Customer Reviews

Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village In The 60's

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A few years back, around the time he released not one, but two, albums comprised entirely of traditional folk and blues tunes, Bobby said he no longer wished to write songs because there were so many incredible songs out there already - many of which the masses were not even familiar with. Of course, Dylan went ahead and released his critically applauded "Time Out of Mind" album last year, comprised entirely of original songs, thereby going back on his promise. Even so, his idea was not a bad one. Case in point: the latest release from New York's funky Astor Place Label, "Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village In the `60s," a lovingly packaged, recorded and performed collection of modern-era folkies, popsters, and rockers paying homage to 15 classic Village compositions and their authors. Let's see... there are drool-worthy performers here like Chrissie Hynde, John Cale, two-thirds of the Roches, Black 47, Jonatha Brooke, Suzanne Vega, and so many more. And then, there are the SONGS from the most fertile, creative era of songwriting, ever, by writers like Fred Neil... Bob Dylan... Richard Farina... Buzzy Linhart... Judy Collins... Shall I continue? Give this no-risk disc a listen or two or three, and see if you can remove it from your CD player and your consciousness. I can't seem to. (C.A. Carlino)

Bleecker Street is a more than satisfactory collection of folk songs from the 1960's is a nice relaxing antidote for the weary soul. Looking at the photos of Bleecker Street with its cafes, apartments, and even the arch in the park, I felt myself transported back to all those years ago.

All the artists, be they folk, alternative, or other, do admirable covers of the songs. I must admit I even liked the songs I'd never heard of before. Hey, after all, the album's released by Astor Place so there's a high standard by virtue of that fact.

Of familiar tunes, I was taken with Jonatha Brooke's cover of Simon and Garfunkel's title track and Marshall Crenshaw's rendition of Dylan's "My Back Pages." Patty Larkin's cover of "Everybody's Talkin'" has a tasteful understatedness, which makes a contrast to Harry Nilsson's version. The oft-covered "Reason To Believe" is a familiar friend here, done gently by Ron Sexsmith. And who can forget the timeliness of "Let's Get Together": "C'mon people now/Smile on your brother/Everybody get together/Try to love another right now." Kudos to Paul Brady there!

Of unfamiliar tunes, highlights included Cry Cry Cry's version of "The Last Thing On My Mind," "Pack Up Your Sorrows" by Loudon Wainwright III and Iris Dement, and "The Love's Still Growing" by Suzzy & Maggie Roche. Beth Nielsen Chapman's lovely crystal clear voice enhances her cover of Judy Collins' "Since You Asked."

The most upbeat song is Larry Kirwan & Black 47's cover of the angry anti-war anthem "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore." This song was originally done in 1964, and it lists military engagements involving White America fought in, such as the Mexican War, World War II, and Little Big Horn. Given the current state between the U.S. and Iraq, it's still relevant today.

The rear of the CD booklet listing the artists and songs also lists the original performers. I'll list the song and original artists:

No Regrets, Tom Rush
Pack Up Your Sorrows, Mimi & Rich Farina
The Love's Still Growing, Buzzy Linhart
Reason To Believe, Tim Hardin
Darling Be Home Soon, John Sebastian
Since You've Asked, Judy Collins
Morning Glory, Tim Buckley
Turn Turn Turn, Traditional
Thirsty Boots, Eric Andersen
Last Thing On My Mind, Tom Paxton
My Back Pages, Bob Dylan
Let's Get Together, Dino Valenti
Bleecker Street, Simon & Garfunkel
Everybody's Talkin', Neil, Fred
So Long Marianne, Leonard Cohen
I Ain't Marchin' Anymore, Phil Ochs

Overall, a superior and introspective cover album, which reinforces the standard of how cover songs collections should be.

I've never been especially fond of tribute albums, which always seem to be either ill-conceived, misguided, or both. Happy to say, "Bleecker Street" is neither. The selection of songs is in itself a history in microcosm of sixties folk-rock, and the matching of artist to title is almost always on target. Of particular interest are Jonatha Brooke's wistful version of the title tune, John Cale's channelling of Cohen's "So Long Marianne" (with Suzanne Vega the perfect choice for harmony vocal on the chorus), and Ron Sexsmith's plaintive "Reason to Believe". It's also nice to see long-forgotten chestnuts like "Thirsty Boots" and "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore" covered. Well crafted and produced, this CD (along with "Return of the Greivous Angel", the Emmylou Harris-helmed tribute to Gram Parsons) has restored my belief that tributes can actually function well (and artistically) as albums.

This is the way CD's should be produced! Others have commented on the great music. I want to emphasize the production values of this CD. This CD is worth getting just for its cover.

Before CDs came along, the classic record jacket with its photos and notes provided a way of enriching our experience of the music. This CD reinvents the record jacket in a way that's even better. It doesn't come in the standard jewel case with the usual inadequate space for words and photos, but rather comes in a beautiful modern version of a cardboard record jacket with a booklet of essay and song lyrics. It's even better than the old record jacket -- Bleecker Street creates a new standard for CD packaging and production that enriches the experience of owning this CD. It's beautiful.

I won't quibble with people who actually frequented Bleecker Street in the 60s. I'm sure the raw emotion of the period can only be truly captured by traveling through some time warp. All I know is that these renditions of songs that meant so much to me as a rather lost adolescent back then remind me of a time when apathy was a cardinal sin, and people used their talents to rattle some filthy old cages. The current generation of contemporary folk performers is well represented - Cry, Cry, Cry-Dar Williams Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, as well as Beth Nielsen Chapman, Ron Sexsmith along with rich renderings by Chrissy Hynde, Marshall Crenshaw, Suzzy & Maggie Roche and others. These versions are subtle and respectful of the originals, lovingly performed. I, for one, appreciate the effort. It cannot be a bad thing to hear current talent reaching across time to bring some touchstones back.

While a compilation of the originals would be preferable to some people, listening to these classic folk tunes with fresh voices allows you to interpret them in new ways. My favorites after listening to this CD for a week are the haunting opener "Bleecker Street", the touching "Thirsty Boots", and (as a fan of Dylan's songs but not so much his voice), the retreatment of "My Back Pages".

I should think this CD would be a welcome listen to anyone who is familiar with the music of this singer/songwriter generation, or for anyone curious about how good folk music can really be.

I happened upon this CD when reviewing what new music was coming out on Amazon.com. Luckily I decided to try it out and haven't stopped listening to it since it arrived. One the signs for me when I think something is really good is when the headphones come out late at night and I have to tape the CD right away in order to continue to enjoy the music while driving to work. The other is when I find myself holding the phone up to the speaker so my sister from another state can listen to it. This is one of those CDs. While I know most of the artists involved and many of the songs, not all were familiar, but all of them are a treat. I've not always been a big fan of "covers", but these songs are wonderful and they are handled with great care by the artists chosen to sing them. I would name my standouts, but since that would encompass most of the songs, I won't bother. I highly recommend this CD so what are you waiting for?

If you're reading reviews about it, trust me BUY it! You won't go wrong. The hard to please music lover will even wonder where you got this. I bought this CD, and am so glad I did. Everyone on my block has borrowed it, since I've blared it sooooo many times. Each track is unique. The artists that performed on this CD, gave more than their time, but their ability to recreate, I believe, the songwriter's emotion at the time...I could easily ramble about the talent that is packed on this disc, but I have to at least mention...Hats off to John Cale and Suzanne Vega for their take on Leonard Cohen's "So Long, Marianne," beautiful...absolutely!

We listen to this everyday at Baylor Medical Center in OR #42. This is great music to keep your hands steady and your mind cool.

Whether you prefer the original versions of these songs or the new ones found here, you can't help but love these songs. I had heard most of these songs before but one I hadn't heard--"The Love's Still Growing", performed here by Suzzy and Maggie Roche--is absolutely breathtaking. There are several other gems here, too, and I'm grateful that all these wonderful artists saw fit to show their appreciation for songs that they love themselves.