Folk albums of 2007

Subject: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Colin Randall
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 10:22 AM

It's only late October, and I'm really only a fan with a platform (I had two until a new job overseas caused me to stop filing reviews to the Daily Telegraph) but I have used Salut! Live to list my folk albums of 2007.
Subject to something unexpected happening between now and Dec 31, Martin Simpson's Prodigal Son is my clear winner, followed by a dark horse, James Keelaghan (A few Simple Verses), and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset's The Bairns.
Full list, including separate nominations (for compilation, boxed set, retrospective), at my site but any thoughts on my top three?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Cragrat
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 01:57 PM

I think that so far 2007 has been a pretty dull year for folk music. I haven't heard Prodigal Son yet but Mr Keelaghan's album, while it remains listenable, is clearly a filler release and not up to his usual high standard. (He's recorded so few of his own songs recently, that I wonder whether he has writer's block). The Bairns is okay but just sticks to that pop/folk groove that blights so many albums these days.

One album that does warrant a mention is Sharron Kraus' Right Wantonly A Mumming (Bo Weavil25cd)which is a fresh and exciting look at that hoary old subject, the seasons. Her own songs feel as old as church yews and the singing is magnificent but this is the only folk album this year to really make me play on repeat. Sad days.

By the way, Mr Randall, I don't always or even often agree with your opinions (although we're both fond of Seth Lakeman's music) but thank you for promoting folk music in a national newspaper. You're practically a one man band!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: C. Ham
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 06:03 PM

The James Keelaghan album mentioned is from 2006.

Among the great albums of 2007 that immediately come to mind are:

Ry Cooder- My name Is Buddy

Bruce Springsteen- Live in Dublin

Uncle Earl- Waterloo, Tennessee

Maria Muldaur- Naughty, Bawdy & Blue

Joel Mabus- The Banjo Monlologues

David Francey- Right of Passage

Jimmy LaFave- Cimarron Manifesto

Hans Theessink- Slow Train.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Jack Campin
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 06:08 PM

"Songs of Defiance", traditional music from Chechnya and the North Caucasus:

http://music.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2108464,00.html

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: RTim
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 07:12 PM

As usual in the field of Folk Music, particularly Traditional Folk Music -Marketing & Production out does real talent!

Tim R

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 07:14 PM

Cragrat - I'm with you on Sharron Kraus - it's her best album yet. She's an underrated treasure of the contemporary UK folk scene and by rights should be made compulsory. I'd also nominate Anahata and Mary Humphreys' 'Fenlandia' and the Askew Sisters' 'All in a Garden Green' as my two favourite trad albums of the year, and the Owl Service's 'Garland of Song' as the best folk rock album.

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 07:43 PM

Kate Burke & Ruth Hazelton, Summer's Lonesome Tale.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Declan
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 07:44 PM

Colin,

I'm currently sorting through my CD purchases this year to come up with my pick of the year. This isn't something I publish anywhere but tends the basis for some recordings I do for some friends of mine, to give them an idea of what I'm listening to.

So far my favourite CDs are "Prodigal Son" and "There's gangs of them digging" which is a retrospective album of Songs of Irish Labour recorded by the late lamented Dublin Singer Frank Harte. There are some other candidates, but I haven't come to any conclusions on overall albums yet. I may post again in a while when I've come to more definite conclusions.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: mattkeen
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:40 AM

Chris Wood "Trespasser"

Only got my copy this week

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: mattkeen
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:45 AM

Oh and van eyken "stiffs lovers holymen thieves"

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Cragrat
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:47 AM

Hello Mr Spencer.

I've never heard of The Owl Service but naming yourselves after Alan Garner is very cool, indeed. Who are they?

As for folk-rock album of the year,, I haven't got it yetbut I suspect that the new Duncan McFarlane Band album will be hard to beat.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 05:47 AM

Van Eyken was last year.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: mattkeen
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:03 AM

OOps sorry about that

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Nicholas Waller
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 08:20 AM

Cragrat: I hadn't heard of The Owl Service either until a few days ago, when I noticed a free £7 voucher from Woven Wheat Whispers (the folk music download shop) in my email box (you have to have been already registered with WWW). I went to the site, The Owl Service's Garland of Song is their featured album, I liked what I heard of the samples they had, and so I got it (£5) and like it a lot (also comes with a bonus EP).

Click on the album for more info and samples of 6 tracks.

Also, here's some blurb from their Myspace site:

"The Owl Service formed through a mutual love of British films and television of the 1960s and 70s, the great outdoors and {of course} the sound of the English folk revival. No retro obsessives, The Owl Service simply believe that music production peaked around 1969 and they merely seek to perfectly encapsulate the influence of the greatest albums and artists of that time. Beautiful music, simply arranged, exquisitely executed and captured on tape with authentic warmth".

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 08:45 AM

C Ham: James Keelaghan's UK rep assures me she received the album in 2007. I certainly received my copy this year. Could it have come out across the Atlantic first and not hit the UK until his tour?

Cragrat/Nigel Spencer
       Sharron Kraus has eluded me so far but I am inspired by your recommendations andwill certainly explore.

ps to cragrat: Your last few words suit me as an epitaph. they almost made me feel guilty about cutting my link to the Telegraph. If you ever felt like doing it, a piece from you challenging my likes and dislikes, and arguing the "dull year" case (I think the opposite) would sail onto the pages of Salut! Live. [e-mail] if you want to take me up on it.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 08:55 AM

Cragrat: I HAVE listened to Duncan McFarlane's electric band CD "All Rogues and Villians" and it's on permanent repeat in the house and car.

That about says it all really!.

Actually, I envy you - you've still got the delight of hearing it for the first time to come.

BBP

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:47 AM

Definitely Duncan McFarlane!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:52 AM

Daniel O Donnell,the cup of tea?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:55 AM

Er...Jim Causley's "Lost Love Found", released 2 weeks ago....
And VickiSwan/Jonny Dyer's Sliptease.
And Lynn Heraud/Pat Turner's new one - is it September Song?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Guest: Greg Doucette
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:10 AM

Banjo Monologues by Joel Mabus

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Santa
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:18 AM

Bob Fox? John Tams? I must admit not remembering any recently-bought cd as outstanding, or playing non-stop (as some kind of guide). Of course, a new Threlfall Trio CD is mentioned as coming this year, so there is still hope.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: treewind
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:18 AM

George: will your new one be out before the end of the year?

Nigel: OK - the cheque's in the post!

And for the guest (apparently Colin R.) who wanted to investigate: Askew Sisters (a bit out of date, but I'm sure you can follow the advertised CD buying procedure for "Four by Two" to get a copy of "All in a Garden Green" and Fenlandia ("buy online" link recommended!) both on WildGoose of course.

Anahata
(brazenly exploiting possible Xmas sales opportunity)

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Colin Randall
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:06 AM

Treewind: Yes, that was my post - I appeared as a guest because I'd forgotten my password and then compounded it by not adding my name. And thanks for the Askew Sisters/Fenlandia tips - living abroad is no excuse for having to admit these names are new to me

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:08 AM

The Askew Sisters record is terrific (as are the Askew Sisters).

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:34 AM

Damn, I forgot Fenlandia - indeed there's a worthy candidate!
No, Anahata, mine should come out February (tentative title "Lifeseyes").

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 12:07 PM

These are supposedly good folk albums. Anyone have these on their lists?
http://www.canadianfolkmusicawards.ca/cfma/index.php?page_id=16

I'd venture to say there are many many great recordings in 2007 not even thought of by any given person or organization making up their best of list,(who can possibly have listened to the enormous output of cds in a year) when you delve into the various folk genres. These kinds of contests are becoming a bit ridiculous. So many great recordings aren't even submitted to any kind of contest. I know one thing - that much of the recorded music coming out of a brand new generation of great players and awesome talent is better than ever! We are in for an exciting time. Enjoy the music.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 01:39 PM

My faves of 2007, none of these are huge releases, mainly done for the joy of music rather than substantial financial return.

You can hear songs from most of them on MySpace, I implore you to have a listen:

Brother Crow: "One for sorrow" http://www.myspace.com/brothercrowfolk

Dave Gibb: "Avalon"   http://www.myspace.com/davegibb

The Young 'uns: "To Hell with Pirate John" http://www.myspace.com/theyoungunsmusic

Wendy Arrowsmith "Now Then?" http://www.myspace.com/wendyarrowsmith
(Listen without prejudice....I have to declare a vested interest....I'm married to her!)


I haven't heard the full album below yet but I was there at the live recording and felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up at the harmonies (from the audience as well as from the stage!!!):

Keepers Fold: "Songs for The Singing vol 1"

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:45 PM

Oh, I forgot one!
Steve Bailey: "Words, Lines & Rhymes" http://www.myspace.com/stevebaileyacoustic

Now this is a seriously cool album, you really should have a listen if you like your folk with a touch of blues & country, Steve writes great songs!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Greg Doucette
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 05:00 PM

Whoops. I forgot John Roberts' "Sea Fever". It's a joy.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 05:55 PM

Is this discussion being limited to folk-pop recordings?
There's a ton of fine trad-style material that was released this year.
To name a very few,
"There's Gangs of Them Digging"   Frank Harte (Daisy)
"Fenlandia" Mary Humphries and Anahata (Wildgoose)
"Harlan County" various (Rounder)
"Down By the Old Riverside" the Brazil Family (Musical Traditions)
"Sea Fever" John Roberts (Golden Hind)
"White Wings" Alison McMorland and Geordie McIntyre (Greentrax)
"Feathered Maiden" Lisa Null (Folk-Legacy)
"Three Score and Ten" Peggy Seeger (Appleseed)
"These Bones" Cooper & Nelson (Self Produced)
"Take the road to Aberfeldy" Margaret Bennett (Camsco)

I could go on and on, but why bother. I'm having enough trouble keeping the list up-to-date at camscomusic.com

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:07 PM

Dick....Folk pop...can you define?

I would not say the Young 'uns (traditional a'capella except 1 track) Keeper's Fold (a high proportion of traditional material, mainly English) or Wendy Arrowsmith (half the album traditional, mainly Scottish) really fit into your clearly derisory categorisation.

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:28 PM

Tom Dundee: Fleeting Moment: Live performances from 1973 to 2006. Available @ http://www.cdbaby.com/all/tomdundee

This is a retrospective set of live performances culled from many, many hours of recordings from variety of places. He was a friend of Steve Goodman and John Prine and though lesser known his body of work is every bit as strong. For those who take joy in finding gems this would be an unpolished, but brilliant stone. Tom died last year in April at the age of 59.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: C. Ham
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:32 PM

C Ham: James Keelaghan's UK rep assures me she received the album in 2007. I certainly received my copy this year. Could it have come out across the Atlantic first and not hit the UK until his tour?

I got it in the summer of 2006. According to Festival Distribution's catalogue site, the release date was June 27, 2006.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 06:35 PM

Sorry-I didn't mean to sound derogatory. It's just that there is a vast difference between, say, Bellowhead or Bodega and many of the more contemporary performers that have been mentioned in this thread and the Brazil Family or John Roberts, say. It's a difference in kind, not of quality. Can anyone suggest a better term?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: pdq
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:06 PM

John Prine and Mac Wiseman did a really nice record this year called "Standard Songs For Average People" which, despite the tongue-in-cheek quality of the title, is fine effort by both singers.

Prine is better known to folkies, but Mac Wiseman is a legend in Country Music and one of it's best lead tenors. He is 82 and still handily out-sings Prine who is 59. In all fairness, Prine has worked very hard to improve his diction (which it needed). Wiseman has phrasing that is hard to match.

I listen to the more than any other CD from this year and find it "works" driving to a job or sitting around in the evening having a beer.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 03:43 AM

Dick,

Thanks for your clarification....I've fallen off my high horse now....how about just calling it contemporary folk?

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 05:48 AM

I'd have extreme difficulty in accepting a definition of 'contemporary folk' applied to Bellowhead and Bodega. Good grief! They are bang up-to-date bands playing mainly trad music rooted firmly in their respective English and Scottish traditions. Bodega won the Young Folk Award a couple of years ago and Bellowhead have a prime position on the touring circuit and are, individually, heavily involved in vast numbers of ceilidh bands and concert combinations.

To answer the question, truly outstanding releases (among many others) I have come across this year include Fenlandia, Askew Sisters, Trespasser and Jim Causley, all I think, already mentioned.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 07:06 AM

If anyone doesn't know the Askew Sisters, and for those who already do, there are some clips taken from one of their Sidmouth Folkweek 2007 gigs on youtube. Search on Askew Sisters should find them. (PS videoed and put on youtube with their approval)

PPS I really like their CD and John Kirkpatrick's Bare Bones but it has been a quiet year for the stuff I like

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 10:04 AM

Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son

June Tabor - Apples

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,The Ballad of the Bold Researcher
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 12:20 PM

"Can anyone suggest a better term?"

John Tams has refered to it as popular music...works for me

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: mattkeen
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 02:30 PM

Yves Lambert & Le Bebert Orchestra - self titled

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Folkiedave
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 04:28 AM

Can I just echo the Duncan McFarlane record as a nomination?

This guy needs and deserves to be much better known.

If this was heard on a wider scale it would walk Album of the Year.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: theleveller
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 05:04 AM

Albums I've particularly enjoyed this year are:

Oysterband - Meet You There
Martin Simpson - Prodigal Son
Steve Knightley - Cruel River
Waterboys - Book of Lightning

and a CD from a young singer/songwriter from York called Dan Webster - The Other Side of Brightness. Not everyone's cup of tea, maybe, but it keeps finding its way onto my CD player.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 05:34 AM

I love Traitor's Love, George, nice one! Froots review didn't seem to pick up on it although it did mention Jim duetting with Sandra Kerr on Lady Skin & Bone even though she isn't even on that track and doesn't actually sing anywhere on the album!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 27 Oct 07 - 08:06 AM

Thanks Dave - wish we could achieve a wider audience!

But I must point out - it's a band effort - the other five...
Geoff, Anne, Steve, Tony and Nick....
on leccie guitar, fiddle, melodeon, bass guitar and drums respectively...
....have made a magnificent contribution to that album,
one that we all agree is far superior to any work we've all done before.

Six way credit then, not just me - cheers - Duncan

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 28 Oct 07 - 04:20 PM

theleveller has just mentioned my 3 fav cd's

oysterband...meet you there
martin simpson...prodigal son
steve knightley...cruel river

so need to check out his other leads, thanks leveller

J

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Graham.R.
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 08:44 AM

my vote goes to Mary Humphreys & Anahata's Fenlandia

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:08 AM

oooh - I bought Harlan County USA from iTunes, Dick G, and have to agree that it's fantastic!

Fenlandia is very good. I think Martin Simpson will win album of the year for Prodigal Son. I've only listened to Jim Causley's CD once so far, but I liked it a lot.

I heard Bella Hardy's CD recently, and I really liked her voice.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 09:32 AM

"theleveller has just mentioned my 3 fav cd's"

Great stuff, w-a-j. Have you heard The Imagined Village, yet? Very different, but I think it's great (see the thread on it).

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 11:10 AM

thx leveller have not heard of it but will certainly check it out.

waj