CD-Charts Position 1
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Raising Sand

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Release Date October 29, 2007
Sadly someone obviously suggested to Robert Plant that this would be a good idea....recording a (mostly) countryesque album with Alison Krauss. They were wrong!! I have no problem with Plant (or anyone else for that matter) trying new things, but please..... this was a bad idea that should have stayed just that.... an idea!! Why on earth so many people feel the need to heap praise on this album is beyond me - it has no redeming qualities to my ears whatsoever - even if Robert Plant is involved.......come to think of it that old story of the Emporer's new clothes comes to mind!!

CD-Charts Position 2
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We Shall Overcome - The Seeger Sessions / American Land Edition [CD+DVD]

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Bruce Springsteen

Release Date October 02, 2006
As a Springsteen fan of over thirty years' standing, I was wary of this album. I am not the kind of fan who follows "their" artist, right or wrong, and after witnessing a live BBC broadcast of some of this material, I was not of a mind to purchase it. The concert had Springsteen and an entourage of fiddlers, led by E Street violinist Soozie Tyrell, being lauded by an audience of bearded, out of time clapping, ageing folkies and I simply could not reconcile the performer I saw on stage that night with the author of "Thunder Road", "Badlands" and "Jungleland" ! However, upon listening to this album, I have to swallow my pride and admit I was wrong in my preconceptions. This is a truly great musical and lyrical album, and great fun to boot !
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CD-Charts Position 3
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Songs of Leonard Cohen

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Leonard Cohen

Release Date April 23, 2007
My introduction to Leonard Cohen was on a vinyl CBS sampler which included "Sisters of Mercy". On the basis of that track I bought "Songs of Leonard Cohen" (on vinyl) and many subsequent albums.
As has been said before I think that this album is probably Cohen's strongest overall - there are other gems on many of his albums but no other album contains so many songs which have stood the test of time.
'Suzanne' (and 'Bird on a wire' from 'Songs from a Room') were even covered by Fairport Convention - a band not noted for a shortage of self-penned material.
I tend to disagree with the reviewers who think Cohen is the best interpreter of his music; perhaps at times but generally his voice is the penalty paid for the pleasure of the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Tracy Chapman

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Tracy Chapman

Release Date April 11, 1988
I'll keep this short and simple. This is one of the greatet records of music ever created, of any genre. An absolutley suberb, unique voice which touchs your heart. As well as a brilliant voice, Chapman is also a world-class lyricist, singing about important issues, not just the false lovey/sex nonsense released by most of todays musicians. Buy the album, you won't regret it.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Till the Sun Turns Black

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Ray LaMontagne

Release Date October 09, 2006
'Till the Sun...' is so much more better than 'Trouble' in so many ways, I think I'd have to be a quadruped with 60 toes to count them all! (But one reason it's better is that it's offensibly, criminally dirt-cheap compared to trouble!) 'Be Here Now' almost reaches out of the darkness with its overdone horn and string arrangements, giving it a somewhat dream-like quality. The next track, 'Empty', is by far the best song on the album, with deep, emotional, bleak lyrics and a good mixture of piano, gentle percussion, strings and Ray on the guitar. 'Lay with Me' is also quite a sweet tune about breaking inhibitions, and 'Three More Days' is a funky, soulful little number. At first you'll be of mixed opinion, but I think Ray's done himself proud with this one. 'Within ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Liege And Lief

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Fairport Convention

Release Date May 06, 2002
"Liege and Lief" is a genuine landmark recording, one of those albums that changed things.

You could hear the way the Fairports were going with "A sailor's life" on "Unhalfbricking" but the fusion of West Coast rock and English folk on "L&L" was genuinely revolutionary.

This album is one of those that everyone should own - because it is unique, it defined and kickstarted the whole folk-rock scene.

Sandy Denny was a wonderful singer, sadly missed, and her solo albums are well worth listening too but "L&L" is her memorial.

Dave Swarbrick's violin playing here is great, as is all the musicianship - particularly Richard Thompson, one of the UK's greatest guitar players.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Five Leaves Left

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Nick Drake

Release Date June 26, 2000
I was brought up among the warring factions of britpop, blur and oasis, in the nineties, I could never really choose between the kinks and the beatles but that's a different story entirely, This album is most definitely one of the founder members of brit pop whether it likes it or not. All the way through my teenage years, a name cropped up in articles....melody maker..... NME......... Nick drake. When I eventually succumbed and bought an album of his, it was this. And I can only tell you that I've never looked back. From the plodding opener of "time has told me" through the maudlin streets of "river man" and "three hours" to the upbeat melancholy, if you like, of "way to blue" and the exquisite meandering of "day is done". To even suggest that songs on the last part ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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New Skin for the Old Ceremony

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Leonard Cohen

Release Date April 01, 1996
As the caption says, Not impressed. Would not recommend this if you like the "Normal" Cohen style. Will keep trying in the hope that it grows on me.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Dear Heather

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Leonard Cohen

Release Date October 25, 2004
Much more varied than Ten New Songs, Dear Heather sounds patchy at first listen. But repeated spins reveal the beauty and the cohesive themes of the album.

Lord Byron's poem, Go No More A Roaming, sets the mood, with lovely backing by Sharon Robinson. The enigmatic Because Of, with its repeated refrain "Look at me Leonard/One last time" is a beautiful blend of eros and thanatos, spiced by wry humour and embellished with the beautiful voice of Anjani Thomas.

Simplicity rules on The Letters where Sharon Robinson and LC share the vocals, sometimes solo, sometimes together. With its sparse instrumentation, Undertow has a dreamy melody and evocative imagery with Thomas taking the female vocal.

Morning Glory is another oneiric soundscape with tinkling keyboards ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Bob Dylan

Release Date March 29, 2004
I'm not one of Bob Dylan's biggest fans, though I agree with the view that he has no equal as a wordsmith. Indeed, his book 'Chronicles' suggests that he could have been one of the world's premier writers or novelists had he chosen books instead of guitars. When people elevate later albums such as 'Blood On The Tracks' to 'greatest album' status, though, I chuckle. Dylan's reputation is built on the albums he made during the 1960s, starting with 'Freewheelin''. In 1962/63, the average pop album consisted of half an hour of cover songs. From a member of the same generation, a student of folk music, came over three quarters of an hour of original material, bar two songs. Dylan did admit to nicking the odd tune, but that's not an unusual practice.

Dylan was following a folk-protest movement at the time ... Read More: