"A Nod to Bob: An Artists' Tribute to Bob Dylan on His Sixtieth
Birthday"
Greg Brown
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If not for Bob Dylan, would we even have the concept of the modern
singer-songwriter? By combining the feel and flavor of traditional
folk music with a highly literate and personal lyrical bent, Dylan
threw the door wide open for all who followed. Guy Davis, John
Gorka, Norman Blake, Lucy Kaplansky, and Greg Brown are among the
disciples who cover the master's work in this diverse collection.
"Live: Ralph's Last Show [LIVE]"
Fred Eaglesmith
Our price: $21.82 | You save: $1.15
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Hailing from southern Ontario, Fred Eaglesmith has built a rather
devoted following with his partly sincere, partly sardonic blend of
country, folk, and farmland rock. This two-CD live set is a great
introduction for the uninitiated while offering a few new,
previously unrecorded gems for the longtime follower.
"time* sex* love*"
Mary Chapin Carpenter
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After a considerable songwriting hiatus, Mary Chapin Carpenter
ventured to London to record her first album of new material in five
years. Once again, the Jersey girl shows an affinity for classic pop
melodies and an ability to marry those melodies to lyrical
substance.
"Middlin' Sisters"
Minton Sparks
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"Middlin' Sisters" is a stark and vivid collection of uniquely
Southern poetry recited atop a mix of country-blues and mountain
music. Minton Sparks invites us into her Tennessee childhood and
introduces us to its various odd characters.
REDISCOVERING REV. GARY DAVIS
Two recent reissues celebrate the revered bluesman:
"Demons and Angels [BOX SET]"
Reverend Gary Davis
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Fans of Rev. Gary Davis will find much new material to explore on
the three-CD set "Demons and Angels," which includes a slew of rare
live, studio, and home recordings.
Listen to "Twelve Sticks."
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"Live at Newport [LIVE]"
Reverend Gary Davis
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An important touchstone of the urban folk boom of the 1960s,
Davis's "Live at Newport" has reappeared this year newly remastered
with a pair of previously unreleased tracks.
Listen to "Samson & Delilah."
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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Ben Harper Live
"Live From Mars [LIVE]"
Ben Harper
Our price: $21.82 | You save: $1.15
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This double-disc concert recording is a great way to get acquainted
with Ben Harper's soulful musical mixture. As impressive as disc one
is with Harper's Innocent Criminals supporting the leader, the
highlight of the set is surely disc two, an amazing solo-acoustic
collection that proves Harper to be a superb singer and commanding
performer.
NEW AND NOTABLE posted 2 MAY 2001
"Borderland"
Tom Russell
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Californian Tom Russell's move to the Mexican border in western
Texas helped inspire the 11 original songs that make up the
entrancing "Borderland," including tracks cowritten with Dave Alvin
and Katy Moffatt. In this case, however, "border" takes on another
meaning: that which separates a man and a woman. Russell deftly
blends the subject of male-female relations with the
Mexican-flavored mood and sounds of guitars and accordion.
"Always Be"
Jeffrey Gaines
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Though the superstardom he was poised to find never materialized,
Jeffrey Gaines was still able to cultivate a strong following for
his personal songs throughout the 1990s. His latest, "Always Be,"
tackles the time-tested subject of love and relationships. Gaines's
soulful singing and plainspoken lyrics, combined with the music's
acoustic textures, will remind fans of his early days.
"Something I Saw Or Thought I S"
Bill Morrissey
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So it would seem that relationships (blooming, booming, and failing)
still provide plenty of fodder for the folk troubadour, as evidenced
by the previous two releases and this one as well. Bill Morrissey's
first album of new material in five years is an understated gem
focusing on love's demise, and, as such, it has been compared in a
few circles to Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks."
"Young Guitar Days"
Steve Forbert
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One of the original "new Dylans," Steve Forbert came dangerously
close to superstardom himself when his catchy "Romeo's Tune" ("meet
me in the middle of the day, let me hear you say everything's OK")
hit the charts in 1979. The "Young, Guitar Days" compilation
revisits those heady times, culling a surprisingly strong selection
of outtakes from the late 1970s and early 1980s.
ON THE WAY
"Nod to Bob-An Artists Tribute"
Greg Brown
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Guy Davis, John Gorka, Norman Blake, Lucy Kaplansky, and Greg Brown
are among the folk luminaries who pay tribute to the master on this
eclectic collection.
"Live in Santa Cruz [LIVE]"
Fred Eaglesmith
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This double-disc set features Canadian Fred Eaglesmith in front of
an appreciative audience, delivering favorite after favorite.
NEWPORT NEWS
Two great box sets featuring music from the Newport Folk Festival:
"Best of Blues [BOX SET]"
Newport Folk Festival
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A generous assortment of blues legends--Mississippi John Hurt, Skip
James, Son House, Lightnin' Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy
Waters to name only a few--grace this three-disc collection.
"Best of Bluegrass [BOX SET]"
Newport Folk Festival
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Flatt & Scruggs, Jim & Jesse, the Stanley Brothers, and Bill
Monroe highlight this three-CD bonanza.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Charles Sawtelle's Swan Song
"Music from Rancho Deville"
Charles Sawtelle
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Though leukemia claimed the life of beloved and talented Hot Rize
guitarist Charles Sawtelle in 1999, we're fortunate that he was able
to leave us this wonderful bluegrass farewell featuring the support
of buddies like David Grisman, Laurie Lewis, Peter Rowan, Vassar
Clements, and Jerry Douglas.
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
Brilliant Angel
"Angel in the Dark," a non-CD version of the title track for her
new album, brings the late Laura Nyro's haunting, soulful voice and
lovely piano playing back to life on an intimate, unaccompanied song
that was new when recorded in 1994-95.
Go to download
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Go to all Folk downloads
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