TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

One album per artist(e).  Mildly interesting selections.  Only up to H so far.

Fairport choice was Unhalfbricking.

Sandy Denny: Sandy.

Yesterday Carthy and Swarb's 'Byker Hill' was included.

And Eliza's "Rough Music"...

And Shirley Collins and Davey Graham's Folk Roots, New Routes; and Bellowhead's Burlesque of course.

Eliza carthy is one of the most exciting "young" folk performers on the circuit today, however aside from the odd track or two, I find her recorded work to be icnredibly dour and lifeless, in complete contrast to the vigorous and energetic interpretations on stage.

I suppose for FC it was a toss up between Unhalf..and Liege..

Although not on topic, one omission from my list : Julian Cope "Peggy Suicide" or any Cope album from the 80's/90's aside from My Nation..

Kind of agree with you about Eliza Carthy - though there are some fine moments on record (Jackie Tar, Worcester City for example) a lot of it is a bit lifeless.

The Julian Cope comments may be off topic but more advisable than starting a new thread with 'Peggy Suicide' - on this board it might start a panic!

The Thomo album of choice is "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" (nicely sandwiched between Carroll Thompson and Throbbing gristle ;) )

Also worth mentionning that the Steeleye album chosen is Please To See the King ("It's easy to dismiss Steeleye Span because of their singalong hits, but this early album is a subtle folk-rock classic").

"IWTSTBLT" is hardly the best R & LT, let alone RT solo album..a somewhat cliched choice which samcks of someone/people who haven't actually listened to this and other RT/R & LT albums for some time..I suppose better than opting for Shoot Out..

Did you see the advert for the supplement before it came out? Apparently it had Bellowhead in nice large lettering....I noticed that in the write up jon Boden was singled out for special praise.... Which leads nicely onto the fact that aforementioned band (as seen in the Guardian) are headlining the Oxford folk festival, Hurrah!

Vikki xx

I disagree - Bright Lights and Shoot Out both qualify as top drawer albums to my ears.  I'd say they were Richard and Linda's best two.

Jules

Hmmm.....I may be a newbie, but as a long time Fairport and Eliza Carthy fan I was a little surprised to hear what you said about her! Of course she is great live, but what I love about Eliza's albums is that truly, each one is completely different. Heat Light and SOund sounds nothing like Red Rice, which sounds nothing like Anglicana, which sounds nothing like Rough Music. I think unlike Kate Rusby, whom I also love, Eliza pushes herself and the music, takes risks, and doesnt play it safe which is a good thing. I can't even list the tracks that I think are great, not to mention some of the tunes, like No Man's Jig on Anglicana. Live is always best for traditional or traditional inspired music, but I think Eliza has done a tremendous job of making great records. And btw, I will say apart from a few songs, I didn't like Angels and Cigarettes, so I am not without some criticism of her! Cheers

The redeeming part of that album is the song Fuse. A brilliant version appears on the BigSession Vol 1 record.


Mike "Burnt Out Fuse" B.

Agree, although 'Rough Music' is a bit of an odd choice as her best, personally I would have gone for Red.

Actually, if I had to pick only one, I would go Heat Light and Sound, with Anglicana a very close second! And although its a little raw, the very first one with Nancy Kerr was a mission statement to me-I'm young, I play fiddle, I sing traditional music! And also things like Fuse (good call btw-love the Big Session version!)