r.m.f's favorite albums of 1990 - raw list 1 of 3
Ken Josenhans
Michael Hui, David Albert, Scott Yanoff, Pete Young, Kent Beck, Jon Berger,
David Kotz, David Gourley, Peter Collinson, Lindsay Marshall, Clive Williams,
Andy Whitman, Mary Mark, Mike Godfrey, Barry McLarnon, Chris Conway and
William Boyer.
===============================================================================
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 91 22:05:00 EST
From: Michael (M.M.Y.) Hui <MY...@BNR.CA>
Here is my list. Thanks in advance for your effort !
Jane Siberry bound by the beauty
1989 Duke Street Records: A division of PAJA Company Ltd.,
185 Frederick Street, Suite 104, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4L4
Capercaillie sidewaulk
1989 Green Linnet Inc., 43 Beaver Brook Road, Danbury, CT 06810 800-468-6644
Figgy Duff weather out the storm
1990 Hypnotic Records, 96 Spadina Avenue, 9th floor, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2J6
Loreena McKennitt Parallel Dreams
1989 Quinlan Road Productions, R.R. 5, Stratford, Ontario N5A 6S6
I can provide detailed descriptions of the above bands if you don't have
them already. Please by all means let me know and I'll be glad to oblige.
Michael Hui 613-765-4423 p.o.box 16099 nepean ontario K2C 3S9 canada
================================================================================
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 91 19:30:10 EST
From: alb...@das.harvard.edu (David Albert)
All the following are in essentially the "acoustic" mode, although
nowadays it's hard to find anyone who doesn't have at least someone
in the background with an electric bass or guitar backup. These are
in no particular order.
(1) Fred Small, "I Will Stand Fast", Flying Fish 491. Topical,
political. (1988)
(2) Judy Small (no relation to Fred), "Home Front", Redwood 8808.
Australian, topical, political, women. (1988)
(3) Magpie (Greg Artzner and Terry Leonino), "Living Planet", Collector
Records 1948 (Collector, 1604 Arbor View Rd., Silver Spring MD,
20902). Environmental, political, rain forests. (1989)
(4) Anne Hills, "Woman of a Calm Heart", Flying Fish 70464. Peace,
traditional, topical, political. (1988)
(5) Kate Wolf, "An Evening in Austin", Kaleidoscope K-36. Peace, love,
traditional, personal. (Live from "Austin City Limits", first
recorded 1985. Recording printed 1989)
(6) Eric Bogle, "Something of Value", Philo 1125 (distributed by Rounder).
Australian, topical, political, personal. (1989)
(7) Betsy Rose, "Wings Against the Sky", Kaleidoscope F-31. Topical,
political, sanctuary, women, relationships. (1988)
--
----------------------------------------------__------------------------------
David Albert | / ) /
UUCP: ...!harvard!albert | / / __. , ___o __/
INTERNET: alb...@harvard.edu |/__/__(_/|__\/ <___(_/_
================================================================================
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 91 23:47:22 -0600
From: Scott `The_Edge` Yanoff <yan...@csd4.csd.uwm.edu>
I don't listen to much folk, but I love the Indigo Girls, and I'd like my
vote for their albums to count:
Nomads*Indians*Saints (1990)
Indigo Girls (1989)
Strange Fire (1988)
================================================================================
From: Pete Young <pyo...@axion.bt.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 91 10:29:24 GMT
Some of my fave raves from this year. Some of these albums were not
released this year.
1 Freedom and Rain - June Tabor and the Oyster Band
(You dont need me to describe this one, do you:-)
2 Irish Times - Patrick Street
I'm not going to describe this one either. Last time I
tried to do that I got it in the neck from Chris Pettus.
3 Leaves of Life - Martin Simpson
Traditional song tunes played as guitar instrumentals.
4 The Irish Concertina - Noel Hill
Not released this year. 1988 I think but it's taken me this
long to get it. Irish traditional dance music played on the
anglo concertina by (IMNSHO) the greatest living player of
the instrument.
5 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Frankie Gavin
This one was released at the tail-end of 1989. The boy Gavin
doing what he does best in the company of Alec Finn, Charlie
Lennon and other luminaries. Described by one of the
Battlefield Band as "not a bad player for a wee shite"!
6 Plain Capers - John Kirkpatrick and others.
I've included this one because a re-mixed re-mastered version
has been available from the great John K himself. I know
because I bought a copy at one of his gigs earlier this year.
The definitive recording of morris music.
I'll leave it at that. I'd like to include the album by the Breton
band Carre Manchot but to my shame I can't remember the album title.
There's also a "Greatest Hits" CD by June Tabor but I can't remember
the title of that either, besides which I don't have a CD player.
================================================================================
From: argosy!ke...@decwrl.dec.com (Kent Beck)
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 91 08:38:24 -0800
"Jean Redpath" Jean Redpath. Spare accompaniment, beautiful voice, great
songs.
"Christmas Album" The Roches. I'm still playing this one.
"Songs for Little Pickers" Doc Watson. Big folks like it too.
"Black Stringband Music" Rounder Records. Funky fiddling.
"Bangin and Sawin" Bob Carlin.
================================================================================
From: jo...@ingres.com (Jon Berger)
Steeleye Span, "Tempted and Tried". I love these guys, and they're still
fresh after all these years, even though I usually know pretty much where
their arrangements are going to go. But I still find them exciting.
June Tabor and the Oyster Band, "Freedom and Rain". I've been hearing
rumors of this one for three years, and I think I got the first copy in
the Bay Area. I wasn't disappointed. I'd been getting a little burned
out on Tabor's string of suicide-inducing downer records, though her
voice is always amazing, whatever she chooses to sing. This one is a bit
incongrous at times, and features a percussionist who sounds like he aspires
to be a drum machine, but overall they're wonderful, and I hope they do
lots more group efforts.
Paul Simon, "The Rhythm of the Saints". Can it be folk if it's a big-time
commercial production? I hope so. Paul Simon is so talented that it's a
little depressing for the rest of us, and it's wonderful to see a folkie
make it to the very tippy-top without sacrificing one little bit of his
integrity. I think this is as good as "Graceland", though it's not as
surprising, since it's a similar approach to an entirely different style.
Boiled in Lead, "From the Ladle to the Grave". These guys can only
be described as awesome. Well, I guess they can also be described as
loud. Very loud, in fact. They're just your basic Irish punk Macedonian
Klezmer thrash band from Minneapolis, and they do it all so well that you
wonder why anyone ever thought that folk music had borders. I saw them
live in San Francisco, playing for an audience of 50% leather-clad
bikers and 50% folk weenies -- oh, and me, too -- and everyone loved them.
The Broadside Band of Jeremy Barlow, "John Playford's Popular Tunes".
I suspect Mr. Barlow would be deeply offended at the suggestion that
he's playing folk music, but it's all the same tunes I play for English
dance parties all the time, so I say it qualifies. Wonderful, smooth,
virtuostic, and played with a perfect sense of the dancability of the
tunes. I've almost worn out my CD.
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jon Berger jo...@ingres.com {mtxinu,sun,amdahl,pyramid}!ingres!jonb
"Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that we're all drawings." -- B. Kliban
================================================================================
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 91 09:45:16 -0500
From: d...@cs.duke.edu (David F. Kotz)
My favorite new acquisitions this year, all on CD. Ranking is only
rough (best first).
Nanci Griffith: Storms
Her latest. Another fantastic album from Nanci, whose voice is
one the best in the business.
Nanci Griffith: Once in a Very Blue Moon
I just bought this after Christmas so I don't have a good feel
for it yet; not as good as Storms but still great.
Christine Lavin: Unattainable Love
This is a great album, though I think I liked "Future Fossils"
(see 1989) better. The "Shopping Cart of Love" can't be missed.
Christine Lavin: Good Thing He Can't Read My Mind
Pretty much serious stuff here, although I only got this recently
and have not listened to it much. In her serious songs you can really
see what a great voice she has.
Bill Staines: The First Million Miles
All great stuff from a fantastic acoustic singer/songwriter. Only
problem with this collection is that it leaves out many great songs; I
guess we'll wait for the "Second Million Miles". I finally bought
the CD.
Eric Bogle: Songbook
Eric Bogle is a singer from Australia, although he was born in
Scotland (Ireland?). He has some now classic anti-war ballads, several
songs about love and Australia (esp a good one about the plight of the
aborigines). His singing style takes some getting used to. I like
the "Now I'm Easy" album better I think.
Doc Watson: Riding the Midnight Train
This is the award-winning album, with a mostly bluegrass style. I
still prefer "Down South" and the "Guitar Album".
Silly Wizard: Kiss the Tears Away
(I bought this on LP). The problem with SW is that they repeat
songs so often on their albums, I can't keep them all straight. But
this is as good as all their others, which is great.
Beausoleil: Bayou Boogie
Beausoleil: Bayou Cadillac
I tend to think of these together. I was disappointed by these
albums (although I love Beausoleil's music) because of the addition of
an electric guitar to the music; they are much better live. Perhaps a
different album of theirs might be more to my liking.
As always, I love Stan Rogers. But I have everything he made, and I
can't say it's new for 1990 of course. But if you have a hall of fame,
he belongs.
================================================================================
From: David Gourley <dav...@praxis.co.uk>
Date: Wed, 9 Jan 91 16:17:32 GMT
In article <1991Jan5.0...@msuinfo.cl.msu.edu> you write:
>I'm looking for lists of your 10 (or more, or less) favorite folk albums
>of 1990. These need not be 1990 releases: often I find that I won't hear
>about a good folk album for a couple of years after its release.
1) Himself (Andy White) 1990 (Cooking Vinyl)
Much lighter than his previous albums, this is probably not just my favourite
folk album but my favourite album of the year. A mixture of intelligent and
quirky lyrics and excellent, appropriate instrumentation (mainly acoustic
guitar).
2) Freedom and Rain (The Oyster Band + June Tabor) (Cooking Vinyl)
Wonderful instrumentation and vocals. The album is mainly cover versions of
everything from the Velvet Underground (All tomorrows Parties) to extremely
old traditional songs.
3) Once (Roy Harper)
After well over 20 years this album shows that Harper is still capable of
producing superb music. Black Cloud of Islam is one of the most powerful
songs of the year, especially in view of developments in the gulf after it was
written.
4) Room to Roam (the Waterboys)
Is this a folk album or not? I think it is an excellent Irish folk album from
a (mainly) Scottish band. Name an instrument and it is probably played
somewhere on the album.
--
David Gourley, Praxis Systems plc, 20 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1PX UK.
Email: dav...@praxis.co.uk
"I want to go back to Belfast City
Where the jeeps are green and the girls are pretty" - Andy White
================================================================================
From: Peter Collinson <p...@hillside.co.uk>
Organization: Hillside Systems, 61 Hillside Avenue, Canterbury, Kent CT2 8HA
Date: Wed, 09 Jan 91 22:37:52 +0000
I am now quite confused about what a folk Album is.. so here is a bunch
of music and musicians that have been played most in the last year.
These are in Alphabetical order and are all CD's.
a) Beausoleil
Live from the Left Coast
If you like Cajun Music and you haven't got this one then you should
instantly rush out and buy it. This probably counts as a folk record
because they give you the words.
It's great because it's live.. and full of energy.
b) Elvis Costello
Spike
A great electric folk record. You get the words!
I rate this especially `Let Him Dangle' and `Kings Shilling'.
c) Ry Cooder
Bop Till You Drop
Ry Cooder gets a lot of play in this house even if you don't get the
words. This is probably the favourite - along with `Jazz'.
d) Sandy Denny
The Best of Sandy Denny
A great great record - no words with the CD. Look for the double
boxed bits of plastic.
e) Eagles
Hotel California
Is this old enough to be counted as folk? I said I was confused.
No words though.
f) Simon Nicol
Before your time
I really like this. I was horrified to hear various people
murdering `From a distance' recently. You do get the words.
g) Roy Orbison
Mystery Girl
Not sure this counts as folk. You get the words and the guy
is dead. What a voice... them Wilburies sure miss this fella
h) Oyster Band
Ride
I JUST HATE `New York Girls' - but the rest is great. Luckily the
hateful track is number 1 - so just skip it. Kent's premier
electric folk/rock band and all that.
i) Richard & Linda Thompson
Sunnivista
One of the most played RT CDs in this house. Some great hammering
on the Dulcimer from Sue Harris. No words though.
================================================================================
From: "Lindsay F. Marshall" <Lindsay....@newcastle.ac.uk>
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 91 9:30:05 GMT
Well, 1990 was a year of little time and even less money so I didn't
listen to or buy much stuff - young children do this to you! An
interesting experiment we have been doing is letting my 3 year old son
pick a record and putting that on. This has been bringing out some old
gems that I had quite forgotten!
1) I havent got this as it is'nt available on vinyl (*SIGH*) but it
will be wonderful - The Complete Robert Johnson on CBS.
2) Bob Wills Tiffany Sessions volume 6. As I have said before this
whole series is magic, but this is my most recent acquisition.
3) Jacket of Batteries by De Danaan. Yes, I finally got a copy, but it
isn't really up to their usual standard at all. Some nice stuff, but
nothing that grabs me.
I have also been listening to (much as the same as previous years I'm
afraid) :-
(You guessed it) Aly Bain!!!! Still fabulous
Noel Hill, Irish Concertina - utterly brilliant
Noel Hill & Tony Linnane, recorded in 1970 and fresh as a daisy
Lou Reed, New York New York. Great stuff
Mike Auldridge Dobro, and 8-String Swing, more oldies but goodies.
Fred Geiger Banjo album 193z- listening to this if I could find it (my
collection has got very unsorted!)
60 Years of Sean McGuire
Pipe Major Robert Thingy, Grace Notes
David Grisman, Mondo Mando
Billy Jack Wills Western Swing Band. ( I wish I could find Volume two
of this)
Okeh Western Swing - a great collection if you want an introduction to
some of the best music in the world.
I'd better stop now. I will try harder to spend money next year and so
have a more interesting list. BTW a good place for interesting lists
of what people have been listening to is in the Mandocrucian's Digest
which all mandolin players ought to get. There are some poeple with
very catholic tastes there!!
Lindsay
================================================================================
From: Clive Williams <c...@nw.stl.stc.co.uk>
(<cl...@compsci.bristol.ac.uk> by now, most likely)
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 1991 13:59:42 GMT
1) Blowzabella - "Vanilla" (1990) - LP/MC/CD
Not much problem picking an overall winner. Creative, highly inventive,
yet cohesive. Andy Cutting's melodeon is a recurring highlight in a fine
group performance. And then they go and break up. Typical.
2) Allan Taylor - "Lines" (1988) - LP/MC/CD
Singer-songwriter-guitarist, superbly produced and arranged. Backing band
are excellent despite their poor reputations (ex-Maddy Prior Band, etc.).
Songwriting is consistantly good. Got played a lot last year.
3) Chris Wood & Andy Cutting (1990) - MC
Chris plays fiddle (and taps percussion with his feet at the same time),
and sings, Andy is Blowzabella's melodeon player. Hell of a combination.
Mostly an instrumental set, only available at their gigs. Go find !
4) Janet Russell - "Gathering the Fragments" (1988) - LP/MC
Yet another of the outstanding series of records Harbourtown Records keep
putting out. Scottish singer/songwriter/acoustic guitarist - also does
trad and other people's stuff. Beautiful voice, no mean guitarist, and
picks wonderful material. Jim Woodland's "Sanctuary", in particular, is
outstanding.
5) Whippersnapper - "Tsubo" (1987) - LP/MC/CD
Powerfully played second set from Swarb & friends. Great performances by
all the band, good choice of material, expertly arranged, played and sung.
Too bad about "Fortune".
6) Bandoggs (1982) - LP
Pete & Chris Coe, Nic Jones & Tony Rose's foursome. Superb material as you
might expect, fine performances all round with Nic Jones stealing the show
with a beautifully sung "Rose of Allandale" and an inspired guitar solo
"Salmon Tails Down the Water".
7) Albion Band '89 - "Give Me a Saddle, I'll Trade You a Car" (1989) - LP/MC/CD
Ashley Hutchings strikes again. Good musicians, superb choice of material
(which is what really makes the difference), and played with real venom
and fire. The best thing they've done in ages. Too bad about "1990".
8) Martin Carthy / Dave Swarbrick - "Life and Limb" (1990) - LP/MC/CD
Disappointed me at first, then grew slowly on me. Suddenly realised I
loved most of the stuff on it - especially Carthy's mandolin based
"Bows of London", and Swarb's inspired instrumentals.
9) Dick Gaughan - "Handful of Earth" (1980) - LP/MC/CD
Seminal album from the scottish singer/songwriter/guitarist. Quality
choice of songs, from the violent "Erin-go-Bragh" to the quite beautiful
"Song for Ireland", sung superbly - hell of a singer, this chap.
10) Pete Morton - "One Big Joke" (1988) - LP/MC/CD
Harbourtown Records strike again - this label can do no wrong. Pete
sings, writes and plays guitar, Roger Wilson plays fiddle, Simon Edwards
plays accordion. The strength of this LP lies in the backing band - it
fits in so well. Contrast with Pete's first solo LP.
-------------------- The "Oh-so-close" department --------------------
Nick Drake - "Five Leaves Left" (~1969) - LP/MC/CD (I think)
Brian Peters - "Fools of Fortune" (1989) - LP/MC
George Faux - "Time for a Laugh and a Song" (1989) - LP/MC
Red Shift - "Back in the Red" (1987) - LP/MC
Oyster Band - "Ride" (1989) - LP/MC/CD
Archie Fisher - "Sunsets I Have Galloped Into" (1988) - LP/MC
Burland, Gaughan & Capstick - "Songs of Ewan MacColl" (~1980) - LP
June Tabor - "Aqaba" (1988) - LP/MC/CD
Patrick Street - "Irish Times" (1990) - LP/MC/CD
Steve Turner - "Jigging One Now" (1981) - LP
----------- The "Disappointing...-can-do-better" department ----------
Oyster Band - "Little Rock to Leipzig" (1989)
Albion Band - "1990" (yep, 1990)
Cock & Bull Band - "Sacred Routes & Concrete Cows" (1989)
Simon Thoumire / Ian Carr - "Hootz" (1990)
Whippersnapper - "Fortune" (1989)
--------------- The "Best-live-performance" department ---------------
Runners up: Janet Russell, Carthy/Swarbrick, Altan, Steve Turner/George Faux,
Allan Taylor, Iain Matthews, Tomas Lynch, R. Cajun & the Zydeco Brothers,
and run *very* close by John Kirkpatrick's "Shropshire Bedlams" Morris
dancing team (quite an experience...), but best performance goes to a
storming set by Chris Wood & Andy Cutting. Go see 'em !
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So there you go. Very good year, I'd say - lots of quality stuff from lots
of quality acts, and some great new acts coming through. Till next year...
Clive.
--
>>> Clive Williams - clive%uk.ac.bris...@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk <<<
>>> Slow 'n Dodgy Route: ...!mcsun!ukc!csisles!clive <<<
================================================================================
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 91 13:51:36 EST
From: a...@cblpn.att.com (Andrew J Whitman)
Hi Ken,
Okay, here you go. People should be warned, though, that I don't
understand the concept of "pure" folk music, and would probably
be less happy if I did. A lot of what I'm going to list stretches
the definition of "folk," and a lot of it didn't come out in
1990 anyway. So there. But I bought it all last year.
In alphabetical order (I can't even begin to rank them):
1) Norman Blake/Tony Rice - Blake and Rice 2
Separately, Blake's and Rice's music has always been a joy to me.
Together, they make music that is almost too wonderful for words.
Just front-porch pickin', great original and traditional songs,
and some unpretentiously honest music.
2) Martin Carthy - Landfall
A 1970 album that showcases Carthy's remarkable guitar playing and
loving adaptations of traditional British folk songs. Carthy is fine
in larger group settings, but he's always been at his best when he's
alone with his six-string.
3) Cordelia's Dad
Purist alert!!!! Purist alert!!!! British, Irish, Scottish, and
American folk songs done up with a big wall-of-noise guitar attack
that is very reminiscent of The Ramones or Husker Du.
4) The Deighton Family - Mama Was Right
Mom, pop, and four or five kids play wonderful, pseudo-Celtic versions
of "Soldier's Joy," Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," and The
Beatles' "Taxman." Eclecticism at its best.
5) Nick Drake - Fruit Tree
I just discovered Drake in 1990. What the heck, you can rank him
#1 on my list. "Pink Moon," the third album in this four-album
set, pretty much defines what a folk album should be - distinctive
guitar work and heartbreakingly bleak, beautiful songs.
6) French, Frith, Kaiser, and Thompson - Invisible Means
Celtic/jazz/folk/avant-noise. Some incredible electric guitar work.
Some of the best singing that Richard Thompson has done in years.
And a surf/rockabilly version of "Loch Lomond" that will make the
purists want to slit their wrists. It's that good.
7) Robert Johnson - The Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson
Going waaaay back for this one - to 1936. Yeah, yeah, I know he's
The Father Of The Blues and all that, but this is about as pure as
folk music gets, in my opinion. The song titles speak for themselves -
"Sweet Home Chicago," "Love in Vain," "Hellhound on My Trail,"
"Crossroads," "Dust My Broom," and on and on. The classic
performances of songs that have inspired and influenced musicians
for the past fifty years.
8) Andy M. Stewart/Manus Lunny - At It Again
Sensitive singer/songwriter material disguised as Celtic music.
Some of the songs are a little *too* Alan Aldaish for my tastes,
but Stewart has one of the premiere voices in music today, so
it's easy to forgive him. And the version of Robert Burns' "Tae
the Weavers 'Gin Ye Go" is stunning.
9) The Waterboys - Room To Roam
Not as good as "Fisherman's Blues," but still a fine merger of
Celtic, folk, and rock influences. "In Search of a Rose" and
"Raggle-Taggle Gypsies" are outstanding.
10) Loudon Wainwright III - Fame and Wealth
A 1982 album that features Richard Thompson on guitar and Loudon
doing Bob Dylan impressions. Loudon can shock you, break your heart,
and deeply offend you, all in the space of one song. He may be the
best American songwriter since Bob Dylan.
Dishonorable mentions:
The Pogues - Hell's Ditch. I like this band, but somebody really
should put Shane MacGowan out of his misery. Either that or give
him elocution lessons. These are some of the most unintelligible
songs I've ever heard.
June Tabor and The Oyster Band - Freedom and Rain - I like June
Tabor. I like The Oyster Band. I like the material they covered.
But gee, this is a boring, insipid album.
Doc Watson - On Praying Ground - Another performer I really like
who made a really bad album. It's bad enough that Doc narrates
Bible passages over a background chorus of "ooooohs" and "aaaaahs."
But when he does four minute a capella versions of songs and
doesn't hit *one note* during the entire song, then it's time to
hang it up. Let's rename him Lester Flat.
The Tannahill Weavers - Okay, they put out a great album this year.
But I get supremely annoyed with their folk purist arrogance and
their insistence on the second-class status of bands like The
Pogues and Boiled in Lead. The triumph of the Wee Minded.
Andy Whitman
AT&T Bell Labs, Columbus, Ohio
att!cblpn!ajw or
a...@cblpn.att.com
================================================================================
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 91 15:53:15 CST
From: ma...@skorpio.usask.ca (Mary Mark)
From: Mary Mark (ma...@cs.usask.ca)
Here are the three releases I got really exited over from 1990.
Let it be noted that I am *not* a purist, in fact I prefer
crossover music with both acoustic and electronic instruments.
1. Boiled In Lead - Orb
These people are wonderful, both in recording and concert.
They really enjoy what they are doing, and it comes across. The
latest album, Orb, contains songs from Africa, Albania, British
Isles, USA, Thailand and Hell. My favourite is "Cunovo Oro", a
Macedonian tune in 7/8 time. The recording was released on
Atomic Theory Records in the states, Cooking Vinyl in the UK.
It can also be obtained from Boiled In Lead, Box 7514, Minneapolis
Minnesota, USA, 55407.
The only person I've ever talked to who'd heard them and
disliked them had the following criticism: "They play those electric
things". Purists be warned.
2. Robin Adnan Anders - Blue Buddha
This one really ties for first place on my list - not surprising,
since Robin Anders is also the drummer for Boiled In Lead. Blue Buddha
is a 90 minute cassette of Sufi, Middle Easter, and Asian influenced
hand drums and percussion (mostly Syrian dourbakee). Its released by
Interworld Music, 67 Main St. Brattleboro, VT, USA, 05301.
If you have any love for drumming, buy it now! Just wonderful.
3. Bob's Your Uncle - Tail of Two Legs
A Vancouver group, fairly heavy rock sound with lots of neat
non-rock-standard instruments and interesting lyrics. Well worth
hearing. Live, they have an even more impressive blend of vocals
than is on the CD: there they emphasize the voice of Sook-Yin Lee,
the female vocalist, primarily. I forgot to note the label or source
address, sorry (email will be answered).
Again, purists beware.
================================================================================
Date: Wed, 16 Jan 91 16:52:37 EST
From: Mike Godfrey <mi...@csri.toronto.edu>
Mike Godfrey's 1990 Folk-ish Selections
---------------------------------------
Picks:
------
La Bottine Souriante, "Tout comme au jour de l'an" (Gamma)
The fifth album from this Montreal group. Celtic-influenced and a
little raw, as some franco-Canadian folk music can be. Very bouncy
and infectious.
Billy Bragg, "The Internationale" (Elektra)
Oor Bill's done a right political album 'ere, even if 'tis a bit short.
An interesting side-note in an interesting career. I enjoyed what he
did with Blake's "Jerusalem".
Stompin' Tom Conners, "A Proud Canadian" (Capitol)
You really don't expect an ancient looking guy with cowboy boots and
hat to start singing songs about national unity, do you? This is a
long-overdue greatest hits collection from the guy who retired for
fifteen years in protest because he felt that the Canadian music
industry was ignoring homegrown talent. At times corny, usually
amusing and writer of many now-classic songs, Tom is presently on a
comeback. k.d. lang is a very big fan (and he wrote a song about her
on this album). Here's a classic quote:
"Oh the girls are playing bingo / And the boys are getting stinko /
So we'll think no more of Inco / On this Sudbury Saturday Night."
(Inco is the big nickel mining company in Sudbury.)
The Deighton Family, "Mama was Right" (Philo/Rounder)
Morrocan Mama and Dutch Dada and five or six kids between 3 and late
teenage from Yorkshire. It sounds a bit gimmicky, but I quite
enjoyed the album. Mostly covers (Harrison's "Taxman", Clapton's
"Wonderful Tonight" for example) with vocals from Dad. I'm not sure
how long they can last or what they can do for an encore, but I'm
pleased with this, thank you very much.
Figgy Duff, "Weather Out the Storm" (Hypnotic/A&M)
This is the third album for the Newfoundland band. This isn't their
best album, but after waiting 7 years, I'll take it. They've gone the
old "original rock music in the folk vein" route and it works very
well, most of the time. But to me, they simply can't be beat when
they do more traditional stuff. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you
ever pass up a chance to see them live. Their concert earlier this
year in Toronto was the best Celtic-folk concert I have ever seen.
Kate and Anna McGarrigle, "Heartbeats Accelerating" (Private Music/BMG)
A sombre, pensive album which in many way reflects the current mood
in this country. There are no upbeat, bouncy McGarrigle singalongs
here; instead there are quiet, sad but powerful songs about love and
the loss of it. "Love is a minor chord / Love is a mental ward /
Love is a drawn sword / Love is its own reward." There are many
strong songs here --- "Leave Me Be" has grown on me in particular.
A very fitting album for 1990 Canada.
Richard Thompson and friends, "Hard Cash (soundtrack)" (Green Linnet)
I think this is my favourite compilation album. It's the soundtrack
to a UK television series about people working for the minimum wage.
Martin Carthy, the Watersons, June Tabor, Gregson/Collister and some
other new (to me) names contribute. Many good songs here.
Disappointments:
---------------
The Pogues, "Hell's Ditch" (Island)
*Another* bad Pogues album.
June Tabor and the Oyster Band, "Freedom Rain" (Rykodisc)
Not without its moments, but more irritating than satisfying. An
interesting choice of covers (Thompson, Bragg, Lou Reed, Pogues) and
Tabor's voice is entrancing in its almost mystical pureness, but the
drums are mixed *way* too high and are totally inappropriate most of
the time. A failed experiment.
C'est tout. A biento^t.
Mike Godfrey
mi...@csri.toronto.edu
================================================================================
Date: Fri, 18 Jan 91 15:07:44 EST
From: ba...@dgbt.doc.ca (Barry McLarnon DGBT/DIP)
Not much here to appease the purists, but here goes anyway:
Indigo Girls - "Strange Fire" (1989)
"Nomads Indians Saints" (1990)
If the number of times I've played them is any indication (and I'm sure it
is!), these were my #1 and #2 albums of 1990. I'm still not sure which is
#1, and which is #2 though. The Indigos have struck a very responsive chord
with me, and are now on that _very_ short list of artists whose new offerings
I would purchase without waiting for reviews, favorable comments on r.m.f.,
etc. Great acoustic guitar, fine singing, thoughtful lyrics - terrific
stuff! Another group on that short list is...
The Roches - "Speak" (1989)
"We Three Kings" (1990)
As a longtime fan of the Roches, I welcomed "Speak" with open arms (and had
some trouble finding the CD, which is why it appears in my 1990 list). I was
not disappointed - it's some of their best work ever. And "We Three KIngs"
was a delightful surprise... the only Christmas CD in my collection - who
needs more? :-)
Christine Lavin - "Attainable Love" (1990)
I have to thank the net-folks here on r.m.f. for making me aware of
Christine, who isn't too well known in Canada (perhaps her recent appearance
on CBC radio will change that). I was actually hunting for "Future Fossils"
when I came upon this one. My wife and I fell on the floor the first time we
heard "Sensitive New Age Guys". Nice shot, Christine. :-) I eventually
found "Future Fossils", which is also very fine, although I retain a slight
preference for "Attainable". I suppose I should have listed "Fossils" up
there, in keeping with the pairs theme I seem to be developing...
Female artists seem to be dominating my list! I could also mention the
Suzanne Vega album, which I found more admirable than enjoyable, if you know
what I mean - somehow it pales next to the visceral excitement of the
Indigos. And the McGarrigles' new album would likely be on this list, if I'd
gotten around to buying it.
Just one more, to break up the all-female trend:
Fairport Convention - "Gladys' Leap" (1986, if I recall rightly)
As a big Fotheringport fan (just short of being a fanatic, I suppose), I've
gone through some lean years recently. "Red and Gold" was pretty nice, The
Oyster Band's "Ride" was pretty nice, etc... Lots of pretty nice stuff, but
it still leaves one pining for the glory years of Fairport/Steeleye and
various spinoffs, back in the late 60's and early 70's. "Gladys' Leap",
however, contains enough echoes of former greatness to be quite satisfying.
In particular, "The Hiring Fair" quickly became one of my all-time favourite
Fairport songs. There's another cut with a female lead singer (there I go
again :-) whose name escapes me at the moment, which is hauntingly
reminiscent of Sandy Denny. There's also some stuff I don't care for much at
all, but this album is still a very welcome addition to my collection.
I think it would be a worthwhile addition to the poll to list any major
disappointments of the year, so I'll quickly mention a couple:
Gregson and Collister - "A Change in the Weather" (1989?)
I thought "Mischief" was very fine - one of the best folkie albums of recent
years. This is an unworthy follow-up. It just seems half-baked, thrown
together, uninspired. A few decent cuts, but I expected much more.
Leo Kottke - "That's What" (1990)
I've been a fan of Leo's since his very early days on the Takoma label, and I
have a vast number of his albums. His previous effort, "My Father's Face",
was very good, going on great... this one ain't. Maybe I haven't given it
enough time, but I think it might be his weakest album to date. I still
like Leo a lot, but he's fallen off my 'buy it without question' short list.
I look forward to getting some good leads from the other folks who take part
in the poll. Thanks for doin' it, Ken!
Barry
================================================================================
Date: Tue, 15 Jan 91 15:42 MST
From: chr...@cs.AthabascaU.CA (Chris Conway)
Here are my votes for best folk albums of 1990
(Note: all are Canadians)
01. Garnet Rogers -- Small Victories
CD/Cassette
Snow Goose Songs
Distributed Valerie Enterprises
Rogers' first album in which he composed the majority (all but
one) of the songs. Basic Rogers -- deep voice, sentimental
themes, superb production -- but a big notch above his previous
albums. For those who love ballads in the traditional veins, with
excellent guitar work and vocals, Rogers is a must.
02. Stephen Fearing -- Blue Line
CD/Cassette/LP
Rough Trade Group
UK Import (for now), Canadian release soon
Fearing's second album has more variety and "experimentation" than
his first. Better instrumentation and backup vocals. Social
themes similar to the first album.
03. Connie Kaldor -- Gentle of Heart
CD/Cassette
Coyote Records
Distributed A&M(?)
Classic Kaldor, but better. If this woman's next album follows
the pattern of her first four (i.e. each one ten times better than
the previous), it will be a "significant" piece of work.
================================================================================
Date: Thu, 17 Jan 91 19:58:40 -0500
From: w...@ncifcrf.gov
Ken,
Hope this list isn't too late, but here are mine of which most were
released this past year. Of course the list is in no particular order
as I think all of them have their own merits.
1. Signs of Home - Schooner Fare, Outer Green Records, CD, OGR8893D
What can I say about these guys? You have to see them live! They
are from Maine and play alot of sea shanties, but it does not stop them
from doing lots of other stuff.
2. Attainable Love - Christine Lavin, Philo, CD, PH1132
Another performer you have to see live! Her music goes from the zany
to the serious.
3. In The Square - Patty Larkin, Philo, CD PH1136
Her music is excellent and her guitar playing is some of the best. Yet
again she should be seen live and this live album helps you get a feel
for her performances.
4. Voices - Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills, & Cindy Mangsen, Flying Fish,
CD, FF-70546
Any one of these by themselves would make the album a must, but all 3
together makes it a definite. Very good harmonies.
5. Circles & Arrows - Cheryl Wheeler, Capitol, CD, CDP 7 92063 2
Started as acoustic and now has videos on TNN. The album is very good
with my favorite track being "Estate Sales".
6. Land of the Bottom Line - John Gorka, Windham Hill, CD, WD-1089
His 2nd album and 1st on Windham Hills new folk label. He does some
very offbeat songs. I think of him as being melancholy, but his songs
go from bluesy to funny.
7. Live & Kickin' - Mike Cross, Sugar Hill, CD, SH-CD-1005
Another performer to see live. His songs go from bluegrass to folk. I
would say more bluegrass. Lots of fun to listen to.
8. Doggone My Time - Cathy Fink, Sugar Hill, CD, SH-CD-3783
A local artist who with Marcy Marxer are great to go see live. They
really carry on. The album goes from the subdued to some get up and
dance music.
9. Legends of Folk - Ramblin Jack Elliot, Spider John Koerner, & Utah Phillips
Red House Records, CD, RHR-CD-31
A live performance of three legends. I had never heard any of them much
before and bought this on a whim. Definitely more traditional folk songs.
10. On A Winter's Night - Various Artists, CD, Northstar, NS0028
There are 15 tracks and everyone by a different artist. It is a great way
to learn about new artists. It also has all of the record companies and
addresses you can write to to get information on their records. A must
have album to cuddle up with your sweetheart with. If you can find it
there was a special tape put out the year before by Christine Lavin. It
has over 20+ songs on it and only 7 of those are repeated on this album.
Ken,
I hope this was of use. Please let me know if you need any more info. Will
be waiting to see the poll results.
Bill
w...@fcs280s.ncifcrf.gov
William Boyer @ NCI Supercomputer Facility
National Cancer Institute
PO Box B, Bldg. 430 Phone: (301) 846-5769
Frederick, MD 21701 Internet: w...@ncifcrf.gov
--
--Ken Josenhans
BITNET: 13020KRJ@MSU Internet: 1302...@msu.edu