known worldwide when it appeared on
Simon & Garfunkle's first album (as Anji). Between 1962 and
the last track here Forty Ton Parachute from his 1970 album
Godington Boundry he tackles a wide variety of material -
traditional blues songs ( Ain't Nobody's Business What I Do/ Rock
Me Baby, etc.), traditional folk songs (She Moved Through The
Fair/ Bruton Town/ Ramblin' Sailor), etc.), jazz standards (Sermonette/
Grooveyard/ Watermelon Man, etc), songs by Dylan and Lennon &
McCartney and a whole heap of originals. It also includes tracks
from his groundbreaking collaboration with English folk singer
Shirley Collins - "Folk Routes, New Routes." Davy sings a few tracks
but aware of his shortcomings of a vocalist he mostly sticks to
guitar playing and throughout we hear the work of a true genius.
After several upheavals in the early 70s including a divorce and a
drug habit he did little recording and the few that he did make,
though fine, lacked the spark of these earlier sides. Includes 20
page illustrated booklet with detailed notes by David Suff. (FS)
DAVY GRAHAM: Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do/ Angi/
Better Git In Your Soul/ Blue Monk/ Blues For Betty/ Bruton Town/
Buhaina Chant/ Bulgarian Dance/ Charlie/ Davy's Train Blues/ Don't
Stop The Carnival/ Don't Think Twice, It's Alright/ Everything's
Fine Right Now/ Fire In My Soul/ Forty Ton Parachute/ Getting
Better/ Graham/ Grooveyard/ Hornpipe For Harpsichord Played Upon
Guitar/ Jenra/ Maajun (A taste of Tangier)/ No Preacher Blues/
Nottamun Town/ Ramblin' Sailor/ Reynardine/ Rif Mountain/ Rock Me
Baby/ Sermonette/ She Moved Through The Fair/ She Moved Thru' The
Bizarre-Blue Raga (live)/ Sonnymoon For Two/ Stan's Guitar/ Sunshine
Raga/ Take Five/ The Fakir/ Tristano/ Watermelon Man
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| IRELAND |
THE MCPEAKE FAMILY |
Topic TSCD 583 |
Wild Mountain Thyme |
$14.98 |
18 tracks, 50 mins, essential
What an absolute joy to finally have these magnificent recordings
finally available on CD featuring some of the most sublime Irish
folk music you're ever likely to hear. Every lover of folk music is
familiar with the song Wild Mountain Thyme (also known as
Will Ye Go Lassie Go) and while the origins of the song are
somewhat controversial there is no doubt that this exquisetly
beautiful song was introduced to the folk audience at large by The
McPeake Family along with other songs like Slieve Gallon Braes
and Verdant Braes Of Skreen which are all featured here along
with other superb songs and tunes. The McPeake Family had a unique
sound featuring father Francis, son Francis and his brother and
sister James and Kathleen and grandson Francis (got that
straight?!). They perform in various combinations often featuring
three sets of uileann pipes (Francis, Francis & Francis) and harp
(James). They sing in various combinations, sometimes acapella and
sometimes accompanied and the sound is unique and exquisite - no
fancy playing or ornamented singing - the result is artless and
totally haunting. This CD features a 1962 Topic LP and an EP from
the following year. If you love Irish music or any kind of folk
music this is a must. (FS)
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| ENGLAND |
STEELEYE SPAN |
EMI (UK) 85436-2 |
A Parcel Of Steeleye Span - The
First Five Chrysalis Al |
$21.98 |
Three CDs, 51 tracks, essential
A fabulous collection of music at a great price. A few years ago
Castle Records issued the first three CDs of Britain's greatest
tradition oriented folk rock band (still available - $25.98) and now
EMI has made available their next five albums recorded for Chrysalis
between 1972 and 1975 including several bonus tracks. Prior to
signing Ashley Hutchings and Martin Carthy left to be replaced by
guitarist and vocalist Bob Johnson and and bassist Rick Kemp. Though
having a background in rock and blues they were right at home
playing traditional music and by their sixth album they were joined
by ex-Small Faces drummer Niegl Pegrum. The songs are mostly
traditional though Steeleye gave them immensely creative
arrangements that were faithful to the tradition yet able to fit
into a rock format. Their first album "Below The Salt" yielded the
single of their haunting acapella version of the classical motet
Gaudete which became a surprise hit in England in Christmas of
1973 and this CD set includes the single version as well as it's
flip The Holly & The Ivy. For their eighth album "All Around
My Hat" they brought in pop producer Mike Batt who "sweetened" their
sound somewhat and their single version of the title song became
their biggest hit to date. Throughout the five albums their are many
great songs, superb singing from Maddy, Bob and Tim and stunning
instrumental work including stellar fiddling from Peter Knight.
Among the many gems here are Sheepcrook And Black Dog/ King
Henry/ Saucy Sailor/ One Misty Moisty Morning/ Allison Gross/ The
Weaver And The Factory Maid/ Thomas The Rhymer/ Two Magicians/ Long
Lankin/ Weary Cutter/ Black Jack Davey and many more. There are
a few oddities showing the group's sense of humor including a couple
of nursery rhymes and the inclusion of Peter Sellers on ukulele on
New York Girls. Among the bonus tracks are a gorgeous version
of Bonny Moorhen from the "Parcel Of Rogues" session and a
live rendition of The Wife Of Usher's Well from 1974. All
tracks have been newly remastered so even if you have all the CD
releases of the albums this is worth your while and if you don't and
you like folk rock this is absolutely indispensible. (FS)
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| ENGLAND |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Castle PULSE 150 |
Folk Guitar |
$10.98 |
A fine collection of guitar instrumentals along with
the occasional vocals featuring some of the English (and one
American) performers who put a uniquely English approach to guitar
on the map. Drawn from recordings made for the Transatlantic group
of labels between the mid 60s and mid 70s it features sides by Bert
Jansch, Donovan, John Pearse, Stefan Grossman, Dave Murrell, John
James & Pete Berryman, Willy Barrett, Ralph McTell, Isaac Guillory
and others.
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