2006 Remnants
Some of these are late in being reviewed, but still worthwhile and deserve airplay! They'll be at the station tomorrow.Artist: Anonymous 4 (featuring Darol Anger & Mike Marshall)
Title: Gloryland Label: Harmonia Mundi
Grade: A Genre: Folk/Americana
Revival songs, folk hymns, gospel tunes, and religious ballads make up this modern retelling of classic American songs with a focus on the harmonies and emulation of traditional singing styles of the Southern mountains. Although there seems to be a strong focus on accuracy of vocal performance and the historical accuracy of lyrics and sources of songs, this album is far from stagnant. The vocal harmonies of Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, Jacqueline Horner, and Johanna Maria Rose, though obviously thoroughly practiced, are dynamic. Their voices are rich and timeless. Add the insturmentation of Darol Anger and Mike Marshall and you have a beautiful folk record good for morning and afternoon mixes as well as Saturday specialty shows. For more information, see the copious liner notes—also in German!
Favorites:
#9 “Return Again” – mid-tempo revival song
#13 “Merrick” – mid-tempo revival song, great harmonies
#16 “Just Over in the Gloryland” – up-tempo gospel song
#19 “Green Pastures” – uplifting gospel song
--reviewed by Corinna Manion
Artist: The Carter Family
Title: Together Again Label: Sphere Records
Grade: B Genre: Folk/Country
Nothing extremely new or fresh here, but it is a later recording of Helen, Anita, and June—circa 1991. This has never been released before, so cynically I must conclude that Sphere Records is hoping to make a buck on the value of a posthumous release. Nevertheless, it is good to hear these voices again, and even though it was recorded in ’91, it still has the signature pared down folky feeling of old Carter Family recordings. You’ll find classics that won’t disappoint or surprise, like “Foggy Mountain Top” (#1); “Clinch Mountain Home” (#3); Blue Eyes (#5); and “Worried Man Blues” (#7). Lesser known tracks like “The Winding Stream” (#4) and “Amber Tresses” (#12) make this recording special.
--reviewed by Corinna Manion
Artist: The Essex Green
Title: Cannibal Sea Label: Merge
Grade: A- Genre: Alternative/Indie
Perfectly poppy, with a twinge of 60’s folk, these songs sound classic though they are all new. Brooklyn-based, these songs are connected by a theme of travel and wanderlust faced by the reality of big city living. Great, up-beat songs that rival the infectiousness of a Camera Obscura or Belle & Sebastian—good for any time of the day.
Favorites:
#3 “Penny and Jack” – dueling male/female vocals, brit-pop-ish
#6 “Cardinal Points”
#7 “Rabbit” – slower folky ballad
#10 “Sin City”
--reviewed by Corinna Manion
Artist: Peter and the Wolf
Title: Lightness Label: The Worker’s Institute
Grade: A Genre: Alternative/Indie
Great album for the winter—-full of haunting textures and soft-spoken vocal styles. Folky style reminds one a lot of Little Wings or Thanksgiving, but with more interesting lyrics and more obsessed with a cynical but whimsical lost love (think Magnetic Fields). Recommended for afternoon mixes and late nights.
Favorites:
#3 “Safe Travels” – up-tempo highway song
#4 “My Grey Overcoat” – slow, moody (watch for the last minute—mostly incoherent street sounds, should fade if daytime mix)
#5 “The Highway” – slow, nice harmonies
#8 “The Bonsai Tree” – up-tempo, lyrics ala Magnetic Fields, ukulele-driven!
--reviewed by Corinna Manion
posted by C.L.M. @ 8:39:00 PM
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