Review: Independent Recordings Reviewed

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 10 Jan 02 - 01:07 AM

Susan, Did you receive those disjointed column fragments I sent. The PFS secretary said she would email my finished column to me and I will forward it to you. Barbara and Alice, I liked your CDs enough to put a short reccomendation in this month's issue. Thanks for submitting and good luck with your work, Mike

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 02:10 PM

Mike, when you get Seamus' CDs, you're going to have trouble covering anything else. He has a body of work that others lust for. Hahhahh!! I made a funny. If he does not send you the one titled "Favourite Selections" please let me know and I will make sure you get that one too. And they are all current, no matter when he made them, so whaddaya gonna do???

In fact never mind reviewing, you'll want to head for the car and drive for hours to his CDs, so stay in touch from the road, hear!??

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 01:58 PM

I sure hope that Seamus's CD is appropriate for my column (grist for my miller, so to speak). I'd love to review it in the style of Fats Domino with lines like

He keeps on workin' after midnight. or

Aint that a seamus?

Mike

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 02:43 AM

A few of my CDs are on their way, Mike, thanks for the offer of a review. My most recent CD was reviewed by http://geocities.com/paythereckoning/reviews.html (click).

All the best.

Seamus

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 01:30 AM

Right you are, Jody. Chanties without sexual content are like eunichs at a singles bar. I would be offended if you had laundered them. I've always liked "Paddy, Lay Back". It has the most singable chorus 'round the horn. Is that "ass" verse the one about the shirt? Dave Calderhead taught me "All For Me Grog". He had a swell verse at the end that was of a different comstruction.

I'm sick in the head and I haven't been to bed, Since first I came ashore with me plunder. I've seen elephants and snakes and I'm full of bellyaches So I think I'll take a lookout over yonder.

I look forward to hearing your recording. Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:52 PM

The two TETRA tracks (#1 and #21) Were my attempt to create some interest in Traditional folk music back in 1957. the Parlophone recordings were solid country music except for "Kissin Time", which George Martin asked me to do. I, personally, preferred the "B" side, "Man on my trail" it was written by an Englishman. Parlophone pushed "Kissin' Time" which was already a hit in the USA, but didn't generate much interest in England.

There are 4 tracks that were written by Jon Campbell, a very talented Rhode Island writer who spent a good part of his life as a commercial fisherman out of Point Judith, RI. The rest of the tracks are traditional maritime folk songs (and/or chanteys)

Paddy Lay Back, the capstan chantey, contains the word, "whore" , not as an insult, but for it's literal definition.
All For me Grog contains the word, "Ass" without which the song has no "punch line".
Anyway, judge for yourself.

Thanks
Jody Gibson.

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 07:40 PM

*G* Better send one in, Bert! *G*

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 06:32 PM

Hi Bert,

I'm not quite sure I understand your reluctance. My likes and dislikes are well known to my loyal, long suffering readers. I recognize my biases and I take steps to offset them. If I dont like a CD, I dont, automatically, shelve it. I pass it on to a student to get another opinion. If the student likes it, I, usually, print the more favorable review, identifying the "guest" critic. My mission is to encourage and publicise, never to pan or embarass. In the years that I have been writing the column, I have trashed a total of one (1) recording, and that was a situation I was forced into. I have lauded CDs that were recorded on the cheap and CDs that were made by performers who are well below professional levels. When a performer has a contribution to the body of traditional music by what they do or what they represent, I enthusiastically support their products. I am, especially, a fan of family singing. Family singing is, in itself, a great tradition. It, just about, defines folksinging. I can be pretty tolerant when it comes to tradition and ritual. I am, however, concerned about your apparent lack of faith in your own abilities. If I were to rate folksingers by their instrumental prowess, I wouldn't write about anyone except Doc Watson. I am nothing if not the kindest of souls. My sensitivity is applauded by all who are privilaged to know me. So send the damn CD, already. The worst that can happen is I'll hate it or, more likely, find it inappropriate for the column, in which case, you'll be exactly where you are, now. Mike

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Bert
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 02:55 AM

Hi Mike

Susan pointed out this thread to me.

I remember reading one of your articles a while ago where you complained bitterly about the amateurish quality of some of the recordings that you receive.
Now I consider myself a singer but, as I am a piss poor guitar player (You've heard me), I am very hesitant about sending you a CD, especially as I know your talent.

So tell me, have your views changed at all? If you are prepared to accept a singer/songwriter who mostly tries not to stray to far from tradition then I'll send you a CD.

But I don't want to waste your time on something which doesn't appeal to you.

Bert Hansell.

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 11:28 AM

I do copy-editing on the side. Would you like her to get them all cleaned up and ready to go? The other option, if you want to post them but leave her in charge of the edit job, is just ask her to e-mail the final version back to you for one last "fact check" before they go to press, and then we can post from that.

~S~

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 01:46 AM

OK Susan,

There is one little hitch. When I write the column, I email it to the PFS office where the secretary checks the spelling, cleans it up and sends it on to the editor whose favorite words are, "family magazine". He combs my prose for hidden meanings and the joy of sex. What, finally, emerges is an olio of reviews, reflections and a never ending war with revisionists. My typing is on a par with my attention span. Ergo, I usually submit my column in pieces. Lynn, super secretary that she is, is unfazed by my instalment plan style. She, just, does stuff that I dont understand (some kind of electronic cutting and pasting) and it all comes out in one piece. If you like, I can forward the segments as I write them and, perhaps you, too, can do that voodoo that she do. Adieu. Mike

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 11:16 PM

Mike, I'd be glad to post them for you anytime.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 10:52 PM

I thank Susan for expediting this and I look forward to hearing the CDs from Mary, Alice, Kendall, Jody, Musicman and others. Burke, I asked the secretary of the PFS why Tune-Up is not on our website. She said that the publication is for the members as a privilege of membership. I do forward reviews to the artists as a courtesy. If one of my more technically competant friends shows me how, I'll be glad to post them on Mudcat. Before you send me your CD, you might like to know my preferences and prejudices. I favor traditional music. I am a folksinger, by profession. I am, therefore, sympathetic to folksingers of all cultures. I do not believe that a folksong is any ditty composed by a poet whase amplifier is on the fritz. If you write songs that bare your soul and "tell it like it is", you can submit, but the best I'll do for you is pass it on to others with more tolerance. This is not to say that I dont reccomend new material. If the songs are within the tradition, I will pay more attention. In any case, I do not pan. I only praise and reccomend. If I dont like what I hear, my lips are sealed like my juvinile record. If you need more information, you can email me at [e-mail] or [e-mail] Mike

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Musicman
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 11:52 AM

i'll be sending one in too......

thanks

musicman

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 10:55 AM

I did hear back from Mike and asked him to post back here.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 12:34 AM

Guest, I think maybe he doesn't visit here often, and may not know yet how to find old threads, either-- thanks for asking.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 12:23 AM

I'll send you my "Spanning the Decades". This CD contains some commercial recordings from 1957, 58, 59 and 60. These were recorded by TETRA (my only hit, "Good Morning Captain") and by Parlophone. Sir George Martin was the A&R man for Parlophone, at the time. The Parlophone recordings were done when I was in the USAF stationed in England. Some were done with my group "The Muleskinners" which was the first integrated country music group to record for a major lable.

The rest of the tracks were done in my "ROSE ISLAND recording Co." studio (my attic) with all the instruments and all the voices being done by myself.

PLEASE READ THE INSERT BOOKLET BEFORE YOU LISTEN TO THE CD.

Thanks.

Good Morning Captain was only released in New England (CT, MA, RI, NH and VT) New York and New Jersey. It sold 400,000+ 45's and about 75,000 78's. It is simply my way of singing Muleskinner Blues. It was covered by Sheb Wooley, immediately, and later by Dolly Parton. I was chief Air Traffic Controller at Suffolk County AFB, NY, at the time. One of the reassons for it's success is that Alan Freed was my manager's father in law, so, it got a lot of play on the pop and R and R radio stations.

enough of this "blowing my own horn"

Thanks

Jody Gibson.

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 10:12 PM

You just did in your post - do you think he can't read?

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 10:01 PM

The Society's website is HERE, but I don't see their pubs online.

Of course we could ask Mike to run them here anyhow....

Shall I, if he answers my note to him?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Burke
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 07:50 PM

Are the reviews available online anywhere? I'd like to read them, but don't yet another magazine subscription.

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: kendall
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 07:35 PM

Mine will be in Mondays mail. Thanks for the notice, Susan. Alice, I couldn't make your link work, I've been having trouble with this old confuser, and, I'm thinking of getting a new one. I understand they are making them to run on electricity now?

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Alice
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:38 PM

Mike, thank you for the opportunity. I will be sending a CD to you.

Alice Flynn

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:34 PM

I sent him an e-mail thanking him and letting him know that a lot of the Catters who record aren't necessarily here daily-- that it may be awhile before a large number of people see his offer.

I also posted a note about this in the thread, MUDCATTER CDs.

If you have a CD, and it isn't listed in that thread, please list it there!

And of course Mudcatter CDs are always appreciated in the Mudcat Auction....

~Susan

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: Maryrrf
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:22 PM

Mike, I'll be sending mine in. I think that is a very nice thing to do and I appreciate the opportunity!

Subject: RE: Independant Recordings Revued
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:13 PM

I'm surprised not to see any responses to this thread, with all the Mudcatter CD's out there. Maybe a few PM's to people who have said they have CDs would be in order....

~Susan

Subject: Independant Recordings Revued
From: musicmick
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 02:10 AM

I am the CD reviewer for Tune-Up, a publication of the Philadelphia Folksong Society. The Society's membership is in the thousands and is not confined to the Philadelphia area. Our purpose in this column is to publicise independantly produced recordings which, so often, get lost in the avalanche of commercial recordings. If any of you Mudcatters has a CD that you'd like reviewed publicly, I'd be glad to listen and, if I like it, I'd be pleased to reccomend it to my readers. (I dont write about recordings that I dont like. A bad review of an independant effort does nothing for the artist or the audience, it just strokes the reviewer's ego) I have reviewed Bluegrass, Barbershop, Gospel, Klezmer, Celtic, French, Puerto Rican and Russian.I have reccomended eclectics, revivalists,revisionists and free thinkers. I hear a lot of children's songs, labor songs, protests and parodies. I prefer traditional songs but I will reccomend a singer/songwriter if he/she really knocks my socks off (it doesn't happen very often) If you would like to submit a CD for possible review, send it to The Philadelphia Folksong Society 7113 Emlen St. Phila. Pa 19119 Att. Mike Miller Dont forget to include information on purchasing the CD. Is it available in stores? Do you have a website? What is the price? Mike Miller [e-mail]

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Thread #42655 Message #620786
Posted By: musicmic
04-Jan-02
Thread Name: Independant Recordings Revued
Subject: Independant Recordings Revued

I write a column for Tune-Up (a publication of the Phila. Folksong Society) in which I review recent CDs. If any Mudcatter has self produced a recording of folksongs, I would be glad to listen to it and, if I like it, I will reccomend it to my readers. I review vocals, instrumentals and olios. I have reccomended everything from Bluegrass to Barbershop, Kids' songs to Klezmer. I never pan. If I dont like it, I dont write about it. If you have questions about my preferences or prejudices or, if you'd like to submit a CD, you can reach me through the offices of the PFS. Philadelphia Folksong Society 7113 Emlen St. Phila. Pa 19119 Att./ Mike Miller