Customer Reviews

Anthology of American Folk Songs

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this "anthology" of mostly traditional folk music is a marvelous trip back for those of us who sang along in the coffee houses and open air festivals of the 60's and early 70's. it ought to be just as enjoyable for listeners today -- they're wonderful songs, and barbara's a wonderful talent. happily, i can tell the earlier reviewer who wondered "what's become of barbara?" that's she's singing up a storm again, in better voice than ever, just back from a successful european tour and with a new cd just out: "what are you gonna do when there ain't no jazz?" ...

Just discovered Barbara Dane through Intnernet Radio, Live365, and what a discovery! She has a smokey bluesy voice that defies discription. Her unique interpretation gives these traditional folk songs -- that you've no doubt heard a million times -- a new and timeless meaning.

I wish she had ten albums in circulation, so I could buy them all and put them in my CD changer in endless rotation.

If like Joan Baez and Odetta you are certain to love this CD. Because Barbara was performing in Los Angeles instead of Boston or NYC, she is not as well known as some others from that era, but don't let that mislead you. She has a strong, emotive voice - her talent is second only to Joan Baez, and Barbara is more "authentic".

Those Barbara Dane fans looking for more by her should look up a CD titled "Denver Concert" under Don Ewell. Ewell is a great pianist and this concert is just the two of them together. Dane sings on about half of the songs, with the others being piano solos by Ewell. This was my first exposure to her, being a Ewell fan, and I was blown away by her voice. She's good on the Folk Songs CD, but I think her voice is better on the Denver Concert CD.

What ever happened to Barbara Dane? This lady can sing and she plays guitar quite well too. I can hear some of Bob Dylan's style in her playin'. He picked up on her folk stuff pretty quick. This is one fine album. I'm glad I stumbled onto it. It's worth every $.

I am currently writing a book about Barbara Dane and although her jazz and blues singing and work as an activist and social agitator are more well known than her folk singing, her renditions on this CD speak volumes about her work. Indeed, as Gene Bluestein would say, more than a folkie, Barbara Dane is a poplorist, taking a tradition and making it her own. Indeed, although he is not mentioned in Dane's notes that accompany this collection Huddie Ledbetter's influence shows through clearly in every powerful rendition. A personal favorite is Turkey Reveille, a minor key version of the scottish balland, The Golden Vanity. In this version, Barbara starts right in with the cabin boy hollering to his boss: "Captain o Captain what'll you give to me/if I should sink that Turkey Reveille?" and of course this all leads to the classic betrayal. The song is punctuated by the hammering straightforward guitar accompaniment of Dane with beautiful instrumental help from New Lost City Rambler cofounder Tom Paley (guitar and banjo). I recommend this recording most enthusiastically. By the way, if anyone has insights into Barbara Dane's singing or would like to share any experiences about having worked with her, please get in touch ... thanks, david shea

you could look at the cover of this album, see a white woman with blonde hair and an acoustic guitar, and think, "from 1959, huh? this has a high probablity of being hokey." you could think that. but i want to chase such thoughts from your mind. this is the real deal. powerful, down to earth folk music, sung by a woman with an amazing voice that's rich in tone and full of confidence. tom paley, from the new lost city ramblers, is the lone accompaniment here, playing acoustic guitar on all but two tracks ("little maggie" and "the danville girl" are decorated by wonderful banjo work from mr paley). these are stark and beautifully done recordings. "greensleeves," in particular, is rendered here in a glorious heartfelt performance. anyone with an interest in folk music should pick up a copy of this fantastic recording from 1959.