CD-Charts Position 151
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Pretty World

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Sam Baker

Release Date August 14, 2007
With his gruff, half-spoken, half-sung delivery Sam Baker can't escape comparison with forerunners like Kristofferson, but it's a comparison he can stand. Baker's story songs are simple and direct lyrically but not simplistic or banal, with uncluttered and sympathetic support from his band and guests. Baker weaves in quotes from older musical sources to good effect, 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot' on 'Orphan' and Stephen Foster's 'Hard Times Come Again No More' sung acapella by the excellent Chris Baker-Davies at the beginning of 'Odessa' a dark morality tale of the corrupting effects of easy money. 'Psychic' tells the song's protagonist "...it's time to choose, choose between lies, or you can choose truth, but you've got to decide..." as the hard ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 152
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The Bramble Briar

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Martin Simpson

Release Date June 04, 2001
Martin Simpson is an exceptional talent in the folk scene. The Bramble Briar is a gem of an album in the true spirit of English folk,without the delving into Americana...roots,bluegrass,C&W... which MS has in the past found occasion to dabble in.
The guitar picking is so sharp and clear it could shatter glass ! The vocals and arrangements are spot on. A fine return to form from one our most under-rated musicians

CD-Charts Position 153
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Sleepless

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Kate Rusby

Release Date May 26, 2003
One of the most difficult things to do sometimes, when you have so many albums (whether vinyl or CD) to listen to, is to decide what to put on for your listening pleasure - depending on your mood at the time. Most often, it's a snap decision that informs you that, "oh blimey, I haven't heard this for years or you might hear just one track on the radio and repeat the previous line.

I got into Kate Rusby when I used to wait outside the church hall on a Wednesday evening waiting for our daughter to come out from her dancing lessons. I'd sit and listen to Mike Harding and have a listen for 20 minutes or so.

In 1997 the most beautiful voice came through the airwaves and I ascertained that it was Kate Rusby, a young lady from Penistone, south Yorkshire. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 154
Average Rating:

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Handful of Earth

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Dick Gaughan

Release Date May 16, 1995
It's about time this brilliant collection was up there in the best albums of all time lists. Utterly universal music, politically charged, each song a gem and the most brilliant singing and guitar playing. No pretension and affected star-posing. I'm at a loss to understand why this superb work isn't as oft cited as What's Going On and Blood on the Tracks. The gut-wrenching use of Burns' lyrics in Come Westlin' Winds, the righteous lament of The World Turned Upside Down, the delicate sentiments of Erin-Go-Bragh and Both Sides the Tweed and the strident Workers Song. What more do you want?

CD-Charts Position 155
Average Rating:

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Pass In Time - The Definitive Collection

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Beth Orton

Release Date September 22, 2003
I bought this album having heard - and liked - a remix of one of Beth Orton's songs (She Cries your name) and it has not disappointed. The first cd includes her more well known songs and introduces you to her haunting and captivatingly plaintive style.

The second cd in the set includes remixes and collaborations with other artists including Terry Callier and The Chemical Brothers and shows how her voice and songs lend themselves to really exciting production and a very wide range of styles.

If you are new to Beth Orton then this is a great introduction. Existing fans will also enjoy the diversity this album offers and I for one have not been disappointed!

CD-Charts Position 156
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Secret Garden: Dreamcatcher

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: SECRET GARDEN

Release Date May 15, 2000
Sheer pleasure to listen & relax to. This has got to be their best album (and includes their Eurovision winner Nocturne)!

CD-Charts Position 157
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Daybreaker

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Beth Orton

Release Date July 29, 2002
one of the most listenable and emotive albums i've heard in a long while discovered this very late but glad i found it . the opener Paris Train is an incredible swirling cascading sound with beths kinda just woken up vocals make it ever more sexy to listen to . with guests Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams adding the tinge of country / americana on songs like God song . Mount Washington simply rolls over you like a wave . the ska like Anywhere breaks up the sound into an uptempo vibe . Ted's Waltz is simply an amazing song so deep like the ocean ..way to go!
so where is ms Orton now... anyone know ?

CD-Charts Position 158
Average Rating:

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The Chieftains: An Irish Evening

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Chieftains

Release Date April 27, 2002
Although I have never been lucky enough to see The Chieftains "live", this album must be the next best thing. It is another incredible masterpiece from one of the best bands ever to come out of Ireland + their talented guests. I own many of their albums, but this one must rate as my favourite. I was intrigued to find out how Roger Daltry could front a group of musicians like The Chieftains with such diverse backgrounds in music. I was not disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 159
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Gold Frankincense and Myrrh

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band

Release Date November 26, 2001
Maddy Prior has made some superb recordings of Christmas Carols with the Carnival Band, but her release of 'Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh' is something a bit different. I bought this for Christmas 2001, so with Christmas 2002 rapidly approaching it's time to listen again.
There are two cycles of songs included on the CD. The first eight songs form 'Gold Frankincense and Myrrh' and were written by Maddy herself, telling the story of the Three Kings/Wise Men. In the first three songs each King tells his story, next they collectively tell of their journey, all to the accompaniment of an amazing array of authentic Arabian and African instruments. Then there is a switch to looking at the story through other eyes. 'Melima' is a woman used by Herod in a (conjectured) attempt to find ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 160
Average Rating:

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A Very Special Christmas Vol.3

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

Release Date December 01, 1997
I was very impressed by the first two volumes in the series but this volume, while it has some great tracks, does not match those two although I like this set better now than when I first bought it some years ago.

The highlights for me are I saw three ships (Sting), Blue Christmas (Sheryl Crow), Christmas (Blues traveller), a Gallic version of Silent night (Enya), Santa Claus is back in town (Jonny Lang), Christmas is now drawing near at hand (Steve Winwood) and O holy night (Tracy Chapman). Most of the other tracks are OK but the version of Santa baby included here is definitely not my kind of music. I much prefer Madonna's version, to be found on the first volume in the series, or the original Eartha Kitt version from the fifties.

If you are a big fan of nineties ... Read More: