Folk albums of 2007

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 01:42 PM

Buy The Duncan McFarlane album, put it on the dansette and you will be excited by the excellent music that comes out.

Certainly album of the year, great tunes, new songs interesting arrangements.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 02:30 PM

Thanks Les - how I wish we could get a gig over your neck o th woods
- so we can play for ya - you allus say grand things about us!
Cheers!
Side note - another thread mentions the DMcF band's Woodshed Boys album
- says it's grand enough but we're better in the raw!
The new one (All Rogues & Villains) is much more like our live efforts innit
- glad you like it - cheers - Duncan

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 03:15 PM

duncan

tis my pub where we are holding 'Woodshed Sessions' led by the talented Bob Kenward. he named the sessions after the story in "woodshed boys"...hope you arent expecting any royalties!!!

stop by if you are passing through broadstairs...oh, hold on...nobody passes thru broadstairs

waj

wrotham arms

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Oct 07 - 03:21 PM

- says it's grand enough but we're better in the raw!

This is dangerous talk Dunc!

Best of luck

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 06:22 AM

No royalties neccessary waj.
Quite pleased someone actually heard of the song & album!
Bless!
It's bloomin hard to get exposure on the 'scene' when you put
out on 'own label' with no management or agent.

- just hoping the newie 'All Rogues & Villains'
gets more of a 'fair go' than 'Woodshed'.
So far so good - lotsa fine reviews (try www.folkwords.com)
and plenty of BBC radio plays - local level! - Shropshire, Derby, Leeds etc - all to high acclaim
- but not Radio 2 - wonder why?
We truly believe this is a grand CD!
(well they would say that.....hah!)

Broadstairs - a fest we'd gladly bring the band to...
got any clues for us as to how we get noticed by 'em?
Sending a CD (when they get so many) seems fruitless in the main.
I wonder if the right folks get to hear - when we post out
- one rarely gets feedback - but perhaps that's fodder for another thread discussion?
Cheers - D

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:13 AM

Duncan,

I thought you had already reached the pinnacle playing Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club in February for the Winter Warmer Weekend

....you mean you need more than this!!!!

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 10:01 AM

Duncan,

Assuming Paul's wrong and that wasn't the pinnacle of your career...
I can put a word in, but my clout is very limited, alas. IMHO would be a wonderful addition to a good fest.

A thread is a great idea. Would have to say that I may not be the best to start it since I am less than anonymous and have a business interest...hmmmm me thinks time to change my identity...where's the closest phone box these days?

Go on, I dare someone to start it up so I can at least observe from behind my screen.

waj

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: BB
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 03:36 PM

Duncan, Kim Headley who is the Artistic Director at Broadstairs, does listen to the CDs she's sent, and often books on the strength of them, although a personal word from someone she trusts also helps sometimes. She also goes to the AFO conference and talks to a lot of people there, as she's not a 'folkie', so listens to those 'in the know' to some extent.

If you're really pleased with the new CD, it might be worth sending it, although she's already got most of her main stage line-up for next year booked, I think.

I haven't heard you yet, but the various things on here about you make me want to.

Good luck.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 04:21 PM

w-a-j......not was the pinnacle but will be the pinnacle...The Winter Warmer Weekend is in February 2008.

In all seriousness, The Duncan McFarlane Band do deserve a much bigger stage than we can give them at Kirkby Fleetham....I don't know what is wrong with the first album personally never mind the current release.

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 07:29 PM

I'll send Kim a CD or two - thanks for the info - presumably via any addy found on their fest website?
Nowt wrong wi' first album - second is divisions better in class tho'
- read an independant review on www.folkwords.com
Never met them folks - but they seem to know that it's quality folk-rock they've encountered!
Thanks for the encouragement folks! - D

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Declan
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:26 PM

Diane said "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".

Not wanting to start a slagging match here, and I may be quoting selectively, but what does the word contemporary mean if it is not bang up to date - so what is the problem with the word contemporary describing the bands in question.

The English language, which I speak, but have no claim to ownership of, is being strangled in these silly folk definition wars. I like both Bodega and Bellowhead. They are both,as Diane has said, well rooted in their traditions - but if that means they can't be described as contemporary, we're all using the wrong words.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Cobble
Date: 30 Oct 07 - 08:34 PM

Real folk music is written by people that have experienced what they are singing about, not a load of crap by someone who is out to make a fast buck off what they have seen on the news etc.

Cobble.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: wrotham-arms-jen
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:12 AM

Duncan,
Incase you haven't found it...

Kim Headley, Artistic Director
Broadstairs Folk Week
Pieremont Hall
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 1JX

e-mail [e-mail]

Good luck to you!
waj

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:19 AM

You know you're getting old (alt. explanation: the world is going mad)when you read a thread on recent folk albums and you haven't heard, or heard of (!), about 90% of the artists mentioned in it.

Still, I'm not too worried about this state of affairs as 'Sturgeon's Law' probably applies ie. "90% of everything is crap".

I have heard of (and heard) Mary Humphreys & Anahata, by the way - and they are excellent and definitely not crap.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 06:29 AM

OK Shimrod......listen to this and tell me it is crap

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: ThreeSheds
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:25 AM

Beware clicking on Banjimans link if youre in a hurry, it links to so much excellant stuff that you'll not get out of the house!!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,matt m
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 08:41 AM

Chris Thile - how to grow a woman from the ground
(barnstorming bluegrass album. quite poppy but never cheesy at all)

Alasdair Roberts - the amber gatherers
(one of the best folk-rock albums I've ever heard. possibly Ali's cheeriest yet)

Agree with the votes for the Jim Causley album. Still not entirely convinced about some of his delivery on some of his songs though. But great stuff.

Really enjoying the snippets I've heard of Simon Prager's album 'Shuckin Sugar' - mix of covers and originals of blues and fingerpicky US folk stuff. From what I've heard I suspect it's probably up there with the best of other folky things I've heard this year.

Nick Drake's 'Family Tree' album is probably the album I've listened to the most this year. I actually now prefer it to his studio albums. Much more bluesy playing. The duet with his sister, and the music written and played by his mum is beautiful.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: KeithofChester
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 09:15 AM

The James Keelaghan first came out in Canada in the summer of 2006 but it only had its UK release on Fellside in February 2007, ready for James tour here.

I like both James' CD and Steve Knightley's Cruel River. I would but Steve ahead of James, but I would rate Richard Shindell's South of Delia higher than either. Now, whether that is really "released" here is a moot point. It is on Richard's own label. Amazon do now (finally) know it exists and Mike Harding has played a couple of tracks, but it hasn't really had a lot of "marketing" in the UK as such.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Colin Randall
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 10:29 AM

The sheer number and variety of nominations prove Arnie wrong in his assertion that these exercises are ridiculous because no one can possibly have heard everything released in a given year.

My original choices at Salut! Live would have included both Oysterband's Meet You There and Steve Knightley's Cruel River, among others, if I had not stopped my list at 10. And even though my previous reviewing role means I probably get more albums than most, I don't pretend to have been able to listen to more than a fraction of the total folk and folk related output. There is music out there I will explore as a direct result of this thread.....

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:34 PM

The Wendy Arrowsmith music Banjiman has alerted us to is lovely. What a gorgeous voice.

Thank you.

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 04:56 PM

What I actually wrote was that Bellowhead and Bodega were 'bang up-to-date bands playing mainly trad music rooted firmly in their respective English and Scottish traditions'.

As any fule (probably even Declan) kno, 'contemporary' has a specific meaning in the field of what is (extremely) loosely termed 'f*lk', namely that it is recently composed of known authorship, is usually performed in strangulated fashion by callow youths playing acoustic guitars in their bedrooms and has as little relevance to traditional music as McRubbish has to food.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:09 PM

Bellowhead and Bodega are thoroughly modern and definitely not 'contemporary'. I really don't like that term - nothing any good ever gets called contemporary except slightly old art.

Bellowhead I saw live not long back, here in Manchester.I dragged some non-folk friends along who had a riproaringly good night out. Sadly they still don't like my 'Spencer the Rover' ringtone... maybe the Coppers are too southern for them?

Meanwhile I'm listening to Bella Hardy's CD as I type. Another great voice and yet more lovely arrangements. How healthy is traditional music at the moment?

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:30 PM

Bella Hardy is an exceptionally fine fiddlesinger from Edale which is even further south than Spencer The Rover's decidedly Midlands home territory of Rotherham with a crystal fountain at the foot of a slag heap. As Spencer wandered aimlessly throughout England and most parts of Wales, I've always thought the location must have got confused with somewhere else (like the Coppers somehow inserting the walls of Troy into Claudy Banks).

Right, back to topic, chaps . . .

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 05:48 PM

Talking of folk albums I've enjoyed in 2007, Paul Scourfield's 'Freshly Squeezed' should also be added to everyone's Xmas list, too...

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 31 Oct 07 - 07:09 PM

"...'contemporary' has a specific meaning in the field of what is (extremely) loosely termed 'f*lk', namely that it is recently composed of known authorship, is usually performed in strangulated fashion by callow youths playing acoustic guitars in their bedrooms and has as little relevance to traditional music as McRubbish has to food."

How very, very true, Diane, how very, very true. I really think that we should be wary about taking the 'music' of MOST "callow youths" too seriously. In my experience MOST callow youths (CYs) are merely slaves to fashion - and not much else. For example, for most of the last 35 years or so, I can guarantee that, most nights of the week, one can switch on the telly and witness a CY bellowing into a microphone whilst other CYs thrash electric guitars and bang drums in the general vicinity of the bellowing CY. Many of these 'bands' (hate that word in that context!) are proclaimed as the greatest thing since sliced doo da - but disappear without trace within a few months - to be replaced by another set of CYs - who sound exactly the same as the previous set.

Most new, contemporary, 'cutting-edge' folk bands (those that I have heard) are similar - although they are often better musicians (I will concede that much).

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:11 AM

Diane, Shimrod,

How old do you have to be to play "proper" f*lk music then?....I'm vaguely hoping I might still be a "CY".

.....and how old do the songs need to be?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:20 AM

Anybody heard Megson's Smoke of Home? It's very jolly. However, the most consistently enjoyable albums of the year, for me, have been rock albums: R.E.O. Speedwagon's Find Your Own Way Home and Pride of Lions' The Roaring of Dreams - both chock full of stunning melodies and great playing. Eagles' new album is shaping up nicely too but having only had it for two days, it's too soon to add to any "best of" list.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: treewind
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:10 PM

Don't worry, Paul. You and Wendy are doing all right!

I'm sure you've noticed (and I know perfectly well that Diane has) that there's plenty of "CY" doing excellent trad and folk especially in recent years!

Anahata

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:47 PM

Anahata.....

I suspect that we are no longer in the "CY" category or only relative to most on this forum...hee, hee, hee

Can I expect an oldie (? *ldie) backlash now........

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 12:50 PM

Yes, indeed. Wendy Arrowsmith was a MySpace friend on my old page which I set fire to to ward off fascists. I've made Another Page where nice young men (and others) may come and befriend me. Callowness optional. No, I lie. It's actually not allowed.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:04 PM

Diane,

That is one scary photo.....

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: theleveller
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:06 PM

All those people with their youth, good looks and talent - I hate them! Take Mawkin, for instance - their actually NICE as well.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:34 PM

Shimrod, am I missing some rule where people who like traditional music have to swear off kick-arse rock 'n' roll?

You're not going anywhere near my garage rock albums!

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 01:35 PM

Diane, you're my friend for life. Can I now be officially called a "callow youth"? Anything really, as long as "youth" is in there somewhere? Can't do strangulated easily though - would a hernia do?

Long time - missed you. See you at the Magpie at the end of the month?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 04:32 PM

(i) "How old do you have to be to play "proper" f*lk music then?....I'm vaguely hoping I might still be a "CY".

.....and how old do the songs need to be?"

(ii) "Shimrod, am I missing some rule where people who like traditional music have to swear off kick-arse rock 'n' roll?"

Isn't it odd that if you express an opinion about music (especially an opinion in support of trad. folk and anti-rock 'n' roll) you are automatically deemed to be laying down rules?

Where, exactly, did I suggest that any rules should apply?

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 05:05 PM

Erm... I was actually being flippant in my use of the word 'rules', Shimrod, and haven't accused you of laying down anything, I hope.

However... there does seem be a tendency for people to express their preference for thing A by slagging off things B though to F rather than by proclaiming to the world the utter marvellousness of thing A. I like traditional music rather a lot. I don't tend to express that by saying how much the music of, say, James Bl*nt or KT Tunstall sets my teeth on edge (though it undoubtedly does), but by saying, for example, how good I think the Askew Sisters or Bella Hardy are (all three about as callowly youthful as it gets, by the way).

And in my house - and it's a strange house, I readily admit - a deep affection for both Peter Bellamy and the 13th Floor Elevators (f'rinstance) is absolutely acceptable and not mutually exclusive. I'm not saying I'm right, but come to think of it...

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 07:04 PM

Nigel,

Let's get it right: Diane Easby expressed an opinion that some new 'folk music' is "usually performed in strangulated fashion by callow youths playing acoustic guitars in their bedrooms". I agreed with this remark and went on to express my opinion that the music of "callow youths" should not necessarily be held in very high regard and seized the opportunity have to a dig at contemporary rock music, which is often performed by CYs, and seems to me to be all pervasive in the mass media (even though it is, in my opinion, often trite, tuneless, ugly, unoriginal and derivative). By implication, some 'contemporary folk music' (whatever the f*ck that is!) is probably similar.

In expressing my PERSONAL opinion I was not laying down any rules and was careful not to condemn ALL music made by youths (callow or otherwise).

I'm sorry, Nigel, if my opinions and tastes are different from yours.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 07:44 PM

As I just said, I haven't accused you of laying down rules. I've just made a flippant comment about your outburst about kids playing rock music. Please accept my apologies if this has offended you (though I can't think why it should have!).

I like traditional music. I also happen to think that when kids experiment with making music, even if we don't enjoy or understand what they are doing, they should generally be encouraged rather than have their bonfires pissed on. Not that they'll be taking a blind bit of notice of us anyway...

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: mattkeen
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 06:11 AM

Never mind Nigel, some people just always look for a fight, and if ones not there will, then they feel the need to create it.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 06:21 AM

.....and I was just hoping someone, somewhere might still consider me youthful.

Interesting collaboration taking place between some local "CYs" in our part of the world "The Conspirators" and Judy Dyble doing the Fairport song "One Sure Thing"

Be careful with this link, you might hear some indie rock.......

The Conspirators

Variety and all that!

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: theleveller
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 08:04 AM

It's bedlam in our house. In one room my 16-year old son is trying to play drums like Joe Jordison; in another me and t'missus are trying to get a cittern and mandolin duet sorted, then 8-year old daughter decides to join in on fiddle or cello. Aaaaaargh! Too many folk - not enough music.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 08:33 AM

Thank you, Nigel, for your apology. Actually, I'm actually not very easily offended but, as 'mattkeen' has noted, I do quite like a good fight now and then (oh, you noticed, did you?).

What tends to make me combative is the too easy acceptance of the status quo. I happen to believe that rock music - especially the all-pervasive CY kind mentioned earlier - has sort of taken over our culture and is stifling innovation and variety in popular music. I think that the culture has now got stuck in a kind of 'rock 'n' roll furrow' (groovy man! - thought that I'd say that before anyone else does!) and not enough people are able to see over the edge.

And, for as long as I can remember, the rockers have been trying to take over folk as well. I think that they should be recognised for what they are and resisted - rather than automatically praised as talented and innovative.

NOTE that I am NOT advocating the imposition of any draconian rules, nor am I suggesting that anyone should be excluded. What I am proposing is that we bring more critical and questioning attitudes to our special kind of music - and to recognise that 'new' can often just mean 'fashionable' and is not necessarily better.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 12:21 PM

Shimrod,

I wouldn't argue with all that you say here...but just as you can't automatically say new (fashionable)= better, you can't automatically say new (fashionable) = bad either.

As for rock being all pervasive ....I think plastic pop bands are much more offensive...at least with CY rock there is often an attempt to be "creative" i.e. songs are often written by the bands rather than with plastic pop where the songs are often covers or written in "hit factories".

Anyway, back to the subject of fine albums this year...I did mention earlier in the thread "One for Sorrow" by Brother Crow.....who are 2 ex CY (used to play rock) saw the (f*lk) light and produced a great "contemporary folk" album....all self written but conjuring up colourful images of folk tales of the Durham Dales. Good singing & playing too.

Take a listen:

Brother Crow

Paul

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: musiknlaw
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 11:12 PM

Try this one: "Taking a Dive (Heart First)"

samples at www.cdbaby.com/cd/peterthompson

Comments from Ralph McTell, Tom Paxton, Bill Staines


Harmonies by Peter Sarstedt

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Stewie
Date: 03 Nov 07 - 03:11 AM

I agree that Martin Simpson's 'Prodigal Son' will take some beating in 2007. I also very much enjoyed this one:

Michael Black.

On the Oz scene, Evan Mathieson's 'Harry's Legacy: Songs by Harry Robertson 1923-1995' is first rate. It is available from Evan and Lyn Mathieson PO Box 21, Donnybrook, Queensland, Australi 4510.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 03 Nov 07 - 05:00 AM

Anyway, Wendy Arrowsmith's album popped through my letterbox yesterday. Only had a chance to listen once so far, but it's getting a definite thumbs up in the Spencer house!

Meanwhile, back to the CYs, I went to see Nancy Elizabeth Cunliffe play last night: excellent stuff - there's a lot to be said for the harp/cello/percussion/andabitacousticguitar led version of callow youthmusic... in fact, her 'Battle & Victory' wins my award for best Green Man Festival-tastic album of the year. Accidently had a pint with her dad in the interval, too...

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Banjiman
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 05:16 PM

....strangely it does in the Arrowsmith household too!

Seriously, Wendy says thank you for your kind words and she is really pleased you are enjoying it.

Paul Arrowsmith

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:24 PM

My last CD came out in 2007.
name: Chicago Town And Points West.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: GUEST,John
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 04:20 PM

Theres a duo from York called Pillowfish who released a quirky little album called Common Knowledge at the very beginning of 2007.

it's one of those albums that really grows on you - on the first listen i didn't quite take it all in and appreciate it as much as i do now, and it's now rarely out of my CD player. I hear something new every time I lisetn, there are so many layers. I think they're very much underrated, with really sophisticated lyrics, ideas and arrangements and well worth a listen.

If you want to hear something that doesn't sound like anything else that's going on at the moment check them out at http://www.pillowfish.co.uk.

Subject: RE: Folk albums of 2007
From: Barry Finn
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 04:50 PM

I just got back from the Getaway & I picked up Elizabeth LaPerelle's newest CD, "Lizard In the Spring" & I gotta tell ya all that it's just gotta be right up there if it isn't the best CD I've come across all year. I'm still getting goosebumps & chills from listening, like someone's walking over my grave. You can hear some of her samples by going to the link.

Barry