CD-Charts Position 1
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Poor Man's Heaven

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date June 30, 2008
I think this is Seth's best album so far. Sure his other album's are good aswell, but in a different way. I love the sound of this one. I've always prefered his more upbeat hoedown style songs, and this one has plenty of that. 'Poor Man's Heaven' is an instant hit, but had to listen to the others quite a few times before I got into it. Now I have, I appeciate how good it is, and now can't stop listening to it!

CD-Charts Position 2
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That's Proper Folk

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Various Artists

Release Date April 07, 2008
Not a regular visitor to this genre, but this CD seems to lurch around between eighties All About Eve-style, to American country, to a vaguely mariachi style track sung with a Scots accent. It's all nice enough, and with a price tag to please, but it's not my understanding of earthy folk music.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Dreams of Breathing Underwater

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Eliza Carthy

Release Date June 23, 2008
Having thoroughly enjoyed her more traditional previous album Rough Music, and following the recent Channel 5 documentary on Eliza, I had expected something in a similar vein. However, this is very different. It follows in the trail of her previous self-written album (the underrated Angels & Cigarettes) and infuses her folk leanings with an unexpected variety of instruments and styles. What comes through on every song is the strength of the song writing, the vividly drawn characters and the wonderful narratives. All delivered in Eliza's beautiful and expressive singing style. It's an album that rewards repeated listens and leaves you feeling uplifted on every occasion. Incidentally, if you ever get the chance to see Eliza live, don't miss out ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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O Brother, Where Art Thou?

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 28, 2000
I'm not from the US, my family hail from Kashmir and I was born in the UK, grew up listening to punk rock but WOW! The soundtrack literally drips with the era and place it hails from; every time I hear a snippet I swear I can feel the heat and smell the wheat - so amazing!

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Imagined Village

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Various Artists

Release Date October 15, 2007
To put it simply this is one of the best folk albums I have ever purchased, the choice of tracks is inspired, and I have found myself listening to it over and over again.

It is simply superb, and worth every single penny!

My favourite tracks are John Barleycorn and the charming ouses ouses ouses!

CD-Charts Position 6
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The Punch Bowl

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date June 12, 2006
Having come to the brilliant Seth Lakeman through his Mercury nominated 'Kitty Jay' and the follow up 'Freedom Fields' and having seen an electrifying live performance at Liverpool's Academy. I had procrastinated about getting Seth's first album which appears to have been lost from critical evaluation on the Amazon pages. I presumed that perhaps a younger Seth had been a 'finger in yer ear' Martin Carthy traditionalist and The Punch Bowl was full of earnest but dull renditions of sea shanties and songs about maiden's losing their....thingymagig.
In truth, The Punch Bowl is a pure Seth Lakeman album full of catchy riffs,wailing fiddles and those emotive vocals. With Cara Dillon providing sweet backing vocals and the rest of the Lakeman clan rustling up the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Secret of Life

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Release Date May 10, 2004
I really tried to like this recording, but try as I did, I found it deeply disappointing.
The covers are really a bit too twee for me, and verge on taking on the "look how clever we are" stance.
I do not doubt the musicianship one bit, but I think they could of done better. The Ukulele Club De Paris for instance on their album "Manuia" offer a more vibrant, imaginative and original approach without a sellout to smugness.
Also worth a listen is the hugely talented (ukulele player) Janet Klein And Her Parlour Boys, Petty Booka, The Asylum street Spankers, Roy Smeck, Cliff Carlisle, Tom Marion, Bob Brozman and good old Tiny Tim.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

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Freedom Fields

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date November 13, 2006
First saw Seth Lakeman on Channel Five's "My Music". Thought he sounded great and not too folky. I bought Freedom Fields CD and thought it was excellent. Found out that he was gigging in Peterborough where I live so went with the wife to see him live. Thought he was excellent. The wife rated him 6 out of 10. Her tastes are West Life and Wet Wet Wet. I usually listen to bands like Coldplay, U2, The Doors, The Killers, The Strokes, Radio Head, REM, Take That etc but I like a song to tell a good story which Seth pulls off in his song writing. The only downside (LIVE)is his guitar playing brother in the band who doesn't look the part. He looked too wooden and is riding on his brother's success. I would recommend you buy this CD and go see Seth live. The crowd is so ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

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Kitty Jay

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date October 09, 2006
This is a grudging four-star review (rounded up from three-and-a-half). I had come across Lakeman before in his local band Equation. I heard he had come up with a solo album based on local legends and my curiosity was aroused. This review addresses superficially the songs individually before looking at the album as a whole.

"John Lomax" is surprisingly good; making the chorus softer and quieter than the verses is very effective. "The Bold Knight" displays Lakeman's skilful handling of the violin. "Fight for Favour" is too sparse, whilst the title track displays marvellous energy in its violin cross-rhythms. The opening to "Farewell My Love" is a cringing parody of folk music. There is good drumwork in "Blood Upon Copper", but the song ends too soon. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Folk Bestsellers
by: Simon & Garfunkel

Release Date December 13, 2004

This is a good collection of Simon & Garfunkel's wonderful work, and a good place to start if unfamiliar with their music. However, I prefer their double disc 'Tales From New York'. That collection expands on what is here, particularly including some of their important early stuff, and is a better representation of the diversity of their music.