Post by russellchap on Dec 10, 2015 12:39:25 GMT
Here is a list of ten folk albums that don't sit tidily in the drawer marked folk, either because they incorporate electronics, are secretive or just plain messy. I've chosen some less obvious folk-rock artists that are as good, if not better, than some of the more famous names, such as Nick Drake, Fairport Convention or The Watersons.
1. Spirogyra - Bells, Boots And Shambles
Unlike many artists during 'golden age' of English folk-rock Spirogyra had a northern bloody mindedness and sound to match. The songs were questioning and protesting. There is no whimsy here or psychedelic freak-outs. Just great vocals, songs and driving, expansive music.
Featured Track - Parallel Lines Never Separate
2. Anne Briggs - Sing A Song For You
Whilst Anne Briggs 1971 début was as traditional as folk albums come (It consisted mostly of Briggs singing classic folk songs unaccompanied), her third long player is more idiosyncratic. Featuring an expanded musical pallet and original songs. It is her most rewarding work.
Featured track - Sullivan's John
3. Heron - Heron
Ambient folk! Well not really but this has an ambient feel mainly down to the fact it was recorded outdoors in a field by the River Thames. This has a charming and youthful feel. It sounds as fresh as morning dew.
Featured track - Upon Reflection
4. Dr. Strangely Strange - Kip of The Serenes
Basically Dr. Strangely Strange are the Irish Incredible String Band. Raggle-taggle gypsy minstrels with a sense of fun and playfulness.
Featured track - On The West Of Cork
5. C.O.B. - Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart
The name of this band is an acronym of Clive's Original Band. The Clive is question is Clive Palmer, he with Robin Williamson created the legendary Incredible String Band in 1963. After recording with he band he did the usual hippy thing and travelled to India. In 1972 after returning he recorded his best work in C.O.B.'s second album, Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart.
Featured track - Heart Dancer
6. Linda Perhacs - Parallelograms
Parallelograms was completely ignored when originally released in 1970 until reissued in 2003. Thirty-three years later it's rightly regarded as a psychedelic folk masterpiece.
Featured track - Chimacum Rain
7. Buffy Sainte-Marie - Illuminations
Amazingly this album was disowned by Sainte-Marie within a few years after it's release. Well, maybe not so amazingly as it did fail to get anywhere near the Billboard Top 200 and was even deleted by Warner Bros. But over the years it has rightly been lauded as her bravest and most original album, featuring tracks that are wholly electronic. It's also been a influence on New Weird America, the modern version of 70's psychedelic folk.
Featured track - Poppies
8. Keith Christmas - Pigmy/Shelagh McDonald - Stargazer
Featuring great guitar from Keith Christmas and lush string arrangements from Robert Kirby (who provided the string arrangements for Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left), Pigmy is delight, with a strong set of songs. B&C records, who released this, was also home of Shelagh McDonald who worked with Keith Roberts. Her album Stargazer is another album worth checking out.
Featured tracks - Forest And The Shore/Odyssey
9. Mr. Fox - The Gypsy
Like Spirogyra Mr. Fox were another folk band with a defiantly northern sound and the Yorkshire husband and wife duo relied on self-penned songs, rather than traditional folk songs for their two albums. Both Bob and Carole Pegg had idiosyncratic singing styles and continued to perform folk music after the demise of Mr. Fox.
Featured track - House Carpenter
10. Dando Shaft - An Evening With Dando Shaft
Yet another band who recorded original material, this Midlands group garnered much critical praise, with this their début. Which was released on the independent, Young Blood label in 1970.
Featured track - Rain
You can listen to the playlist here www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnykKMzaHMuTN7slYY5TB8thS8hTw0EM3
1. Spirogyra - Bells, Boots And Shambles
Unlike many artists during 'golden age' of English folk-rock Spirogyra had a northern bloody mindedness and sound to match. The songs were questioning and protesting. There is no whimsy here or psychedelic freak-outs. Just great vocals, songs and driving, expansive music.
Featured Track - Parallel Lines Never Separate
2. Anne Briggs - Sing A Song For You
Whilst Anne Briggs 1971 début was as traditional as folk albums come (It consisted mostly of Briggs singing classic folk songs unaccompanied), her third long player is more idiosyncratic. Featuring an expanded musical pallet and original songs. It is her most rewarding work.
Featured track - Sullivan's John
3. Heron - Heron
Ambient folk! Well not really but this has an ambient feel mainly down to the fact it was recorded outdoors in a field by the River Thames. This has a charming and youthful feel. It sounds as fresh as morning dew.
Featured track - Upon Reflection
4. Dr. Strangely Strange - Kip of The Serenes
Basically Dr. Strangely Strange are the Irish Incredible String Band. Raggle-taggle gypsy minstrels with a sense of fun and playfulness.
Featured track - On The West Of Cork
5. C.O.B. - Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart
The name of this band is an acronym of Clive's Original Band. The Clive is question is Clive Palmer, he with Robin Williamson created the legendary Incredible String Band in 1963. After recording with he band he did the usual hippy thing and travelled to India. In 1972 after returning he recorded his best work in C.O.B.'s second album, Moyshe McStiff and the Tartan Lancers of the Sacred Heart.
Featured track - Heart Dancer
6. Linda Perhacs - Parallelograms
Parallelograms was completely ignored when originally released in 1970 until reissued in 2003. Thirty-three years later it's rightly regarded as a psychedelic folk masterpiece.
Featured track - Chimacum Rain
7. Buffy Sainte-Marie - Illuminations
Amazingly this album was disowned by Sainte-Marie within a few years after it's release. Well, maybe not so amazingly as it did fail to get anywhere near the Billboard Top 200 and was even deleted by Warner Bros. But over the years it has rightly been lauded as her bravest and most original album, featuring tracks that are wholly electronic. It's also been a influence on New Weird America, the modern version of 70's psychedelic folk.
Featured track - Poppies
8. Keith Christmas - Pigmy/Shelagh McDonald - Stargazer
Featuring great guitar from Keith Christmas and lush string arrangements from Robert Kirby (who provided the string arrangements for Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left), Pigmy is delight, with a strong set of songs. B&C records, who released this, was also home of Shelagh McDonald who worked with Keith Roberts. Her album Stargazer is another album worth checking out.
Featured tracks - Forest And The Shore/Odyssey
9. Mr. Fox - The Gypsy
Like Spirogyra Mr. Fox were another folk band with a defiantly northern sound and the Yorkshire husband and wife duo relied on self-penned songs, rather than traditional folk songs for their two albums. Both Bob and Carole Pegg had idiosyncratic singing styles and continued to perform folk music after the demise of Mr. Fox.
Featured track - House Carpenter
10. Dando Shaft - An Evening With Dando Shaft
Yet another band who recorded original material, this Midlands group garnered much critical praise, with this their début. Which was released on the independent, Young Blood label in 1970.
Featured track - Rain
You can listen to the playlist here www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnykKMzaHMuTN7slYY5TB8thS8hTw0EM3