NEWSLETTER #145
Folk Music - American, British Isles, etc.
The Almanac Singers
->
The Weavers
| AMERICAN FOLK |
BOB DYLAN |
Docurama 9824 |
Don't Look Back - 65 Tour Deluxe Edition |
$48.98 |
Two DVD package with 168 page book devoted to Dylan's
1965 tour of England - his last as an acoustic performer. The first disc
features a newly remastered version of D.A. Pennebaker's classic film of
that tour which captured Dylan on stage and in a variety of informal
situations. This comes with a commentary by Pennebaker and tour road
manager Bob Neuwirth and a host of bonus features including five
additional uncut audio tracks, an alternate version of the "Subterranean
Homesick Blues" opening sequence, the original theatrical trailer, a
Pennebaker filmography, Dylan discography and more. The second DVD
features a new documentary culled from over 20 hours of previously unseen
footage from Pennebaker's personal files and also includes a
commentary by
Pennebaker and Neuwirth. But wait, there's more. There's a 168 page book
originally published in 1968 featuring a complete transcription of the
film, over 200 photos and a new forward by Pennebaker. It also includes a
copy of the flipbook for the opening "Subterranean Homesick Blues"
sequence.
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
BOB DYLAN |
Docurama 9875 |
Don't Look Back |
$18.98 |
For the more casual Dylan fan this is the first disc of
the deluxe package featuring the newly remastered version of the film
along with its bonus features.
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
THE ALMANAC SINGERS |
Rev-Ola 182 |
Which Side Are You On - The Best Of The
Almnac Singers |
$15.98 |
31 tracks, 79 min., highly recommended
The Almanac Singers
were a politically leftist outfit that essentially defined modern American
folk music and consisted (originally) of Pete Seeger (pre-Weavers), Lee
Haynes, and Mildred Lampwell. Later line ups included (at various times)
Woody Guthrie, Josh White, Bess Lomax Hawes and others. They sang
pro-union songs, anti-war numbers, and sea chanties. These tracks,
recorded between March 1941 and February 1942, include "Ground Hog,
Babe O' Mine, The Sinking Of The Rueben James, Union Made,
The Dodger Song, C For Conscription, and plenty more. The
majority feature Seeger on lead vocals, though Guthrie takes lead on the
classic Ride An Old Paint, House Of The Rising Sun, Blow
The Man Down, Hard, Ain't It Hard, and (with Seeger and Josh
White) Liza Jane. Ballad Of October which contains the line,
"we won't be safe until everybody's dead," seems somehow sadly appropriate
these days. A generous collection of important folk music. But why'd they
omit Dear Mr. President? Probably a question of national security.
(JC)
|
| SCOTLAND |
THE BATTLEFIELD BAND |
Temple COMD 2098 |
The Road Of Tears |
$14.98 |
17 track, 62 mins, highly recommended
The newest from
Scotland's great band that have been performing for more than 30 years.
Although only singer/ songwriter / keyboardist Alan Reid remains from the
original line up their sound remains true to their origins beautifully
blending pipes, guitar, keyboards, fiddle and other instruments into a
richly textured ensemble sound. The songs and tunes here are mostly based
around the theme of emigrants and emigration with traditional songs,
several fine songs by Alan who hasn't lost his touch for meaningful lyrics
and beautiful melodies along with the poem To A Mouse written by
the great Scottish bard Robert Burns set to a gorgeous tune by Alan which
is the origin of the phrase "the best laid schemes o'mice and men." Lovely
stuff. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
ANNE BRIGGS |
Water 192 |
The Time Has Come |
$15.98 |
12 tracks, 41 mins, very good
Reissue of Anne's rare 1971
Columbia album. Unlike her mostly traditional recordings she had recently
recorded for Topic this one is all contemporary songs - most of them by
Anne herself. Her songs have a wispy, evanescent quality reflecting the
"hippy" consciousness of the era and most of them don't particularly stand
the test of time very well. The best song here is her version of Lal
Waterson's beautiful Fine Horseman. She accompanies herself on
guitar or bouzuoki and includes a couple of nice bouzouki instrumentals.
(FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Island (UK) 9845385 |
Live At The BBC |
$65.98 |
Four Cd set, 69 tracks, highly recommended
Just when you
thought that the well of Fairport recordings from their prime years was
dry along comes this great four CD set with 69 tracks drawn from BBC radio
broadcasts made between 1967 and 1974. 17 tracks have been out before,
most notably on the "Heyday" album but the rest are all previously
unreleased and includes all the various incarnations of the group over
this period. Most of the songs are drawn from their studio albums but with
the turnover of personnell, lead vocals are frequently different and
arrangements vary and there are a number of songs that they never recorded
commercially. Since the BBC didn't keep all their tapes (shame on you BBC)
some of the tracks are from second or third generation sources of lesser
quality but most sound fine. Set is housed in a handsome book format with
a 48 page booklet with notes by Kingsley Abbott and some great vintage
photos. (FS)
FAIRPORT CONVENTION: Angel Delight (27/3/71)/ Autopsy (6/4/69)/ Banks Of
The Sweet Primroses (27/3/71)/ Bird On A Wire (8/12/68)/ Bonny Bunch Of
Roses (26/7/70)/ Book Song (6/1/69)/ Bridge Over The River Ash (27/3/71)/
Cajun Woman (6/4/69)/ Chelsea Morning (10/12/67)/ Close The Door Lightly
When You Go (2/6/68)/ Deserter (26/7/70)/ Dirty Linen (26/7/70)/ Doctor Of
Physick (1/8/70)/ Down In The Flood (6/8/74)/ Eastern Rain (1/9/68)/
Fiddlestix (6/8/74)/ Flatback Caper (27/4/70)/ Fotheringay (1/9/68)/
Fotheringay (9/2/69)/ Gone, Gone, Gone (1/9/68)/ Hangman's (26/7/70)/ I
Don't Know Where I Stand (2/6/68)/ I Still Miss Someone (8/12/68)/ If
(Stomp) (3/3/68)/ If I Had A Ribbon Bow (3/3/68)/ If It Feels Good, You
Know It Can't Be Wrong (1/9/68)/ Jack O' Diamonds (24/6/68)/ John The Gun
(6/8/74)/ Journeyman's Grace (19/11/70)/ Lady Is A Tramp (27/9/69)/ Lay
Down Your Weary Tune (10/12/67)/ Let's Get Together (10/12/67)/ Light My
Fire (22/12/68)/ Lord Marlborough (27/3/71)/ Marcie (24/6/68)/ Matthew,
Mark, Luke & John (20/2/73)/ Medley: The Lark In The Morning-Rakish
Paddy-Foxhunter's Jig-Toss The Feath/ Meet On The Ledge (8/12/68)/ Night
In The City (24/6/68)/ Nottamun Town (2/6/68)/ Now Be Thankful (19/11/70)/
Now Be Thankful (26/7/70)/ One Sure Thing (10/12/67)/ Open The Door
Richard (27/4/70)/ Percy's Song (6/4/69)/ Poor Will And The Jolly Hangman
(2/5/70)/ Possibly Parsons Green (20/2/73)/ Reno Nevada (6/1/69)/
Reynardine (27/9/69)/ Rising For The Moon (6/8/74)/ Rosie (20/2/73)/
Shattering Live Experience (9/2/69)/ Si Tu Dois Partir (6/4/69)/ Sickness
& Diseases (27/3/71)/ Sir Patrick Spens (27/4/70)/ Sir Patrick Spens
(27/9/69)/ Sir William Gower (27/3/71)/ Some Sweet Day (2/6/68)/ Suzanne
(1/9/68)/ Tam Lin (26/7/70)/ Tam Lin (27/9/69)/ Time Will Show The Wiser
(3/3/68)/ Tokyo (20/2/73)/ Tried So Hard (6/1/69)/ Violets Of Dawn
(3/3/68)/ Walk Awhile (2/5/70)/ Who Knows Where The Time Goes? (9/2/69)/
You Never Wanted Me (2/6/68)/ You're Gonna Need My Help (9/2/69)
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Vertigo 984 305-1 |
The Bonny Bunch Of Roses |
$14.98 |
9 tracks, 36 mins, recommended
Reissue of 1977 album by
the last lineup of the group before they broke up for the firs time. The
material mixes traditional (The Eynsham Poacher, a lengthy version
of the title song, General Taylor, etc.) and contemporary (a very
fine version of Richard Thompson's Poor Ditching Boy, Ralph
McTell's Run Johnny Run, etc) along with a couple of instrumentals.
Not as strong as their earlier work but a very worthwhile set. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Vertigo 984 305-2 |
Tipplers Tales |
$14.98 |
10 tracks, 39 mins, recommended
Reissue of their 1979
Vertigo album - their last studio album before they reunited to record
"Gladys Leap" in 1985. This is, I think, a somewhat better album than
"Bonny Bunch Of Roses". The singing is stronger and the instrumental
arrangements are more imaginative with some particular innovative fiddle
work from Dave. Their excellent 11 minute version of Jack O'Rion
has one of Dave's strongest vocals and Simon turns in a fine lead on Alan
Taylor's Lady Of Pleasure (the only contemporary song here). It
also includes Ye Mariners All/ Reynard The Fox/ Bankruptured/ Hair Of
the Dogma/ John Barlkeycorn, etc. (FS)
|
| IRELAND |
JOE HEANEY |
Northwest Archives NWARCD 001 |
Say A Song - Joe Heaney In The Pacific
Northwest |
$16.98 |
19 tracks, highly recommended
Available again. A beautiful
collection of unaccompanied songs (half in Gaelic) in the Connemara style
from this great Irish singer recorded in the late 70s and early 80s at
various concerts and informal sessions in and around Seattle, Washington
where he spent the last years of his life. Whether he is singing the
poignant A Stor Mo Chroi or the light hearted The Wife Of The
Bold Tenant Farmer his singing is powerful and expressive and a true
delight. Also includes The Galway Shawl/ Roisin Dubh/ Red Is The Rose/
Will You Come Over The Mountain?/ An Tiarna RandalOro, Se do Bheatha 'Bhaile!/
I Wish I Had Someone To LOve Me/ The Claddagh Ring and more. Includes
booklet with informative notes by James Cowdrey and Sean Williams and
translations of the Gaelic songs. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
THE INCREDIBLE
STRING BAND |
Hux 087 |
Across The Airwaves - BBC Radio Records,
1969-1974 |
$27.98 |
Two CD set with 33 tracks of eclectic music broadcast live
by the B.B.C. between 1969 and 1974. Includes 13 previously unreleased
recordings. Seven tracks are drawn from first generation "off-air"
recordings and the rest are all from original BBC transcription tapes.
Includes Bright Morning Stars/ Willow Pattern/ Darling Belle/ The Old
Buccaneer/ Fine Fingered Hands/ Empty Pocket Blues/ Theta/ Oh Did I Love A
Dream/ Dreams Of No Return/ Log Cabin Home In the Sky/ Ring Dance,
etc.
|
| ENGLAND |
NIC JONES |
Leader LERCD 2014 |
Ballads and Songs |
$22.98 |
9 tracks, highly recommended
Back in stock in very small
quantities. Although Nic's style was far from mature his performances of
traditional songs shows a conviction and imagination that was to blossom
into something truly magical. Songs include Sir Patrick Spens/ The Duke
Of Marlborough/ The Noble Lord Hawkins/ The Outlandish Knight and
others including a brilliant rendering of Little Musgrave which is
easily worth the price of the album. (FS)
|
| ENGLAND |
NIC JONES |
Leader LERCD 2027 |
Nic Jones |
$21.98 |
10 tracks, 36 mins, highly recommended
Back in stock in
limited quantities. Nic's second album from 1971 is another winner and
show an improvement over his excellent debut - his singing is more
assured, his guitar playing is now dazzling and he has added fiddle
playing to his talents. All traditional songs - The Lass Of London
City/ The Bonny Bunch Of Roses/ The Outlandish Knight/ Lord Bateman (a
spellbinding version that alone is worth the price of this album)/ The
Two Brothers and more. (FS)
|
| IRELAND |
RON KAVANA |
Primo 6015 |
Irish Songs Of Rebellion, Resistance And
Reconciliation |
$11.98 |
Two CDs, 37 tracks, very good
Ron Kavana has flitted
between contemporary rock sounds and traditional Irish and this set of
recordings from 1998 is in the latter vein. Accompanied by a group of
acoustic musicians (guitar, fiddle, pipes, banjo, etc) he performs a set
of traditional songs along with a few more recent compositions including
his own beautiful and moving Reconciliation. Unfortunately the
final result is not completely satisfying - Ron's gruff voice is probably
best suited to rock oriented music and in attempting to attenuate his
voice to better suite traditional music he has ended up sounding rather
bland and bored. It doesn't help that the recording (or mastering) has a
distant muffled sound. There are some wonderful songs here and the
arrangements are fine - it just isn't as compelling as it could be. (FS)
|
| FRANCE |
MALICORNE |
Acousteak 082300 |
Vox |
$17.98 |
17 tracks, 41 mins, essential
Back in stock in limited
quantities. A collection of the best of the best live and studio a
cappella (pretty much) performances from this most wonderful group of
artists. Oh those vocals! Gabriel Yacoub's gritty soulful tenor was
counterpointed by wife Marie's delicate soprano to great effect and the
ensemble vocals feature a polyphony of incredible richness capturing at
times the feel of a Gregorian chant. Faves from their albums 1975-81 are
here - Nous Sommes Chanteurs De Sornettes/ Marions Les Roses/ Margot/
Salut A La Compagnie/ La Conduite and more, featuring Marie, Gabriel,
Hughes Decourson, Laurent Vercambre, Olivier Zdrzalik-Kowalski, aand
others. As bonus we have a new solo recording by Gabriel on the beautiful
Les Filles Sont Volages and a remixed version Marions Les Roses.
This compilation is the best possible way to present just what these
singers could do tous ensemble. Thanks to Nikki Matheson for putting it
together, and to Boucherie for getting it to sound so great. (NSN/ FS)
|
| IRELAND |
CHRISTY MOORE |
EastWest 40150-2 |
The Time Has Come |
$11.98 |
14 tracks, recommended
Budget reissue of 1983 album by
this fine Irish singer features a selection of traditional and
contemporary songs. Produced by Christy and Donal Lunny - the latter
playing most of the instruments here as well as backup vocals. There are
also additional backup vocals from Mandy Murphy. A number of songs are
remakes of songs he had recorded previously including the beautiful
Nancy Spain which was hit for Christy in the 70s. Other songs include
The Knock Song/ lanigans Ball/ Lakes Of Pontchartrain/ The Wicklow Boy/
Go Move Shift/ Sacco & Vanzetti/ Only Our Rivers Run Free, etc. (FS)
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
TOM PAXTON |
Shout Factory 10085 |
Live At McCabes Guitar Shop, February 23,
1991 |
$13.98 |
18 tracks, 68 min., highly recommended
Live from the
little room at Santa Monica's celebrated guitar shop, Paxton plays his
earliest hits (Ramblin' Boy) and numbers only weeks old (If I
Pass This Way Again). Forrest Lawn shows off a sense of humor
in a style reminiscent of, say, Loudon Wainwright III. In fact, wit
prevails in My Last Love Long, I Am Changing My Name To Chrysler,
Yuppies In The Sky, One Million Lawyers, and The Ballad
Of Gary Hart, but the sincerity of love shines through in Home To
Me (Is Anywhere You Are. And yet the bittersweet When Annie Took Me
Home is worth the whole lot. A singer-songwriter with a rare talent
and integrity to spare, Paxton sounds more comfortable onstage that most
people are off. They don't make guys like Paxton anymore. (JC)
|
| ENGLAND |
PENTANGLE |
Castle CMXBX 664 |
The Time Has Come |
$54.98 |
The most in depth look yet at the classic years of this
great British folk group. In 1967 John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Jacqui
McShee, Danny Thompson, and Terry Cox got together as Pentangle producing
music that was a blend of traditional English folk music, jazz, blues and
Eastern music elements and changing British folk music forever. This four
CD set features the best tracks from their six albums along with singles
and B-sides and 20 previously unissued tracks including a track from their
first recording session, live concert and TV performances, outtakes from
"The Pentangle" and "Reflections" albums, BBC radio session tracks in
stereo for the first time and rare film soundtrack recordings. All tracks
have been newly remastered and set comes in book format with 60 page, full
color, booklet with extensive notes by Pentangle historian Colin Harper
and London Times rock critic Peter Paphides.
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
PEGGY SEEGER |
Appleseed 1100 |
Three Score And Ten |
$18.98 |
Two CDs, 28 tracks, highly recommended
A live concert in
tribute to the life and music of this great American folk performer on the
occasion of her 70th birthday. The concert was held in England where she
spent a good part of her life when married to Ewan MacColl and she is
joined here by a collection of family and friends including her children Calum, Kitty & Neill MacCol, her brothers Mike and Pete and friends like
Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy, Norma Waterson, Billy Bragg and others. Peggy
performs a selection of traditional songs, original songs, poems for
Ewan, her partner Irene Pyper-Scott and her mother as well as singing
Ewan's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face which he wrote for her and
some others as well featuring performances by her guests. Musical
performances are occasionally a bit ragged but the love and enthusiasm for
this iconic performer comes throug loud and clear. (FS)
|
| BRITTANY |
ALAN STIVELL |
Dreyfus 36883 |
Renaissance De La Harpe Celtique/ Olympia
Concert |
$31.98 |
Two CDs, 27 tracks, highly recommended
Two CDs packaged in
a box featuring two of the earliest albums recorded in 1972 by the leading
exponent in the revival of interest in traditional Breton music.
"Renaissance" features a wide range of traditional and original music
performed on the Celtic harp which was built by Stivell's father.
Accompaniment ranges from none to a whole orchestra! "olmpia Concert" came
out the same year and features a blend of Irish and Breton folk music with
restrained but progressive rock elements. Stivell is accompanied by a ten
piece band including Dan Ar Bras on electric guitar, Gabriel Yacounb on
acoustic guitar, dulcimer and banjo, REne Werneer on fiddle, Pascal Stive
on organ and others. (FS)
|
| FOLK |
JUNE TABOR |
Topic TSCD 568 |
Apples |
$16.98 |
The latest from one of Britain's finest singers features a
selection of 12 songs - mostly traditional along with more recent
compositions from Andy Shanks & Jim Russel, Lester Simpson and others and
includes a couple of lovely French songs. She is accompanied by a trio of
top class musicians with Andy Cuttin/ accordion, Marl Emerson/ piano,
violin & vila and Tim Harries/ double bass. Includes The Dancing/ The
Auld Beggarman/ I Love My Love/ Au Logis De Mon Pere/ Ce Fu En Mai/ Send
Us A Quiet Night and more.
|
|
AMERICAN FOLK |
TOWNES VAN ZANDT |
Charly SNAD 508 |
Live At The Old Quarter |
$17.98 |
2 CDs, 27 tracks, 92 mins, highly recommended
Charley has done right by the Towns Van Zandt catalog time and again now,
and with this, his live LP Recorded July of 1973, the high standards are
there and then some. Originally this LP was released in 1977 on Tomato
records, and has all of the original tracks and then some. The show finds
Towns Van Zandt in fine form and spirits, playing from his varied repartee
and telling jokes and stories in-between, doing his best Bob Dylan
impersonation/satire on the hilarious Fraternity Blues only to
settle the crowd down with his best Towns Van Zandt impersonation on If
I Needed You with his heart laid open bare on the stage. This stands
up with any releases in Van Zandt's catalog and is easily essential for
any fan. The majority of these tracks have been released in different
versions multiple times over the years, but there is no escaping the charm
and intimacy captured here. When you hear the breath of a great poet
between verse and chorus, sang to about 100 people, you know that you have
something special. How special? Austin, 1984: Towns Van Zandt was
scheduled to play a gig that he couldn't make because he had broke his
arm. The club announced that to the crowd, put this record on and not a
single person left or asked for their money back. That's the caliber of
this record. (JM)
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| AMERICAN FOLK
|
TOWNES VAN ZANDT |
Fat Possum 1083 |
Townes Van Zandt |
$14.98 |
10 tracks, highly recommended
Fat Possum has acquired the
rights to the catalog of the brilliant singer/ songwriter/ poet Townes Van
Zandt and has started with four of his early albums originally issued on
Poppy and Tomato. This is his third album issued on Poppy 40007 in 1969
and features 10 beautiful and stark songs with Townes primarily
accompanied by his fine fingerpiced acoustic guitar with discreet bass,
drums, Dobro and harmonica appearing from time to time. Includes For
The Sake Of A Song/ Waitin' 'Round To Die/ Colorado Girl/ I'll Be Here In
The Morning/ (Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria and others.
Unfortunately presentation of this first batch is bare bones with no notes
or any of the bonus tracks that were on some import releases. (FS)
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
TOWNES VAN ZANDT |
Fat Possum 1088 |
Delta Momma Blues |
$14.98 |
Townes' fourth album (Poppy 40012) originally issued in
1970 includes the title song plus FFV/ Only Hime Or Me/ Tower Song/
Brand New Companion/ Rake, etc.
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
TOWNES VAN ZANDT |
Fat Possum 1090 |
Our Mother The Mountain |
$14.98 |
11 tracks, highly recommended
His second album (Poppy
40004) from 1969. It's both lyrically and melodically rich and the imagery
is not as stark as evidenced on "Delta Momma Blues" or "Townes Van Zandt."
There is some orchestration scattered here and there with incidental piano
thrown in. His writing and singing is characterized by a feeling of
something ominous, dark and foreboding lurking around the next corner. But
his music isn't depressing. A definite trace of blues sentiments and
textures are part of Townes's plaintive vocal style. Jack Clement's
production values are a real bonus, he surrounds each song with just the
right amount of accompaniment. (SG)
|
| AMERICAN FOLK
|
TOWNES VAN ZANDT |
Fat Possum 1091 |
Flyin' Shoes |
$14.98 |
10 tracks, 33 min, highly recommended
Originally issued as
Tomato 7017 in 1978 recorded after a five year hiatus from recording finds
Townes in great form with nine superb new original songs plus an
unexpected but very effective cover of Bo Diddley's Who Do You Love.
Unlike the stark arrangements of his earlier albums this has tasteful
country rock arrangements featuring such stellar musicians and backup
vocalists as Chip Moman, Phillip Donnelly, Randy Scruggs, Jimmy Day,
Spooner Oldham and others. Highlights are the sublime title song, the
catchy Loretta and the beautifully crafted When She Don't Need
Me but they're all good. (FS)
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| AMERICAN FOLK |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Rounder 1521 |
Folk Music From Wisconsin |
$15.98 |
21 tracks, 41 min., good
Originally part of the Archive of
Folk Culture, which began in 1928 as part of the music division of the
Library of Congress, these field recordings from the 1940s feature English
language folk songs as rendered by several Wisconsin citizens. Despite the
charming cover photo of a woman standing in her front yard before a series
of bells, most tracks are a cappella, with a definite air of amateurism.
Many of the songs originate in Ireland, Scotland and England and made
their way to Wisconsin in the usual ways. Ultimately, this album is a
collection of folk songs more than it is a series of performances
preserved for their beauty. Titles include On The Lake Of Ponchartrain,
Lord Lovel, How Happy Is The Sportsman, Lumberjack's
Dance Tune, The Milwaukee Fire, The Pinery Boy, and many
others. The 38-page booklet is packed with photos, notes, and the lyrics
to each song. Not a CD likely to find heavy rotation in your ipod, but an
interesting collection nevertheless. (JC)
|
| AMERICAN FOLK |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Takoma 30048 |
Revenge Of Blind Joe Death - John Fahey
Tribute Album |
$18.98 |
20 tracks, 72 min., recommended
A Fahey tribute delivered
by his associates, friends and disciples, most covering Fahey originals,
some rendering Fahey-inspired versions of traditional songs, and still
others, such as Alex de Grassi, performing their own compositions,
directly or tangentially associated with our man. Like much of the late
Fahey's work, many of the selections feature blues-grounded steel guitar.
Performers include technician extraordinaire Phil Kellogg, Henry Kaiser,
Country Joe McDonald, Stephan Grossman, Canned Fish, Elliot Sharp, Rick
Ruskin, Dale Miller, Terry Robb, Sean Smith, and others. The last track
purports to be the lone surviving 78 rpm (side "b" at that) of the
mysterious 1920s bluesman Blind Joe Death, although one suspects Fahey's
friends are perpetuating a hoax he got a lot of milage from. You decide. (JC)
|
| AMERICAN FOLK |
THE WEAVERS |
Rev-Ola 202 |
Hard, Ain't It Hard |
$15.98 |
20 tracks, 59 min., recommended
Long before the Office Of
Homeland Security made America safer by eavesdropping on phone calls and
muscling librarians for lists of people who check out suspicious books,
the FBI and Senator McCarthy were busy keeping America safe from
subversives and communist sympathizers. The Weavers, of course, were both,
and eventually paid for their political leanings with loss of popularity.
Before that, they were extremely popular across the country, singing folk
songs that seem fairly tame by today's standards. In fact, Pete Seeger et
al consciously tried to stay away from the more left-leaning material, a
move that earned The Weavers the contempt of their original audience and
general acceptance. Their arrangements moved away from simple folk music
to orchestral arrangements. As a companion piece to Rev-Ola's Carnegie
Hall CD, this greatest hit collection encapsulates the interesting and
sometimes troubled career of one of the most influential folk groups ever.
Tracks include Goodnight Irene, On Top Of Old Smoky,
Wimoweh, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Old Paint,
Greensleeves, Rock Island Line, Midnight Special and
others. A nice one-disc overview. (JC)
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