NEWSLETTER #14 8
Folk Music - American, British Isles, etc.
The Battlefield Band
->
Various Artists +
DVD S
ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION &
MATTHEWS SOUTHERN COMFORT |
Voiceprint 105 |
Maidstone 1970 |
$16.98 |
32 mins + 15
minute interview, highly recommended
What a delight - a recently
discovered film of Fairport Convention performing live at a charity event
in Maidstone, England in 1970. This is Fairport shortly after Sandy Denny
left featuring the stellar lineup of Richard Thompson, Dave Swarbrick,
Dave Pegg and Dave Mattack s . The set is fairly short (wedged between a
trained chimpanzee act and an army helicopter display) but the gorup is in
top form doing three hot instrumental sets and superb performances of the
songs Sir Patrick Spens and Now be Thankful. There are also
two songs from Matthews Southern Comfort -a group led by former Fai r porter
Iain Matthews. The film was shot professionally with excellent
cinematography and sound. There is a bonus and very interesting 15 minute
interview with the film director, Tony Palmer who has directed a number of
films about music including the famed BBC series "All You Need Is Love"
which has just been made available on DVD. (FS)
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MISCELLANEOUS |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
David 6 |
Lomax - The Songhunter |
$17.98 |
Documentary
about Alan Lomax made by Dutch filmmaker Rogier Kappers. Kappers travels
throughout Europe visiting the places that Lomax made field recordings in
the 60s and meets some of the people Lomax recorded who are still alive
and some still able to perform as well as interviewing some of Lomax's
collaborators during this period (Peter Kennedy, Shirley Collins, etc).
Kappers visits Lomax shortly before his death and though unable to speak
as a result of his brain hemorrhage Lomax is clearly delighted in
listening to some of the recordings he has made. The film also includes a
few pieces of fascinating archival footage.
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SCOTLAND |
THE BATTLEFIELD BAND |
Temple 2052 |
Stand Easy & Preview |
$15.98 |
15 tracks, 52
mins, highly recommended
Available again. This outstanding CD features
recordings by this top Scotish band featuring all of their "Stand Easy" LP
for Topic from 1979 and their 4 track EP "Preview" recorded for Robin
Morton's Temple label in 1980. The group have been with Temple ever since.
For the "Stand Easy" album the group changed their name briefly to
"Battlefield," lost Jamie McMenemy and Pat Kilbride and added Jenny
Clark/vocal, guitar, dulcimer, cittern and whistle and Duncan McGillivray/
highland pipes, whistle, mouth organ and guitar. Alan Reid had started
adding synthesizers to his keyboards and the interplay between pipes and
synthesizer is very effective. Jenny Clark's vocals, which were only
featured on this album, were excelent - the harmony vocals on Christ
Has My Heart Ay are particularly fine. By the time of "Preview" the
band had changed again - Jenny Clark left and Sylvia and Jim Barnes were
added - Sylvia's vocals on Rantin' Rovin' Robin are lovely.
Excellent music (mostly traditional) from beginning to end. (FS)
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SCOTLAND |
THE BATTLEFIELD BAND |
Temple 2055 |
The Battlefield Band |
$14.98 |
11 tracks,
essential
Available again. Reissue of the first Topic album from 1977 of
this fabulous SCottish band who are still going strong more than 30 years
later - albeit with only one of the original members - Alan Reid whose
sesnsitive pedal organ playing has given the band part of its unique
sound. Joining Alan are muilti-instrumentalist and vocalist Brian MacNeil,
vocalist and cittern player Jamie McEnemy and whistle and concertina
player John Gahagan. Most of the vocals are by Jamie who was certainly one
of the finest Scottish singers to emerge in the 70s. His performances of
the Archie Fisher/ Norman Buchan song The Shipyard Apprentice and
the traditional The Cruel Brothers are among the highlights here.
There are also a couple of vocals from Alan including the exquisite It
Was All For Our Rightful King sung to a stunningly beautiful tune
collected by Robert Burns. The instrumental sets are performed with skill
and sensitivity and a remarkable empathy. This is Scottish music at its
very finest. (FS)
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SCOTLAND |
THE BATTLEFIELD BAND |
Temple 2056 |
At The Front |
$14.98 |
12 tracks,
essential
Available again. Reissue of the band's second Topic album from
1978. John Gahagan has left and is replaced by the superb Irish singer,
guitarist and cittern player who brings some Irish songs into the band's
repertoire. A superb collection of traditional Scottish and Irish songs
and tunes with magnificent singing and playing throughout. Among the
highlights is the utterly exquisite instrumental Ge Do Theid Mi Do
M'leabaidh - a Gaelic air based on a song that has one of those
mournful Scottish melodies that is sure to send a shiver down your spine.
The most impressive songs are Tamosher and the truly wonderful
Lang Johnnie Moir - a traditional ballad about a legendary Scottish
giant that Pat has reduced from an unwieldy fifty verses to nineteen
verses. But it's all great and an essential addition to any collection of
folk music from the British Isles. (FS)
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FRANCE |
LES COSTAUDS DE LA LUNE |
Buda 1989382 |
France: Musique D'Auverge |
$15.98 |
A lovely
collection of mostly instrumental traditional music from the Auvergne
region of France by trio of musicians playing banjo, guitar, cabrette
(bagpipes from Auvergne), violin and accordeon with occasional percussion.
Includes 20 page illustrated booklet with notes in French and English
discussing the historical background and a discussion of all the tunes.
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E NGLAND |
ROBIN & BARRY DRANSFIELD |
Free Reed 07 |
Even More ... Popular To Contrary Belief |
$15.98 |
21 tracks, 78
mins, essential
The first 14 tracks of this incredible CD reissues the
duos superb 1977 Free Reed album "Popular To Contrary Belief" and the
remaining tracks features live tracks, out-takes and demos for their
folk-rock album "The Fiddler's Dream." Robin (vocal and guitar) and Barry
Dransfield (vocal and fiddle) were among the brightest lights of the
British folk revieval of the 70s - individually superb singers and
musicians their duo work reveals breathtaking harmonies and the kind of
instrumental empathy that one hears in members of the same family. They
only recorded three acoustic albums and two of them are in the clutches of
a company who refuses to reissue them so this wonderful album is
particularly welcome. The original album is a collection of traditional
songs along with a couple of intrumental pieces and one gem after another
opening with the jaunty The Tacahuano Girls and includes such
beautiful love ballads as Bogie's Bonnie Belle/ Peggy Gordon and
one of my all time favorite songs, the utterly sublime The Holmfirth
Anthem. BUt it's all maginificent. Their folk-rock album "Fiddler's
Dream" found them performing all original songs though traditiona music
was never very far away and the performances here of songs like Up To
Now/ It's Dark In Here and the chilling The Ballad Of Dickie Lubber
are mezmerizing. This release is absolutely indispensible for lovers of
English folk music. (FS)
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ENGLAND |
ROBIN DRANSFIELD |
Hux 097 |
A Lighter Touch |
$27.98 |
Two CDs, 25
tracks, very highly recommended
Fabulous two CD set featuring this
brilliant English folk singer and guitarist best known for his work with
his brother Barry in the 70s. They recorded some fabulous albums together,
made a stab at folk rock, recorded solo albums and separated in the early
80s and pursued other occupations though usually involved with music.
Barry returned to recording with three superb albums in the 90s. The first
CD here is a reissue of Robin's only solo LP "Tidewave" issued by Topic in
1980 though recorded over a period of several years. The album is a
fabulous mixture of traditional and contemporary songs with beautiful
melodic vocals from Robin along with brilliant guitar wotk. He is joined
by several other musicians on various tracks including brother Barry on
cello, Christian Gourhan who plays hurdy gurdy on the eerie Cutty Wren,
Lea Nicholson on concertina, Chris Stearn on bass trombone and euphonium
whose creation of a brass section on Robin's spine chilling rendition of
Spencer The Rover is possibly the highlight of the album and alone
worth the price. The second disc features a never before issued live solo
set by Robin from 1972 and features superb performances of traditional and
contemporaryt songs drawn from his two albums with Barry and his, yet to
be recorded solo album. Songs include Faithful Johnny/ Cold Blow & A
Rainy Night/ Still He Sings/ Adam & The Beasts/ The Rigs O'Rye/ Tidewave
and others. Although there is occasional flutter on the 35 year old tape
the sound quality is generally excellent and is a vaulable addition to
Robin's all too small discography. The set includes a 20 page booklet with
autobiographical notes from Robin, great vintage photos including one from
1962 wen Robin was in a bluegrass band and notes on all the songs. An
indispensible release and my apologies for previously listing it as by
Barry Dransfield! (FS)
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ENGLAND |
FAIRPORT CONVENTION |
Island (UK) 530 829-0 |
The Best Of The BBC Recordings |
$19.98 |
16 tracks, 66
mins, highly recommended
For those of you un-inclined to make the
commitment to the 4 CD box set of this material (Island 984 538-5 -
$65.98), we now have available a tasty sampling from these fantastic
sessions. This release is billed as the best of the box set, and having
heard the whole set myself I am inclined to agree, although I do recommend
picking up the full set if you are a big Fairport fan. This does provide
great takes on classics like Meet On The Ledge/ Who Knows Where The
Time Goes/ Fotheringay/ Down In The Flood, etc. Probably my favorite
is the epic version from 1969 of Tam Lin. All tracks were recorded
between 1968 and 1974 and are presented in chronological order, with most
taking place 1970 or before. Most of the sessions were with the mighty
John Peel. Booklet features a sampling of the pictures from the 4 CD set
and session information for all of the tracks that are on this CD. (JM)
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FRANCE |
GENTIANE |
Music & Words 4013 |
Musique D'Auvergne |
$15.98 |
12 tracks, 37
mins, highly recommended
Available again at a much lower price. Reissue of
terrific album originally issued on the French Cezame label in the early
704. The group featured some of the top musicians in France like Jean
Blanchard/ diatonic accordion, violin, mandolin, vocals and cowbell,
Bernard Blanc/ cabrette, hurdy gurdy and cowbell, Emmanuelle
Parrenin/vocals, hurdy gurdy & dulcimer, Philllippe Fromont/ violin &
viola, Gerard Lavigne/ Fender bass and Dennis Gasser/ piano & gasser. They
perform muisc and songs from the Auvergne region of France. Their
performances feature carefully thought out but unfussy arrangements. This
reissue features a booklet with notes and lyrics in French and English.
very nice! (FS)
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IRELAND |
ANDY IRVINE & PAUL BRADY |
Mulligan (US) 3008 |
Andy Irvine & Paul Brady |
$17.98 |
10 tracks,
essential
All time folk classic back in print. This 1976 record is a
superb pairing of two of Ireland's finest vocalists and instrumentalisys
on 10, mostly traditional, songs and tunes. There are 5 vocals by Andy, 3
by Paul and a couple of instrumental sets. The playing is superb featuring
Paul on guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, whistle, cittern, harmonium and Andy
on bouzouki, mandolin, hurdy gurdy, harmonica and mandola! On some tracks
they are joined by Donal Lunny on bouzouki, bodhran or guitar and Kevin
Burke adds some tasteful fiddle work. There is one classic song after
another including Andy's driving Plains Of Kildare, his mournful
Bonny Woodhall, Paul's chilling solo performance of Arthur McBride
and the jaunty Mary And The Soldier but it's all magnificent and
essential for any collection of Irish music. (FS)
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IRELAND |
MATT MOLLOY |
Mulligan (US) 3004 |
Matt Molloy |
$17.98 |
15 tracks,
essential
Another Irish folk classic back in rint. Absolutely brilliant
debut album from 1976 by this brilliant flute player from Co. Roscommon
who subsequely became a key member of The Bothy Band, Planxty and The
Chieftains. Molloy is a dazzling musician with incredible breath control
and impeccable fingering but his playing is also full of warmth and
sensitivity resulting in truly beautiful music. He is accompanied on this
collection of mostly reels and jigs by Donal Lunny on guitar and bouzouki
and Lunny's playing perfectly underpins that of Molloy. Magnificent stuff.
(FS)
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AMERICAN |
TOM PAXTON |
Collectables 6969 |
Ain't That News! |
$11.98 |
14 tracks, 38
min., highly recommended
Straight reissue of Paxton's 1965 LP (his second,
if you don't count the "privately issued one"), originally released by
Elektra as EKS-7298 and available a few years ago with "Ramblin' Boy" (his
first) in a twofer Rhino Records edition. Interesting how back then, if
Paxton's songs are any indication, regular people involved themselves in
protesting injustice, cared enough about ending an undeclared war to
actually do something about it. Go figure. Then again, We Didn't Know,
which takes apathy and willing ignorance as its subjects, might have been
written yesterday. Paxton was among the best of the folkies at this,
better surely than Dylan, who contrary to common understanding wrote
precious few actual protest songs. Paxton has always been a smart and
biting lyrically (The Willing Conscript/ Ain't That News) without
giving up the ability to wring tenderness from his guitar and voice (Hold
On To Me Babe). That's why he still matters, still makes meaningful
music. The popular Bottle Of Wine comes from this album, as does
Buy A Gun For Your Son and I'm The Man That Built The Bridges.
(JC)
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ENGLAND |
PYEWACKETT |
Music & Words MWCD 4007 |
The Man In The Moon Drinks Claret |
$15.98 |
11 tracks, 39
mins., recommended
Available again at a much lower price. It's easy to see
why this group was so popular. This 1982 album sparkles with a playful
sense of fun, delivered by a skillful quartet who like to surprise. Hey
We to the Other World starts off very trad English a capella but
quickly devolves into a burlesque reggae stew that somehow suits it
perfectly. Other tracks retain trad politeness while interwoven with
singular invention. Pyewackett specialized in very old material which they
made current and very much alive. Check out one of the jazziest versions
of Tam Lin ever recorded, followed immediately by an entirely loopy
Merry-go-round Broke Down. Weird and wonderful. Andy Cronshaw ably
handled the highly-textured production. (DC)
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SCOTLAND |
EMILY SMITH |
Spit & Polish 035 |
Too Long Away |
$16.98 |
10 tracks,
highly recommended
First CD made available in the USA of one of the finest
folk talents to emerge from Scotland in the past few years. Emily is a
stunning vocalist and accompanies herself on accordion and piano. She is
joined on many tracks by Jamie McClennan on fiddle or guitar, Ross
Milligan and Duncan Lyall on double bass with occasional added musicians.
The songs are a mix of traditional and contemporary - the latter mostly
originals by Emily. Being an old fogey I prefer the traditional songs and
her renditions of Caledonia and Bleacher Lassie o"Kelvinhaugh
are well worth the price of admission. Although I don't find the
contemporary songs quite as compelling there is no question that Come
Home, Little Bird is a real beauty and Old Mortality, based on
a true story, is very moving. (FS)
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AMERICAN |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Ace CDCHD 1175 |
The Golden Age Of American Popular Music - The Folk Hit |
$18.98 |
28 tracks, 74
mins, recommended Don't settle for the K-tell, RonCo, or Time Life
versions of Folk History; ya gotta dig this Ace records collection with
the hits, almost hits, and all the info behind them. Sure, this is missing
a few key artists of the folk movement -- Phil Ochs and some guy named
Zimmerman to name a couple glaring examples -- but you do get Johnny Cash
covering It Ain't Me Babe, possibly Cash's worst popular recording,
so who am I to nit-pick? There are a ton of the hits that you would expect
like The Kingston Trio with Tom Dooley/ Greenback Dollar, and
Where Have all The Flowers Gone?, Joan Baez doing We Shall Over
Come, Walk Right In by The Rooftop Singers, Don't Let The
Rain Come Down by The Serendipity Singers, etc. Then you get some
lesser known or hits that you almost forgot about like Michael by
The Highwaymen, A Dollar Down by The Limeliters, There's a
Meeting Here Tonight
by Joe & Eddie, and the Fantastic Lizzie Borden by
The Chad Mitchell Trio, The Unicorn by The Irish Rovers, and Pete Seeger
doing Little Boxes. All in all, a lot of fun and a lot of memories. After
you watch "A Mighty Wind" the next time, put this on and experience all of
the real artists in their earnest glory. (JM)
JOAN BAEZ: We Shall Overcome/ THE BRANDYWINE SINGERS: Summer's Come And
Gone/ THE BROTHERS FOUR: Greenfields/ BUD & TRAVIS: Ballad Of The Alamo/
JOHNNY CASH: It Ain't Me Babe/ GALE GARNETT: We'll Sing In The Sunshine/
THE GLENCOVES: Hootenanny/ THE GREENWOODS: Please Don't Sell My Daddy No
More Wine/ THE HIGHWAYMEN: Cottonfields/ Michael/ THE IRISH ROVERS: The
Unicorn/ JOE & EDDIE: There's A Meetin' Here Tonite/ THE KINGSTON TRIO:
Greenback Dollar/ Reverend Mr. Black/ Tom Dooley/ Where Have All The
Flowers Gone/ THE LIMELITERS: A Dollar Down/ THE CHAD MITCHELL TRIO:
Lizzie Borden/ THE NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS: Green Green/ PETER, PAUL & MARY:
If I Had A Hammer/ THE ROOFTOP SINGERS: Tom Cat/ Walk Right In/ PETE
SEEGER: Little Boxes/ THE SERENDIPITY SINGERS: Don't Let The Rain Come
Down/ THE SHACKLEFORDS: A Stranger In Your Town/ THE SIMON SISTERS: Winkin',
Blinkin' And Nod/ THE SPRINGFIELDS: Silver Threads And Golden Needles/
BILLY EDD WHEELER: Ode To A Little Brown Shack
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AMERICAN |
VARIOUS ARTISTS |
Perpetual 63033 |
Women Folk - Iconic Women Of American Folk |
$12.98 |
20 tracks, 51
min., recommended Apparently drawn from various Tradition albums of the
late 1950s and early 1960s, these tracks offer a pleasant sampling of five
women of vastly different styles within the folk tradiitons. Odetta, Etta
Baker, Barbara Dane, Jean Ritchie, and Carolyn Hester go by turns (in that
order) for four rounds, thus each women gets four tracks. A long-time
proponent of Appalachian folk music, Ritchie, with the help of her
autoharp and plaintive, piecing vocals, has influenced countless folk and
country singers alike. And like Odetta, Ritchie still performs several
shows yearly. Baker's selections are all worthy solo blues guitar numbers
in the country blues Piedmont tradition. Dane, whose early work has seen
reissue recently, represents a political, socially conscious folk music
that became a mainstay in the 1960s. Hester gained a certain fame for
being the first to offer Bob Dylan a chance to record in the studio and,
like Dane, Pete Seeger, and others, remained a political singer. Her voice
can be beautiful but is always fragile and often strays beyond its bounds,
if ever so slightly. In all, a fine introduction to these pioneering folk
artists. (JC)
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