CD-Charts Position 121
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In a Lifetime - The Best of Clannad

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Clannad

Release Date October 06, 2003
I brought this on in my quest for finding music that would inspire me when I'm writing or drawing and believe me, it hasn't disappointed. I'd heard of Clannad for a very long time but only now do I realise how great they are and why I should have found them a long time ago!

This is a wonderful 'introduction' CD to the band. Some of the tracks, most of the more 'pop' type ones with guitars and the duets aren't to my taste. I much prefer the more Celtic and haunting songs such as 'Theme From Harry's Game' (a song I didn't even realise that was by Clannad! Derrr!!!) and most of the tracks later on the CD. However, that's just me and overall the CD is very enjoyable and very relaxing!

A must by if you are just discovering the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 122
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Greatest Hits

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Joan Baez

Release Date November 17, 2003
This selection of prime cuts contains all of Joan Baez's best works, but some of the recordings are live. Warning: these songs are just as good, but you may have a preference of studio over 'live'.

"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is a live recording, but misses none of the mood or flair of the single. "Please Come To Boston" is nearly better than the original and Joan captures the tenuous love longings with her voice. "Oh Happy Day" is given the justice and respect it deserves and "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer" is still heartbreaking.

"Diamonds And Rust" is the first cut and with reason. It has to be her best written song/recording to date. Faded memories, lasting longings, the broken heart; ah, Joan Baez is truly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 123
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In Love and Light

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Heidi Talbot

Release Date February 25, 2008
I bought this CD on the strength of hearing just one track on the radio - It was that captivating! I have not been disappointed. I adore every single track. Heidi's voice is equally at home singing traditional and modern folk. Such a soft, clear voice which occasionally gives away her Irish accent. Just spectacular!

CD-Charts Position 124
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Crossroads

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

Release Date October 02, 1989
A great album though not in the league of the 1st album.However, just watch for some real gems such as 'Born to Fight"and 'All That You Have is your Soul'. Tracy Chapman really raised the ante with her debut album and this effort does well to match it. Four Stars..very near Five but not quite

CD-Charts Position 125
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A Midwinter Night's Dream & A Moveable Musical Feast Deluxe

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Loreena McKennitt

Release Date October 20, 2008
Here I am reviewing the "Deluxe" set.
This set boasts the quite superfluous addition of a couple of postcards and some rather twee Christmas decorations. Hardly worth getting excited about, but harmless enough.
The CD in the set is basically a very expanded version of her "A Winter's Garden" CD.
A variety of traditional seasonal songs are performed in Ms McKennitt's unique and definitive style all in that distinctive World/Celtic style.
A delight to listen to, it presents carols and other seasonal music performed on a variety of fascinating 'ethnic' instruments. Carols and other seasonal music - some well known and others less familiar are given a considerable shake-up whilst retaining their fundamental nature.
For instance a very ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 126
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New Beginning

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

Release Date November 25, 1995
This album is slightly different in my opinion to other Tracy Chapman albums. The sound is somehow richer with more elaborate arrangement adding to the natural beauty of her songs. The use of srings and piano arrangenments makes songs like "The Promise" stunning, probably my favourite Tracy song ever. The voice and the story telling are the same as ever but this album benefits from a fuller sound and longer tracks which take you through a whole series of emotions. I believe this is a key album to add to your collection, perfect for any mood.

CD-Charts Position 127
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Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Judy Collins

Release Date September 13, 2004
Judy Collins has a fine voice and Leonard Cohen writes brilliant songs, but for me this combination just doesn't work at all.

It is 'easy listening' - fine if that's what you want - but not what I look for in Cohen's songs, which need some bite to work - Judy makes them alltogether too pretty.

CD-Charts Position 128
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Bob Dylan At Budokan (2CD)

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

Release Date June 03, 1996
I clearly remember the 1979 release of this album. I was not a dylan fan then and I think it fair to say that this album would not be the ideal gateway.

Roll on 30 years and I have been converted to the wonders of Dylan. Ok it just took me a bit longer to get it than the rest of you.

This album still remains an enigma. It sounded hoplessely out of date in 1979, time has not improved this offering. With Jerry Scheff on base I guess obvious parallels could be drawn with Presley's Vegas years. Flutes, annoying saxes this is surely a live low point. It does not get more 'Dylan live in Vegas' than this.

Put another way how did we get from 'Hard Rain' to Budokan? Search me. To be fair there are a few gems on there but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 129
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The Other Side

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Chuck Brown & Eva Cassidy

Release Date February 19, 2001
I am a big Eva fan and was delighted when i found this album of duets with the wonderful Chuck Brown. They sing together with such ease and you can just hear the fun they were having making this fantastic music.
This album can always put me in a good mood. A must buy.

CD-Charts Position 130
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The First 10 Years

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Joan Baez

Release Date November 06, 2000
If you want just one CD that gives you an overview of Joan Baez's career and contains her greatest hits, well...you won't find one. Her career has been too long and varied for that. She was at Woodstock and at Live Aid. She covered traditional English, Spanish and French folk songs, protest and mainstream pop.

Joan's is the finest female voice of the 60's folk revival and protest movement -- pure and melodious and true. This particular CD has too much Dylan for my taste. Good at the time, these now sound very dated. But that is an accurate reflection of the period. We tend to forget now that a great many fans admired Dylan's songwriting but wished he would leave it to the sweet-voiced Joan to sing them.

My personal favorites are the traditional ... Read More: