"Steady Pull"
Jonatha Brooke
...order CD here.
After a couple of well-received releases with the Story, Jonatha Brooke
has slowly built herself a strong solo following. Brooke's music is
quirky,
perky, and eclectic while her lyrics are provocative and literate. "Steady
Pull" incorporates a wide range of musical elements, as evidenced by
featured guests that range from rapper Michael Franti to alt-popster Neil
Finn. With influences from jazz to rock to soul to pop, Brooke has
established herself as a distinctive singer-songwriter who's hard to pin
down.
"Stag"
Amy Ray
...order CD here.
Ray founded her independent, not-for-profit Daemon Records in 1990 as a
result of her frustration with the corporate concerns of the music
industry. Eleven years later, Daemon is releasing Ray's envelope-pushing
solo debut, which was recorded in a variety of settings with a range of
guests. The album begins with a country-style performance featuring just
Ray on vocals and mandolin. She goes on to play with North Carolina
rockers
the Butchies, Georgia's Rock*A*Teens, Alabama quartet 1945, and even Joan
Jett. The result is a diverse and edgy affair, as Ray's cutting lyrics and
folk sensibility are infused with doses of garage rock, punk, and power
pop.
"Phantom Moon"
Duncan Sheik
...order CD here.
Collaborating with New York playwright and lyricist Steven Sater, Duncan
Sheik has emerged with "Phantom Moon," an acoustic-based project inspired
largely by Nick Drake's music. Sheik's plaintive vocals and bittersweet
lyrics are expertly augmented by a rich yet subtle sonic palette.
"Wandering Strange"
Kate Campbell
...order CD here.
New Orleans-born preacher's daughter Kate Campbell turns to her religious
background for her Eminent Records debut. Campbell ventured to the
legendary soul-music factory of Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to
find the perfect musical backdrop for this gospel collection, which
features her pristine voice working through age-old Baptist hymns as well
as new original material.
FROM THE VAULTS
Here are a couple of newly issued collections of classic older material:
"Field Commander Cohen Tour Of 1979 [LIVE]"
Leonard Cohen
...order CD here.
Cohen is captured in fine fettle at a pair of 1979 British performances,
with an eclectic ensemble behind him. This should placate Cohen fans while
they (still) wait for new material.
"Greenback Dollar"
Clarence "Tom" Ashley
...order CD here.
Those familiar with Harry Smith's "Anthology of American Folk Music" will
know the music of Clarence Ashley. This is prime, powerful old-time
country
recorded by the banjo man between 1929 and 1933.
ALT-FOLK ARRIVALS
What exactly is alt folk? Tough to say, but it tends to be a bit moody, a
tad morose, and never earnest.
"No Such Place"
Jim White
...order CD here.
Not enough room here to accurately describe Jim White's music on his
second
record, but we can start by calling it Southern gothic trip-hop folk
infused with heavy does of black humor and puzzling details.
"Temporary Shelter"
Johnny Dowd
...order CD here.
Dowd mines the dark corners of the mind and delivers his ideas atop a wide
range of cockeyed musical styles. The result is rather disturbing
actually,
but oddly compelling.
"Everything's Fine"
Willard Grant Conspiracy
...order CD here.
This Boston collective raises sullen to an art form, but it's quite a
lovely gloom indeed with arrangements that seem simultaneously
down-to-earth and majestic.
ON THE WAY
"Whole New You"
Shawn Colvin
...order CD here.
Colvin returns with a breathlessly awaited new album, her first non-Xmas
affair in five years.
"Morning Glory: The Tim Buckley Anthology"
Tim Buckley
...order CD here.
Rhino offers a much-needed double-disc retrospective of the idiosyncratic
singer-songwriter.
"The Diamond Mountain Sessions"
Sharon Shannon
...order CD here.
The respected Celtic multi-instrumentalist is joined here by American
luminaries such as John Prine, Steve Earle, and Jackson Browne.
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
Sarah Harmer
The year 2000 saw Sarah Harmer emerge as one of the most exciting new
voices in folk circles. The Canadian singer-songwriter's beguiling debut,
"You Were Here," shows a depth and versatility that belies her newcomer
status. You can download two tracks--"Basement Apt." and "Around This
Corner"--from "You Were Here" for free from Amazon.com.
Go to all Folk downloads
...order CD here.
NEW & FUTURE DELIVERS
Sign up for our Weekly New & Future Delivers mailing, so you'll always be in the know when it comes to the hottest titles every week.
Go to sign-up page
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Also, check out the New & Future Releases page to view titles by
release date, catch the latest digital downloads, investigate the coolest
new reissues, and more.
...order CD here.
Year 2001 Grammy winners in folk and bluegrass have each been recording for more than 20 years. What's more, they each have crafted fresh, ambitious albums that prove that they're still moving upward and onward. Here are top winners of the 43rd Grammy Awards, along with our thoughts (and in some cases, our own choices).
BEST TRADITIONAL FOLK ALBUM
Winner:
"Public Domain..."
Dave Alvin
...order here.
As teens, Dave Alvin and his brother Phil searched out vintage blues and
country vinyl, a hobby that led to a life-long fascination with American
roots music. The 15 traditional folk songs on "Public Domain" range from
old-time mountain ballads to Delta blues to minstrel favorites. As usual,
Alvin puts a fresh face on these timeless tunes using an eclectic range of
arrangements. The result is something wholly original, an album that both
illustrates and celebrates the common threads that run through distinctly
American music.
Our Pick:
"My Roots Are Showing"
Natalie MacMaster
...order here.
As the title of her stunning album implies, Cape Breton fiddler Natalie
MacMaster returns to the traditional Scottish-influenced dance music of
her
Nova Scotian home. The rousing, joyous CD balances impressive musicianship
with toe-tapping revelry. Clearly her return to more traditional sounds
inspired and excited her to great heights, resulting in an album that is
both true to tradition and boldly fresh and vibrant.
BEST CONTEMPORARY FOLK ALBUM
Winner:
"Red Dirt Girl"
Emmylou Harris
...order here.
Harris's winner is her first solo studio album since 1995's groundbreaking
"Wrecking Ball." While "Red Dirt Girl" takes many of its sonic cues from
that record, this time out Harris has penned all but one of the tracks,
fashioning an evocative spiritual journey. Guests such as Dave Matthews,
Bruce Springsteen, and Patty Scialfa are on board to help Harris carry out
her vision. Long revered as an interpreter, Harris surprised many with her
songwriting power.
Our Pick:
"American III: Solitary Man"
Johnny Cash
...order here.
Once again working with producer Rick Rubin, 68-year-old country legend
Johnny Cash offers a pared-down, stark gem. Though his voice is not what
it
used to be, its emotional power is as strong as ever. Here he covers a
wide
range of artists including Tom Petty, U2, Neil Diamond, Nick Cave, David
Allan Coe, and Will Oldham, but as usual, Cash puts his inimitable stamp
on
all that he touches. It may be odd to think of the Man in Black as a folk
artist, but in this case the album does fit the category.
BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Winner:
"The Grass Is Blue"
Dolly Parton
...order here.
The Tennessee-born Parton brings home the hardware for her very first
full-fledged bluegrass release. The move to bluegrass is a natural
progression for a singer who never lost sight of her mountain roots even
as
she detoured into the glitz and ritz of pop stardom.
Our Pick:
Buttressed by some of the most respected pickers in bluegrass, Parton's
vibrant, willowy voice makes a seamless transition to the idiom and
delivers a superb album. Along the way she covers her own material
(including brand-new compositions and old favorites) and the songs of
other
artists ranging from Flatt & Scruggs, the Louvin Brothers, and Hazel
Dickens to Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, and Southern rockers Blackfoot.
NEW RELEASES FROM PAST WINNERS
Winner:
"The Houston Kid"
Rodney Crowell
...order here.
Crowell picked up his first and only Grammy in 1989 for Best Country Song
with "After All This Time," a track from his smash album, "Diamonds &
Dirt," which spawned five country chart-toppers (and has been recently
reissued). In 2001, the 50-year-old Crowell returns with this
autobiographical Sugar Hill debut, his first record of new material in
more
than four years. It's a reflective, deeply personal 12-song cycle that
deals with his modest childhood and the rough neighborhood where he lived
it. From gentle acoustic folk to rocking romps, Crowell uses a variety of
musical styles to convey his message.
Our Pick:
"Kristofferson [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]"
Kris Kristofferson
...order here.
Kristofferson's debut record helped usher in a new style of country
music--one that blended a singer-songwriter's aesthetic with a honky-tonk
feeling. Kristofferson, who has won Grammys in the past for Best Country
Song and Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, had penned hits
for a variety of artists and included his own versions of those classics
on
this 1970 country-folk gem, which has been newly remastered and reissued
in
expanded form.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: JAMES TALLEY
In the 1970s, James Talley was a potent but obscure country-folk singer with populist leanings. Without warning, Talley was launched into the spotlight when President Jimmy Carter publicly sang his praises. Talley may not have parlayed this acclaim into a commercially successful music career, but nearly 25 years on he's returned with a vengeance, releasing a pair of hard-hitting albums in 2000. Early in the year, he offered the spare and moving tribute album, "Woody Guthrie and Songs of My Oklahoma Home." He followed that release with the provocative, resolute "Nashville City Blues," a powerful collection of songs that explore the importance--and the futility--of having dreams in life.
To find out more about "Woody Guthrie and Songs of My Oklahoma Home,"
visit:
~ more
To find out more about "Nashville City Blues," visit:
~ more
FIVE TO WATCH IN 2001
Here are some younger, up-and-coming artists who made inroads in 2000
and who promise to make an even bigger splash this year:
Johnny Staats
~ more
The West Virginia mandolin master has turned many heads with "Wires
and Wood," a stunning bluegrass debut that taps a number of styles
along the way. Sure, Staats plays fast, but he's also unbelievably
poised, whether attacking traditional bluegrass, jazzy newgrass, or
Celtic reels. One thing's for sure: Staats has enough talent to quit
his UPS day job if he ever decides to trade in the brown uniform to
become a full-time picker. Hopefully, he'll park the van long enough
to produce another gem in 2001.
Kila
~ more
For whatever reason, most updates of traditional Irish music seem
a bit forced and overly precious. That's why Kila's music is so
refreshing. Their sound is unlike that of any other Celtic band,
rich with invention and adventure while retaining the spirit of
the music's tradition. With its blend of several ethnic styles
and instruments, "Lemonade & Buns," their fourth record, is a true
world-fusion release, but done with vitality and looseness rather
than studied perfectionism or academic heavy-handedness. This septet
adds to its fandom with each release and they seem ready to hit the
big time.
Slaid Cleaves
~ more
Austin, Texas, has long been a stronghold for sharp, spirited
singer-songwriters, and New England transplant Slaid Cleaves is
no exception. "Broke Down," his second effort for Philo, is an
evocative, focused outing that sucks you into its world of tragedy,
loss, and hope. Despite the dark themes, there's a disarming warmth
that Cleaves achieves thanks to simple melodies and his rich
vocals. Having drawn comparisons by our customers to people such as
John Prine, Greg Brown, and John Hiatt, there's no doubt that Cleaves
will be delighting folk fans for years to come.
Sarah Harmer
~ more
Sarah Harmer seems likely to emerge as one of the most exciting new
voices in folk circles. The Canadian singer-songwriter's beguiling
debut, "You Were Here," shows a depth and versatility that belies
her newcomer status. Her songs are intensely personal, leading one
Amazon.com customer to note: "With an incredibly expressive voice and
range, Sarah draws you in to her most secret secrets, allowing you to
forget she is sharing her journal-type thoughts with you, a total
stranger."
Handsome Family
~ more
The Handsome Family, Chicago's most peculiar husband-and-wife team,
offered an offbeat, hauntingly serene collection of creepy cuts with
"In the Air." Rooted in traditional folk and country, the record
balances pretty melodies and bare, pastoral backdrops with baleful
stories full of gory details and vivid images. Brett Sparks sings
the lyrics written by wife Rennie, which delve into the netherworld
of the human condition. Kind of a sick and twisted Carter Family--and
they weren't the most lighthearted folk to begin with--yet there's
something oddly soothing about their evocative songs.
AMAZON.COM'S BEST OF 2000
Explore the year's best music from across all genres by visiting
Amazon.com's Best of 2000 [browse-id 509164] page. You'll find our
customers' favorite CDs, our editors' favorite CDs, artists of the
year, and more.
Visit our page at:
~ more
reviews excerpted are copyright © 2001 amazon.com & associate ncdn and CDnow, TowerRecords, Barnes & Nobel associates