NEWSLETTER #128
Folk Music - American, British Isles,
Europe
Albion Dance Band -> Various
Artists
| ENGLAND |
THE ALBION DANCE BAND |
BGO BGOCD 486 |
The Prospect Before Us |
● CD $17.98 |
16 tracks, 48 mins, essential. Previously on
EMI Harvest.
This, along
"Battle Of The Field," marks, to my mind, the high points in the career of
the ever changing group of musicians assembled around one of the architects
of the British folk rock scene, Ashley Hutchings. Intended as a dance band
the group featured two drummers (Michael Gregory and Dave Mattacks), two
electric guitarists (Simon Nicol & Graeme Taylor), singer and melodeon
player John Tams, Ashley on bass and lending a medieval flavor were Phil
Pickett and John Sothcott who played such ancient instruments as curtals,
shawms, bagpipes, vielle, crumhorn and more. Pickett also provided
occasional synthesizer. With the exception of the French group Malicorne I
cannot think of any other group that has so effectively wedded contemporary
and ancient instruments. Joining the fun are vocalist Shirley Collins and
vocalist and dance caller Eddie Upton. The material is a mixture of
traditional (Huntsman's Chorus/ Wassail Song/ Hopping Down In Kent,
etc) along with tunes from British 17th century composers like John Playford
and Henry Purcell (Masque Tune/ Minuet/ The Whim, etc). The material
and performances are consistently superb and don't let the "Dance" part
deterr you - this is as wonderful to listen to as it is would be to dance
to. For the CD reissue EMI have added the previously unissued Sussex carol
On Christmas Night All Christians Sing and an alternate take of my
favorite tune here Merry Sherwood Rangers originally issued on a
single. Remastering is superb and the disc comes with a booklet with
extensive notes on the group and the performances. This disc, like the LP,
boasts one of my favorite cover design and the inside of the booklet
reproduces the delightful back cover of the album. One definitely not to
miss. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
MARTIN CARTHY |
Highpoint 6001 |
The Definitive Collection |
● CD $9.98 |
17 track introduction to the Topic recordings of one of
Britain's greatest musical treasures - includes sides with Brass Monkey and
Waterson:Carthy as well as solo tracks and sides with dave Swarbrick -
Jolly Tinker/ The Sheepstealer/ The Trimdon Grange Explosion/ Prince
Heathen/ The Bows Of London/ The Dominion Of The Sword/ Jack Rowland and
others.
|
| IRELAND |
JIMMY CROWLEY |
Greentrax CDTRAX 165 |
Uncorked |
● CD $15.98 |
Fine live set from this talented Irish singer and
instrumentalist recorded in Cork in 1997. Jimmy accompanies himself on
guitar, bouzouki and harmonica and performs mostly traditional songs along
with a few contemporary songs in traditional vein. Includes The Green
Island/ I KNow My Love/ Do You Want You Old Lobby Washed Down/ The Boys Of
Fairhill/ The Bandon Car/ The Fox And The Hare/ The Bantry Girls Lament,
etc.
|
| ENGLAND |
DR. STRANGELY STRANGE |
Progressive Line 572 |
Heavy Petting |
● CD $21.98 |
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 reminiscent 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.
|
| IRELAND |
THE DUBLINERS |
Sanctuary 81140 |
The Transatlantic Anthology |
● CD $21.98 |
Two CD retrospective of 42 sides recorded by this popular
and influential Irish group for Transatlantic between 1964 and 19968 -
The Holy Ground/ Sunshine Hornpipe/ The Foggy Dew/ Rare Old Mountain Dew/
Will You Come To The Bower/ The Nightingale/ Sligo Maid/ Nelson's Farewell/
Kitty Come Down From Limerick/ The High Reel, etc.
|
| FRANCE |
JEAN-FRANCOIS DUTERTRE |
Buda 189402 |
Chanson Traditionelle De Normandie |
● CD $16.98 |
Fine 15 track collection of traditional songs collected in
the Normandy in the 70s and performed here by the excellent Dutertre who
accompanies himself on hurdy gurdy or zither along with the occasional
acapella performance. There is occasional added accompaniment on some tracks
featuring accordion, guitar or violin. Includes 36 page booklet with notes
by Dutertre on the background and the individual songs.
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Island IMCD 293 |
Unhalfbricking |
● CD $13.98 |
10 tracks, 48 mins, essential. Newly remastered versions of
the group's third album from 1969 with two bonus tracks. This album was one
of their best and the one that presaged their yet to come groundbreaking
album Liege & Lief (reissued recently on Island 291 - $13.98). This
album includes several originals by Sandy & Richard including Richard's but
magnificent Genesis Hall with a spellbinding vocal by Sandy and
Sandy's most famous song - the moving Who Knows Where The Time Goes.
There are 3 Dylan songs including their whimsical French version of If
You Gotta Go and a lovely treatment of Percy's Song. The superb
version of the traditional Sailor's Life is the first to extensively
feature Dave Swarbrick's fiery fiddling, and points the way to their next
album. The bonus tracks include yet another Dylan song Dear Landlord
recorded at the "Unhalfbricking" session and their version of Ballad Of
Easy Rider which was recorded at the "Liege & Leaf" sessions. Includes
another 16 page booklet with notes by Ashley and loads of great vintage
photos. Quintessential English folk rock from its greatest exponents. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Island IMCD 294 |
What We Did On Our Holidays |
● CD $13.98 |
15 tracks, 49 mins, highly recommended Newly remastered
version of the group's first Island album from 1969 with three bonus cuts.
Featuring Sandy Denny, Ian Matthews, Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Martin
Lamble and Ashley Hutchings the group hadn't quite focused and some of their
songs (mostly written by Sandy & Richard) show them to be still under the
spell of West Coast folk rock. Still this does include such gems as the
exquisite Fotheringay, the bluesy rave up Mr Lacey, the song
that was to become their theme song Meet On The Ledge and a couple of
fine performances of traditional songs that presaged things to come. The
bonus tracks include Throwaway Street Puzzle which was the B-side of
the Meet On The Ledge single, a rare radio track with Richard playing
slide guitar and Some Sweet day which was intended for single release
but subsequently shelved. The newly remastered sound is simply breathtaking
and the CD is packaged in a slip case with a 16 page booklet with new notes
by Ashley Hutchings and great vintage photos and memorabilia. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Polydor (UK) 068 291-2 |
Fairport Convention |
● CD $13.98 |
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.
|
| IRELAND |
SEAN MCCARTHY |
EMI ISRMCD 009 |
The Wandering Man |
● CD $17.98 |
|
| IRELAND |
MICHAEL O'RAGHALLAIGH |
MOR Music 001 |
The Nervous Man - Traditional Irish Music On
Concertina |
● CD $18.98 |
Debut album from brilliant young concertina player fro Co.
Meath. Michael is joined by harp, guitar and bodhran on a delightful
selection of jigs, reel, hornpipes and the occasional air.
|
| USA |
ODETTA |
Tradition & Moderne 101 |
Women In (E)Motion Festival |
● CD $16.98 |
Folk and blues singer recorded in live in Bremen, Germany in
1990 at the annual "Women In (E)Motion" festival - Rambler & Gambler/
Alabam Bound/ Going With The Chilly Winds/ All The Pretty Little Horses/
Troubled/ Carry It Home To Rosie/ Why Don;t We Go/ God's Gonna Cut You Down,
etc.
|
| ENGLAND |
MADDY PRIOR |
Park PRKCD 54 |
Ballads & Candles |
● CD $18.98 |
18 tracks, 65 mins, highly recommended Wonderful collection
featuring Maddy recorded live during a shor tour in 1999 where she was
joined on vocals by June Tabor and her daughter Rose, former Steeleye
Spanners Peter Knight and Rick Kemp and other fine musicians. The repertoire
is largely traditional along with a few originals, much of it drawn from the
Steeleye and Silly Sisters repertoire but with very differnt arrangements
and are tremndous. The version of Betsy Bell & Mary Gray with only
fiddle accompaniment is truly spine chilling. Other songs include
Blacksmith/ Boars Head/ All In The Morning (an acapella solo by June)/
Sing, Sing All Earth/ Hind Horn/ Long Shadows/ Rose/ Alex/ Blackleg Miner
and others. Wonderful stuff! (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
JOHN RENBOURN |
Castle Music CMRCD 534 |
Faro Annie |
● CD $12.98 |
11 tracks, recommended Reissue of Transatlantic 247 from
1971 - his last solo album for Transatlantic and unavailable in any form for
many years. John is featured in the occasional company of Pete Dyer/
harmonica, Dorris Henderson/ harmony vocals, Terry Cox/ drums, Sue Draheim/
fiddle and Danny Thompson/ bass. The material is mostly traditional American
old time songs and blues along with a version of the traditional British
songs Willie O' Winsbury with fine fiddle by Draheim. Other songs
include White House Blues/ Kokomo Blues/ Shake Shake Mama/ The Cuckoo/
Country Blues/ Back On The Road Again. This issue is remastered from
original master tapes and is packaged in a slip case with original album
artwork along with a 12 page illustrated booklet with new notes by Colin
Harper. (FS)
|
| USA |
ALICE STUART |
Arhoolie 9034 |
All The Good Times |
● CD $9.98 |
Reissue of Alice's 1964 Arhoolie album with 8 bonus,
previously unreleased, tracks. Alice got her start in Seattle in the early
60s and is still performing and recording. She has a pleasing, clear voice
and accompanies herself on guitar, banjo and autoharp on a varied selection
material including Appalachian ballds, country and cowboy songs, humorous
ditties, country blues and more. Includes Leavin' Home/ Beatnik/ Black
Jack David/ Everyday Dirt/ Stackerlee/ Seven Beers With The Wrong Woman/ All
The Good Times/ I'll Turn Your Money Green/ Kassie Jones/ Three Jolly
Rogues/ Frankie & Johnny and others.
|
| ENGLAND |
RICHARD THOMPSON |
Cooking Vinyl 251 |
The Old Kit Bag |
● CD $19.98 |
First new album by Richard in a number of years finds him
back on an independent label after years with Capitol. 12 new original songs
with stripped down arrangements featuring Richard on electric and acoustic
guitars, Danny Thompson/ bass and Michael Jerome/ drums plus occasional
harmony vocals from Judith Owen.
|
| MISCELLANEOUS |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Highpoint 6002 |
The Definitive Folk Collection |
● CD $9.98 |
17 track compilation of sides drawn from Topic's great
catalog of folk recordings - mostly from the last few years. Includes sides
by Eliza Carthy, June Tabor, Colin REid, Waterson:Carthy, John Tams, Oliver
Knight, Norma Waterson, Tarras, Blue Murder and others. An excellent
introduction to the folk scene in the British Isles.
|
| IRELAND |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Leader 2004 |
Music from the Coleman Country |
● CD $18.98 |
|
| ENGLAND |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Milestones 9904 |
Boxing Clever - A Concertina Compilation |
● CD $21.98 |
17 tracks, 54 mins, recommended Splendid collection of tunes
and the occasional song featuring four of Britain's finest concertina
players - John Kirkpatrick, Tim Laycock, Dick Miles & Harry Scurfield. They
perform a varied selection of material including traditional, popular tunes,
jazz tunes, originals, military marches, a music hall song, a couple of
blues (too bad about the vocals on these) and more. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Talking Elephant 051 |
Son Of Morris On |
● CD $13.98 |
20 tracks, 44 mins., highly recommended. Ashley Hutchings,
credited by some as the father of British folk-rock, is certainly a scholar
of no small achievement and harder working than any 10 normal people. In
1972 he put together a modern gloss on Morris dance music called "Morris On"
which heralded a huge revival in interest in that odd and varied English
tradition. This CD is a re-release of the 1976 follow-up album with two bonus
cuts, featuring actual dances, arrangements of Morris tunes, and broadside
ballads and songs from associated traditions. John Tams, Shirley Collins,
and Martin Carthy are among the vocalists. Various Fairporters, Albion
Morrismen, and others abound throughout. The whole is not a dance record as
much as a presentation of a wide breadth of musical expression loosely
associated with Morris, happy, bouncy, jangly, sometimes bawdy and silly,
always fun. This new release includes a booklet with new notes by Ashley
Hutchings. (DC/ FS)
|
Back To New Release Index
|
