Customer Reviews

Folk Music: Contemporary Folk

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As this CD admirably demonstrates, contemporary folk music is much more than a lone guitarist strumming "Motherless Child." This is a wonderful collection of music by a mixture of well-known and virually unknown artists. The well-known include Joan Baez (with a decidedly more biting sound than one might expect), Indigo Girls, Mary Black and John Stewart. The less well-know performers include Kristen Hall, whose "Out in the Country" is a real highlight; Christine Lavin with "Never Go back"; and Cliff Eberhadt ("My Father's Shoes"). Every song is strong and well-crafted. If you thought folk music was dead in the '90s, give this a listen.

An interesting compilation which blends a variety of sounds. It bridges the gap between "Women's Music" and what "Folk" meant in the 60's and 70's. All the sounds are fresh, and the songwriters speak out about everything from social issues to crumbling relationships. Thumbs up!

Back when I had a folk show on WRVU (Nashville, 91.1) Mary Black, John Stewart, and Kristen Hall were all standards. I've had dozens of people ask me for a good contemporary folk starter cd, and in every case I've recommended this one. I've actually had this cd stolen twice, lost once, and broken once -- and I keep rebuying it :-)

While some of the new decades bigger names aren't present, this will definitely get you started and it remains a great listen as the years go on. Pick this up and snag some Dar Williams and you'll be set.

I BOUGHT THE ALBUM FOR CLIFF EBERHARDT'S SONG, "MY FATHER'S SHOES." THE ALBUM IS WORTH THAT SONG ALONE AND YOU CAN NOT GET THIS SONG ANYWHERE ELSE. KRISTEN'S HALL'S "IN THE COUNTRY" IS ALSO TERRIFIC. THAT SONG IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO FIND. IT IS ON HER "FACT AND FICTION" CD, WHICH IS OUT OF PRINT.

THESE TWO SONGS ALONE, WARRANT A RATING OF FOUR, ON THIS OTHERWISE PLEASANT, BUT NOW AWESOME COLLECTION.