The Weavers Reunion at Carnegie Hall: 1963
Artist: The Weavers
Released: 1987

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Wasn't That a Time! - VANGUARD
Artist: The Weavers
Released: 1993

Wasn't That a Time! is a treasure for serious Weavers fans. Featuring 87 songs on its four discs, including several unreleased numbers, the box set is designed for devoted fans; the liner notes are filled with anecdotes and photos that provide a good portrait of the group. For some casual fans, it might be a bit too much, but Wasn't That a Time!... [+] Read More

Wasn't That a Time! is a treasure for serious Weavers fans. Featuring 87 songs on its four discs, including several unreleased numbers, the box set is designed for devoted fans; the liner notes are filled with anecdotes and photos that provide a good portrait of the group. For some casual fans, it might be a bit too much, but Wasn't That a Time! is a fitting tribute to the seminal folk group. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Essential Odetta
Artist: Odetta
Released: 1973

Although the title leads one to believe this is a best-of of sorts, in fact it's a straight pairing of two live concerts from the early '60s that were originally released as Odetta at Carnegie Hall and At Town Hall. It's still a worthy representation of Odetta in good form, accompanied throughout by Bill Lee on bass, and covering a variety of... [+] Read More

Although the title leads one to believe this is a best-of of sorts, in fact it's a straight pairing of two live concerts from the early '60s that were originally released as Odetta at Carnegie Hall and At Town Hall. It's still a worthy representation of Odetta in good form, accompanied throughout by Bill Lee on bass, and covering a variety of traditional folk songs, spirituals, and later compositions such as "If I Had a Hammer." Be aware that the CD reissue of this title omits a few tracks from each LP, although the double-LP version has everything. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1
Artist: Leadbelly
Released: 1996

The bulk of the best performances by Leadbelly -- whose influence on the folk revival of the 1950s and '60s cannot be overstated -- were recorded during the 1940s for Folkways Records founder Moses Asch. Inferior copies and rerecordings of these tunes have appeared over the years, but the original masters have sat in the vaults of Folkways. The... [+] Read More

The bulk of the best performances by Leadbelly -- whose influence on the folk revival of the 1950s and '60s cannot be overstated -- were recorded during the 1940s for Folkways Records founder Moses Asch. Inferior copies and rerecordings of these tunes have appeared over the years, but the original masters have sat in the vaults of Folkways. The three-volume "Leadbelly Legacy" collection shows what we've been missing: The compilers dug out the best-available versions of Leadbelly's finest songs and carefully transferred them from the original acetate masters. As the liner notes promise, "these recordings can again be heard the way they sounded in the early 1940s, for in the original masters you can still hear the ringing of the guitar and thumping of the bass." This 34-song first volume is a must for anyone interested in the roots of American folk. It opens with "Irene," which (as "Goodnight Irene") became a national hit for the Weavers less than a year after Leadbelly died on welfare; it includes many more of his most-famous tunes, among them "Rock Island Line," "Cotton Fields," and "Good Morning Blues." ~ Jeff Burger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The First 10 Years
Artist: Joan Baez
Released: 1970

The First 10 Years is an excellent overview of Joan Baez's first decade of recording, balancing her work as an interpreter of both traditional and contemporary folk songs. There may be a few fan favorites missing, but all the essentials are here, making it an excellent introduction for the novice. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

The First 10 Years is an excellent overview of Joan Baez's first decade of recording, balancing her work as an interpreter of both traditional and contemporary folk songs. There may be a few fan favorites missing, but all the essentials are here, making it an excellent introduction for the novice. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Alice's Restaurant
Artist: Arlo Guthrie
Released: 1967

Although he'd been a fixture on the East Coast folk circuit for several years, Arlo Guthrie did not release this debut album until mid-1967. A majority of the attention directed at Alice's Restaurant focuses on the epic 18-plus-minute title track, which sprawled over the entire A-side of the long-player. However, it is the other half-dozen... [+] Read More

Although he'd been a fixture on the East Coast folk circuit for several years, Arlo Guthrie did not release this debut album until mid-1967. A majority of the attention directed at Alice's Restaurant focuses on the epic 18-plus-minute title track, which sprawled over the entire A-side of the long-player. However, it is the other half-dozen Guthrie compositions that provide an insight into his uniformly outstanding -- yet astoundingly overlooked -- early sides on Warner Bros.. Although arguably 100 percent factual, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" -- which was recorded in front of a live audience -- is rooted in a series of real incidents. This decidedly anti-establishment saga of garbage dumps closed on Thanksgiving, good ol' Officer Obie, as well as Guthrie's experiences with the draft succeeds not only because of the unusual and outlandish situations that the hero finds himself in; it is also his underdog point of view and sardonic delivery that maximize the effect in the retelling. After decades of refusing to perform the work in concert, he trotted it back out in the late '80s, adding fresh perspectives and side stories about the consequences that the song has had, such as the uncanny role that the track played in the Watergate tape cover-up. In terms of artistic merit, the studio side is an equally endowed effort containing six decidedly more traditional folk-rock compositions. Among the standouts are the haunting "Chilling of the Evening," which is given an arrangement perhaps more aptly suited to a Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell collaboration. There is a somewhat dated charm in "Ring-Around-a-Rosie-Rag," a sly, up-tempo, and hippie-friendly bit of jug band nostalgia. "I'm Going Home" is an underrated minor-chord masterpiece that is not only reminiscent of Roger McGuinn's "Ballad of Easy Rider," but also spotlights a more sensitive and intricate nature to Guthrie's craftsmanship. Also worth mentioning is the first installment of "Motorcycle Song" -- which was updated and discussed further on the live self-titled follow-up release Arlo (1968) -- notable for the extended discourse on the "significance of the pickle." None of the performances on this disc were used in for the Alice's Restaurant (1969) film. However, the soundtrack -- which was issued on CD by Rykodisc in 1998 -- contains a full-length studio version of the "Massacree." In 1995 Guthrie marked the 30th anniversary of the original Thanksgiving Day incident which sparked the need for a Massacree in the first place. He re-recorded this entire album to uniformly superior results. Alice's Restaurant: 30th Anniversary Edition is a fun update as well as a stirring reminder of what a national treasure Guthrie's music and lyrics really are. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1940-1943)
Artist: Leadbelly
Released: 1995

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Stops Along the Way
Artist: Bob Gibson
Released: 1997

On his 60th birthday, Bob Gibson recorded this live album in a Chicago recording studio before a small invited audience. Gibson sought to sum up his career, and he succeeded. Gibson always occupied a middle position in postwar folk music, taking it up in the mid-'50s after a business career. By the early '60s, Gibson, like other folksingers, was... [+] Read More

On his 60th birthday, Bob Gibson recorded this live album in a Chicago recording studio before a small invited audience. Gibson sought to sum up his career, and he succeeded. Gibson always occupied a middle position in postwar folk music, taking it up in the mid-'50s after a business career. By the early '60s, Gibson, like other folksingers, was turning to more topical concerns, though he was bypassed by the quickly changing trends in folk and folk-rock in the mid-'60s. After virtually a decade-long lost weekend, he returned to action in the mid-'70s to find the folk boom less than an echo. The last few songs in the concert displayed the results, from the anthemic "I Hear America Singing" to the rueful biography-in-song "Living Legend" and the more philosophical "Stops Along the Way." It is a convention to suggest that Bob Gibson is little more than a footnote to the folk revival of the late '50s and early '60s, but listening to this album one hears his unmistakable influence on a generation of folk-pop singers including Steve Goodman, John Prine, John Denver, and Harry Chapin. The influence is apparent in the very timbre of his voice as well as in the humor and hopefulness of his approach to music. That approach remained much the same, even if Gibson was a little wistful, at this concert. Though his friends helped him put together a country-oriented final album (Makin' a Mess: Bob Gibson Plays Shel Silverstein) in 1994, this concert is really Gibson's last performance in the style he forged over 40 years of shows. It gives an excellent impression of a long underrated singer and songwriter and, despite being a valedictory, provides the best introduction to his work. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Ramblin' Round
Artist: Woody Guthrie
Released: 2000

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Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Capitol Collectors Series
Artist: The Kingston Trio
Released: 1990

The first serious compilation of the Kingston Trio's work is broader than any of the various "best of" albums that ever showed up on LP, although it also lacks some important tracks that were on those 12" discs ("Take Her Out of Pity" is especially missed). The Dave Guard era is especially well represented and at the time of this disc's release,... [+] Read More

The first serious compilation of the Kingston Trio's work is broader than any of the various "best of" albums that ever showed up on LP, although it also lacks some important tracks that were on those 12" discs ("Take Her Out of Pity" is especially missed). The Dave Guard era is especially well represented and at the time of this disc's release, the sound was better than anything heard from the group up to that time. However, the emphasis on singles -- albeit all hits -- limits the range of the music represented, and also creates an impression of the group that is somewhat skewed from most fans' memories. After 1960, the Kingston Trio was one of the relatively few pop acts of the period (Frank Sinatra was another, curiously also on Capitol) who sold albums more easily than singles, and this became more true as the John Stewart years progressed. As a result, Kingston Trio fans (and one assumes that those are the people who would buy this collection) often took in the group's songs 12 at a time rather than one or two at a time. It's for that reason that the four-CD set The Capitol Years can be recommended more highly to those who really want to understand the group's appeal and music, or just to remember the stuff they heard back when. This disc is a good introduction to one side of the Kingston Trio's work, but it shouldn't be the last compilation that one buys on the group. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Absolutely the Best
Artist: Leadbelly
Released: 2000

Leadbelly stands like a cornerstone in modern folk music. He showed that folk songs didn't have to be 300 years old and originate from the British Isles; instead they could be born out of American experience. Absolutely the Best offers a number of Leadbelly classics including "Roberta," "Midnight Special," and "In New Orleans (House of the... [+] Read More

Leadbelly stands like a cornerstone in modern folk music. He showed that folk songs didn't have to be 300 years old and originate from the British Isles; instead they could be born out of American experience. Absolutely the Best offers a number of Leadbelly classics including "Roberta," "Midnight Special," and "In New Orleans (House of the Rising Sun." There is a wonderful version of "The Bourgeois Blues," filled with cutting social commentary, and a haunting version of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night." There is a simple, affecting version of "Goodnight, Irene" and two versions of the outlaw ballad "John Hardy." Most of the cuts feature no more than the singer and his guitar, allowing Leadbelly's powerful voice to stand front and center. "How Long" receives a fuller arrangement with Sonny Terry's harmonica giving it a down and dirty blues feel. This disc will be educational for those who have only heard Creedence Clearwater Revival's version of "Midnight Special" or Led Zeppelin's "Gallows Pole." The difference is that Leadbelly could approach "Midnight Special" with sincerity, having spent a number of years in prison himself for murder. While there is nothing to complain about concerning this collection, it is irritating to find, on the song credits, Alan Lomax's name taking co-credit on songs like "The Bourgeois Blues." Lomax was an excellent field recorder, and he deserves praise for helping Leadbelly in a number of ways, but his helping hand came with a price. Leadbelly is an American original, and one has to know him to know American folk music. Absolutely the Best offers a good place for the listener to begin the acquaintance. ~ Ronnie Lankford, Jr. , All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing No More Sad Refrains: The Anthology
Artist: Sandy Denny
Released: 2000

Like fellow Briton Nick Drake, Sandy Denny is one of the rare lesser-known artists whose extraordinary talents have been duly represented on disc over the years. No More Sad Refrains: The Anthology joins or replaces a number of previously available compilations, including an excellent box set, a couple of single disc best-of's, and Attix Tracks,... [+] Read More

Like fellow Briton Nick Drake, Sandy Denny is one of the rare lesser-known artists whose extraordinary talents have been duly represented on disc over the years. No More Sad Refrains: The Anthology joins or replaces a number of previously available compilations, including an excellent box set, a couple of single disc best-of's, and Attix Tracks, an assortment of archival recordings. Though it may not be as expansive as the multiple disc set Who Knows Where the Time Goes, No More Sad Refrains may be the best introduction to Sandy Denny's career to hit the market: more affordable, while still covering 34 songs over two discs (as opposed to 43 over three), including a few rarities. And though the collections overlap on nearly two-thirds of the songs selected, less than a third are the same recordings, and these have been digitally remastered. The tracks are arranged chronologically from her first record with Fairport Convention in 1969 to 1977's Rendezvous, concentrating on her exquisite songwriting, along with a handful of well-chosen covers ("Banks of the Nile" is curiously the only true traditional song included). And while it may emphasize her solo years, her work with Fotheringay and the one-off rock & roll tribute The Bunch, is given a good overview as well. In regards to her time with Fairport Convention, with the exception of two cuts and an outtake from their seminal British folk-rock record Liege and Lief, it seems to be presented merely as a reference point (one song from each of her first two albums with the group), completely skipping her second time around with the band (only a pair of solo demos from this period are included). Fans who will have a majority of the material included here will be enticed by the previously unreleased demo version of "Stranger to Himself" and rarities such as "Here in Silence" and "Man of Iron," which were taken from the soundtrack to the movie Pass of Arms and issued as a single in 1972. Still, No More Sad Refrains is seemingly aimed more at the uninitiated than devotees, though it does an admirable job of covering a lot of territory and trying to please both. Either way, this is a fine retrospective of a terrific songwriter and what may well have been the most stunningly beautiful voice in British folk and pop. Included is a 22-page booklet featuring musician credits, photos, and informative liner notes by Denny biographer Clinton Heylin (No More Sad Refains: The Story of Sandy Denny), who is also responsible for compiling a book documenting her recordings Sad Refrains: The Recordings of Sandy Denny. ~ Brett Hartenbach, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Livin' with the Blues
Artist: Odetta
Released: 2000

If any female vocalist should be compared to Leadbelly, it's Odetta. Like Leadbelly, Odetta has long had one foot in folk and the other in the blues. The singer did some of her most compelling work for Vanguard in the '60s, and her Vanguard output is the focus of Livin' With The Blues. Released in 2000, this collection focuses on Odetta's... [+] Read More

If any female vocalist should be compared to Leadbelly, it's Odetta. Like Leadbelly, Odetta has long had one foot in folk and the other in the blues. The singer did some of her most compelling work for Vanguard in the '60s, and her Vanguard output is the focus of Livin' With The Blues. Released in 2000, this collection focuses on Odetta's Vanguard recordings of the early '60s and paints a consistently attractive picture of her artistry. Most of the songs on this CD (which contains material from the albums Odetta at Town Hall, My Eyes Have Seen, and One Grain of Sand, along with a few rarities) don't actually have a 12-bar blues format -- this is essentially a folk collection, but it's a folk collection that never loses the feeling of the blues. Whether Odetta accompanies herself on acoustic guitar on "Jumpin' Judy," "Rambler Gambler," and "Bald Headed Woman," or becomes a piano-playing vocalist on performances of "House of the Rising Sun" and "Lovin' With The Blues," the earthy, big-voiced singer provides a wealth of blues feeling throughout this superb collection. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Sandy
Artist: Sandy Denny
Released: 1972

Sandy Denny's second post-Fairport solo offering, produced by (then-future) husband Trevor Lucas, is a beautiful blend of the traditional style with which she is most often associated and a slightly more lavish sound that would become more prevalent in her later work. Lucas does an excellent job of balancing the two and creating an exquisite... [+] Read More

Sandy Denny's second post-Fairport solo offering, produced by (then-future) husband Trevor Lucas, is a beautiful blend of the traditional style with which she is most often associated and a slightly more lavish sound that would become more prevalent in her later work. Lucas does an excellent job of balancing the two and creating an exquisite backdrop for Denny's gorgeous songs and majestic voice. Nearly every track has the radiance and timelessness of her best Fairport work, along with an accessibility she had merely hinted at prior to this. "Listen, Listen," with its soaring chorus and bed of strings and mandolin, the lovely "The Lady," and the layered a cappella vocal arrangement of Richard Farina's "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood" (featuring Dave Swarbrick's haunting solo violin coda) are perfect examples of Denny's enormous talents, and only a few of the many pleasures found here. Touches such as lush strings, Allen Toussaint's horn arrangement on "For Nobody to Hear," Sneaky Pete Kleinow's steel guitar and former Fairport partner Richard Thompson's guitars and mandolin, bring out the many dimensions in Denny's music without obscuring it. Sandy also boasts her best collection of original material, as well as terrific covers of Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time," featuring Linda (Thompson) Peters on backing vocals, and the aforementioned "Quiet Joys of Brotherhood." If you're simply looking for a quick introduction to a wonderful songwriter and one of the finest voices in popular music, go for the single disc best-of collection, but if you would like to hear Sandy Denny's definitive (solo) musical statement, search out Sandy. ~ Brett Hartenbach, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing My Last Go Round
Artist: Leadbelly
Released: 1999

Presenting 40 songs in all, My Last Go Round is a good compilation focusing on Leadbelly's blues tunes. Disc one consists of solo tracks recorded in early 1935, including "CC Rider," both parts of "Death Letter Blues," "Ox Drivin' Blues," and "Yellow Jacket." The sound quality is decent -- only slightly fuzzy, with mild distortion. Disc two... [+] Read More

Presenting 40 songs in all, My Last Go Round is a good compilation focusing on Leadbelly's blues tunes. Disc one consists of solo tracks recorded in early 1935, including "CC Rider," both parts of "Death Letter Blues," "Ox Drivin' Blues," and "Yellow Jacket." The sound quality is decent -- only slightly fuzzy, with mild distortion. Disc two spans the next five years and includes signature Leadbelly tunes such as "Good Morning Blues," "Rock Island Line," and "Goodnight, Irene," plus a few curiosities like a recording of "Midnight Special" with the Golden Gate Quartet (recorded by Alan Lomax in 1940) and Leadbelly playing piano (!) on "Eagle Rock Rag." ~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Colors of the Day: The Best of Judy Collins
Artist: Judy Collins
Released: 1972

An excellent collection of some of the best tracks from Judy Collins' early Elektra albums, Colors of the Day will both entertain and leave you wanting more. Lovingly programmed (it leads off with her excellent country-pop hit "Someday Soon," an Ian Tyson classic), this is Collins at her finest. Earlier explorations into folk-pop ("Both Sides... [+] Read More

An excellent collection of some of the best tracks from Judy Collins' early Elektra albums, Colors of the Day will both entertain and leave you wanting more. Lovingly programmed (it leads off with her excellent country-pop hit "Someday Soon," an Ian Tyson classic), this is Collins at her finest. Earlier explorations into folk-pop ("Both Sides Now"), British folk ("Sunny Goodge Street," "In My Life"), and gospel ("Amazing Grace") clearly show her eclecticism. Some of the record's finest moments are from her exquisite 1968 album Who Knows Where the Time Goes (such as that album's title track and the aforementioned "Someday Soon"). This anthology brings the "best-of" collection to a new art form. ~ Matthew Greenwald, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Ten Years Together: The Best of Peter, Paul & Mary
Artist: Peter, Paul & Mary
Released: 1970

For many years, this 13-song collection was the best introduction to Peter, Paul & Mary that one could find. Not only did it contain all of the trio's hits, but it was also, until 2005's Warner/Rhino compilation The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary, the closest thing to a cross-section of the group's sound that existed. From the acoustic folk... [+] Read More

For many years, this 13-song collection was the best introduction to Peter, Paul & Mary that one could find. Not only did it contain all of the trio's hits, but it was also, until 2005's Warner/Rhino compilation The Very Best of Peter, Paul & Mary, the closest thing to a cross-section of the group's sound that existed. From the acoustic folk sound of "Blowin' in the Wind" to the electric guitar and drum driven folk-rock of "Too Much of Nothing," the evolution of their sound is handily summarized, albeit not in chronological order, with a few surprises in store for the neophyte fan. In particular, those who think that the trio was relentlessly earnest and issue-driven likely will be delighted by the satirical "I Dig Rock 'n Roll Music," a Top 10 hit in 1967 that managed to poke good-natured fun at several musical icons of the period. Bob Dylan is, of course, well represented among the composers, but so is Gordon Lightfoot, and with Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes, John Denver, and Hedy West also present (along with Stookey, Yarrow, and even Travers) as songwriters, there's no lack of variety to the material, subject matter, and sounds on this disc. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing The Collection
Artist: Eric Andersen
Released: 1997

The Eric Andersen Collection combines original recordings from latter-day studio albums with live versions of hit singles. Therefore, it isn't a perfect career overview, yet it contains enough prime material to give a good sense of Andersen's music and his career, thereby making it helpful for neophytes. Includes "Time Run Like a Freight Train,"... [+] Read More

The Eric Andersen Collection combines original recordings from latter-day studio albums with live versions of hit singles. Therefore, it isn't a perfect career overview, yet it contains enough prime material to give a good sense of Andersen's music and his career, thereby making it helpful for neophytes. Includes "Time Run Like a Freight Train," "Be True to You" and "Moonchild River Song." ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Steve Goodman
Artist: Steve Goodman
Released: 1972

Steve Goodman's 1971 self-titled album marked the debut of a great new songwriter. "City of New Orleans," which was (then) soon to be a hit for Arlo Guthrie, is the obvious standout, and "You Never Even Call Me by My Name," later a country hit by David Allan Coe in a revised version, is also impressive, but "I Don't Know Where I'm Goin', but I'm... [+] Read More

Steve Goodman's 1971 self-titled album marked the debut of a great new songwriter. "City of New Orleans," which was (then) soon to be a hit for Arlo Guthrie, is the obvious standout, and "You Never Even Call Me by My Name," later a country hit by David Allan Coe in a revised version, is also impressive, but "I Don't Know Where I'm Goin', but I'm Goin' Nowhere in a Hurry Blues" and "Would You Like to Learn Dance?" also show off different sides of this versatile talent. Versatility is the key here, as Goodman broke well out of the "folkie" tag to embrace pop, country, and arcane jazz, including not only his own compositions but also covers of songs by Hank Williams, Johnny Otis, and pal John Prine while utilizing a who's who of Nashville session musicians. Beyond the musical eclecticism, there was also a variety in tone, with gentle evocations of tenderness and humor alternating so that you didn't always know whether Goodman was serious or kidding. At a time when sensitive singer/songwriters were all the rage (a trend that probably earned Goodman his record contract), this was one guy who was at least as interested in picking an old country song as he was in baring his soul. [The 1999 reissue added two bonus tracks, "Election Year Rag," previously unissued in the U.S. and featuring Bob Dylan on piano, and the previously unreleased "Georgia Rag."] ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Headlines and Footnotes: Collection of Topical Songs
Artist: Pete Seeger
Released: 1999

Like the prior compilation If I Had a Hammer, this focuses a little loosely on topical songs, concentrating on (but not limited to) ones that deal with specific events. At a glance this might seem like a less essential anthology, since If I Had a Hammer contained major songs identified with Seeger like "If I Had a Hammer," "Turn, Turn, Turn,"... [+] Read More

Like the prior compilation If I Had a Hammer, this focuses a little loosely on topical songs, concentrating on (but not limited to) ones that deal with specific events. At a glance this might seem like a less essential anthology, since If I Had a Hammer contained major songs identified with Seeger like "If I Had a Hammer," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "We Shall Overcome" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone." It's actually on the same musical and lyrical level, however, and again has versions of some of the most famous tunes written or popularized by Seeger: "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy," "Wimoweh," "Guantanamera," "Wasn't that a Time," Malvina Reynolds' "Little Boxes," "I Come and Stand at Every Door" and "The Bells of Rhymney" (the last two of which were covered by the Byrds in the mid-'60s). About half of these are taken from Folkways Recordings, but about half are previously unreleased live versions or studio outtakes, so from a collector's point of view this disc is pretty interesting as well. Of course with a Seeger recording, the educational and inspirational values are about as important as the musical ones, and the lesser-known songs usually also have something to make one think, whether it's a narrative of the Titanic disaster or the anti-racist "Listen Mr. Bilbo." Almost all performances were recorded in the 1950s and 1960s; three songs recorded between 1994 and 1999 find Seeger's voice fading and shaky, though his heart's intact. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Sings for Children
Artist: Leadbelly
Released: 1999

A dozen of these 28 songs were first issued on the 1960 Folkways album Negro Folk Songs for Young People. But this is not so much a CD expansion of that album as a lengthy compilation of children-friendly performances from the 1940s that uses Negro Folk Songs for Young People as its core. The additional tracks were recorded by Moe Asch of... [+] Read More

A dozen of these 28 songs were first issued on the 1960 Folkways album Negro Folk Songs for Young People. But this is not so much a CD expansion of that album as a lengthy compilation of children-friendly performances from the 1940s that uses Negro Folk Songs for Young People as its core. The additional tracks were recorded by Moe Asch of Folkways in 1941-1948, and include five of the six songs released on the 1941 album Play Parties in Song and Dance as Sung by Lead Belly, and a previously unreleased radio broadcast of "Take this Hammer." While many of these are simple tunes that can easily be picked up by young kids for singing along to, like "Skip to My Lou" and "Blue-Tailed Fly (Jimmy Crack Corn)," a bunch of these are classic folk songs of equal appeal to all age groups. Some of them are particularly identified with Leadbelly's interpretations, such as "Rock Island Line," "John Henry," "Cotton Fields," "Midnight Special," "Pick a Bale of Cotton" and "Take this Hammer"; other familiar standards like "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Sally Walker" are also aboard. As the liner notes explain, Leadbelly didn't limit the repertoire of his performances for children solely to simple tunes, also putting in blues and folk songs that you wouldn't think of as kids' tunes, like "Good Morning Blues." The result is a disc that is simply a good Leadbelly album, whether listened to by kids or others. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Songs From the Southern Mountains
Artist: Doc Watson & Family
Released: 1994

This contains previously unreleased material from the early '60s as well as three tracks recorded in 1973. It has a scattershot feeling about it that comes from the material being recorded at different times, but it digs up some good stuff along the way. Particularly nice are Watson's performances of Blind Boy Fuller's "My Little Woman, You're... [+] Read More

This contains previously unreleased material from the early '60s as well as three tracks recorded in 1973. It has a scattershot feeling about it that comes from the material being recorded at different times, but it digs up some good stuff along the way. Particularly nice are Watson's performances of Blind Boy Fuller's "My Little Woman, You're So Sweet" and "Just a Friend," in which he duets with mother Rosa Lee. The liner notes by Watson's daughter Nancy are a treat, recalling memories of grandpa Gaither Carlton, the first Watson Family recording session, and the April night that Merle Watson began playing guitar. ~ Jim Smith, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Add to: Favorites  |  Collection  |  Wishlist  |  Now Playing Hard Travelin': The Asch Recordings, Vol. 3
Artist: Woody Guthrie
Released: 1998

This 27-song collection focuses on Guthrie's topical songs, though not all of the topics are political; there is, for instance, a "Hanukkah Dance" and an excerpt from his variation on the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," the children's song "Howdjadoo," and the gospel number "I Ain't Got No Home in This World Anymore." Progressives will find plenty... [+] Read More

This 27-song collection focuses on Guthrie's topical songs, though not all of the topics are political; there is, for instance, a "Hanukkah Dance" and an excerpt from his variation on the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," the children's song "Howdjadoo," and the gospel number "I Ain't Got No Home in This World Anymore." Progressives will find plenty to cheer along with here, though, whether it's a labor anthem like "Farmer-Labor Train" or "Ladies Auxiliary"; there are also a few tunes specifically directed toward the anti-fascism war effort in World War II. Despite the nominal topical anthology theme, this is really just a decent sampling of Guthrie's 1940s recordings (most done for Moe Asch), some of it socially conscious, some not. Some of these are among his better-known songs ("1913 Massacre," "Hard Travelin'," "So Long It's Been Good to Know You"); major folkys like Cisco Houston, Sonny Terry, and Pete Seeger help out occasionally, though it's usually just Guthrie alone with his guitar. The sound quality is good (especially considering that some of these have been transferred from fragile acetates), and the quality of the material and performance is strong; a few of the performances were previously unreleased. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Pete Seeger
Released: 1967

"Greatest Hits," as Seeger himself wryly wrote in his liner notes, is a misnomer considering that he never had hit singles or huge-selling albums as a solo artist, though actually "Little Boxes" (included here) made the lower reaches of the charts. In reality this 1967 compilation (since reissued on CD) collects the most popular tracks of his... [+] Read More

"Greatest Hits," as Seeger himself wryly wrote in his liner notes, is a misnomer considering that he never had hit singles or huge-selling albums as a solo artist, though actually "Little Boxes" (included here) made the lower reaches of the charts. In reality this 1967 compilation (since reissued on CD) collects the most popular tracks of his 1962-1966 output for Columbia, which was a pretty small slice of his prolific career. Nonetheless, these were among his most popular recordings ever, whether as done by him or covered by others. To begin with, it has the original 1962 version of "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)," made into a number one folk-rock hit in 1965 by the Byrds (and covered to good effect by Judy Collins in 1963). There's also "The Bells of Rhymney," also covered by the Byrds in 1965, and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," a hit for the Kingston Trio, although the 1962 version here is a disappointingly thin a cappella one. Other tracks were among the most popular staples of his repertoire: "We Shall Overcome," "Wimoweh (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)," and "Guantanamera." Though it might not qualify as an ideal career survey given its narrow chronology, certainly it's among the one or two best anthologies for those who just want one or two Seeger comps, as it has many of the most renowned songs he wrote or popularized in their most popular recorded versions. [Columbia/Legacy reissued a remastered edition of this 1967 album in 2002, including four bonus tracks.] ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Chad Mitchell Trio
Released: 1998

The Chad Mitchell Trio signed to Mercury Records in 1963 after achieving initial success on Kapp Records. The group made four charting albums for the label, the second two under the more democratic name of the Mitchell Trio, after which Chad Mitchell quit and was replaced by a young John Denver.

Two non-charting albums followed... [+] Read More

The Chad Mitchell Trio signed to Mercury Records in 1963 after achieving initial success on Kapp Records. The group made four charting albums for the label, the second two under the more democratic name of the Mitchell Trio, after which Chad Mitchell quit and was replaced by a young John Denver.

Two non-charting albums followed before they left Mercury in 1966. This is a good compilation of that material, featuring songs written by such folk luminaries as Tom Paxton (including "The Marvelous Toy," the trio's biggest hit), Ian Tyson, and Phil Ochs. Those cheery harmonies, often expressing topically satiric sentiments in such songs as "Alma Mater" (about college integration struggles), "Barry's Boys" (about Barry Goldwater), and "The Draft Dodger Rag," still sound fresh and funny, if inevitably dated. The seven tracks featuring Denver have historical interest, especially since three of them are his compositions, including a 1965 version of "For Bobbi." Of course, to be really comprehensive, a compilation would have to contain material from both the Kapp and Mercury catalogs, but this disc tells the second half of the trio's story well. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Odetta
Released: 1996

Odetta's debut album was a strong, confident effort featuring just her and her guitar on 16 tracks, most of which were traditional in origin. In its day, it was quite an influential recording; Bob Dylan, in fact, once cited this record in particular as the one that made him decide to trade in his electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustic... [+] Read More

Odetta's debut album was a strong, confident effort featuring just her and her guitar on 16 tracks, most of which were traditional in origin. In its day, it was quite an influential recording; Bob Dylan, in fact, once cited this record in particular as the one that made him decide to trade in his electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustic guitar. Several of the songs would find their ways into the repertoires of subsequent folkies, and even some folk-rock bands. There's no way of knowing whether they heard the tunes first on this release, but it's entirely possible, as it was one of the first strong traditional folk LPs. It's now been reissued on CD, and retains a lot of its original appeal in the power and emotional depth of the performances. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Joan Baez
Released: 1996

Greatest Hits is a reasonably comprehensive collection of Joan Baez's best-known songs, concentrating mainly on her crossover hits. Although it misses several fine items, the compilation remains an effective introduction for the curious listener. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Greatest Hits is a reasonably comprehensive collection of Joan Baez's best-known songs, concentrating mainly on her crossover hits. Although it misses several fine items, the compilation remains an effective introduction for the curious listener. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: John Fahey
Released: 1965

A strange man, John Fahey, with an unusual set of guitar styles. This album, originally released on Riverboat Records and later reissued by Fahey's own Takoma label, has a lot of rough edges in terms of the recording but a tremendous amount of power when it comes to the music. Fahey was at the top of his game, alternately playful and dark, so... [+] Read More

A strange man, John Fahey, with an unusual set of guitar styles. This album, originally released on Riverboat Records and later reissued by Fahey's own Takoma label, has a lot of rough edges in terms of the recording but a tremendous amount of power when it comes to the music. Fahey was at the top of his game, alternately playful and dark, so there's never a dull moment. There is always something new to be heard on each playing. ~ Steven McDonald, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Woody Guthrie
Released: 1997

You'd think the last word in Woody Guthrie reissues would have appeared before this. After all, the legendary folksinger recorded most of his best work nearly 60 years before this was released, and the bulk of it has been regularly reissued in fine collections on Folkways, Rounder, and other labels. So this CD is as surprising as it is welcome.... [+] Read More

You'd think the last word in Woody Guthrie reissues would have appeared before this. After all, the legendary folksinger recorded most of his best work nearly 60 years before this was released, and the bulk of it has been regularly reissued in fine collections on Folkways, Rounder, and other labels. So this CD is as surprising as it is welcome. What makes it probably the single best Guthrie disc you can own? For one thing, the compilers had total access to the archives of Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, for whom the singer made the lion's share of his most important recordings. And they picked for this package 27 songs that showcase the incredible range of his writing and performing talent -- everything from children's ditties ("Car Song") to social commentary ("Do-Re-Mi") to historical tales ("End of the Line"). Then there's the title track -- Guthrie's most famous tune -- which was only sporadically available until this CD. It's here in two versions, including one that features the famous yet previously unreleased "private property" verses.

The sound quality is as notable as the program. The compilers went back to the master recordings and did a magnificent job of cleaning things up without altering what Guthrie waxed. The result sounds pure and intimate -- as if the singer were right there in the room with you. Finally, there's a superb 36-page book with all sorts of fascinating detail on Asch, Guthrie, and every track. The best news: This is only the first volume in a four-CD series. ~ Jeff Burger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Woody Guthrie
Released: 1962

Guthrie sings traditional material here, with Leadbelly and others. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

Guthrie sings traditional material here, with Leadbelly and others. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Doc Watson
Released: 1964

Treasures Untold is comprised of unreleased performances recorded at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. At the concert, Doc Watson and his family were in fine form, breathing life into a number of old timey songs, ranging from ballads to folk songs to gospel. It's an exciting, affectionate performance, highlighted by four duets by Clarence White. ~...

Treasures Untold is comprised of unreleased performances recorded at the 1964 Newport Folk Festival. At the concert, Doc Watson and his family were in fine form, breathing life into a number of old timey songs, ranging from ballads to folk songs to gospel. It's an exciting, affectionate performance, highlighted by four duets by Clarence White. ~ Thom Owens, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Doc Watson
Released: 1964

Watson's arrival on the folk scene of the '60s was a major event in American music, due mostly to his appearance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival and the release of this self-titled album the following year. Not only did it revolutionize folk guitar picking, but it set the standard for the rest of his career with its mix of old-timey numbers,... [+] Read More

Watson's arrival on the folk scene of the '60s was a major event in American music, due mostly to his appearance at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival and the release of this self-titled album the following year. Not only did it revolutionize folk guitar picking, but it set the standard for the rest of his career with its mix of old-timey numbers, blues, gospel, and adapted fiddle tunes. The album is incredibly varied, from the stark, banjo-driven "Country Blues" to the humorous "Intoxicated Rat," and many of these songs became Watson standards, especially his signature song "Black Mountain Rag." His incredible flat-picking skills may have been what initially wowed his audiences, but it was Watson's complete mastery of the folk idiom that assured his lasting popularity. ~ Jim Smith, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Elizabeth Cotten
Released: 1989

Elizabeth Cotten was born in January of 1895 in Chapel Hill, NC, where her father worked in the mines and her mother was a maid servant and laundress. She began playing guitar at the age of eight, secretly practicing on her older brother's instrument. At the age of 12, she began to work with her mother in helping the family to scrape by, though... [+] Read More

Elizabeth Cotten was born in January of 1895 in Chapel Hill, NC, where her father worked in the mines and her mother was a maid servant and laundress. She began playing guitar at the age of eight, secretly practicing on her older brother's instrument. At the age of 12, she began to work with her mother in helping the family to scrape by, though she continued to play music with her family, in particular her siblings. Sometime around 1912 she was married and joined the church, which occasioned her to give up playing music for the next 25 years. Through a series of strange accidents, she once found the daughter of Peggy and Pete Seeger in a department store and came to work for them, which led to her re-involvement with music. She played frequently during the '60s and '70s, often with Mike Seeger; the recordings collected here were made during 1957 and 1958 at her home in Washington. Cotten has a very distinctive picking style and a beautifully fragile and off-key voice; both make these recordings a pleasure. Included are a mix of originals and personal versions. Of note are "Vastopol," which sounds nothing like the John Fahey version, and "Sweet Bye and Bye," of which this version might be specific to North Carolina. Also enjoyable is "Honey Babe Your Papa Cares for You," whose melodically vague style is characteristic of Cotten's ear and unique way of suppressing melody. If this album intrigues you, you might want to check out her live album on Arhoolie, which some believe to be even better. ~ Brian Whitener, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Bob Gibson & Bob Camp
Released: 1994

Gibson & Camp could never be accused of overstaying their welcome. In 1961, the folk duo got together and recorded their debut album, Gibson & Camp at the Gate of Horn, which turned out to be a landmark folk release that influenced a generation of musicians. (Roger McGuinn, who attended the shows at which it was recorded, later formed the Byrds,... [+] Read More

Gibson & Camp could never be accused of overstaying their welcome. In 1961, the folk duo got together and recorded their debut album, Gibson & Camp at the Gate of Horn, which turned out to be a landmark folk release that influenced a generation of musicians. (Roger McGuinn, who attended the shows at which it was recorded, later formed the Byrds, who displayed a distinct Gibson & Camp feel, especially early on, and later in their career covered "Old Blue" from the record.) Beyond the album, the duo themselves had an impact on much early-'60s folk music, notably on the sound of Simon and Garfunkel, who put their "You Can Tell the World" on their debut album in 1964. By that time, Gibson & Camp had split up, to reuniting for their second album, Homemade Music, in 1978. Even less prolific than Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, they didn't hook up again until 1986 when they recorded this album, a recreation of their long out of print first one, down to the stage remarks. They added three songs, starting with "You Can Tell the World" and Gibson's "Well, Well, Well" (a folk standard recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary) and ending with Gordon Lightfoot's "For Lovin' Me." And they slightly updated "John Henry, the Thinking Man" for the computer age. But otherwise, this was Gibson & Camp at the Gate of Horn all over again, and it sounded remarkably fresh for that. With their creatively intertwining harmonies, the duo always sounded like more than two singers somehow, and their mixture of traditional folk with elements of blues, gospel, country, and square-dance music brought out the best of the early days of the folk boom. All of that sounded just as exuberant 25 years later, as did the good-humored interaction between the two. There remained something magical about these performers together, which made the infrequency of their recording a frustration to folk fans, even as their few pairings stirred excitement. ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Phil Ochs
Released: 1989

It's often difficult to create a compilation album that does a musician justice when they recorded for more than one label, and this is certainly the case with Phil Ochs. Ochs' first three albums for Elektra were the work of a gifted but earnest topical songwriter armed with an acoustic guitar, while the five albums that followed for A&M found... [+] Read More

It's often difficult to create a compilation album that does a musician justice when they recorded for more than one label, and this is certainly the case with Phil Ochs. Ochs' first three albums for Elektra were the work of a gifted but earnest topical songwriter armed with an acoustic guitar, while the five albums that followed for A&M found Ochs exploring both personal as well as political issues, and broadening his musical approach. Unfortunately, outside of the three-disc box set Farewells & Fantasies and the out of print double-LP collection Chords of Fame, none of the many Ochs compilations that have emerged have featured material from both periods of his recording career, and There but for Fortune devotes itself strictly to Ochs' Elektra recordings, with a special emphasis on his best known political songs. Given its boundaries, There but for Fortune is a fine collection that cherry-picks much of the best material from this catalog, with a special emphasis on the excellent Phil Ochs in Concert -- all but one of its 11 songs appear on this disc, though sadly most of his witty between-song banter has been left on the cutting-room floor. If you're looking for a definitive Ochs anthology, you're going to have to shell out the big bucks for Farewells & Fantasies, but There but for Fortune does a fine job of skimming the highlights of Ochs' early political material, and demonstrates why he was considered second only to Bob Dylan as the leading protest balladeer of the day. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Artist: Josh White
Released: 1998

Fine 26-song compilation of material recorded by folklorist Moe Asch in the 1940s, at a time when White was beginning to reach an urban, educated audience with his mixture of blues, folk, and pop styles. What comes across particularly strong in this set is his versatility and all-around appeal; he handles topical songs about discrimination and... [+] Read More

Fine 26-song compilation of material recorded by folklorist Moe Asch in the 1940s, at a time when White was beginning to reach an urban, educated audience with his mixture of blues, folk, and pop styles. What comes across particularly strong in this set is his versatility and all-around appeal; he handles topical songs about discrimination and war, spirituals, covers of blues by Leroy Carr and Victoria Spivey, folk ballads, and theatrical pieces, even extending to a cover of Cole Porter's "Miss Otis Regrets." "One Meat Ball" provided some of the musical inspiration for the classic Merle Travis tune "Sixteen Tons"; "Freedom Road" had lyrics by poet Langston Hughes. Because he was less earthy and not as Southern-sounding as Leadbelly and Big Bill Broonzy, White has been accorded less critical respect, but this anthology shows him to be one of the unquestioned linchpins of the first stirrings of the folk revival. Includes copious notes by White biographer Elijah Wald. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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