CD-Charts Position 11
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Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Micah P. Hinson

Release Date July 14, 2008
Micah P Hinson's fourth album - the first I've heard since his powerful debut `Michah P Hinson and the Gospel of Progress' - is an accomplished work and the sound of a prolific artist heading for an artistic peak. Produced by alt-rock mixing guru John Congleton, renowned for the dark gloss put on albums by the likes of Anthony & the Johnsons, Modest Mouse and Explosions in the Sky, `Micah P. Hinson and the Red Empire Orchestra' is somehow both expansive and concise, brooding but melodic. Much is made of Hinson's troubled past, and I imagine his record label see the value in backing up his cracked baratone with claims of former drug and alcahol addiction, time in prison and, um, chain-smoking, as if to add gravitas to his skinny geek looks. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 12
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Tracy Chapman

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

Release Date April 11, 1988
a wonderful album that is as captivating now as it was twenty years ago. tracy took 5 years to write the eleven tracks on this album and the depth of emotion and artistic beauty she created make for a timeless album can only be put into the category of classic.

CD-Charts Position 13
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Greatest Hits

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

Release Date July 16, 1990
In many ways I'm almost glad that Cohen is loathed so much in some quarters. You used to be able to buy perfect copies of this on vinyl for a pound from boot-sales. You couldn't imagine a pound being better-spent. I won't go into great depth here: if you know the tracks (and you should) you'll know how resplendent and timeless they all are. But, for a bit of fun, I propose my own alternative list, had I compiled the original album. As follows: SUZANNE, STRANGER SONG, SISTERS OF MERCY, SO LONG MARIANNE, HEY THAT'S NO WAY TO SAY GOODBYE, BIRD ON THE WIRE, THE PARTISAN, AVALANCHE, FAMOUS BLUE RAINCOAT, JOAN OF ARC, WHO BY FIRE, FIELD COMMANDER COHEN.

CD-Charts Position 14
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Ten New Songs

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

Release Date October 08, 2001
This one took quite a few listenings before I began to realise the strength of some of the lyrics and the emotional power of just about every track.
Some don't like the strong presence of female vocals - personally I love this especially on 'Alexandra Leaving' and 'Here it is'.
I love this album and think others who know Cohen's work will too - and hopefully, many others who don't know his work will hereby get to know it.

CD-Charts Position 15
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The Very Best Of Joan Armatrading

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Joan Armatrading

Release Date February 26, 1991
It is a good compilation even though it mystifies me why one of her best songs "Let it last forever" has been left out.

CD-Charts Position 16
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Cohen Live

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

Release Date January 25, 1999
I've been a Cohen fan as far back as I can remember. I had a feeling I wouldn't be disappointed by this album, since Cohen's live backup singers are legendary, and I was right. These are without a doubt the most beautiful and emotional versions of the songs ever recorded, and I find it impossible to listen to the album as mere background music; as soon as the music starts playing, I can't help but close my eyes and just let the music envelop me completely.

The songs "Bird on a Wire" and "Sisters of Mercy" are worthy of special mention. The tempo is lower, the saxophone sexier and the vocals deeper and more intense than ever before, and the result defies description. I would have gladly paid in blood to be at the show where they were recorded.
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CD-Charts Position 17
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The Felice Brothers

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Felice Brothers

Release Date March 03, 2008
Although these guys have adopted the hairy bearded look of the Band and occasionally sound Dylanesque they stamp their own identity firmly on this disc - a set of 15 songs without a dud to be found. Tales of the old and new West predominate as evoked in titles like Frankie's Gun, Whiskey in my Whiskey and Helen Fry. In a strange way the sound evokes not just alt-country legends like Green on Red but also the swirling organ and heavy back beat of the Wailers at their best. This is an outstanding collection which rewards repeated listening.

CD-Charts Position 18
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Mescalito

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Ryan Bingham

Release Date October 02, 2007
Karma ? Yin and Yang ? Synchronicity ? Who Know's.

What I do know for sure, however, is that having spent
a couple of painfully wasted hours listening to Santogold's execrable
debut album I was very ready for some honest musical sustenance.

I found it here In Ryan Bingham's most recent album 'Mescalito'.

Comparisons abound but try to put them to one side.
Let's listen to Mr Bingham on his own evident merits.

Somehow honesty and authenticity shines through in all
music of worth and this is indeed a very worthy little album.

The grit and gravel in our hero's voice serves his material well.
Whether in slippin' and slidin' stompers such as 'Bread and Water'
and "Dollar ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 19
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Court and Spark

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Joni Mitchell

Release Date September 20, 2004
I discovered Joni about a year ago, hearing the song Case of You in the film Practical Magic and looking it up online. I bought the album Blue and completely fell in love with its mellowness and her wonderful voice.

Having listened to Blue about 7 million times i decided to seek out more of Joni. I read the reviews on a few of her albums on Amazon and settled on Court and Spark.

I expected it to be pretty similar as it was released only a few years after Blue, and was surprised to find it different. It's not as mellow as Blue, it's more jazzy and funky, more instruments are going on, backing singers- everything. But it doesn't take away the feeling she puts into the music, and of course her wonderful voice is still there (if a little lower?).
... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 20
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The Colourful Life

CD-Charts > Music > American Folk
by: Cajun Dance Party

Release Date April 28, 2008
i noticed someone else likened them to The Kooks, which is true. But really am I the only one who thinks that this is actually Robert Smith singing!? - perhaps under a psydonym or maybe his offspring? - If you like The Cure (Head on The Door stuff) then you'll be charmed by this - they are so similar it's unbelievable. But nice that someone is carrying on The Cure banner.