Reviews (3)

Number One on my "desert isle" list...
Just to set the record straight (see the other reviews), the lead singer on "Kilkelly" (on this CD and on the 'Kilkelly' CD) is Robbie O'Connell. Mick Moloney does sing harmony on this song, and a glorious job it is by both of them.
That said, you really need this album. It captures the group Green Fields, comprised of all stellar artists in their own right, at its finest. You will not be disappointed.

Great Collection of Timeless Irish Music
This is a great album. I bought it the first time at a perfomance of Mick Moloney (the main artist), and then gave it to a friend. I agree with the other review that the rendition of Kilkelly on this album is better than on his album "Kilkelly"; but niether can compare to the way Mick Moloney sings it live. A truly great contribution to traditional Irish Music.

This version of Kilkelly is more beautiful....
There is a gorgeous, haunting song on this album-- Kilkelly--about an old man whose children leave Ireland during a potato famine for a better life. Those of you of irish descent--or with an irish heart--get out your handkerchiefs. Particularly if you've been drinking whiskey or beer. Mick sings like an angel, and this is a better version than the one on his cd entitled Kilkelly. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Another Excellent Sony Retrospective
I heartily recommend this two disk set to enthusiasts and neophytes, alike. For some reason, the Amzn. site is showing only a partial list of the tracks. That's a shame, as it leaves out many of the real gems on the collection. Peruse the entire list below and you'll see what I mean:

CD1
1. Ezekiel Saw De Wheel - Fisk Jubilee Singers
2. Crazy Blues - Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds
3. Careless Love Blues - Bessie Smith
4. Frankie - Mississippi John Hurt
5. Lord I Can't Just Keep From Crying - Blind
Willie Johnson
6. What Are They Doing In Heaven Today -
Washington Phillips
7. Sitting On Top Of The World - The Missi-
ssippi Sheiks
8. Blues Before Sunrise - Leroy Carr & Scrap-
per Blackwell
9. If You See My Saviour - Thomas A. Dorsey
10. Broke Down Engine - Blind Willie McTell
11. Mister Tom Hughe's Town - Leadbelly
12. Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson
13. Key To The Highway - Big Bill Broonzy
14. Nine Foot Shovel - Joshua White
15. Cowboy's Lament - Burl Ives
16. Me And My Chauffeur Blues - Memphis Minnie
17. Swing Down Chariot - The Golden Gate
Quartet
18. Dere's A Man Goin' Round / I Know De Lord -
Paul Robeson
19. Baby Please Don't Go - Big Joe Williams
20. Hard Day Blues - Muddy Waters
21. I'll Never Forget - Ira Tucker & The Dixie
Hummingbirds
22. I'll Fly Away - The Trumpeteers
23. I Will Move On Up A Little Higher - Mahalia
Jackson
24. Greenfields - The Brotehrs Four

CD2
1. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
2. The Patriot Game - The Clancy Brothers &
Tommy Makem
3. Green, Green - The New Christy Minstrels
feat. Barry McGuire
4. We Shall Overcome - Pete Seeger
5. The Sound Of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
6. Death Letter - Son House
7. Little Boxes - Malvina Reynolds
8. Will The Circle Be Unbroken - The Staple
Singers
9. Suzanne - Leonard Cohen
10. Going Up To The Country, Paint My Mailbox
Blue - Taj Mahal
11. These Days - Tom Rush
12. Mean Mistreater - Johnny Winter
13. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man - Willie Dixon
14. Blue River - Eric Andersen
15. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
16. Romeo's Tune - Steve Forget
17. Pride And Joy - Stevie Ray Vaughan And
Double Trouble
18. Steady On - Shawn Colvin
19. Galileo - Indigo Girls
20. Stand Still - Shirley Ceasar feat. John P.
Kee
21. Every Morning - Keb'Mo'

BEK

An absolute must for any true fan of American Blues and Folk
This album is so good it's unbelievable; It's such a great listening experience. I especially love the rendition of
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken" by The Staple Singers it carries so well and the emotions come through.

There are so many great songs on this album for true fans of classic blues and folk that I would almost venture
that it has no equal. The 60-page booklet is a nice added bonus, plenty of insight into the artists and songs.

If you have never really listened to bluesy folk music, give this disc a try. I definitely recommend adding this album
to any collection of American folk and blues recordings.

Another great entry in the series!
The entire series put out by Sony, "Soundtrack for a Century" is a wonderful enterprise, especially if you love historical curiosities as well as great hits. From the rare to the very popular, each volume brings a wealth of great music.

This particular volume is a curious mix from turn of the century gospel and blues to the folk music of The Clancy Brothers and the New Christy Minstrels. If you are a fan of the Clancy Brothers, nopte that there is an error in the liner notes. The notes say it is Tommy Makem singin "The Patriot Game" while in fact it is Liam Clancy.

While it is hardly a "soundtrack for the century" since it only contains artists who recorded for labels in the Columbia family, this volume and all volumes is a very valuable addition to a complete music library. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Lot of Fun!
This is a great folk collection. Some of the music is performed by the songwriters - not the artists that made the hit - so the versions of the songs are different and surprising. We bought the CD for the "Bold Marauder" which is a truly great piece of music!!

The recording of "It Ain't Me Babe" by Dylan and Joan Baez is so funny that this CD is worth buying just for the comedy value! Everytime I hear it I break out laughing!!

Nostalgia at its best
Frequently albums created from old material for the "nostalgia market" contain considerable second rate material. That is not true of this collection. Ian & Sylvia were the most prominent duo in the folk music era - they are represented by 5 tracks. Geoff and Maria Muldaur were best known as members of the Jim Kweskin Jugband where their duets were high points of the albums. Mimi & Richard Farina were less well known - primarily due to Richard's death which had a stiffling impact on the duo - but they are still represented by 4 tracks. From a more country orientation there are the duo's of Flatt and Scruggs as wells as Doc Watson and Merle Travis. The remainder of this collection are names big in the solo market - Joan Baez, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Theodore Bikel ...

One could scarcely build a better cross-section of the best of the folk duets of the era. Mimi and Richard Farina's "Pack Up Your Sorrows" is a splendid rendition that often gets forgotten among the other excellent renditions. Their Bold Marauder is a dark gem that would fit well with some of the current Celtic resurgence. Doc Watson and Merle Travis' Roll in My Sweet Baby's Arm is another gem forgotten among the many renditions. The weakest piece is Judy Collins & Theodore Bikel's The Greenland Whale Fisheries ... simply because it remains simply one of several excellent interpretations. When Collins/Bikel can be the low point, one is speaking of an excellent album.

This album is breathtaking
especially if you are already familiar with the music. I debated about buying it and then was riveted the first time it played. It transported me back about 35 years, and I enjoy hearing these songs now just as much as I did then. If you like Bleecker Street - and I think it would be had not to - get this and listen to the originals. You won't be sorry. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

"R" for violence; "A" for banjos
Most of the songs on this collection are good and most are violent.It seems that in Merrie Old England the jilted husband of "Mattie Groves" "cut off her head and throwed in agin the wall."In the U.S., the rejected lover in "Banks of the Ohio" stabs her in the breast and "throws her in to drown."

Two definitive versions of familar folk tunes are on this CD.It don't get any better that Johnny Cash and the Carter family on "Banks of the Ohio."Cash's gruesome voice goes with the gruesome lyrics and the Carter family does an angelic chorus. Ralph Stanley's high, lonesome sound is perfect on another violent tune "Pretty Polly" and the banjo work is fabulous. Other good ones are the Clancy Brothers who call on all good Irishmen to kill Englishmen in "Rising of the Moon," and Pete Seeger's banjo playing on "East Virginia"

The bad songs are the oily Brothers Four messing up a good song,"Mule Skinner's Blues," and the unspeakable "Little Boxes" which is so awful it should be denied first amendment rights.

Shouldn't This Have Come With A Warning Sticker?
Anyone who thinks Marilyn Manson or Snoop Dogg cornered the market on anti-social behavior in song should hear this CD. "Folk Classics" tells tales of sex, betrayal, corruption and murder (south by Southwesternstyle) reaching back more than 100 years. By the time you're through thefirst half of the disc, you get two Wild West shootouts ("JesseJames," "Streets of Laredo") a bankruptsy ending in murder("Buffalo Skinner") a marriage refusal ending in murder (JohnnyCash with his future wife and in-laws, the Carter Family, on "Banks ofThe Ohio") and a call for all good Irishmen to battle (the rousing"Rising Of The Moon.") Of course, it helps that at least a couplevillains got caught ("John Hardy" and Flatt & Scruggs'"Worried Man Blues.") And then there's Burl Ives, whose"Wayfaring Stranger" indicated that he, too, was making his finalcrossover trip.

Traditional instruments and musical styles (banjo,guitar, fiddle, and no drums to speak of), are the hallmarks of folk musicand while this is not the only CD you'll need at the hootenany (no Baez, noDylan, only one Phil Ochs song and he doesn't sing it), "FolkClassics" fulfills its title nicely. Just don't do any of this athome, kids.

great songs by great artists
Buffalo Skinners, Matty Groves-- stories that creep into your soul through your ears. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nice, but Vol 1 MUCH better
More spotty than volume 1, there are some real gems here. However, there are several songs I just plain filter.

Nevertheless, the intimacy of the recording is still wonderful. Buy volume 1 first, then this one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lest we forget
I was given the LP version of the Songs of the Lincoln Brigade as a 16th birthday present too many years ago to count.I grew up knowing friends of my parents who had fought in Spain and for whom the war was a vivid memory.

It should be remembered that the Spanish Civil War was viewed by many as a "rehearsal" for WWII and that the "bad guys" won it.For those with an interest in 20th Century history, and particularly in the conflict between fascism and socialism, the collection is well worth owning.I would also recommend George Orwell's "Homage to Catalonia" as a literary companion to the music.Be forewarned however, the disc has not been remastered and is as scratchy as the LP.

Some info and my opinions of the album:
I am only commenting on the 1st 12 songs in the album.Those were the original and only songs on the 33 RPM record released in the late 1940's or early 1950's.

The Lincoln and International Brigades fought in theSpanish civil war in the 1930's.The war was a lose-lose situation, theanti-fascists (mainly socialists or communists) on the one side fightingthe fascists on the other side.The fascists won, thanks to the help ofthe Nazis who used the war to test their airpower and other weapons priorto World War II.

The Lincoln Brigade was made up of American volunteerswho fought against the fascists.The International Bridages were made upof volunteers from other nations. Thus, the songs - the first 6 of whichare in mainly in English, German and Spanish - have themes relating tofreedom, liberty, comradeship (the type that soldiers have for one-another,not the communist variety), army life, fighting, and so on.

It happens tobe one of my favorite recordings which is why I am commenting on it.Theenjoyment of the music is greatly enhanced by understanding German and/orSpanish.However, it is not necessary.The fact that the anti fascistslost and that the Lincoln Brigade was looked down on by American society,makes the music very poignant.The songs are the type that stir theemotion.

Ernst Bush sings the first 6 songs, the next 6 are sung bywell-known folk artists, including Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seeger. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Multi-Talented and First-Rate Performers
Columbia's idea to gather a group of artists one Sunday morning each month for a radio show is unique. Often the results of similar "live" and "unplugged" sessions are mediocre: many musicians, without the help of studio production trickery, sound less than delightful live. Fortunately, the results of Columbia Records Radio Hour Volume I are gratifying. The featured artists are all multi-talented and first-rate performers: singers, songwriters and musicians. Their professionalism well withstands the "first take" approach. The majority of music is acoustic folk and soft rock - very intimate and mid-tempo. The atmosphere is impromptu and relaxed.

For instrumental performance, it should be no surprise that the guitar work of Bruce Cockburn is dazzling and majestic - he is nothing less than a master. The innovative and understated stand-up bass of Rob Wasserman is showcased on several selections. A surprise for me is the finger-picking skills of Mary Chapin Carpenter: she holds her own ground. In comparison to the other tracks, Darden Smith's 'The Levee Song" rocks. The Godfather of Melancholy, Leonard Cohen, is as gravel-sounding and as off-key as ever; but his poetry is wonderful. The standout track is 'Wouldn't It Be Lovely' (from My Fair Lady) by Rosanne Cash. The audience is exceptionally quiet during the vocal, piano, and guitar song. Rosanne is breathtaking. In summary, Columbia Records Radio Hour features a hefty sixty-six minutes of "the best of the best" in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

COCKBURN AND FRIENDS MAKE MAGIC
IF YOU LOVE LIVE STUDIO SONGS BY TALENTED SINGER/SONGWRITERS...THIS IS IT...AND IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO FIND THE SHEET MUSIC TO "CRY OF A TINY BABE" PLEASE SEND IT THIS WAY

A superb sampling of various popular folk
Unfortunately, the Sunday morning Columbia Records Radio Hour was not broadcast in the Boston area to my knowledge, so I have no detailed information of the radio broadcasts themselves. Nonetheless, volume one is a nice sampler, with a solid mix of folk & country based artists.

The brightest moments belong to Bruce Cockburn, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Rosanne Cash. Cockburn is benefitted by the always-tasteful upright bass of Rob Wasserman, which gives plenty of bottom to the inflective "Lord Of The Starfields" and the engaging "Lovers In A Dangerous Time." In fact, I prefer this version of the latter to the studio original.

Shawn Colvin is represented by an intimate "Polaroids", where her angelic voice is complemented by a variety of interesting rhythms. Mary Chapin Carpenter add supple harmonies on the great "Shotgun Down The Avalanche", and Colvin returns the favor for a gorgeous reading of Carpenter's "Come On Come Over" that gives a prime example of the benefits of hushed dynamics. Rosanne Cash, with help from John Leventhal, turns "Wouldn't It Be Lovely" into a country/folk swing, while former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne adds ideosynchric harmonies to "What We Really Want." Peter Himmelman also fares well with the intimate feel of "Raina."

Like most various artists compilations, though, the variety of music meets its limits in terms of acquired tastes. Your mileage may vary, but the Leonard Cohen songs feel out of place in comparison to the acoustic-based artists: Whereas most of the songs eschew warmth and human emotion, Cohen's are almost too cold and calculating. Darden Smith's "The Levee Song" is pleasant, but almost appears like a leftover in comparison to the other contributions.

The disc closes with a classy reading of a touching "Cry Of A Tiny Babe", with Cockburn aided by Lou Reed (who handles the second verse), Rosanne Cash (providing tasteful harmonies), and Wasserman. A fine touch to a CD that not only chronicles portion of the Columbia Records Radio Hour, but also as a fine sampler to artists whose works deserve plenty of attention. ... Read more

Album Description

A compilation featuring original songs performed by some of Atlantic Canada's best known recording artists. This collection has been certified Gold in Canada. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cape Breton cheese (except for 2 tracks)
First, I should say that I knew what I was getting into before I bought this CD... and I went ahead and bought it anyways.
This is very much *not* the new wave of Nova Scotian music; if you're looking for Natalie Macmaster or Ashley MacIsaac, look elsewhere. If you're looking for Buddy Macmaster you're probably better off looking elsewhere, too.

I bought this CD for one reason: Howie MacDonald's version of the "Skye Boat Song". (I'll be waltzing to it with my mom at my upcoming wedding.) For the most part the rest of the CD is, well, unbelievably cheesy. The only exception is the Rankin Family's "Jigging Medley", which features excellent musicianship despite the grating vocals. Then again the Rankin Famliy's reputation precedes it. (Too bad Heather and Raylene don't fare as well on their own!!)

This CD is not for everyone... and not even for me if I'd been able to find Howie Macdonald's "Skye Boat Song" somewhere else.

Bring the Maritimes Home with You
This is a great CD! I picked up mine while on Prince Edward Island (that's Canada's smallest --and I think best-- province) last summer while visiting the Maritimes. In the evenings, we would attend outdoor music festivals featuring Maritime songs and local performers. This CD does a great job of capturing the sheer pleasure of that music. One can play the songs over and over again without getting tired of them because of the variety of performances and performers on the collection. I heartily recommend it without reservation. A wonderful collection. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The great appeal of this Oh Boy Records retrospective for most people will be the three previously unreleased tracks by John Prine, the cofounder of the imprint. The veteran singer/songwriter contributes three estimable live tracks to the collection, and guests with R.B. Morris on one track and Donnie Fritts on another. Oh Boy recruits Keith Sykes, the Bisquits, and Heather Eastman round out the cast. All fare respectably, and highlights abound. Stalwart songsmith Sykes's "I Was Right About You" and Eastman's "Miss Liberty" are earthy pop tracks. The Bisquits' "Small Town/Big Hair" and Morris's "World Owes Me," meanwhile, represent stinging Southern rock. And it's nice to hear from journeyman Fritts, who enlists Willie Nelson and a crack crew of Memphis regulars to help out with "The Oldest Baby in the World." --Steven Stolder ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A COLLECTORS MUST, A FIDDLERS CHOICE
This CD is crammed full of traditional music that will make any fiddler's heart and feet dance. While the technical merits are what you would expect from traditional fiddlers, that is no detraction from the enjoyment of this music. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Christmas CD with blends of various styles of music.
This is an excellent compilation of Christmas songs selected from a blend of various types of music that definitely accomplishes the Putumayo mission. That being to join the traditional with contemporary to create products which people love. The cover also indicates that portions of the proceeds go to help homeless children. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Noble Effort
I don't know if the weather was bad this particular weekend, or what, but outside of maybe Dr. John, none of the artists on this live one sound very involved with the music. And several, in fact almost all of them, are usually at their best recorded live. Hats off to Ben and Jerry's for attempting to revive a grand old folk tradition but, at least on this project, something's missing. Each of the performers, and songs, are better heard elsewhere. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Intro CD
Back when I had a folk show on WRVU (Nashville, 91.1) Mary Black, John Stewart, and Kristen Hall were all standards. I've had dozens of people ask me for a good contemporary folk starter cd, and in every case I've recommended this one. I've actually had this cd stolen twice, lost once, and broken once -- and I keep rebuying it :-)

While some of the new decades bigger names aren't present, this will definitely get you started and it remains a great listen as the years go on. Pick this up and snag some Dar Williams and you'll be set.

GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT!
I BOUGHT THE ALBUM FOR CLIFF EBERHARDT'S SONG, "MY FATHER'S SHOES." THE ALBUM IS WORTH THAT SONG ALONE AND YOU CAN NOT GET THIS SONG ANYWHERE ELSE. KRISTEN'S HALL'S "IN THE COUNTRY" IS ALSO TERRIFIC. THAT SONG IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO FIND. IT IS ON HER "FACT AND FICTION" CD, WHICH IS OUT OF PRINT.

THESE TWO SONGS ALONE, WARRANT A RATING OF FOUR, ON THIS OTHERWISE PLEASANT, BUT NOW AWESOME COLLECTION.

Great Mix of Known and Unknown Artists
As this CD admirably demonstrates, contemporary folk music is much more than a lone guitarist strumming "Motherless Child." This is a wonderful collection of music by a mixture of well-known and virually unknown artists. The well-known include Joan Baez (with a decidedly more biting sound than one might expect), Indigo Girls, Mary Black and John Stewart. The less well-know performers include Kristen Hall, whose "Out in the Country" is a real highlight; Christine Lavin with "Never Go back"; and Cliff Eberhadt ("My Father's Shoes"). Every song is strong and well-crafted. If you thought folk music was dead in the '90s, give this a listen.

A diverse collection of contemporary folk music
An interesting compilation which blends a variety of sounds. It bridges the gap between "Women's Music" and what "Folk" meant in the 60's and 70's. All the sounds are fresh, and the songwriters speak out about everything from social issues to crumbling relationships. Thumbs up! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In 1996 the interest in singer-songwriters was cresting and women were a big part of the emerging trend. The songs they wrote were not about fanciful dream images; they came from real life and were insightful, bitter, funny, and often painfully intimate. While a vanguard of younger artists were just finding their way, established performers were also being rediscovered, and the two groups gave each other considerable inspiration and support. These 13 songs are an amazingly accurate time capsule of a period when the vogue finally shifted to include singers who used small forces to sort out big problems and overwhelming emotions. Romances go sour, philosophy brings cold comfort, and reality is sometimes too much to stomach, but the women keep going as best they can despite craziness, opposition on various fronts, and their own frailty. With Ani DiFranco, Janis Ian, Vonda Shepard, and Toni Childs. --Christina Roden ... Read more

Reviews (8)

3.5 Stars
Overall, this is a really good CD with some excellent songs. I just received it about a week ago, and have listened to it several times since. With the exception of the Toni Childs song (incredibly annoying) and the Ani DiFranco song (I realize there are a lot of her fans out there and she has a wonderful voice and some great lyrics, but I have a hard time listening to her since she choses so many (annoying) singing styles throughout one song). I think there are better Putumayo CDs out there with a lot of the same artists - but overall this rates a 3.5 star with me. Just my opinion.

Discover great singer songwriters
This CD is one I bought at random, because I happened to like the cover, and it's one I've never regretted. It rarely leaves my CD player for long. If you're looking for real lyrics that have some true poetry in them, sung by beautiful voices, and accompanied with actual music, then you've found the right CD. There are a few tracks that I don't care for, but that's to be expected. Barbara Kessler's "Notion" is perfect, and Eliza Gilkyson's "Wild Horses" makes me cry every time. I've discovered several new artists from this CD that have since become some of my favorites. God bless Putamayo. Buy the CD.

Female Singer-Songwriter Must Have
This was one of those CD's I bought at random, and it's one of the few I've never regretted. This CD is rarely out of my car or off my CD player at home. I'm always looking for more singer songwriters, and this is a gold mine. Barbara Kessler's "Notion" is perfect - the lyrics are a testament to her voice. Eliza Gilkyson's "Wild Horses" has made me cry more times than I can count; I, too, want wild horses to carry me away some times. There are a couple of tracks that I don't care for, but that's to be expected on a mixed CD designed by someone else. God bless Putamayo. Buy the CD.

an all 'round winner
Women's Work appealed to me because I saw its cover in my CD club magazine; the only artist I really "knew" was Vonda Shepard. In the 9 months since I have bought the album it has grown into one of my must-haves. Aside from a couple of grating songs (I could do without tracks 10 and 13 -- Laura Love and Toni Childs, respectively), this CD is full of intelligent, real songs. A big thumbs-up goes to Toshi Reagon and Janis Ian! If you like newer folk music, if you're in Pittsburgh and listen to WYEP, then you'll enjoy this album.

10!!!
This is -- by far -- the best collection of women artists on one CD that I have ever owned. Not only was I able to be introduced to some wonderful artist's that I have never heard before, but I also have a GREAT CD in my "library" that is an all time favorite!! ... Read more