Customer Reviews

Give Yourself to Love, Vols. 1-2: Live in Concert

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4 star:		(2)
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I came here today to buy a CD for a lovely young lady who may, one day, marry my son. I had written her a letter and at the end of the letter, I quoted the chorus of the title song of Kate Wolf's Album: "Give Yourself To Love". It was a bit of beauty and wisdom I wished for her and my son to share.

Twelve years earlier, my wife and I renewed our vows in a ceremony at which my son and daughter played a role... among the songs in the music at the ceremony was: "Give Yourself To Love"... along with John Denver's "Annie's Song". Kate's song, which she wrote, is of the same quality... of the same feeling... and with the same heart as "Annie's Song". Her song, like his, is ageless and a wonder of beauty.

What prompted me to write this review is simply that no one had done it before me. I could scarcely believe it and could not let it pass.

Kate, in her life... that was too short... entranced countless of her fans in Austin, Texas. And, since I'm from Austin, that is my connection with her. But, it's clear from her music that she had a following in California too... and no doubt elsewhere.

Had her life not been cut so short by cancer, I'm certain that countless others would have come to know and love her and her music. But it was not to be. As her life grew short, all her friends in Austin, where (I believe) she spent her last days, "gathered 'round" her with such love that it would bring a tear to the eye of any but the hardest hearts. All were inspired with her courage and spirit... so full of life... and love.

The absence of a review of this album here was an empty space that had to be filled. So, as I said, I could not let it pass... could not let her pass... without taking a moment here to say something of the magic she brought to this world in her person and her music. Much of her magic is here in her album.

This is the first Kate Wolf collection I owned--as a tape back before normal people had CDs-and Kate live, Kate live is something to remember, not that her other albums aren't obviously recorded live in the studio, not on separate channels. How do you get so good as this. Why isnt she a household word. Thank goodness there are so many recordings. It is really worth it hear, even if you have other recordings of these tunes because she speaks so personally every time she did a song.

I've known who knows where the Time goes since Judy Collins did it around 1969, and enjoy Sandy Denny's version, but I have listened to Kate's version here for hours and it got me to perform the song!

The vision of California that Kate weaves on all her records is preciseless, unique real, and a treasure even if much of it is sweeten myth.

I feel so bad that I lived in San Fransisco and Oakland and travelled up and down California and the West Coast in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Kate was doing her best work and only saw her sing once. When I hear something like Sweet love on this CD, I wonder why I am not always listening to Kate. There is something to her voice that gets through to me, something pure. Now that I sing and play guitar and banjo and fiddle, I tend to listen to any singer or player that I hear trying to scope them out learn something, evaluate, figure out how to put what they do into my performance. Even though Kate plays the kind of music I have always wanted to play, I just sit there and listen to the song and receive its thoughts in my heart and mind. Part of Kate's magic is the superb arrangements and backup that gets from the musical genius Nina Gerber her main accompaniest. Nina is now out there solo alot. If you like guitar and this kind music check out Nina too.
Oh Kate, why didn't we realize how much of a golden treasure you were when you were among us. In her memory think of a performer you might miss like we all miss Kate--well that isnt fair because thats a big ideal to measure up to--how about someone you would miss half or a quarter as much as I miss Kate, and make sure you go see them while you can, and maybe bring a friend, bring two.

I bought this album without knowing anything about it. When I first listened to it, I was amazed at the incredible beauty of her voice, her guitar skills and the lyrics of her songs. Medicine Wheel is my favorite on the album, but all of the pieces on this recording are beautiful. Growing up during the Viet Nam War, Agent Orange is stunning. I heartily recommend this album and have already ordered a second!

If you don't know Kate Wolf's music, or you don't own any of her CDs, this is a great place to start. She sings with incredible authenticity and poignancy. Her original material is wonderfully well-written, and she makes excellent choices from the work of other songwriters. This is an unusually well-recorded and produced live album. I especially like her version of "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," which hits me much harder than the well-known Judy Collins version. This one never strays too far from my CD player.

Songbird where might you be? Thanks Nanci Griffith for pointing my ears to this beautiful songbird. Katie, tho your stay down here was short, what remains is exqusite, beautiful and peaceful. My eyes have not seen, nor my ears heard ever so beautiful a voice. I miss you greatly.

Captivating voice, resonant yet soft; poignant lyrics; folk music in ballad style; easy listening; makes you appreciate her gifts and regret that she's gone...

2 disc live performance that is the essential of this wonderful folk-soul singer...the in-concert acoustics are terrific and add to the powerful intimacy of the performance.

The thought struck me today that Kate Wolf could be one of the (too) many poster 'persons' for socialised medicine in the US. Let me explain, please, before being attacked for what some may see as a political 'agenda' in a music review. I was living in San Francisco when Kate was ill and remember clearly the intensive fundraising being done for her medical costs. I can't help but wonder how the lack of funds affected the length of Kate's life. How many artists have we lost because 'art' makes few of them rich? No matter what our own financial health is, we the people are poorer for her passing.

What can you say....but, Kate is the best! We have really come to love her music. We believe she is the best of folk music.

I heard Kate on Sirius radio and bought the double CD. It was shipped on time and in good codition. And the music is the type my wife plays over and over and over.