rec.music.folk's favorite albums of 1989 - the raw lists
Ken Josenhans
Here are the raw submissions for the fourth annual rec.music.folk
"favorite folk/"roots" album of the year" poll. Save this file, print
it out, and head off to your favorite record vendor...
Editorial emendations are in brackets [[ like this. ]]. Thanks to all
the participants; this was just as much fun this year as it has been in
the past. Let's do it again in early 1991, and in the meantime let's
get a few more album reviews into this newsgroup...
-- Ken Josenhans
========================================================================
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 90 15:05:16 EST
From: how...@thumper.bellcore.com (Howard E. Bussey)
I want to submit one:
"take me back" by molly&tim o'brien
he is tim o'brien of hot rize, recording with his sister. There is a
variety of music, and the instrumentation and vocals are well blended.
I have the album on CD, and I don't know about vinyl availability.
Howard Bussey
uucp: ...bellcore!howard or ...thumper!howard internet: how...@bellcore.com
========================================================================
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 90 16:23:16 EST
From: David F. Kotz <d...@cs.duke.edu>
I'm not a reviewer so my comments aren't very helpful. Anyway, I
didn't acquire that much, and this is pretty much it. But what I got I
liked:
Kate Wolf "Give Yourself to Love, Vols. 1+2"
This is an excellent double CD set by a woman I have just
discovered that is no doubt a favorite for many people. My favorite
1989 purchase! Acoustic guitar, mostly solo vocals.
Patty Larkin "I'm Fine"
Another very good album (CD), also my first for this artist. I
especially like the songs "If I were made of metal" and "Valentine",
which get some play on the local folk radio show (WUNC - Backporch
Music). Acoustic guitar, mostly solo vocals.
Bill Staines "The First Million Miles"
I only have a tape of a friend's CD. I also am just learning about
Bill Staines. Really good acoustic guitar mostly solo music.
Christine Lavin "Future Fossils"
Another CD, another first I've gotten for this artist. She's a lot
of fun - more a humorous songwriter than anything, but her serious
songs are nice too. Acoustic guitar, solo vocals.
Dulcimer Dan and the Blue Skies Band "Sheperd's Wife's Waltz"
This is on tape only and probably only available from the artist,
who is from around here in NC. This is hammered dulcimer and flute
music that I find very good. No vocals.
========================================================================
Date: 15 Jan 90 17:48:57 EST (Monday)
From: dw <Wegen...@Xerox.COM>
There were a couple this year that I really liked. In no particular order:
Tracy Chapman - "Crossroads". Some people criticized this release because
it continued the style of her first album. I think that it's just fine (if
it ain't broke then why fix it?).
Patrick Street - "Patrick Street". I don't know much about music from the
British Isles, but I sure liked this release.
Shawn Colvin - "Steady On". I first say Shawn at the Philly Folk Festival
a few years ago. This album is recoed with backup musicians, and while I
prefer her self-distributed solo cassette this is pretty good. Not
recommended for people who only like upbeat, happy music.
/Don
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From: Clive Williams <c...@nw.stl.stc.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 90 16:01:48 GMT
After much consideration 10 albums I heard in the last 12 months that I
consider dead good. The usual blend of mainly English trad. folkies
from me, I'm afraid. Mostly released several years ago - poor year for
new releases this year, I think.
Anyway: starting with my favourite album of the year (folk, or not):
1) Nick Dow - "A Poor Man's Gift" (1983)
Gee, what a dreadful album cover ! Really amateurish. Dow shows himself
to be a Jones clone - plays acoustic guitar, sings traditional songs,
in a distinctly similar voice. BUT - does it really, really well in
this album. And (most of) the songs are magnificent. "The Dreams of
Lovely Nancy", "Another Man's Wedding", "The Maid and the Parson" all
wonderfully good. "The Humors of Tullacrine" (sp) is as infectious an
instrumental as Carthy's "Molly Oxford" ever was, and outstandingly, a
blow-you-away, dual tracked guitar version of Paul Metser's "Ripple
Away". Bloody marvellous.
2) Dave Grisman Quintet (1981, I think)
I think this album could start a whole new musical craze with me -
instrumental bluegrass par excellence - mandolin's duelling with wonderful
fiddle playing. A very hard album to switch off.
3) Martin Carthy - first album (1965)
Traditional - either unaccompanied voice, guitar/voice, or accompanied
by Swarb on fiddle/mandolin. I'd already got most of his other albums,
and this is very similar - patchy, with some bloody genius in there.
I found his haunting versions of "The Trees they do Grow Tall" and
Ewan McColl's "Springfield Mine Disaster" especially good.
4) Silly Sisters - "No More to the Dance" (1988)
Well, I heard the first album first, and it's bloody marvellous, and
thoroughly recommended. The surprise and delight was that this followup
recorded 10 years later could be so good - at least as good as the
original, me thinks - especially bearing in mind Maddy Prior's total
lack of form for the past 10 years. The singing, the instrumental
backing, the songs - all perfect.
5) Dave Evans - "Sad Pig Dance" (1975, I think)
Instrumental, solo, acoustic guitar. Excellent, wonderful, etc. Like Dave
Grisman's album, I find this incredibly difficult to turn off once its on.
Actually, I have it and Dave Grisman on the same tape - between them,
they tend to monopolise the tape deck very effectively. P.S. Thanks to
the netter (I can't remember who) who recommended this album !
6) Martin Simpson - "Sad or High Kicking" (1986)
English singer/acoustic/electric guitar player, with heavy American
influences. "Sad or High Kicking" is a jazz/blue'sy type folk album -
a lot of influences hitting together. And some terrific songs, mostly
written by contemporary writers. Martin & Jessica Simpson's 1987 album
"True Dare or Promise" also demands recommendation - again, some incredibly
good material, with an excellent backing band too.
7) Robin Dransfield - "Tidewave" (1980)
Ho, hum. Yet another trad English singer/guitarist. Yet another totally
wonderful collection of songs. I really like this kind of album -
what can I say ?
8) Michelle Shocked - "Short Sharp Shocked" (1988)
Her earlier "Texas Campfire Tapes" (recorded on a walkman around the
campfire, etc., etc.) was an interesting album, but it never grabbed
me. This one did. Mostly electric band, studio produced to
perfection, it's a wonderful contrast to the first album. Songs are
great, and the arrangements, esp. on "L & N", and the dulcimer on
"Black Widow" are perfect. Dead good. And congratulations to her for
having the guts to make her third album, "Captain Swing" totally
different again. Long may she reign.
9) Shaun Davey - "The Brendan Voyage" (1981)
Put Liam O'Flynn's wonderful soaring pipe playing together with a symphony
orchestra, and create one of the most wonderful classical-style thingies
of modern times that I've heard. Evocative, moving, wonderful, etc, etc...
10) De Danann - "Ballroom"
My favourite of the Irish trad. bands, I think. Technically incredible
players - esp. Jackie Daly's accordion, and some fine singers such as
Dolores Keane. Bouncy as hell, especially on that wonderful Jewish reels
set, which gets me every time.
CD info ? Well, 4, 8, 9 and 10 are all readily available in the UK, I think,
and you'd be doing bloody well if you could find 1 or 5 on album, much less
on CD. 2, 3, 6 and 7 are more or less available on LP, but not on CD
(in the UK, anyway).
There you go: here's to the next year (and when's Roger Wilson going to
do his followup album ?)
Clive.
--
>>> Clive Williams - clive%uk.ac.bris...@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk <<<
>>> Slow 'n Dodgy Route: ...!mcsun!ukc!csisles!clive <<<
========================================================================
Date: Wed, 10 Jan 90 08:44 PST
From: mailrus!ames!uts.amdahl.com!greg (Greg Bullough)
1. Silly Wizard - Live Wizardry (CD Only)
Speaks for itself. Has all the best stuff
from the previous live album and more. Better
mix than the studio albums!
2. Mystic Seaport Museum 9th Annual Sea Music Festival
The live recording of the 1988 festival
3. Lew Killen - The Rose In June
4. Joe Burke, Terry Corcoran, Michael Cooney -
Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part
The best recording of box music ever. Put together
like a live pub session
5. The Big Squeeze - Masters of the Celtic Accordian
All of Green Linnett's Box players, in
a sampler. Joe Burke, Paddy O'Brien, Phil Cunningham,
et. al.
6. Moloney, Keene, and O'Connell: The Green Fields of America
Live in Concert
One of those albums where you laugh and cry alternately
7. Tannahill Weavers - The Dancing Feet
Wow. Whew. Wow.
8. Chieftains 4 - A classic. The best. No gimmicks. Just play.
On CD, you can hear the breath of the harp-player
as he phrases the music.
9. Cicone, Epstein, and Kallet - Angels in Daring
Three wonderful singers, mostly a Capella,
from Cambridge, MA.
10. Planxty - The Well Below the Valley
Great if you're in the mood for "acid Celt"
Greg
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Date: Sat, 27 Jan 90 10:10:06 -0800
From: Michael Richardson <mr...@milton.u.washington.edu>
My current faves:
Skip Gorman -- Portrait of a New England Fiddler
Folk Legacy label.
Great collection of "Northern" style fiddle tunes played extremely
well and with great style. I had once upon a time gotten bored with
St. Anne's Reel. This album brought it back to life to me and I now
play it as often as possible (the tune and the album).
Yankee Ingenuity -- Heating up the Hall
Hot tunes played by the likes of Peter Barnes, Mary Lea, Ruthie
Dornfeld, Tony Parkes and other friends. Recommended.
Mike Richardson
========================================================================
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 90 12:50:32 CST
From: se...@ksuvax1.cis.ksu.edu (Susan Even)
Excellent:
Steeleye Span The Early Years
Beausoleil Bayou Cadillac
========================================================================
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 90 16:56:35 -0800
From: Ben Henwood <ben...@u.washington.edu>
Here's my short list:
The Roches: Speak
Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians: Shooting Rubber Bands at the Moon
Christine Lavin: Future Fossils
Leo Keottke: My Father's Face
Ben Henwood Applied Physics Lab/UW Seattle,WA
b...@apl-uw.apl.washington.edu
========================================================================
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 90 14:42:27 +0100
From: col...@nvpna1.prl.philips.nl (Donal O Coileain)
Christy Moore, Voyage
Davey Spillane, Atlantic Bridge
Clannad, Atlantic Realm
--
/ / / | email - col...@apolloway.prl.philips.nl or
Donal O Coileain. | collins%nvpna1.prl...@uunet.uu.nl
| -----------------o------------------
Donie Collins. | SERI - collins:nlwaya01 or COLLINS:NVPNASA
========================================================================
From: Simon Kirby <aismk%castle.edin...@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk>
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 90 18:42:58 WET
Just to add my two (three?) bits worth:-
Amnesia - Richard Thompson
Breakfast in Bedlam - Malcolm's Interview
Angry Love - Rory McLeod
Hope you (or someone) agrees!
Simon.
========================================================================
From: "Lindsay F. Marshall" <Lindsay.Marshall%newcast...@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
>
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 90 09:54:52 GMT
Well, I havent acually bought a whole lot of albums this year, nor
have I had the opportunity to hear them. However, here's a couple of
things :-
1) My Annual vote for Aly Bain's "Aly Bain" - I put it on the other
night to listen to what he does with the Barrowburn real and was
knocked out completely again and it hasnt been of the machine
since....
[[[ OK, but I'm not going to count this as four votes in
the cumulative totals! :-) /krj ]]]
2) Grace Notes by Robert Mathieson - I think I voted for this in 1988
but I finally bought it. Tremendous piping.
3) Bob Wills Tiffany Sessions Volume 3. Amazing jazzy Western Swing
contains the oddest version of Take the A Train you've ever heard and
features Tiny Moore on lots of the tracks.
4) Bill Jack Wills and his Western Swing Band - a small band of the
early 50's run by one of Bob Wills' brothers again featuring Tiny
Moore. Very bebop influenced and feels slightly rock and rolly. Very
interesting and very obscure.........
5) Blind Blake - the Accompanist (I think that's the title...) on Wolf
records. I hope that this closed the gaps in my Blind Blake
collection, but even it hasnt it's great - features the best track
title of the year also : "Pap Charlie and Blind Blake Talk About Parts
1 & 2" ( what they actually talk about is not particularly obvious but
Blake is in their so who cares......)
6) Kathryn Tickell's album (cant remember the title...) - it's OK but
it hasnt gone back on my turntable after I heard it the first time.
[[[ Not exactly a recommendation -- see followup below. /krj ]]]
7) Sixty Years of Sean McGuire - a "must have" record. Great fiddle
playing, not a single, boring slow tune on it.
8) De Danan Jacket of Batteries - If I could actually find a copy of
this record I would probably be raving about it!!!
9) How about Lou Reed's New York album? I *loved* that or the latest
Eurythmics which is also pretty good....
Rosa hasnt got any news access at the moment, but I will mail her and
get her to send in her list....... I know she has been very keen on a
new Lowland pipe album that has just come out and also a collected
Cheap Suits Serenaders album she has.
Lindsay
--
MAIL : Lindsay....@newcastle.ac.uk (UUCP: s/\(.*\)/...!ukc!\1/)
POST : Computing Laboratory, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK NE1 7RU
VOICE: +44-91-222-8267 FAX: +44-91-222-8232
[[[ A followup from Lindsay... /krj ]]]
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 9:01:17 BST
Oh, the Tickell is most certainly NOT a favourite - it is'nt bad, but
it simply is'nt worth all the hype. I forgot the new Spillane album,
so you can add that to my list. That really is a favourite. I suspect
that I like it better than the first album, simply because it doesnt
have all the supersars guesting on it and is much more balanced.
========================================================================
From: Markus Brakweh <hac...@iduna.uni-paderborn.de>
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 90 10:24:05 +0100
Status: R
If it is allowed to vote for country music records, too, I'd say
1.) Will the circle be unbroken Vol.II
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band & friends
2.) The gift
- The McCarters
3.) Bluebird
- Emmylou Harris
Greetings from Germany --- Markus
[[[ I believe we established, when the proposal for rec.music.country
was defeated, that most of us wanted discussions of country music
kept here. I'll try to remember to make that explicit in next
year's call for votes. /krj ]]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
UUCP: ...!uunet!unido!pbinfo!hackes | Markus Brakweh
or hac...@pbinfo.UUCP | Universitaet-GH Paderborn, FB 17
CSNET: hackes%pbinf...@Germany.CSNET | Warburger Str. 100
ARPA: hackes%pbinf...@uunet.uu.net | D-4790 Paderborn, West Germany
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
========================================================================
Date: Thu, 1 Feb 90 16:02:39 -0500
From: c...@newton.physics.purdue.edu (Charles C. Allen)
I just started reading rec.music.folk, and ran across an article
mentioning "send in your favorite folk albums". Without being sure
what the ground rules are, I'll just mention my current favorite,
_Flatpickin' Favorites_ by Glenda Faye (Flying Fish label). Purists
might call it instrumental country, but whatever it is, it's *good*.
Charles Allen Internet: c...@newton.physics.purdue.edu
Department of Physics HEPnet: purdnu::allen, fnal::cca
Purdue University talknet: 317/494-9776
West Lafayette, IN 47907
========================================================================
Date: Fri Feb 02 10:32:53 1990
From: uunet!microsoft!ellene (Ellen Eades)
Wow. Well, after being challenged (by name, even) to contribute, how
can I refuse?
You'll notice a sharp swing in my tastes this year. Last year was
Celtic Rock and Roll. 1989 is the Year of Swing, thanks to getting
my musical tastes semi-forcibly rewired.
1) Ranch Romance, WESTERN DREAM (order from 130 NW 79th, Seattle, WA 98117)
Voted best new country-western band in the Western states, or some such,
and recently opening for parts of kd lang's US tour, these four women have
gone from the Cowgirl Revue at the Seattle Folklife Festival to *the*
Seattle band to watch (probably taking the place of both Uncle Bonsai and
Reilly and Maloney). Solid Western swing covers of St. Louis Blues, St.
James Avenue, and Ain't No Ash Will Burn, along with a couple of Jo Miller's
original compositions.
2) The Whammadiddle Dingbats, LUCKY! (PO Box 18181, Portland, OR 97218)
Anyone who can pervert the old contradance tune Swinging on a Gate into
a track called Swingin' in a Leisure Suit deserves ... something, but I'm
not sure what. Not for the traditional-minded: two hammer dulcimers and
a guitar player play several Latin polkas and some oldtimey tunes, add
covers of Greg Brown's Who Woulda Thunk It and Dillon Bustin's Moonshine
in the White Pines, two original songs about musical angst and life on
the road, and cap it by putting Irish bodhran player Tommy Hayes on
dumbek and darabukke (and knowing Tommy's feelings about traditional
music, I'm really curious how they blackmailed him into it) to accompany
the gypsy tune Grey Eyes and the oldtime Cowboy's Dream. A bit heavy on
the electric bass, but definitely a foot-tapper.
3) Peter Ostroushko, BUDDIES OF SWING
I have ripped off no less than three tracks from this mandolin and
guitar player's LP for my hammer dulcimer playing. Ostroushko does a
ludicrously fast Tico Tico, a lush and lyrical Indifference, and a
fragile Jitterbug Waltz (segueing into a great version of Ain't
Misbehavin'). The only disappointments, to my taste, are his original
compositions Blues for Marian and Bring Down Some Rain. Extremely
honorable mention goes as well to the title track of his newest album,
BLUE MESA, which is just _beautiful_: there are no other words.
4) Heidi Muller, MATTERS OF THE HEART (Cascadia Music, PO Box 95884,
Seattle WA 98145)
I've always wished my voice sounded like Heidi Muller's. This second
album is extremely diverse, ranging from acapella on Keep That Dream
(with We Three's Kim Scanlon and Rebel Voices and Shays Rebellion's
Janet Stecher accompanying) to bluegrass on Distant Train (with Ranch
Romance's Lisa Theo on mandolin) to mountain dulcimer on Jesse's Carol
to guitar on Between the Lines. The songs range from political to
introspective, and all are excellent.
5) Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers self-titled album
This is the funniest music I've heard since Arlo Guthrie's last tour,
and for the same reason: deadpan, perfectly delivered absurd monologues
and songs, including I Know My Baby Loves Me (In Her Own Peculiar Way).
I'm sorry that Hot Rize is breaking up and Red and the boys won't be
traveling around in the bus with them.
6) No Strings Attached, TAKE FIVE (Turquoise Records)
Wes Chappell's hammer dulcimer is outstanding on this (National Public
Radio seems to use lots of cuts from No Strings Attached tunes),
particularly on the tune I bought the album for, Planxty Clint Eastwood,
and the title track. Also a good cello-and-dulcimer duet on By the
Waters of Babylon.
7) John McCutcheon, WATER FROM ANOTHER TIME
It's about time McCutcheon recorded some of these tunes! Includes
Christmas in the Trenches, Water from Another Time, and many others.
McCutcheon puts the emphasis (as in his last release, GONNA RISE AGAIN)
on vocal compositions rather than instrumentals, but this is not a
loss for the listener.
Ellen Eades (uunet!microsoft!ellene)
========================================================================
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 90 11:48:23 EST
From: Mike Godfrey <mi...@csri.toronto.edu>
Mike Godfrey's 1989 Folk Album Revue
------------------------------------
[All are available on CD. Sorry colm.]
Martin Carthy, "Right of Passage"
My candidate for album of the year. Carthy is not a flashy person.
Most of his songs are traditional or written by others. He's not
possessed with a pretty voice nor a virtuostic guitar style.
Nevertheless, his adaptations of traditional English (and other) folk
songs are always compelling listening. Standouts on this album
include a guitar version of the Quebecois fiddle tune "La Cardeuse"
(recently done by Patrick Street) and "All in Green", a poem of
e.e. cummings that Carthy set to a Mozart Minuet. Some may find
Carthy a little dry -- call it music for the discerning folkie.
Appearances by John Kirkpatrick, Chris Wood and Dave Swarbrick.
Billy Bragg, "Worker's Playtime"
Time was when Billy Bragg was an acquired taste -- you had to enjoy
his political ditties sung in his not-quite-in-tune working-class-
accented voice accompanied only by his electric guitar. Well with
this album our Billy has continued his discovery of such things as
good tunes and backing musicians. Billy's strongest suit has always
been his lyrics, and this album has lots to offer. It was this album
that put me on to Bragg -- I had been afraid that his "political"
label might mean he had little of interest to say. I was wrong.
Appearances by Wiggy, Cara Tivey, Danny Thompson (ex-Pentangle),
Bruce Thomas (ex-Attractions) and produced by Joe Boyd (Fairport,
R. Thompson, 10G Maniacs, the McGarrigles etc etc).
Loudon Wainwright III, "Therapy"
Yet another fine album from folk music's smartass. If lines like:
"Nice guys are a dime a dozen/You know what a dime is worth/I was
born to be the villain in you life/That's why God put me here on
Earth" appeal to you, you love old Loud. As always, the songwriting
is consistently fine, and the accompaniment tastefully spare.
Appearances by Richard Thompson, Chaim Tannenbaum and Rauri McFarlane.
Oyster Band, "Ride"
Is this the album to take them over the top? All right, how about
just an appearance on Letterman? The Oyster band has managed a
successful mix of folk and rock so often attempted but rarely
achieved. "Ride" is definitely a better album than their last
effort, "Wide Blue Yonder", the difference (to my ears) being the
quality of the tunes. Despite having new bassist (Ian Kearney was
replaced by Chopper, ex-3 Mustaphas 3), the Oyster band is very tight
instrumentally and this is their greatest asset. Despite their
relatively newfound political bent (John Jones has said that he likes
the term "political dance band"), they have not yet joined the
"Thatcher Sucks the Big One" School of Wry Political Commentary.
The Proclaimers, "Sunshine on Leith"
As we all know, the Proclaimers are a pair of nerdy-looking twins
from near Edinburgh. Whereas their last album had almost no musical
backing (apart from acoustic guitar and bass), on this album they
have acquired a band and a North American following. Passionate
is the word that best describes them; however, they seem to dwell
on only two subject matters: girls and Scottish nationalism. Lots
of fun if you don't take them as seriously as they seem to take
themselves. Appearances by such well-known Scottish musicians as
Fairporters Dave Mattacks (English) and Jerry Donahue (Yank) and
ex-Albioner Dave Whetstone (Accountant).
Fairport Convention, "Red and Gold"
Something of a return to form. A decent successor to 1984's "Gladys
Leap", if only it hadn't taken them 5 years and three albums to come
up with it. The personnel are the same as last time (Nicol, Mattacks,
Pegg, Allcock (and no jokes) and Sanders), and the songs are about
what you'd expect really: a Ralph McTell, a Dave Whetstone, an R.
Zimmerman, a few originals. The title track refers to a civil war
battle that was fought at Cropedy, which is the setting for their
annual reunions. A fine, professional album which will no doubt
satisfy the old fans.
Clive Gregson and Christine Collister, "A Change in the Weather"
I have the UK CD release of this. I've been told that there will be
a US Rhino release that will contain more that these eight songs.
There is some good stuff on this, but it's not really up to the quality
of their last release "Mischief". To me this album sounds unfinished,
as if they were hurrying to get it out before a big tour (that has yet
to materialize, I might add). There is one really bad song ("Jumped
Up Madam"), a few so-so songs and a few really good songs (IMHO the
best song is "This is the Deal" -- an oddly powerful song about
wife-abuse. It's really something.) Christine's voice is terrific,
thankfully, and the backing band (Clive plus two of his ex-bandmates
from Any Trouble) is fine. However, in spite of this middling review,
I should add that I am addicted to Gregson and Collister and have
listened to this album over and over in spite of its flaws.
Christy Moore, "Voyage"
I've only just bought this, but after only a spin or two I can tell
that it is a better album than his last one "Unfinished Revolution"
(fewer suffocating keyboards). Oddly, Christy wrote almost none of
the material, but there are some interesting covers: Ewan MacColl's
"First Time Ever I saw Your Face" and an Elvis Costello song. "Voyage"
is less folk-oriented than others of Christy's oeuvre; indeed, as most
of Moving Hearts appears there is a definite mainstream bent. Produced
(of course) by Donal Lunny.
Disappointments:
----------------
Michelle Shocked, "Captain Swing"
Did anyone know quite what to make of this? "Swing" is the key word
here, as there is a real swingin' beat to the whole album. A definite
change of pace that surprised everyone. I dunno, I didn't get it.
Perhaps it's the poverty of my imagination -- I am mindful of what the
critics said when Dylan went electric. However, 'chelle *does* get
credit for song title of the year:
"Looks Like Mona Lisa (Smells Like Tuna Fish)"
The Pogues, "Love and Peace"
When Shane dries out, they might return to form. Until then...
Off to the record stores once again!
--
Mike Godfrey
Dept of Comp Sci, UofT "Soulwise, these are trying times."
mi...@csri.toronto.edu -- Strunk and White
========================================================================
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 90 17:22:40 EST
From: simm...@acsu.buffalo.edu (leon f simmonds)
Sorry for the delay I just suscribed to this news group.
My favorite of 1989 (or was it 88?):
The Horseflys (rounder).
[[[ I'm assuming that this is a vote for the HUMAN FLY album.
The only other recording I'm aware of is the CHOKERS AND
FLIES collaboration. /krj ]]]
This band out of Ithaca, NY, was 'just' a wild old-time string band (or, as
they liked to describe themselves, neo-primitve). Then they picked up a
drummer and a synthesiser... Often you can hear bits of their songs between
news stories on NPR's morning edition or all things considered.
Leon Simmonds simm...@cs.buffalo.edu
======================================================================== 88
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 90 05:31:07 PST
From: 03-Feb-1990 0835 <BOYA...@RUBY.enet.dec.com>
My favorite folk album of last year is a tough choice, but I think
I'll have to go with
Indigo Girls, INDIGO GIRLS
with
Boiled in Lead, FROM THE LADLE TO THE GRAVE
in second place.
Other top of the line favorites are:
Cowboy Junkies, THE TRINITY SESSION and MISGUIDED ANGEL (a 4-live-track,
1-studio-track promo CD EP)
Indigo Girls, STRANGE FIRE and REVERSE 1 -- LIVE (a 7-live-track, 2-studio-
track promo CD -- this is long enough to consider an album, though it's
referred to as an EP)
Kate Wolf, AN EVENING IN AUSTIN. For someone who's been dead five years,
she puts out a great album. :-)
Other also-rans:
Altan, HORSE WITH A HEART
Capercaille, SIDEWAULK
Shawn Colvin, STEADY ON
Fairport Convention, RED & GOLD
The Men They Couldn't Hang, SILVERTOWN
Christy Moore, THE VOYAGE
The Pogues, PEACE AND LOVE
Poi Dog Pondering, POI DOG PONDERING
Michelle Shocked, CAPTAIN SWING
Silly Sisters, NO MORE TO THE DANCE
To answer the obvious question, no, I haven't gotten around to getting
RIDE yet. :-)
--- jerry
======================================================================== 29
Date: Fri, 9 Feb 90 10:20:57 +0100
From: martin%FRLRI61...@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Hello,
I know that the deadline is over now, but let me say that my two favorite folk
albums in 1989 are:
* "Velverde" by Marc Perrone (great accordeon player);
* "Out of air" by the Davy Spillane Group.
Hope it wasn't too late:
Martin
[[ Ed. note: "Velverde" is listed in the latest newsletter from Down
Home Music (major US folk/jazz/old rock'n'roll/blues music importer)
with a rave review. /krj ]]
========================================================================
Date: perpetually late
From: Ken Josenhans, critic wannabe (1302...@ibm.cl.msu.edu)
Would you believe 18 favorite folk & roots albums for 1989?
It was a very good year...
The Oyster Band, "Ride"
Closer to rock than folk, but with "New York Girls" and the instrumental
line from "Cuckoo's Nest" they get to stay here. My favorite album of the
year in any genre. Third time in four years I've ranked an Oyster Band
album highly.
Albion Band '89, "Give Me A Saddle, I'll Trade You A Car"
Rehabilitation for Ashley Hutchings. Thanks, Colm! Two bonus tracks on
the CD, one of which is essential.
Altan, "Horse With A Heart"
My favorite acoustic Irish album of the last few years.
Blowzabella, "A Richer Dust"
Fine suite "The Wars of the Roses" complemented by some good renditions
of traditional English songs on the second side. Hurdy-gurdies and
bagpipes forever!
La Bottine Souriante, "Tout comme jour de l'an"
Available only in Canada or from the band. Outstanding live album
recorded at a house party, this set captures their on-stage appeal.
"Zani Diabate & the Super Djata Band"
From Senegal: Electric, rock-influenced.
Baaba Maal and Mansour Seck, "Djam Leeli"
From Mali: Stark, mostly acoustic, hypnotic.
Mara, "On The Edge"
My favorite Australian cross-cultural blenders, and Danny Thompson too.
"Lucinda Williams"
Leo Kottke, "My Father's Face"
Kottke returns to the droll lunacy which first drew me to him.
Malicorne, "Les Cathedrales de L'Industrie"
Side A of this LP ranks with the best work Malicorne ever did;
side B leaves me pretty much at a loss, however.
Youssou N'Dour, "Immigres"
Seems to be much more authentic than the "Nelson Mandela" album,
which bore the dreaded Europop curse. :-)
Maddy Prior and June Tabor, "No More To The Dance"
Prior's best recording since Steeleye Span broke up in 1978.
Relativity, "Gathering Pace"
Davy Spillane, "Atlantic Bridge"
Good debut solo album from Moving Hearts piper, with help from American
bluegrassers.
Eric & Suzy Thompson, "Adam & Eve Had The Blues"
Very pleasant blues, old-time & cajun acoustic sounds; stellar sonic
quality.
The Trio Bulgarka, "The Forest Is Crying"
Doc Watson, "Riding the Midnight Train"
--Ken Josenhans
UUCP: ...uunet!frith!krj or ...{rutgers, ames}!mailrus!frith!krj
BITNET: 13020KRJ@MSU Internet: 1302...@ibm.cl.msu.edu