Not Just Fiddle Tunes
934081
I've always thought of Bruce Molsky as a world-class old-time fiddler--and that he is. The fiddle tracks on this CD-DVD set are wonderful. But I have to say, the banjo, guitar, and song tracks are my favorites. If you're new to Mr. Molsky's music or to old-time music in general, this set would make a varied introduction that's sure to please. And if you're not, then I don't need to tell you what a must-have it is. :)
4481353
"Heartland: An Appalachian Anthology" is something of a "Best of" package gathering melodies from "Uncommon Ritual" (Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, and Mike Marshall), "Midnight on the Water" (Mark O'Connor), "Appalachia Waltz" (Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor), "Appalachian Journey" (Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Mark O'Connor again), "Short Trip Home" (Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Sam Bush, and Mike Marshall), and the soundtrack to "Liberty" (Mark O'Connor).  If you're familiar with these CDs, then you know that the musicianship and composition is uniformly excellent and truly innovative.
Most of the melodies included in "Heartland" are upbeat and catchy- the kinds of tunes that feel like they've been around for centuries (indeed a few, like "Johnny has Gone for a Soldier" and "College Hornpipe," have).  Those who have the original CDs know that they're also quite eclectic- "Contrapunctus XIII from The Art of the Fugue" on a banjo?  You won't find the most experimental tunes here.  Neither will you find some of the more reflective pieces, which strike me as musical mood swings.  As suggested by the title, the compositions in "Heartland" are aimed at the heart, and not the head.  It's a dead-on bulls-eye.
I came to these works from a bluegrass-acoustic music perspective, but have found that even diehard classical aficionadoes (especially fans of chamber music) love them also.  I'm always tickled by the thought of Sam Bush and Joshua Bell fiddlin' on the same stage- if that ain't fusion I don't know what is!  If you like what you hear, then I strongly suggest that you pick up the originals, and then move on to similar works like "Skip, Hop, and Wobble" (Douglas, Barenberg, and Meyer) or "Telluride Sessions" (Bush, Douglas, Fleck, O'Connor, and Meyer).
3064757
What a wonderful album! Classical examples of Celtic guitar work played by some of the most notable performers at work. People like Martin Simpson, Duck Baker, Pierre Bensusan, etc., etc., etc. This style of music, born with the harp players of the Celtic musicians of the British Isles and Europe stands unshakably at the center of North American non-native folk music. So deeply rooted that we all, whatever our cultural background, have felt its influence in places that the itinerant musicians who brought it here never would have expected it to go.

Listening to this album, with its careful sonics is like a master lesson in the genre (there actually is a book, and a DVD as well, available for those who play as well as listen). It's a rare opportunity to compare approaches. From the subtle differences between Martin and Baughman (the latter hews a line closer to the original harp work) to the flashier, yet drier, playing of Bensusan this is an album of eye-openers.

I wish I had the time to play as well as these musicians, or had the repertoire this album represents. Having an album like this handy to ask as inspiration helps, though. Whether you are an old fan looking for something new to hear or a newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about this album represents an excellent bargain. Much recommended.
4314706
This is a really nice collection of tunes, with standard notation as well as two versions of Banjo tab (easier and harder). Nice explanation of some of the specific tab notation, reasonably sized print for so much music. So nice for fiddle and mandolin players to have the actual tune itself without having to try and dig it out from the banjo. And, as noted in the preface, the tunes notated in standard versus the tab aren't always the same. Great resource. And the binding allows for laying flat on a stand! Hallelujah! Why in the world doesnt every music publisher bind this way?! Really happy with this collection. Any clawhammer player wanting to learn old-time standards and who doesnt mind lowering themselves to using tab to do it (you know who you are, all you unparticular non-traditionalists), this is a great tool and collection. Its taken the place of a lot of other printed resources on my stand.
1443716
And, I decided to try it out. I have been thoroughly pleased with it. It gives great examples of the different styles within traditional fiddle music. Not to mention - the Tommy Jarrell section, which was the selling point for me.
1389327
On a recent trip to Mark O'Connor's Fiddle Camp outside Nashville I was struck at the sparcity of true New England fiddle music among the huge variety of great fiddle music played there.  There is a distinct New  England style which is both marvelous to listen to and to dance to.  This  recording reflects the best of that traditional barn dance music. I'd like  to see Amazon also carry McQuillen's Old New England CD which has more of  the same great tunes.
4227638
These days there's a lot of interest in American folk music, both in the authentic stuff (Ralph Stanley, Dock Boggs, Charley Patton, et al.) and in the revival, itself undergoing something of a revival. All to the good, and may it continue. Meantime, it's wise to remember that much of our own folk music came from the British Isles and that the United Kingdom has had its own very interesting revival going on over the past half-century.
As the title suggests, the Acoustic Folk Box doesn't cover quite all of it. By definition seminal plugged-in bands such as Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span aren't here, but that's okay. Their recordings are readily available, and besides, many of the musicians who played in those outfits (e.g., Sandy Denny, Dave Swarbrick, Maddy Prior) are here by themselves or in other groups. Anyway, that detail aside, you could hardly ask for a better introduction to the British revival. Even those who have followed it as closely as one can from this side of the water will find a whole lot that's unfamiliar here, for example the long-forgotten Julie Felix's fine reading of the antique "Geordie" or Pete Morton's anthemic original "Another Train." Good as they are, these aren't the best. Fact of the matter, the adjective "best" is hard to apply here, inasmuch as the competition is ridiculously intense. Not every piece is great, of course -- the political songs, of which there are happily a minimum, tend to be more didactic than musical -- but there is so much good stuff here that you could listen to it for years, finding something new on each hearing.
I'm not even sure I can list all my favorites, or even if I've figured out yet what they are. I will say, though, that Robin and Barry Dransfield's "The Rout of the Blues" reminds me of how criminally underrecorded these North Country traditionalists were. Also missing in action, and missed sorely, are Nic Jones and Anne Briggs -- though surely the latter could be better represented than by the warhorse "She Moves Through the Fair." On the other hand, the version of Robin Williamson's "First Girl I Loved" is different from the one on the Incredible String Band's 5000 Spirits, and even more beautifully rendered. A few other highlights at random: the Etchingham Steam Band's "Hard Times of Old England"; Bill Caddick's "John O'Dreams"; the Young Tradition's "Lyke Wake Dirge"; Oak's "Scan's Polkas"; New Victory Band's "Harper's Frolick/Bonny Kate"; June Tabor's "Lay This Body Down." And more. And still more. In short: essential.
1941354
This album is wonderful. We've really enjoyed listening to it for the 5 months we've had it, especially eating dinner. Fantastic Scottish fiddle music. There are 12 tracks (about 41:53 total)-- you can view the names and listen to clips off the mp3 list.  Our favorite is #4 Isaac's Welcome to the World, written in honor of his son's birth.  I picked this album of his triology because it seemed to have the most pure fiddle music rather than with accompanying instruments, but they all seem outstanding.  We heard Duncan Chisholm in concert with Julie Fowlis in October 2013, and enjoyed the concert immensely. Highly recommend this album and Julie Fowlis's work (which has Gaelic vocals).
15504
Stumbled across this looking for something else.  As a listener to Civil War era tunes from various bands, this album was an unexpected pleasure.  Although many of the titles may be unfamiliar, you will recognize most of the tunes right away, albeit with different lyrics than you are used to.  If You like Irish music AND Civil War songs, this is a perfect match for you.
3914831
Well done--played with the feeling I think the original composers meant to portray. Each track has its own personality, from the serious and fast-paced to the calm and heavenly. It has a good mix of music from the  "grand" orchestra style to the simple tunes of a country dance to  some more modern versions to the way I think it could have been played  originally. There isn't a single track I don't like (no "cheesy"  music). I love to listen to it while I work (I'm a writer) because it  motivates, moves, and inspires me. Some tracks, like the one from  Riverdance, I like especially for the way the fiddler almost seems to  improvise, as though she were moving with the music instead of just reading  the notes.
2640349
Italian Folk Music for Mandolin is clearly a well executed labor of love:  Love of Italian Folk Music, love of the Mandolin, and apparently love for those of us who enjoy playing the Mandolin.  The selection is diverse, the recordings both pleasant to listen to and great for learning, the comments--both in terms of music and musicology--helpful for appreciating the music and how to approach playing it.  As an older -- think Medicare old -- musician who took up the Mandolin as a retirement hobby the music is -- as folk music should be -- challenging but accessible.  For me this book has been an enjoyable experience.  I enjoyed John La Barbera's other great Mandolin book, Traditional Southern Italian Mandolin and Fiddle Tunes.  The books are different from each other and both have provided hours of enjoyment.  Eh, Giovanni, mille grazie.
1165772
I first heard Nickel Creek on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion Radio show.  I was hooked.  The music just speaks to you, even if you are not normally a fan of bluegrass.  In fact, I hesitate to classify the music as bluegrass because it is so much more than that being both modern and even incorporating touches that feel Celtic.  The music is innovative and fresh, and I especially enjoy Sara Watkin's vocals.  Her voice is melodic and so refreshingly honest.  I especially like her in "Reasons Why."  This is a CD you will listen to again and again.
1120317
For past Christmases singer/songwriter/musician Joel Mabus has released a Christmas-related CD of music played on the small parlor guitar. (You can find my review of many of Mabus' albums by searching under the artist's name here on Amazon.) This year Mabus changed directions and issued this secular album in October. Putting the parlor guitar aside this time for the banjo (played claw hammer style) Mabus has mixed traditional as well as self-penned songs - and even included a spoken narrative track ("When They Ring the Golden Bells") with solo banjo accompaniment.  This is the third of Mabus' banjo CDs and, if you liked the others, I'm sure you'll like this one. As I pointed out in my review of "The Banjo Monologues" album, his parents performed professionally on WLS Radio in the 1930s and Mabus has that same performing spirit. He's also a prolific writer and, the 44-minute physical CD digipak contains only a short introduction by the artist - and a photo - he refers you to his website where you'll find two- or three- paragraphs of notes about each song, as well as the lyrics to the four songs with vocals.

The album is available both as a physical album and as MP3 download.

While Mabus does not have the most melodious-sounding voice, it sound authentic in the same way the Pete Seeger and Dave Van Ronk do (or in DVRs case, did). There is no denying that, instrumentally, Mabus knows his stuff. While I found the parlor guitar albums more entertaining, I do like this new one.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
3391919
An innovative look at a some traditional tunes by the Flecktones along with Andy Statman, Edgar Meyer, and a group of Tuvan throat singers.  Some of the songs are presented in fairly traditional ways, but the bulk are creative new takes that explore the basic musical structure and find some often hidden qualities of these very familiar tunes.  A  highlight for me was The 12 Days Of Christmas, where each "day" is in a different time signature!  Another interesting cut is Jingle Bells (reprise) where the melody is croaked out by a Tuvan throat singer accompanied by Bela's banjo.  Their kind of bluegrass breakdown take on Sleigh Ride is also very exciting, and a fairly straight read on Linus and Lucy really stands out. The musicianship is outstanding-- the mighty Flecktones, Andy Statman's clarinet and mandolin, and of course the brilliant Edgar Meyer.  Throughout there is a sense that the musicians were having a lot of fun doing this. It sure is a lot of fun to listen to!
3399922
This album was my first Cox Family purchase.  I have been, and still am delighted with it.  I enjoy hard-core bluegrass more than most, and no, this album is not that, but there is room for talented groups to reach out and explore other areas. This is a solid, enjoyable album, and introduced my husband to this tremendous group.  He is NOT a huge bluegrass fan, and had he heard Beyond The City or I Know Who Holds Tomorrow first, he might not have appreciated the Cox' entire body of work.
Excellent guitar, mandolin and dobro work, and super vocals.  Just like mariachi, EVERYBODY SINGS, and everybody's good, too.
Happy tunes and tearjerkers - something for everybody.
Worthwhile
1055537
I took a chance on this one.  I wasn't familar with Lucy Farr, or her playing.  I am someone who is starving for good Irish fiddle.  I want the authentic stuff.  Don't want the synths, a hip hop bass line, or big production.
This is a real joy.  It's like sitting with a fine fiddler in her living room.  Nothing more, nothing less.  These are not the tunes you hear all the time, so that was a bonus as well.  What you get is the fiddle, and sometimes someone accompanying on an instrument in the accordian family.
This was made out of love.
1259069
Once again Martin Simpson delivers a diverse collection of British and American traditional songs (as well as a few covers, and a couple of traditionally inspired original banjo tunes), done with trademark attention to detail without unnecessary fanfare. He draws on several guest musicians and vocalists to fill it out, but the overall effect is clean, somewhat sparse, and finely delicate.

Richard Thompson adds electric guitar on three songs (as well as contributing "Strange Affair", which Martin revisits with June Tabor after over 30 years), and B J Cole gives a nice touch on pedal steel on five tunes. But perhaps most distinctive are the guest vocalists - Dick Gaughan, June Tabor, and Fay Heild - who are all remarkable on the four songs they do (especially Tabor, sounding delightfully like Linda Thompson). Besides revisiting "Strange Affair", Simpson also does a lively remake of "Lakes of Ponchartrain", and a great cover of Bruce Springsteen's powerful "Brothers Under The Bridge".

Overall, yet another remarkable accomplishment from Simpson!