CD-Charts Position 51
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Everything You See

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Runrig

Release Date May 14, 2007
First of all - yes, I'm a long-standing Runrig fan. However, the first time I slapped this into the CD player I have to say that I was not as impressed as I had been on first listening to The Stamping Ground and Proterra (the previous two mind-bogglingly brilliant albums). Some of the tracks sounded slightly familiar, and (apart from the fabulous and darkly atmospheric In Scandinavia) didn't make a massive impression.
However, I decided to put the CD in the car, and as a result of a long journey ended up listening to it several times in succession, and am I glad that I did! Once I picked up some of the words, I was singing my head off to the up-tempo tracks such as Year of the Flood and Clash of the Ash (dangerous trying to dance whilst ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 52
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What We Did On Our Holidays

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Fairport Convention

Release Date March 03, 2003
Fairport Convention's second album was recorded scant months after their debut, but it's light years ahead. The band had improved in every way: the playing and arrangments are tighter and the production is much, much cleaner. Importantly, they had added the peerless vocal talents of Sandy Denny. Not only was she a great singer but she was a pretty decent songwriter as well and the album opens with her beautiful song 'Fotheringay', a haunting portrait of Mary Queen Of Scots in her fortress prison. Pretty much every band member gets some form of songwriting credit, although Richard Thompson was responsible for the bulk of the original songs, showing himself to be a composer of remarkable assurance, especially on the timeless 'Meet On The Ledge' which remains ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 53
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Time After Time

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Eva Cassidy

Release Date May 22, 2000
This album has to be listened to to be believed. It is simply amazing with more of my favourite songs all on one album. This album was released in 2000 even though Eva died in 1996 of cancer. Unfortunately, the album only reached number 25 in the charts unlike Songbird, Imagine and the most recent American Tune which all reached number 1.

For those that have never heard of Eva, she was an American whose style could never be categorised which proved to be the biggest downfall in her career as no one would sign her unless she was in a specific genre. I would say the style of this album is a little more folk and bluesy than some of her other albums and the tempo is a lot slower in e.g. Anniversary Song than you may find in other songs such as 'How Can I Keep ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 54
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The Definitive Collection

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

Release Date December 03, 2007
I was lucky enough to see John Tams perform at 'The Moseley Folk Festival', in Birmingham, this summer. Until then, though, I only had vague memories of his appearances in 'Sharpe'. However, after hearing him at Moseley, I realised how woefully inadequate my c.d. collection was and after purchasing 'The Definitive Collection', to get an idea of just what I'd been missing out on all these years, went on to buy all his other albums i.e. 'Unity', 'Home' and 'The Reckoning'. He has a well developed ear for melody and it shows in all of his beautifully crafted compositions. I recommend this album as you won't be disappointed.

CD-Charts Position 55
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The Times They Are a-Changin': Remastered

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

Release Date June 20, 2005
Although Dylan sang protest songs on his previous album, 'the freewheelin'', I think this is his only complete protest album. He sings of wars ('with god on our side'), murders ('The ballad of Hollis Brown', 'The lonesome death of Hattie Carroll'), racism ('a pawn in their game') the closure of a mine ('north country blues'), and criticism of the way countries are run (the title song and 'when the ship comes in') as the main subject matter, with a few more reflective ballads ('too many mornings', 'spanish boots of spanish leather', 'restless farewell') sandwiched in to help add a bit of variety. I prefer the slightly less serious 'another side' and 'the freewheelin'' to this, but it is an excellent selection of songs that really makes you think about the suffering and hardships ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 56
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Sweet Liberty

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Cara Dillon

Release Date September 22, 2003
This is nowhere near as impressive as her debut.Despite the beautiful voice I find it very hard work to listen to 12 slow songs in a row, and feel that Cara and Sam Lakeman should consider another producer.As stated in most reviews "There were roses" is worth the price of the album on it's own,and "The Gem of the Roe" is another beauty, but there is a distinct lack of variety in the song selection, and the original numbers here are not really up to much.Dillon's voice, which is very easy on the ear, does not have a great range.This is another reason why she needs to take greater care in sourcing new material. I fully agree with the reviewer who bemoaned the uninspired backing.There's over-reliance on sombre piano chords,with no real feel for Irish music.Mandolins, accordions or fiddles ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 57
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Kate & Anna McGarrigle

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Kate & Anna McGarrigle

Release Date August 04, 2008
This is a wonderful record, full of great melodic songs mainly written by Kate and Anna, including "Heart like a wheel" which had already been a hit for Linda Rondstadt. The songs feature the sisters' beautiful harmonies with folky backing provided by combinations of French-Canadian musicians and seasoned session players like Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Lowell George and Bobby Keyes etc. The results are a mixture of heart-breakingly beautiful ballads, delicate and fragile but with an inner strength, and bitter-sweet songs of family relationships. The McGarrigles would find this record hard (if not impossible) to better.

CD-Charts Position 58
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A Day Without Rain

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Enya

Release Date November 20, 2000

One of the greatest albums of the decade and most certainly one of the greatest works ever to be captured on CD! Undoubtedly Enya's greatest moment which she can never hope to better - but only ever hope to match. She manages to capture every emotion here - and every tempo. A masterpiece where Enya reaches perfection in the extreme. This also includes her greatest single ever (that ironically did not chart - and there goes the British Public for you again! Shame on you!!) in 'Wild Child'. It is one of those songs reminiscent of the days when singles would be bought and played over and over again 'til they were worn out! Each track is perfectly placed, and clearly much thought has gone into this arrangement. There's not a single song that does not belong on this album, and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 59
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Tennessee Pusher

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Old Crow Medicine Show

Release Date September 22, 2008
There are some good songs on this disc, but compared to their debut album it has no kick, I think O.C.M.S maybe a one trick pony.

CD-Charts Position 60
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Full House

CD-Charts > Music > Contemporary Folk
by: Fairport Convention

Release Date October 01, 2001
Richard Thompson had always stood out in earlier Fairport albums with his songwriting and guitar work but it was this album where he was essentialy taking the band where he wanted it to go. That's not to say the other members don't make thier mark, Dave Swarbick performs some of his best violin solos on this album and Simon Nicol begins making his mark as a singer and guitarist.
Obviously, none of the band could compare to Sandy Denny on vocals, so they use vocal harmonies instead consisting usually of Richard Thompson, Simon Nicol, Dave Swarbick and Ashley Hutchings replacement Dave Pegg who create a beutiful vocal track by singing together.
The Stand out tracks on this album are the bouncy opener "Walk Awhile" the most jolly and carefree song fairport had done since Unhalfbricking ... Read More: