Reviews (4)

world record
These CD's (it's a set of 2) are THE best music I have EVER heard. The quality is top notch and the selections are amazing. I have it in my car and have not been able to change to any other CD's. I play it louder and louder and louder. I am not a fan of loud music but this music BEGS to be loud. The variety is amazing. Every song becomes my favorite until I hear the next cut. I believe this set captures the true sense of countries best musicians both vocal and instrumental. As each song progresses you actually get carried away with the rhythms.
The way the cuts are placed in the CD's flow and you're on your way into the world of worldly music. I cannot recommend it highly enough, it needs more than 5 stars! Not to be missed!

A good assortment
I really do like this CD sampler a lot. The music is a broad distribution of music from around the world exemplified by excellent musicianship.

I have discovered some new types of music that I now would like to explore further. My only complaint is that the music track selections do not always show the best offerings of a particular musician or group, even from a single album or year. Nonetheless, it is an enjoyable album.

Bad choice
What a waste of time and money in my opinion! Do you really want to hear songs from Cuba, Spain, Italy, France , Mexico? Don't search anymore; Listen to "fuerza". Manu Chao, Carotone, Macaco and plenty more give an excellent introduction. Mixing reggae, ska, rock will satisfy everybody. Feel the "fuerza" Joanna!

37 Artists, 24 countries, 2 great CDs of World Music
I love these Narada sampler albums of New Age and World music because I discover so many new and interesting artists. "World 2002" a compilation of World music is no exception. I discovered several artists whose work I would have had trouble finding if these samplers didn't present them. This album goes all over the globe, every continent except Australia (which is too bad, as they have some great World artists.)

In particular, the first cut on CD #1 by Mariza is a fine introduction to Fado, the traditional singing of Portugal. This was my first exposure to Fado, and I will be back for more, probably from Mariza's "Fado em Mim" album, that's for sure.

I also really liked the cut "Hulum" by Amal Murkus, a Palestinian singer. Sainkho Namtchylak, from the Tuva in Central Asia sings alluringly, with examples of what sounds like overtone singing here and there in "Dance of the Eagles." It's mysterious and exotic, but entirely listenable. It's one of my favorites on the set.

One disappointment; I did not think the cut by the well-known Ladysmith Black Mambazo was particularly good. I like this group (made famous by Paul Simon on his "Graceland" album) but this cut did not do them justice. I found it somewhat flat and fragmented.

All in all, if you want an intro to World Music or a good sampler collection, this is an excellent 2-CD set. I can't wait to hear next year's collection. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Essential Contemporary Folk Music
I dusted off this CD recently. WOW. I remember playing it to death when I first go it, then it got lost in some boxes during various apartment/house moves. This is a MUST HAVE for any fan of folk music, or someone who is just getting into folk music from the likes of Dar Williams, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, etc. It gives you a GREAT selection of artists who are not too well know in the "pop" music circle like : ELLIS PAUL, Patty Larkin, Cheryl Wheeler, Catie Curtis, Dana Robinson.
Again a must have !

I agree with Carlos
There are only a select few songs I enjoy. I thought may be he (Carlos) was just an extraneous factor...after buying the album, however, I definitely agree that it's not worth the investment. Putumayo is an excellent label, and has other selections that are awesome: Mediterranean Odyssey, Africa, and Romantica are among my favorites.

The search stops here
This is a brilliant CD. Reviews often tell you more about the reviewer than the work. If you are looking for folk music in the American tradition of Peter, Paul and Mary or Simon and Garfunkel, you have hit a gold mine. If you know or like the Indigo Girls, Dar Willaims, Tori Amos or Ani Difranco, you want this. It is a fantastic mix of songs that is mind-blowing in the consistent quality, given the fact that you probably know few of the artists. The Sarah McLachlan song is actually one of the weakest on the two CDs. After listening to this collection, I have followed up buying cds by several of the artists, and am looking for the work of others. Dar Williams is great, and listening to Travellin' Again should be enough to get you to invest in her music. You won't be disappointed. Ellis Paul is brilliant. Carrie Newcomer, Joe Henry, Rex Fowler (of Aztec Two-step, which I didn't know about until I followed up his solo work here), Dougie MacLean, Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Pat Alger are all phenomenal. These are names and songs that are probably new to you, but I can't tell you how great their songs are. This is a great investment is music discovery. Laura Love is unbelievably talented, and Putumayo has a fantastic collection of her "Afro-Celt" stuff. I see Shawn Colvin's "Another round of Blues" as the real anchor, even though the name is Shelter. At least 16 of the 28 songs are really great, and each is by a different artist. I have never seen a mix to compare. I love used CD shops, and have searched for compilations in many cities and stores. This is hands down the best. Some great mixes exist of hit songs, which I like, but the mixes of obscure are also great places to find special songs. But most of those mixes offer some special songs, but a lot of filler. This has virtually no filler. Personal tastes will differ, but if you really like any of the people named earlier in this review, you want this album. If you don't, sell it at half.com and I'll buy it. I have a standing order for all they get in. There are many people that I want to give it to, but new costs are pricy, and cdr's don't help the artists. I give this only five stars because that is as high as ratings go. But if you are looking for new names and music to widen your music, I know of no better place to start.

Best artist, maybe. Best songs, I'm not so sure.
I bought this album and set out to actually listen to it all the way through. It was mildly interesting but, a couple of months later, I have lost interest. The only tunes I can remember are "Shelter" by Sarah McLachlan and "Spin On A Red Brick Floor" by Nanci Griffith. Considering the cost of this CD set, I don't think it's a good investment.

Shelter
Sometimes music wraps you up and cradles you like a baby in a blanket. That may be cheezy or cliche but that's how many of the songs of this album have made me feel. It made me appreciate folk in a way I hadn't before and would recommend it to anyone. Although a few tracks are not my particular favorites, it's worth it for every other song. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

OLD TIME MUSIC
GREAT CD. THE CD CASE IS KIND OF DUMB, BECAUSE IT LIST THE ARTISTS AND TRACK NO. ON WHICH THEY PERFORM, INSTEAD OF THE ARTIST AND THEN THE SONG. THE SONGS ARE WRITTEN ON THE CD LABEL THOUGH. STILL A GREAT CD. VINTAGE SONGS, VINTAGE STYLE

The hills were alive!
Having just reviewed another of John Cohen's excellent collections (High Atmosphere) yesterday, this seemed like a natural choice for today. This was recorded in 1959.

Obviously the biggest "star" here is Roscoe Holcomb. He is the one person on this 2-disc set who is the most well-known to the largest number of people, but this is by no means a one-man collection. In fact, I don't even consider Roscoe to be the best musician present here. For the life of me I still cannot figure out why Bill Cornett's name isn't thrown around as "one of the greats". His voice and banjo playing, particularly on Pretty Polly, Old Reuben, Born In Kentucky, Sweet Willie, etc... just knock me out. Born In Kentucky being a variant of the more well-known tune, Dark Holler.

J.D. Cornett has a fine solo-vocal version of Spring of '65, and you do indeed get some fine stuff from Roscoe here in case he is your main focus. From bits of Jack-A-Roe to one of his "I made it myself" tunes where he then lifts an entire lyric from a Blind Lemon Jefferson tune, though neither he nor the liner-notes make mention of this. Plus, I will take Roscoe's Wayfaring Stranger over Bill Monroe's any day of the week. All in all, it's good stuff!

Moving on, I personally am not too much for the sets of church tunes, aside from Clap & Shout on disc two. However, there are alot of jewels in the sand of disc two. The highlights of disc two, for me, come in the form of Granville Bowlin's segment, Mrs. Sams solo-vocal Wagoners Lad, James Crase's various fiddle tunes, and Lee Sexton's solo banjo St. Louis Blues and his Pretty Polly that is rather closely related to Bill Cornett's but not as powerful. I just love Mrs. Sams' voice. Everyone has their own aesthetic of what is good and what isn't, and for me, Mrs. Sams is just exactly what a wise old female mountain singer should sound like.

There is such a richness and rugged individuality to all these performances that it just breaks your heart to know that for the most part, these traditions are gone. At least we were lucky enough to have someone like John Cohen roaming the hills and making these priceless recordings for all of us.

This is excellent
This CD set takes you into a world of simple but hard labor, soul crushing poverty and soul liberating music. Its a historically and musically important. A must for banjo players who have an interest in the evolution of how the instrument is played.

Ground Zero for Folk and the Nashville Sound
This is the "real" folk music of America. It is simple, honest and speaks to the heart. It isn't remaster, amplified or mixed but made by people singing and playing at home, at church and at play. The songs are about life, love, work, war, good times and bad times.

You can hear the sound that trained the Carters, Jimmie Rogers and every "American folk song and singer" from Guthrie, Ives and the Weavers on. These songs are done by people singing from the enjoyment of life not for money!

Listen for "Amazing Grace" from the Old Baptist Church and "Ruby" by Grigsby & Young or sit with the Sams. Close your eyes and it could be any date from the 1880s on.

If you like folk, blue grass, the old SUN Records sound or are just "interested" this is ground zero where it all started. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hard-hitting Americana, not smoothie country-pop
There are no two ways around it, this is an excellent collection of performances by one of the true mountain masters, Hobart Smith. First off, if for no other reason, get this disc for his rendition of Cuckoo Bird. This continues to be the single most intense banjo playing ever applied to this excellent tune. Hobart's playing is full of fire and drive and will certainly shake you up. An absolutely incredible piece for comparing/contrasting with other excellent versions such as those on the Black Banjo Songsters Of North Carolina & Virginia cd, Clarence Ashley's Greenback Dollar disc, etc...

Last Chance is another banjo masterpiece that isn't far behind Cuckoo Bird.

Unlike one of the previous reviewers, I'd say that I prefer Dock Boggs' voice to Hobart's but that's just splitting hairs. They are both two of the greatest musicians to ever attack the banjo. Although Hobart does hold a certain distinction for being such a great musician on so many instruments, of which this collection includes him on banjo, fiddle, piano, and guitar. I'm not a huge fan of the several piano pieces though, except for Dixie, which is probably my favorite version of this tune that I have ever heard. Still though, in my opinion, Hobart's magic came predominantly on the solo banjo tunes (and/or banjo & vocal), and secondarily on the fiddle, particularly solo fiddle tunes. He has excellent tone and just... well, he puts the notes where they need to be.

With the ever-growing dominance of style-over-substance in American culture, a disc such as this means even more to me. For quite a while the hills really were alive with the sound of music. Now those sounds are the echoes of fading memories, more often than not.

Yippee - a classic
Hobart Smith was a wonderful musician. This is a great collection.

Finally, the recordings of this true master are available!
If you consider yourself even a passing fan of old-timey, Appalachian, blues, or bluegrass music, do not pass this one up. Hobart Smith was a distinctive and unsurpassed banjo player and fiddle player, a fine piano and guitar player, and had a much more accessable singing voice than many of the old-time banjo players. Dock Boggs, Roscoe Holcomb, etc. were fine musicians, but their voices were acquired tastes, so if you are looking for old-time music with a much more accessable voice, Hobart Smith should be right up your alley. Don't try to pigeon-hole him with Dock and Roscoe, though. Stylistically, Smith ran the gamut of American folk music through to his death in 1965, drawing equally from white and black traditions. Whatever he played, though, he played with soul and energy. As an added bonus, the liner notes are fantastic, providing information about the man, his styles of playing, and the songs themselves.

If you are looking for more music in this tradition, Dock Boggs' "Country Blues," and Roscoe Holcomb's "High Lonesome Sound," are fantastic recordings, but their voices are, as mentioned earlier, an acquired taste (particularly Dock Boggs). Much easier on the ears is Doc Watson, another amazing multi-instrumentalist who played in many styles, and is the father of modern bluegrass guitar. Fans of Hobart Smith should make sure they own his self-titled album, and "Old-Timey Concert." John Hartford carried the tradition of energetic multi-instrumentalists in the old-time tradition through the 70s, 80s and 90s, and "Mark Twang" is somewhat like this album, but "Aereo-plain," and, "Morning Bugle," are also particularly worth owning. Norman Blake, of course, played a lot with the late Mr. Hartford, and "Whiskey Before Breakfast" is a true classic. If you are feeling truly adventurous, try listening to Alvin Youngblood Hart's "Territory," on which the nominally "blues" musician covers a range of American musical styles, old and new, on a range of instruments with a vitality that puts to shame those who play traditional styles for scholarship rather than for the sake of the music. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For poor, rural Americans who lived in the first third of the century, the Great Depression just added insult to injury. The economic boom of the '20s skipped over many who worked the land. Volume one of this illustrative and entertaining two-CD series from Yazoo gathers songs recorded before and after the market crash of 1929. A few familiar names surface (Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Uncle Dave Macon), and a handful of songs may ring a bell (the Bentley Boys' "Down on Penny's Farm" provided the outline for Bob Dylan's "Hard Times in New York Town" and Ry Cooder revived Blind Afred Reed's "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live"). Most of this surface-scratched material, however, has been gathering dust for decades. It's good to have these tales of woe back in circulation, if only as a reminder that hard times can never be relegated to history books. --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good album, skimpy notes
This CD is a good cross-section of rural depression era music. The highlights (IMHO) were "Hard Times Come Again No More" by the Graham Brothers and "Serves 'Em Fine" by Dave McCarn. There's not much more I can add about the music which has not been covered by other reviews. The liner notes, on the other hand, are skimpy at best. There is absolutely no discographical information, and only casual mention to even the years the songs were recorded in. Likewise, I found biographical information lacking. The CD is a great one to just toss in your car CD player on a road trip, but I'm someone who likes to know the precise time and place of an archived song so as to put it in its historical perspective. Likewise, I'm the kind of guy who listens to a song and says "Ohh! Who's that on fiddle?". I'm glad to have bought the CD, but I'll continue to mine catalogs of the likes of County records and Document records.

yet another welcome Yazoo reissue
The model for anthologies like this one is the classic HarrySmith "Anthology of American Folk Music," issued in 1952 andreissued in 1997 (by Smithsonian/Folkways). But of course the well of commercially recorded traditional music from the 1920s and 1930s is much deeper, and Yazoo's ongoing series of themed reissues, of which this is just the latest, continues to document the sounds of that golden age of homegrown music. "Hard Times," both volumes of it, dazzles us with treasures -- ballads, blues, gospel shouts, darkly comic songs -- set in frontier, mountain, Delta, and Depression landscapes and celebrating the resilience of human beings even in the worst of circumstances. A handful of songs will be familiar to old-time music buffs (e.g., the Bentley Boys' "Down on Penny's Farm," the Dixon Brothers' "Weaver's Life"), but most will be new even to experienced listeners. There's not a bad cut here. Keep 'em coming, Yazoo. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great trail songs.
This is a fun cd to listen to while travelling the Lewis and Clark trail. The songs really set the mood and make you feel like its 1804. I love the fiddlin tunes and Keith Bear as always is awesome ...

Corps of Discovery
This CD has music that sounds very much like the music that was played in early 1800's. Listening to this CD is like being on the expedition with Lewis & Clark. It has a large variety of music, from classical to Indian drums/singing, also fiddle like the one on the trail. This is my favorite music related to Lewis & Clark. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

More Punk than the Sex Pistols
Though it's true that the consistency on this album is varied, the good stuff is truly good. So good that the CD gets 5 stars just because this material is on there, and it's like nothing you ever heard before. Real 1920's PUNK ROCK!!!

You can hear the incredible insolence of Joe Hill's lyrics, especially as sung by one of the old time Wob's who knew him. Some of this stuff is so subversive it makes Jello Biafra look like a yuppie, and it makes Maralyn Manson look like the poser he is. This is REAL subversion, from real people, native Americans and immigrants like Joe, who weren't playing games or striking poses, but really saw things as they are and really wanted to change the world. Though some of these songs are hippy tunes from the 60's, there is nothing hippyish about Joe Hill. Your boy is a hard core working class true American hero, every bit as tough and no nonsense as any hard-bitten coal miner or any other blue collar American of today, except, unlike so many of todays "Reagan Democrats", this guy had his eyes wide open.

Thats why they shot him, of course.

I just wish the Dropkick Murphy's would cover some of these.

I Had Hoped for Better
The story of Joe Hill, executed in Utah on trumped up charges, demands to be told, over and over again. Joe was executed by firing squad in spite of massive national and international protests and an appeal by President Wilson. Joe Hill died because his music and his labor organizing threatened to unravel the threads of society that gave a privileged few access to health, leisure, and comfort, while the masses toiled 60 and 70 hours per week, with no benefits or protections (like the workers who produce all that "made in China" stuff we buy!). Although Joe's story may be nearly 100 years old, with activists like Mumia Abu Jamal sitting on death row--we must remember.

While this CD contains some important music, I really wish I'd gone out and spent the cash to purchase the recordings by the individual artists. I enjoy listening to my Utah Phillips and Pete Seeger CDs more--and each one has a more internally consistent feel than this one.

But, if you're a labor history or folk music buf, purchasing this CD is a no brainer. Do it. Otherwise, spend some time listening to Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger, Billy Bragg, and the other musicians represented here on their own recordings. You'll have a much richer experience.

(If you'd like to discuss this review or CD in more depth, please click on the "about me" link above and drop me an email. Thanks!)

Inconsistent....but when it's good it's great!
While historically interesting, this is an inconsistent collection where the minuses are greater than the plusses. For the most part, the songs on this collection are boring, sixties era folk-songs which just don't have any energy. Fortunately, this is all made worthwhile by two cuts: Billy Bragg's "Joe Hill" and Hazel Dicken's "Rebel Girl"....two bluegrass ravers that'll make you wanna get up and head to the picket lines. An interesting cut is a mini-interview with Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock, who knew Joe Hill and was a Wob. For any fans of the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, Haywire Mac did the original recording of "Big Rock Candy Mountain." But the Haywire Mac selection, as interesting as it might be, doesn't make up for a lackluster collection. On the other hand, if you're a Hazel Dickens fan, "Rebel Girl" will make you want to have this.

Incredible!
I felt like I was hearing the history my teachers hadn't told me about. I love the mix of voices and viewpoints. I'd be hard pressed to pick out a favorite, although Utah Phillips comes close. This album made me a Paul Robeson fan. I listen to it whenever I want/need to rev up my engines to fight for justice. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Must Have Collection!
This is my all time favourite collection of banjo music. It features some really sweet sounding banjo. A few different playing styles are used by the various musicians, such as rapping or knocking, otherwise known as clawhammer, two and three finger styles and 'guitar style'. Standout performances by Earl Thomas, Blanche Coldiron, Bert Garvin, Travis Wells and Vernon and Zora Judd make this an album that all Banjo players should hear. Other recommendations are the North Carolina Banjo Collection and for those interested in historic recordings, Black Banjo Songsters of North Carolina and Virgina.

OLD TIME YES, CLAWHAMMER STYLE LESS THAN 50%
The clawhammer style of playing banjo is associated with Old Time music, but this is not a totally clawhammer style recording. this is not knocking the recording, it's filled with very good tunes and performances; but if you are looking for an all clawhammer style recording, keep looking. i'd say less than 50% of the tunes are played in clawhammer. there are a lot of two and three finger style represented here as well. a recommendation for a great all clawhammer style recording try Bob Carlin's Bangin' & Sawin'.

This is a great album
If you like old-time banjo, get this one. It's the best banjo album I own.
There are lots of songs and they're almost all great.
My particular favorites are Blanche Coldiron's "Lonesome Road Blues" and Roscoe Holcomb's "Swannona Mountain." ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

The songs of Townes Van Zandt are destined to be for folk artists whatthe works of Gershwin are to saloon singers. The likes of "Pancho & Lefty," "IfI Needed You," and "To Live's to Fly" are the quintessence of troubadour music,thanks to the somber grace of the late Lone Star legend's language and theengaging simplicity of his melodies. Poet gathers a talented assortmentof Van Zandt contemporaries and apostles to pay tribute to the man by lovinglyreinterpreting his songs.Steve Earle electrifies"Two Girls" whileBilly Joe Shaver tackles"White Freightliner Blues" with similar fervor. "Tower Song," one of the mostpoignant breakup songs ever written, is revived byNanci Griffith, andWillie Nelson provides aconversational version of "Marie." Stalwart fans of these gems will alwaysprefer hearing the originals and live versions performed by their composer, butthey'll find plenty to respect and enjoy in this lovingly compiled salute.--Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Solid, with a handful of outstanding interpretations
Though nothing here quite equals, in this writer's opinion, Townes Van Zandt's own performances of these songs (studio & otherwise) this is, overall, an enjoyable tribute. I'm not wild about everything here - 'Highway Kind' by the Cowboy Junkies for instance, while listenable enough, never rises above its own weariness and sounds too much like just another Cowboy Junkies song. Robert Earl Keen's interpretation of 'Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold' is similarly disappointing. On the face of it such a 'narrative song' would seem to be ideal for him and yet his version of the song falls somehow flat. Also, why we need another version of 'Pancho & Lefty' (Delbert McClinton) at this point in the recorded history of the song is somewhat baffling. Still there's nothing on 'Poet' which isn't at the very least good - including electric performances by Steve Earle ('Two Girls') and Billy Joe Shaver ('White Freightliner Blues'.) The Flatlanders do a warm, appealing version of 'Blue Wind Blew' but a few interpretations - by Guy Clarke ('To Live's To Fly'), Nancy Griffith ('Tower Song'), Emmylou Harris ('Snake Song'), Lucinda Williams ('Nothin') and Willie Nelson ('Marie') - really outshine the rest. The reason for this is simple - it is in these (mostly quite stark) interpretations that one has the sense that the respective performers can be said to inhabit (or, to put it differently) are truly inhabited by the songs. Which means that on these songs there is a kind of magic that comes through - through the sensitivity of the individual performers the songs cast a spell and it's the spell of Townes Van Zandt's songwriting. Another highlight is John T. Van Zandt's rendition of 'My Proud Mountains' - his voice and delivery uncannily recalling his father's.

Keeping Up With The Townes
For the most part this is a respectable tribute to Townes Van Zandt. He was a great songwriter whose strength was slow mellow tunes. Consequently the artists in twelve of the fifteen songs stick to that formula making for a very good album. It's interesting though that the stars seem a little reserved to the point where it's almost obvious nobody wants to top Van Zandt's original interpetations. So if your looking for a killer version of a song like "Pancho & Lefty" previously done by both Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson, it's not here. I like the Cowboy Junkies, but why do they keep getting invited to these tributes with their "Stoner Americana" style on "Highway Kid", which is so different from the original is beyond me. My favorite cut is "Nothin" by Lucinda Williams, which has some catchy guitar work. If you like Townes in the studio, the rest of the music found here on "Poet" matches up well, but it doesn't come close to his live stuff found on "Rear View Mirror". For collectors, the cd cover is mini-album fold out, similar to Bonnie Raitt's "Luck Of The Draw" with good pictures of the man himself and nice little booklet.

A Great Tribute to America's Poet of Loss and Longing
This tribute to Townes Van Zandt could not be more accurately titled: POET. The songs selected for this compilation prove as thoughtfully chosen as the artists who contribute, each emphasizing the power and beauty of TVZ's verse. He is America's greatest poet of loss and longing, as this recording makes apparent. There are few and very minor disappointments here: Cowboy Junkies and Robert Earl Keen offer interesting but ultimately uninspired versions of HIGHWAY KIND and MR. MUDD & MR. GOLD, versions that pale when compared to the originals. Billy Joe Shaver and Pat Haney, on the other hand, virtually seem to channel TVZ on WHITE FREIGHTLINER BLUES and WAITIN' 'ROUND TO DIE respectively, failing, perhaps, to make the songs their own, but capturing the spirit and heart of the originals beautifully. As I write, I listen to Steve Earle's terrific rendition of one my favorite TVZ songs, TWO GIRLS. It occurs to me that Earle gets the balance of this great tune just right, making it his own, while honoring the original. For my tastes, the stand-outs here are by Guy Clark, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, and Willie Nelson. Each of these artists, much like TVZ himself, have voices that could break your heart just reading the phone book. Clark's lovely TO LIVE'S TO FLY, in particular, can leave me blubbering with just a casual listen: "It's goodbye to all my friends/It's time to go again/But think on all the poetry/And pickin' down the line." The respect and love each of these artists feels for both Townes and his work proves evident in every line, every chord. A brief introduction by Susanna Clark (excerpted from the book, SONG BUILDER) reads like a great American short story. Nothing could be more appropriate for a collection like this. With an ouvre like that of Townes, of course, there are bound to be omissions, songs that we know should have but didn't make the cut; let's hope for a sequel.

One of the Best I Own!
This is one of the all-time best CDs I own. I discovered Townes through other artists and through soundtracks -- smatterings here and there that lead me to the gradual realization that he was one of my favorite songwriters. Frankly, I think he's a better songwriter than almost anyone, but a better songwriter than he is a performer as well -- and this album may prove me right. From John Prine's sweet, lazy cover of "Loretta" to Emmy Lou's chilling rendition of "Snake Song" -- pure folky golk. Guy Clark's cover of "To Live's To Fly" beats the Cowboy Junkies' cover (and I LOVE when they do it). There isn't a single track on this album that I don't jones for when I leave it out of the CD changer for a few days. There's a reason the used copies are so expensive!

... that you don't know what you've got 'til he's gone ?
I suspect -- and hope -- that this CD will bring the powerful songs of TVZ to a wider audience. While Townes was the quintessential "songwriter's songwriter", his recordings never reached the wider audience enjoyed by some of the artists represented on 'Poet' .

Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and John Prine -- all heard here-- are household names by comparison. If you like these artists, I would encourage you to give this album a listen. In the past several years I have been fortunate to hear these three artists in live performance, as well as Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, Delbert McClinton, Steve Earle, and the Flatlanders. Besides being on 'Poet', what do all of these terrific artists have in common ? Each one of them at some point in their performance said (more or less), "Now we're going to play one for Townes." Anyone who commands that degree of respect in this company deserves a wider audience.

Notable cuts: If there was ever a blacker song written than "Marie", I've never heard it. (Who else could write, "she just rolled over and went to Heaven, with my little boy safe inside" ?) Willie Nelson gives it a powerful, minimalist treatment here. While Nanci Griffith sometimes sets my listening ear on edge, but she absolutely nails "Tower Song" here. Maybe I have heard Guy Clark too often in live performance to be objective, but the emotional undercurrents in "To Live is to Fly" are quite moving. Bravo to Lucinda Williams for "Nothing".

Not so notable: Townes' most widely known song, "Pancho and Lefty", is covered frequently, often badly. Delbert McClinton continues that tradition here. Cuts by the Cowboy Junkies and Robert Earl Keene are forgettable.

If you're not familiar with the music of TVZ, this is a terrific introduction by some artists you probably do know. Then treat yourself to the original with "Live at the Old Quarter" (young Townes) and "Rear View Mirror" (Townes sounding nearly bone-tired).

... and if you appreciate TVZ's music, then start listening to Guy Clark, Townes' longtime friend and traveling partner. He's another songwriting master who is still with us. Let's not let another treasure slip away under-appreciated. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A glimpse of the past
As another reviewer stated, this is not a polished professional recording. Rather, it is a documentary of a tradition that is rapidly being lost in its homeland. These are real people, and at times they are hard to listen to. However, for lack of a better phrase, it grows on you, especially if you have Calabrese ancestry. Many of the melodies & singing styles reminded me very much of the "Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices", as there is definitely the same exotic quality.

Ethnomusicology Adventure
This isn't the typical "world music" collection. It is a selction of recordings by ethnomusicologist (did you know there WAS such a job?) Alan Lomax from 1954-55, documenting the music of small Italian villages, musical forms that have vanished forever.

The performances lack polish and finesse, naturally. Much of the cd is more like an auditory documentary than anything else. For example, the opening track "Swordfishermen's Calls," are exactly that - two male voices, shouting melodically over a long distance. This isn't the happy accordian music you hear at the Olive Garden, to say the least. The variety of the music is striking, containg a capella, tarantela, lullabies, accordians, bagpipes and melodies of surprising complexity. The vocals are a bit rough, sometimes - the Italians like to sing loud, apparently, and some of the singers go flat when they do.

The liner notes are extensive and contain English translations. Highly recommended, if you're looking for something truly authentic, a historical document rather than professional renditions of old folk songs.

Calabrian Folk Music
When I heard some samples of this CD, I had my mother listen as well, and she could not believe it. So we ordered the CD. And we have not stopped playing it. You just can not re create these songs any other way, as they were recorded over 40 years ago. Every Calabrian should have this CD in their collection. Excellent. ... Read more

Album Description

The perfect music for waking up or putting to bed your 0-6 year-old. Featuring 6 songs for bedtime and 6 for morning from contemporary Jewish music's biggest stars, including Fran Avni, Debbie Friedman, Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Rick Recht and many more.

A great way to start and end the day for families with young children. ... Read more

Amazon.com

These are the sounds of the American melting pot in full boil, a vibrant study in musical and cultural collision. The companion box set to the four-part PBS documentary, this four-disc set skims the cream of 20th-century American "roots music"--music based in its own rich ethnic, geographical, and cultural traditions yet malleable and responsive enough to accommodate elements borrowed from other traditions. The 68 songs here traverse country, blues, folk, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, Tejano, and Native American styles, and while there are obviously huge differences between these songs, it's the similarities that are truly remarkable. Thanks to a cross-pollination facilitated by radio, recording technology, and the highway system, traditional American musical forms bounced off each other like atoms--European tradition met African tradition, urban met rural, Northern met Southern, secular met spiritual, and so it goes. This project allows you to trace each genre's development while simultaneously illustrating its connections to other forms. Like any project of this nature, you can lament all the great music that didn't make it--jazz, in fact, is completely ignored except for one boogie-woogie piano duet, presumably because Ken Burns already covered this territory--but it's difficult to find fault with what did make it here. The producers balance well-known original recordings with 20 newly recorded tracks and nine songs taken from archival film sources. Housed in a stylish hard-bound case and boasting detailed song-by-song notes and great photos, the American Roots Music box makes for a valuable gateway into America's musical heritage and a springboard for further investigation. --Marc Greilsamer ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Nearly Perfect
The PBS American Roots Music series - both the 4 part documentary on DVD and 4 CD boxed set - is a commendable work. It is an incredible education in not only popular American music and culture, but history, and should be required viewing and listening in high schools.

Many of the problems in American Society and its youth today stem from a complete lack of pride and self-awareness. A quick survey of popular music and culture reveal a frightening level of ignorance of America's history, values, and ideals. In short, while the series focusses on America's musical traditions, it does a fantastic job of conveying a sense of America's "roots" in a positive, enriching manner.

The DVD documentary strikes a perfect balance between glossing over, and becoming bogged down in, the material. Unlike the Ken Burns' projects that exhaust the viewer's interest and collapse under their own weight, the series is informative and educational, yet entertaining. It is not MEANT to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject - and so some reviewers here are missing the point - that would take 40, not 4, episodes. Rather, it is an introduction and a sampler; peaking our curiosity and prompting us to investigate and research further the wonderful heritage of music out there. And in that, it succeeds marvelously.

What also impressed me was the documentary's remarkable objectivity. While it eschews political correctness, it doesn't necessarily candy coat anything either. What it does do is present the material in a respectful, thoughtful, intelligent, and unbiased manner - something so lacking in today's political and social discourse. So in this sense, folks looking for something with an "agenda" - conspiracies, skeletons in the closet, and historical revisionism - may be disappointed by the documentary.

The CD boxed set is equally well-done: a fantastic booklet, thorough liner notes, and collection of songs that is a music lover's dream. Again, it is intended to be a sampler - great songs by landmark artists - not an exhaustive account of American Roots music. And also like the documentary, its meant to be a enriching, uplifting - not deconstructing - experience.

If the series has a shortcoming, it is the absence of one of the major "roots" - Jazz - which was no doubt and most unfortunately excluded, because of the recent Ken Burns' PBS documentary. But to exclude Jazz from the discussion of American Roots music, means we do not have the entire picture. And so in that sense, the series is somewhat flawed.

Still, its hard to find any other fault with the series. This is a work that TRULY embraces and celebrates America's cultural diversity. Entertaining and enlightening, I would heartily recommend owning the box set and DVD for one's own edification as well as a way to help introduce friends and family to REAL American music - in all its forms.

American Roots Music
An Awsome Collection Of Hard To Find Roots Music In A Box
Set Thats Worth The Money

Gotta have it
Excellent collection, except I wish they could have picked another B.B. King tune than the overrated "The Thrill Is Gone."

scattered roots
One doesn't envy anyone charged with the task of assembling a collection of essential recordings in America's many folk and vernacular genres. As such things go, American Roots Music is decent enough, though inevitably anyone who knows the music will wonder at the omissions (for example, of Dock Boggs or any of the classic old-time string bands). Perhaps the major problem here is that the four discs encompass such a range of styles that they can hardly begin to do justice to any one of them. The serious listener will already have much of this in his or her collection. Of course it's not exactly a painful sacrifice to hear "Waiting for a Train," "Uncle Pen," "Black Snake Moan," "Cross Road Blues," or any of a number of other warhorses, yet again. I was least familiar with the music on Disc #4 (Cajun/Zydeco/Tejano/Native American) and so enjoyed it the most. A particular treat is Mingo Saldivar's lively version of the old Johnny Cash hit "Ring of Fire." Saldivar doesn't just sing the lyrics in Spanish; he reinvents the melody, making it sound as if "Ring" were always supposed to be a conjunto tune. The disc ends anticlimactically, however, with the inexplicable inclusion of a New-Ageish composition, when a reprise of the wonderful series theme song (a movingly organic rendition of "Worried Man Blues" by performers representing a variety of traditions) would have been a more proper send-off. As a primer set in an unusually attractive package, American Roots Music will do, more or less, but seasoned followers of our homegrown sounds will seek their pleasures elsewhere.

American Roots Music
As an attempt to present a primer on roots music, this set is very well done. With the exception of jazz, all of the bases are covered and most are covered pretty well. However, anyone with some knowledge of roots music who is looking for a "new jem" is probably going to be disappointed. On the plus side, the version here of "We Shall Overcome" is the best recorded one I have heard and the Tejano and Native American sections are a welcome addition. However, the omission of white mountain gospel or shape notes songs is puzzling. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Political militancy so rarely results in more than topical art; thusit's amazing how well Pete Seeger's talking blues, kiddie jingles, angryanthems, and fragile adages to peace have aged. This single-disc successor toAppleseed's double disc WhereHave All the Flowers Gone boasts a finer musical diversity, but isultimately as uneven as the previous tribute. Even after 50 years, performershaven't begun to exhaust Seeger's catalog, and so it's puzzling thatMoxy Früvous wouldwaste tape on the forgettable "Maple Syrup Time," thatBilly Bragg andEliza Carthy would seeany point to another version of "If I Had a Hammer," or thatKim and Reggie Harris(with Magpie) would pushthe sing-along folksiness of "Old Devil Time" to the point of parody. The betterthe song, however, the better the performance.John Wesley Harding(backed by Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey) rocks "Words, Words, Words" straightinto the psychedelic garage,Jackson Browne andJoan Baez surroundthemselves with Cuban musicians for a memorable "Guantanamera,"Steve Earle casts hisbitter, bloodshot eye deep into the heart of "Walking Down Death Row," andEric Andersen, his voicean icy whisper, turns the pure lyricism of "Snow Snow" into the album's mostharrowing and memorable moment. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Working Class We Have With Us Always. . .
Townes Van Zandt once said that there's two kinds of music: blues and zippety-doo-dah. Pete Seeger's music never was zippety-doo-dah.

Seeger's finely-tuned sensibilities for the endless complications of the lives of the poor and near-poor, as well as for the trades- and craftspeople of America, has given us some of the most lyrically powerful music of our time. If this album contained certain different songs it would be an easy five star work.

It's still very good. Steve Earle's version of "Walking Down Death Row", Dar Williams' and Toshi Reagon's rendering of "Oh Had I a Golden Thread", Eric Andersen's "Snow, Snow", the McGarrigle Sisters' "Little Boxes", and "You Sing It to Me Too" by Guardabarranco are all outstanding interpretations of Seeger's work.

For 45 years I've loaded a lunch bucket and hauled myself off to work at one job or another. Most of that time I've had a Pete Seeger song or two running around my brain, helping me remember who the good guys are. Pete Seeger somehow knows what that's like.

This album is a fine tribute to a good man, one who never wavered in the good but futile fight for social and economic justice. Carry it on, Pete. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A Fitting - and Excellent - Tribute
This gets my vote as my favorite tribute album of all time, and in my opinion it's one of the best ever put together. Richard Thompson, a founding member of Fairport Convention who has had a devoted cult following both here in the States and in his native Britain, is a formidable songwriter, not to mention one of the best folk and rock guitarists alive. He is one of those musical talents who has unjustifiably been denied large-scale commercial success. But he probably would consider the admiration of his peers more important than that anyway, and it's shown in abundance on this collection. Contrary to the track record of most tributes, this one hasn't a weak song on it. Packed with talent, it represents a variety of styles, from the crunchy rock of Dinosaur Jr., Bob Mould and X to the quiet folk of Martin Carthy and Maddy Prior (co-founders of another classic Brit folk-rock band, Steeleye Span). Everyone grafts their own style to these songs, and mostly they are quite successful. Graham Parker's "The Madness of Love" is a highlight, as is Bonnie Raitt's "When the Spell Is Broken" (backed by the gospel greats The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, who also do a goosebump-raising version of "Dimming of the Day"). Another Brit-folk great, June Tabor, turns in a fine rendition of the title track, and David Byrne gives a restrained but effective reading of "Just the Motion". National treasure Beausoleil does a "bontemps" version of "Valerie" (which was also a country hit for another artist whose name escapes me). The closest to missteps here are from two of my favorite bands. Los Lobos' "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" is so low-key as to be almost somnambulant; and in R.E.M.'s version of "Wall of Death", Michael Stipe's phrasing seems clumsy to me - I much prefer Nanci Griffith's cover of that tune. Overall, though, this is an affectionate and well-conceived tribute to an artist who easily deserves it.

Did not turn me into a big fan
This kind of compilation CD tends to bring together elements of the music culture that listeners might not otherwise hear together. The duet by Shawn Colvin and Loudon Wainwright III on the song "A Heart Needs a Home" is a collaboration which belongs on an album like this more than anywhere. All the songs on "Beat The Retreat" are by Richard Thompson, so it can be assumed that the performers are his fans. I hardly qualify for that group. I was previously only aware of his song, "Dimming of the Day" from the Bonnie Raitt performance on the "Longing in Their Hearts" CD in 1993. "Beat the Retreat" came out in 1994, with Bonnie Raitt singing "When the Spell is Broken" and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama doing "Dimming Of The Day" in their own style.

My opinion of music was much better in 1994 than it is today. That each of the musicians on this CD could find a song by Richard Thompson and learn it well enough to make it their own for a single performance shows some versatility that is beyond the common opinion of hit makers as people who are totally devoted to doing their own thing. In the case of Los Lobos doing a simple song like "Down Where the Drunkards Roll," it seems like the effort was to lower expectations: this is so much less than I expect from a song by Los Lobos. I don't know much of the work of some of the artists represented. The world might be full of female vocalists like June Tabor, that I don't know, who sounds great, but that I never heard before. When I go to a concert, I'm more likely to hear the guys, and I heard X once as an opening act without wanting much of that music. But this CD is more like real music to me, and even X does a good job.

The great song for me was "Wall of Death" performed by R.E.M. with John Keane playing pedal steel guitar, so it didn't sound exactly like most R.E.M. songs. The first hint is Michael Stipe singing, "Oh no, no, . . . " It is all about a carnival, with a list of attractions, but the others don't measure up:

On the wall of the death, all the world is far from me
On the wall of death, it's the nearest to being free.

You are going nowhere when you ride on the carousel,
I may be strong, but what's the use of ringing a bell?
Switchback will make you crazy,
Where is the bearded lady?
Oh, let my take my chances on the wall of death.

A worthy tribute to a great songwriter / guitarist
Back in 1994, when this album was released, we were in the midst of a short-lived vogue for tribute albums. A bunch of celebrity musicians would appear on these albums and offer their covers of a well-known artist's songs. As you might imagine, the results were usually mixed. Generally, though, the better the songs, the better the album turned out to be.

This is certainly true in this case. Richard Thompson is among the very best songwriters around (and a fine guitarist to boot), and this album features some of his best songs. Almost every song here is at least pretty good, with the exception of "A Heart Needs a Home", which is utterly ruined by Shawn Colvin's Whitney-Houstonesque vocal pyrotechnics. That's a shame, since it's a really great song, and a more restrained style would have done it much greater justice.

The good songs include "When the Spell is Broken", featuring some nice slide guitar by Bonnie Raitt; "The Madness of Love", in which Graham Parker sings with a spirit of tense longing typically found in Richard Thompson's music; "Turning of the Tide", in which Bob Mould sounds eerily like Richard Thompson himself; the Five Blind Boys of Alabama's cover of "Dimming of the Day"; June Tabor's version of "Beat the Retreat"; and Dinosaur Jr.'s searing rendition of "I Misunderstood", which is actually much, much better than the original, something almost unheard of in tribute albums. (Incidentally, J. Mascis seemed to appear on every single tribute album ever made, and whatever he performed, it was usually one of the highlights of the album.)

The album closes with what I regard as its best track, Maddy Prior and Martin Carthy's "The Great Valerio", in which Maddy Prior actually outdoes Linda Thompson's singing (unimagineable!), and Martin Carthy completely reworks the song to fit his own style, making the song his own, almost as Jimi Hendrix once made "All Along the Watchtower" his own.

This album didn't get a whole lot of attention when it came out, and it remains pretty unknown and underrated. That's a shame, since it is one of the best examples of its genre, and the artists generally perform Thompson's songs with a lot of feeling for their spirit, but without so much reverence that they become mere slavish imitations.

Damn Good Tribute
I don't usually like tribute albums because the songs are rarely as good as the originals. If you're a Thompson fan (I am) you'll be inclined to feel that way about this collection. Don't. Almost all of these songs are strong enough to hold up to the individual styles of the artists. R.E.M. is particularly good, then again they had one of Thompson's best songs to work with. Bottom line: this is one of the best tribute albums out there.

Hit and Miss Attempts....but what did you expect?

This disc opens decently enough with west coast post-punk rockers X turning in a decent cover of "Shoot Out The Lights". I always grimace a little when I hear people do this song, having heard Thompson do a chilling acoustic version live that will never be topped (although Bob Mould gives it a run for the money).
Unfortunately some songs are just made to be performed by certain artist. That is never more obvious than on the rest of this album as a parade of capable artist, one after the other, turn in a career spanning collection of songs from this guitar and songwriting master which never stand up against the originals.
However, Thompson is quite worthy of a tribute disc and I'm glad to see him reconized. This disc is out of print now, but while your waiting for a used one to pop up on Amazon.com, check out my webcast at www.live365.com. Look for SPINJUNKIES ADULT ALBUM ROCK and I always have a track or two from this disc in rotation, as well as a couple from Richard & Linda Thompson. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Only Tribute Album I've Ever Liked
I first discovered Joseph Spence and the Pinder Family upon listening to their version of "I Bid You Goodnight" on THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED: ROOTS OF THE GRATEFUL DEAD, and soon started collecting everything Spence I could get my hands on. To any Spence fan, or to any fan of the Bahamian style of music known as "rhyming", this album should be considered absolutely essential. The renditions on this album are thoughtful and extremely reverent to the spirit of the original music, not to mention that some of them are just plain breathtaking in their beauty (give a listen to "Afindrafindrao" or "Tsy Fotoana..." for example). Jody Stecher (a longtime Spence fan), Kate Brislin and Larry Hanks have cleverly reworked the Pinder Family staple "Kneelin' Down Inside the Gates" into a retelling of the Buddhist GUTTILA JATAKA, and Victoria Williams' rendering of "Although the Lord Be High Above" is as pure and soulful as gospel gets. I consider Niles Hokkanen's weaving together of Spence's "Good Morning! Mr. Walker" and Jimi Hendrix's "Wait Til Tomorrow" to be nothing short of pure genius. This is truly one of my favorite albums, and one I would recommend to anyone who appreciates fine music. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Spend a pleasant evening meeting new people.
I'd not heard of these artists before I was given the tape, but I'm a Christine Lavin fan and was happy to give it a whirl. I will buy the CD when the tape wears out, which will be soon. It's mostly guitar-based solo performances, with a couple of piano pieces and several choral pieces to close out, though not nearly as stuffy as that sounds. The songs and performances are killer, whether humorous or moving. I laughed out loud at 'Dog Dreams', had a lump in my throat several times and want all my friends to hear this new jewel in my collection. One of the best albums I've ever heard.

A rare jewel
This music warms my heart with both laughter and tears. In a society that accepts mostly mindless clatter over the radio waves, this album is as much a breath of fresh air as it was the day it was released. This is real music, folks. As real as it gets. There is no more to say, as it will speak for itself.

A Great Collection
This is one of those CDs that keeps returning to my stereo, even while others sit abandoned. It's a great collection of a lot of the best singer-songwriters today, captured live. There's great variety, verve, and humor in the selections

A Great Collection
This recording caputures the true spirit of the show at the Wintertide Coffeehouse. From the opening notes of James Mee's "Big Times in a Small Town" to the Impromptu A Cappella Choir, the entire disk is joyous. There very few tracks that don't work. Among the true standouts are Cliff Eberhardt, Cheyl Wheeler, David Roth, John Forster, David Buskin and Peter Nelson. Eberhardt shows the power of his performance, both John Forster and David Roth will have you spliting your sides. Peter Nelson turns in a beautiful heart wrenching song called "Summer of Love" that leaves a huge lump in your throat. Many times you can get a compliation of wonderful artists that is nothing but clunkers. When Christine Lavin is involved you know that she will be selecting only the best. This collection should head your "must buy" list if your want to hear some of the best Folk/Accoustics artists working today. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

***Supernal***
This and Volume 9 are superior representatives of the transformative power of four-part harmony. No matter the quality of the individual voices, the combined effect is out-of-this-world. The selections are great; not a boring track in the lot. Get your voice in tune for the Great Re-Awakening!

It's Sacred Harp, so of course it's wonderful
This is a wonderful recording from the 1959 United Sacred Harp Convention, made by the legendary Alan Lomax. It's a piece of American history.

Think about that, then consider this: You can attend the United Sacred Harp Convention at various, usually Southern, locations on the second Sunday and Saturday before in September. If you go, you'll be singing with some of the people on this CD, even some of the people leading songs. You'll eat food they bring for lunch.

When you listen to a recording like this, you can more easily understand how we can all connect with history in that way, how we can be part of something bigger than ourselves. It's wonderful music and you should listen to it -- though it might sound a little odd if you're used to classical-style singing -- but if you just sit and listen, you're missing the true depth of it.

Very moving yet unlike any music I have heard before.
I bought this CD to add to my gospel collection, not knowing anything about The Sacred Harp or "shape note" singing. From the first song on I was hooked and felt an immediate connection. The songs are sincerely sung, with men and women taking turns leading -- even a 17-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy. The rising and falling of the voices and the harmonizing of the singers are amazing. I don't quite understand what they're singing, so luckily the words are included. This CD is part of The Alan Lomax Collection, and now I'm curious about the other CDs in the series.

If you like different kinds of music, you may enjoy this CD as much as I do. However there's the possibility that this music isn't your cup of tea or you make the people you live with anxious to play something else on the stereo. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Absolutely One of My Favorite CD's
This CD speaks to the gentleness in my soul. I like to play this when I'm having a stressful day. The songs are far away from the ruggedness and turmoil that exists in the world. The songs speak to the peace and tranquility that exists in our hearts. The CD makes a beautiful statement, that there is a lot of hope in the music of the human heart.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

When October Goes
The gorgeous symbolism on this album moves me as well as any piece of Italian opera or classic literature. The lyrics are so poignant, and focus on a fact of life: we get older. I have played this album while doing artwork, and it plays to my soul. This album is for persons of fine vintage, and not for those who are unaware of symbolism.

It would be well to remove (or repost not as a first review) that first review that appears for this album as it is misleading and may deter those who may love this album from buying it. God knows we need to support our artists. The man may be speaking what he considers truth, but he clearly doesn't understand the depth of these lyrics. The album is profound for us baby boomers who can accept that we are a little older, and look at it face on.

This is a great album! I am truly moved by these artists and what they have to say.

Leaves and Leavings
From the title "When October Goes: Autumn Love Songs," one might expect an album with songs celebrating autumn, love or both. Not so here. This collection is mostly filled with songs of love lost, many of which have no connection whatsoever to autumn other than to create an overcast mood. Many of the songs, although pretty in a "self-indulgent pity" way, are entirely forgettable even after repeated listenings.

That said, there are some outstanding cuts on this album, and no bad ones. The opening track, "When Fall Comes to New England" (Cheryl Wheeler), is a lovely upbeat celebration of the joys of the season. "... the northbound geese fly south instead, and leaves are Irish-setter red." "Will You Come Home?" (Susie Burke) beckons the former lover (and the listener) to come home into such open arms as one might expect for a family Thanksgiving dinner. "Getting Used To Leaving" by Christine Lavin, who assembled this collection, is a perceptive self-examination by one who has not yet found the love or the home of her life. I also recommend the title track performed by Megon McDonough, who delivers it with the bluesy confidence of an over-qualified chanteuse singing to the patrons in a smokey piano bar.

Oddly, one of the most up-tempo tunes on the album is also the most relentlessly bitter. "Are You Happy Now?" (Richard Shindell) almost drips with the jilted singer's disdain for a lover who has departed suddenly on a Halloween night, absconding with the toaster, the spices from the rack, and even the Halloween candy for the Trick or Treaters. As such, the song effectively captures the raw side of being jilted -- anger, loneliness, sadness, and the attempt to pretend that it doesn't matter.

"Although it's hard to tell,
I hope that what's-his-name treats you well.
I still maintain that he's a bum,
but it's your money, have some fun."

Overall, this album creates a mood of serenity for the listener, particularly a listener who seeks the comfort of knowing that others have loved and lost. Importantly, the songs do not wallowing in dispair -- although winter approaches, there is a promise of spring on the other side.

Any season, any reason
There are some great cuts on this CD, and some great artists. The entire CD is worth it though, for me, for "The Long Road" by Cliff Eberhardt and Richie Havens. There is so much passion in this piece, and I never tire of it. The rest of the album is full of songs that you can listen to by a warm fire with a few friends in the cool of autumn.

A lovely, gentle album
This is a wonderful album, I bought it ten years ago on cassette and still listen to it. I highly recommend it! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

informative and inspirational
This is an amazing collection of stories a