CD-Charts Position 11
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CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Damien Rice

Release Date July 28, 2003
Just thought I'd do my bit to reduce the ludicrously high star rating of Mr. Rice's dreary and vacuous disc. Lisa Hannigan does well to provide a good contrast to his dreadful vocals, but 'Cold Water' is the only song here of any merit; the rest is over-hyped tosh of the worst kind. May he sink into deserved obscurity as soon as possible.

CD-Charts Position 12
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Songs of Leonard Cohen

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

Release Date April 23, 2007
I first heard a few songs of Leonard Cohen when I was 16. He was one of my dad's favorite singers and soon became my all-time favorite. His songs - often focusing on religious themes, but also on sexuality (in a non-primitive way unlike many songs nowadays), women and isolation - have a special impact. The usual minimalistic orchestration is legend (only a few albums such as DEATH OF A LADIES' MAN produced by Phil Spector and TEN NEW SONGS break the tradition). My absolute favorite song ONE OF US CANNOT BE WRONG is featured on this unique album. With all the R&B/rap crap played on the radio LEONARD COHEN is a welcome salvation!

CD-Charts Position 13
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Solid Air

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: John Martyn

Release Date October 23, 2000
This is a great record of undefinable trips into blues and folk with a jazz vibe at times.
Great guitar playing, great singing, great songs and an almost mesmerising laid back atmosphere.
Nothing else I have heard by John Martyn touches this.
I love to hear a record where a musician so clearly says "this is my sound, and it isn't like anyone else"
He shies away from the "hey nonny nonny" of Pentangle etc and produces a genre-defying piece of brilliance which could sit equally in the folk or blues camps.

This is great music - it just remains for you to buy it immediately at this bargain price.

CD-Charts Position 14
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A Midwinter Night's Dream

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

Release Date October 20, 2008
Loreena always has difficulty in pleasing ALL of her fans because of her 'landmark' albums, 'The Book of Secrets' and 'The Mask & the Mirror'. However, she delivers yet again with this album, which is a thoughtful mixture of old and new.

It is so atmospheric and if you only want to buy one new album for Christmas this is the one. It is wonderful to relax to. Thank you Loreena for entering our lives.

CD-Charts Position 15
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Tracy Chapman

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

Release Date April 11, 1988
I still remember the moment I first saw and heard Tracy Chapman play "Talkin' About A Revolution" at the Nelson Mandela Concert in London in 1988. I was 16 at the time and it stopped me dead in my tracks and for the first time made me think about the wider world outside my own limited horizons. This song still sends a shiver down my spine just as it did 20 years ago.
Chapman's debut album, from which the song comes, is timeless and like an expensive wine seems to mature as each year passes. Every song is outstanding from the heartfelt social consciousness of songs such as Revolution and "Mountain O'Things" to the wistful "Fast Car" and assertive "For My Lover". In "Baby Can I Hold You" she crafts one of the most tender and introspective love songs ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 16
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The Wide World Over: the Very Best of the Chieftains/a 40 Year Celebration

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Chieftains

Release Date March 11, 2002
Not only does this give you a journey to Irish Isles through 40 years of one of the countries greatest bands but it features a wealth of International Artist with a love of music.

You'll get a real Irish flavour from the first track 'March of the King of Ladis', the pipes support Sinead O'Connor on the 2nd track and are followed by a very energetic version of 'I know my love' with the Corrs.

The thing about Irish music is that whenever it's played everybody joins in and has a great time and you will do the same listening to this. You'll be beating out the rythym especially to track 4 a right good Cotton Pickin Traditional tune.

Joini Mitchell allows you time to recover and contemplate about the Magdalene Sisters in 'The Magdalene ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 17
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New Skin for the Old Ceremony

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

Release Date April 01, 1996
Yet another album that I can play over and over again without it getting boring. I know all of the songs by heart and yet I can listen to it any time. There is only one artist (and I can only emphasize the word ARTIST) who can do this, LEONARD COHEN. Without a doubt, his version of the traditional song LEAVING GREEN SLEEVES is the absolute highlight on this disc.

CD-Charts Position 18
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Five Leaves Left

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

Release Date June 26, 2000
For any folkie the session musicians on this album read like a who's who of English folk rock of the late 60's early 70's. The music and lyrics are sublime my only question is why i had not bought this earlier. It is the perfect sunday chill out album beautifully crafted songs and suberb lyrics

CD-Charts Position 19
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Watermark

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Enya

Release Date September 19, 1988
This was the album that put Enya on the map musically and it's easy to see why.Haunting vocals,mystical music and an artist of rare talent.

With many fantastic songs including 'Orinoco Flow','Storms In Africa' and 'Evening Falls',this is an album you can switch on,chill out to and just lose yourself.It has stood the test of time too and sounds as refreshing today as when it was originally released.

'Watermark' is a fine album,indeed it is a classic of it's type.Enya may not be to everyone's taste but she is a refreshing alternative to so much of the manufactured pop around today and deserves the worldwide success she has achieved.

CD-Charts Position 20
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Amarantine: Special Christmas Edition

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Enya

Release Date November 13, 2006
I admit it, I am a massive fan of Enya, from the moment I heard Orinoco Flow. I have all her albums, singles and compilations. In my book, she was the start of New Age music. So, I admit to being biased! Her albums take a while to make and the wait is difficult to take. However, when she releases an album, she delivers a 4 or 5 star album.

I agree with the sentiments from Paul of the Netherworld, my fellow reviewer from Brighton who, in his review of the CD single of Amarantine, spoke about other music which exists and tends to dominate the charts.

In the desert, there is always an oasis, and in today's predominantly arid music scene, here is that oasis - another lovely Enya album. The title track is quite similar to "Only Time", and the album reminds me of "A ... Read More: