FolkWorld #54 07/2014

CD & DVD Reviews

Gabriel Miller Phillips "One for the Crow"
Whytehouse Records; 2013

Artist Video

www.gabrielmillerphillips.com

If this modern singer songwriter has much depth and a touch of melancholy, it is not too surprising considering the back-story. Gabriel Miller Phillips had some operations that left him with limited mobility for 2 ½ years. So what better way then to focus on songwriting and playing. All the time in the world will not help when the talent is not there, and the good news is that this is not the case here. Phillips has a highly emotive voice that he uses with just the right measure of control. His music has subtle complexities in the arrangements and instrumental choices, which makes for highly engaged listening. The audience is there for him, I hope they find each other.
© David Hintz


Temenik Electric "Ouesh Hada?"
Normal Cafe; 2013

Artist Video

temenikelectric.tumblr.com

This French rock record extends its routes much further east as there are many classic Eastern motifs here in this interesting modern rock mix. There are heavy electric guitar moments and more rhythmic songs mixed in here. The vocals are strong and the energy is good throughout. I preferred the more mystical sounding cuts, while others were more predictable. There are enough challenges here that will reward you, as they balance their a unique style with an ability to latch on to modern rock stylings.
© David Hintz


Various Artists "Dusty Goat Entertainment: New Routes"
GO Folk, 2013

Go’ Records and Dusty Goat Studios present this strong compilation of Danish music that ranges from folk and blues to Americana and jazz. Long Dog provides the striking Americana and blues songs with sharp rock production touches. The Umbrella Bear Brothers have a worldly upbeat jazz sound that is vibrant and compelling. Rocky Roads has the folkiest sound with some sort of Irish reel-based undercurrent at times. They offer up some tremendous rocking folk songs for those that want to get up and move. This album plays through very well and limited to three bands allows listeners to get into the personalities and styles of each. And I would happily listen to long-players from each of them. This is a great way to get your toe in the water to some of the things happening in Denmark.
© David Hintz


Turid Norlund "Curtains"
GO Folk, 2013

Artist Video

www.turidnorlund.dk

Turid Norlund has long been one of Denmark’s more interesting folk artists. Although, she has some traditional chops, more often she collaborates with artists world-wide including Peter Gabriel for some of his RealWorld releases. Much of that is evident in this record. This takes place squarely in the lounge, but exactly what continent the lounge is on is a bit of a mystery. The music is simple enough to be anywhere with just the slightest exotic touch now and then. But mostly, it is the assured vocal work that takes center stage with a warm inviting manner, that makes this a lounge you can kick back and relax in, letting your head swirl with interesting musical imagery.
© David Hintz


Michael Veitch "Postcards from Vermont Vol. 1"
Burt Street Music; 2013

Artist Video

www.michaelveitch.com

Michael Veitch has been covered by Judy Collins, so he clearly knows his way with a folk song. The twelve songs here offer further evidence with an emphasis on storytelling and sometimes some poetic panache. Musically, it is all well and good, with some nice male and female vocals to keep things lively. Although originally from Vermont, he has been operating out of Munchen recently, although this still retains the sound of rural America. It is good singer songwriter material that is only a bit more fully arranged than a simple folk record. So folk fans are urged to listen and keep your eye open for the next folk club show, or opening set at a Shawn Colvin show, perhaps. If you want to sample a cut, start with the best—the epic “Irene Meets the Bartonsville Bridge” which is absolutely classic folk style.
© David Hintz


Amos Funk "Black Rose"
Tzatlaplam; 2012

Artist Video

www.amosfunk.com

When I read that Amos Funk wrote these twelve songs about his late wife who died four years previously, I was preparing for some dark Nick Drake/Bill Callahan sounding album. Instead, there is some optimism in the music. The lyrics are quite intense and are well composed, which must be a challenge when dealing with such intense personal issues. Musically, there is reflection and contemplation, but also a spirit that elevates the themes. Even if you didn’t understand a single word, there is much pleasure to be gained in listening to the fine band arrangements that are rock oriented with a bit of folk, as Funk is also an excellent songwriter and expressive singer. This is a strong record, any way you want to look at it.
© David Hintz


Nic Polimeno "The Gioconda Smile"
Tanzan Music, 2013

www.niccolopolimeno.com

I am looking for something to recommend here in this debut album by Italian guitarist/singer songwriter Nic Polimeno, but I am not finding it. There is some good bluesy rock guitar work, although it is rather a sterile environment. The songwriting leans toward clichés far too often, which could in part be due to English language songs. There is nothing terribly wrong here, just not enough right. He is young and just getting started, so there could be good things down the road… just not yet.
© David Hintz


Blackmore’s Night "Dancer and the Moon"
Frontiers Records; 2013

Artist Video

www.blackmoresnight.com

The formula remains the same for this band[20] [24][37][49] that has Richie Blackmore has now been a part of longer than his Deep Purple or Rainbow stays. This is Renaissance music with rock moves mixed into the many traditional instruments and the overall idiom. His playing is as good as ever and the production of the band is also strong and vibrant. Candace Night’s lead vocals are excellent, although her lyrics still have that simplistic quality that you either enjoy or try to ignore. The one interesting cover song they always have is Uriah Heep’s “Lady in Black” which Richie Blackmore heard on the radio in Europe during a tour and could not immediately recognize it. Of course, he had played with Uriah Heep in the past, so they did a personal take that works quite well. More poignantly, the last cut is dedicated to the late Jon Lord who seemed to be a good guy to all who he worked with. This album may lack some of the powerful hits of previous albums, but has even stronger ancient roots in songs like “Troika” and “Galliard”. Richie Blackmore is still shy of 70 years of age and he sounds like he can play this brand of high quality music for a long time yet to come. I will be listening the full way.
© David Hintz


Janet Robin & Band "Live in France"
Little Sister Records; 2013

Artist Video

www.janetrobin.com

Janet Robin takes a blues rock approach, but puts in some mainstream pop-rock moves and hearty singer songwriter cuts as well. She does a couple of blues standards along with mostly originals, and has a fascinating 12-minute cover of PJ Harvey’s “This is Love”. Janet Robin may start the set on acoustic guitar, but she is not ceding the lead work to the electric player as she shreds away with some powerful playing. The sound is good throughout, and aside for the clichés of getting the audience to do sing-alongs (made more complicated by the use of a French interpreter), this is a really good record. She can wail away and does not follow predictable patterns too often. For those looking beyond the blues, but with the recognizable blues heart, this a jumping record to dig into it.
© David Hintz


The Dunwells "Follow the Road"
Playing in Traffic; 2013

www.thedunwells.com

This is one rocking record from the brothers Dunwell. There are two of them that sing and play guitars and keyboards. They are augmented by a rhythm section and a lead guitarist. Although there certainly are folk and Americana elements here, the sound is solid main stream rock’n’roll with some emo style pop hooks in there as well. It starts off with some gutsy numbers like the opening title cut, but trails off a little. The energy remains, but it settles in for a mainstream comfortable style that will work with many, but not all. The acoustic songs toward the end will be of interest to the folkier of the folk-rock set.
© David Hintz


Captain Cougar "Åkerblomrörelsen"
Pinetree Records, 2014

Artist Video

www.captaincougar.net

Despite the band name and album title, this is heavy on a rather stark sound of female vocals over piano. Yet the moments of full band production do show up nicely at various times and are almost a bit shocking, but powerful. The vocals got so intense at one point, it seemed like the record was stuck. And the songs are about a Finnish cult leader, which sounds like a fascinating story. There is some ambient backing that is lighter and spacier at times as well. There is plenty to like here in the classic folkrock world, and although the songs are good, they do not always stand out on their own any more than many other fine bands. Yet, those little surprises just around the corner are what makes this album such a pleasurable outing. It is always a pleasure to find such fascinating albums like this.
© David Hintz


John The Conqueror "The Good Life"
Alive NaturalSound Records, 2014

Artist Video

www.johntheconqueror.com
If you are going to do the blues, there are a few directions that still work pretty well. Fortunately, John the Conqueror takes one of these routes. He has a loose honky tonk foot stomping style with a band that swings. The vocals are rich and road worn, but with strength and clarity. The guitars bounce around off of each other well and make for a good listen on this album. I always make time in my day for this kind of quality. Songs to try first: Mississippi Drinkin' - They create a true murky swampy feeling on this twanged out mid tempo rocker. Golden Rule - Good dual guitars in the Allmans/Rolling Stones tradition. John Doe - A slower bluesy folk styled number with a cool pipe organ behind the guitar.
© David Hintz

The Warp The Weft "Wind of Hours Unwinding"
Parloscope International Recordings, 2014

Artist Video

www.thewarptheweft.com

I have enjoyed this band's brand of psychedelic folk in the past[51] and am pleased to see they are pushing genre boundaries even further on this ten-song album. They still have that core feeling of mystery and exploration, but mix light touches with heavier moments and intricate patterns of song writing and arranging. So if you like bands like Spirogyra, Fresh Maggots, and Spriguns, you should be listening to this. The quivering lead vocals are reminiscent of those of Fuchsia, who were also a great light progressive band. This band has the creativity, individualistic, genre bending spark that makes them a must-hear in this decade. They are definitely one of my favorites and I hope many more add them to their list as well.

Songs to try first:

© David Hintz

Rebecca Lappa "Avant Garden"
Own label; 2013

Artist Video

www.rebeccalappa.com

If Rebecca Lappa’s parents are upset with this album, they can ground her. At 16 years young, she’s not old enough to legally do pretty much anything on her own—at least in my country, directly south of her native Canada. Fortunately, most critics will likely agree with her parents in being quite pleased with this album. Her voice is a pleasure and her songwriting quite accomplished (obviously beyond her years, as what wouldn’t be). OK, Mozart did a lot as well by this age, but this is also her THIRD album. The only critical point I would make is that her garden is not quite as avant as I would like. But this singer songwriter folk rock material is fairly daring at times, not fully toward a Kate Bush, but it is not overly crazy to include that name in the conversation.
© David Hintz


David Berkeley "The Fire in my Head"
Own label; 2014

Artist Video

www.davidberkeley.com

David Berkeley is not only a veteran American folk rock musician, but he has also lived in many different cities on the east coast and one in California. Now he is tucked deep away in the southwestern deserts where the ancient city of Sante Fe, New Mexico is placed. It is one of the oldest cities on this continent and has a cultural flavor all its own. Berkeley tries to capture a little of that here, as is only natural, and has come up with a likable album. It is not too terribly profound, but it is good to settle down with on a warm desert night.
© David Hintz


Samy Danger "Samy Danger"
Soulfire, 2014

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This is a fun, brisk personal album of light rock with folk roots. It has a reggae flavor in tone more than overall style. The vocals have a little of that Devandra Banahart quiver, but it is not as over the top freakish. Still, there is enough personality here to add distinction. Of course, you don’t have to listen to this, just look at the photos of Samy Danger on the album to see that he has plenty of personality. Although based in Munich, he has a universal sound that is rather hard to pigeonhole and that is a good thing.
© David Hintz


Dan Krikorian "Bloom"
Own label; 2013

www.dankrikorian.com

Dan Krikorian has a sweet warmth to his singing and songwriting. The arrangements follow time honored moves of string highlights, steady rock rhythms and space for vocals to work their magic. There are other guitars, banjos, and keyboards that all have their moments as well. The songs are personal and shoot for universal themes, succeeding for the most part. Really, this just has a fine feeling that even if it is a little ‘too nice’ at times, it is good to have this music out there in the world to counteract the darker skies. Try “Afternoon” for a full sound including a rocking final passage.
© David Hintz


Christopher Bruhn "Weekends on the Frontier"
Grass-Tops Recording, 2014

Artist Video

A good finger style guitarist can be therapeutic listening. Christopher Bruhn has the skills and thankfully has the creativity to convey emotional depth with his playing. Ergo, these eight songs have transported me out of my urban funk into a pasture of guitar notes welcome me in. Yet, there are also moments when there is a vibe of rural music played with the neighbors over for a spell. 'Fjords of Northern Norway' evokes an exotic locale, while 'Burial Grounds' reminds me of classic John Fahey. Even 'Arabian Writing on Plaster Walls' is more John Fahey than Davey Graham, despite the title. Bruhn has plenty of exotic moves that can work out of a comfortable melody.
© David Hintz


Deer Tick "Negativity"
Partisan; 2014

Article: Always a Pleasure

www.deertickmusic.com

John McCauley was Deer Tick as a solo folk performer. His songs were strong enough to standalone and he could have successfully gone the solo route. However, I enjoy the full band that he has put together even more, as they create some fine textures for his nasal twanged voice, strong lyrics and interesting melodies. There is a warmth to this music, but a slight gritty touch throughout, like a down and out Tom Petty perhaps. There is a balance of genres that generally make for successful indie rock and the occasional use of brass shows that there is a real plus here. The production is thoughtful and adds a rich variety of tones in these twelve songs to help the album flow so quickly by. Yet the songs will keep you focused as that happens. They are a major player now with a worldwide following.
© David Hintz


Simon Kempston "A Fine Line"
Self-Portrait Records; 2013

Artist Video

www.simonkempston.co.uk

It is not too terribly often I can compliment a singer songwriter guitarist on both his skills as a very good songwriter and a very good finger-style guitarist. But Edinburgh based Simon Kempston gets high mark in both categories. His vocal work is also excellent as he constructs intriguing melodies that are both comfortable, yet take some intriguing paths on the way to journey’s end. The guitar work is solid with more to offer than that of the heavy strumming singer songwriters. There are strings, piano, and a bodhran to spice things up and help create a full sound with just enough sonic space to allow instruments and voice to command attention when warranted.
© David Hintz


Sarah Aroeste "Gracia"
Own label; 2012

Artist Video

www.saraharoeste.com

Although American, Sarah Aroeste has captured the exotic sounds of her deeper roots in Spain and Macedonia. She has done a great job of bringing in classic Judeo-Spanish tradition to up tempo, powerful modern music. Everything explodes out of the speakers with her voice cutting deep into the heart of this sound. Although the style is radically different, the production and overall power reminds me of Blackmore’s Night[54] — and there are some heavy guitar worthy of some of Richie Blackmore’s previous rock bands. Yet, this is for the world music fan who desires more of a hybrid sound with rock music. And you have to like an album named for a woman who fought the Spanish Inquisition. This record is on my ‘replay often’ pile.
© David Hintz


Karen Jonas "Oklahoma Lottery"
Own label; 2014

www.karenjonasmusic.com

This Fredericksburg Virginia singer songwriter is someone worth going out of your way for. She has the songs and style to carry them off solo, but they work even better here with a talented band that has all the Americana moves and then some. She has played shows with Brittany Jean, so if you imagine music in the that vein backed by the Highballers, you have an idea of what Karen Jonas can deliver. She varies tempos from crisp rocking to easy-going folk and adjusts her vocals to interpret her lyrics with gusto and precision. Check out the title cut for a fine example of story/song. I certainly plan to see this material live some day. But for now, I have a strong record with songs that are worthy of careful relistening when I want to dig into the lyrics or just a relaxed spin if I just want to let the music flow into the atmosphere. Either way, this one will get replayed.
© David Hintz


Mason Summit "Absentee"
Own label; 2013

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This is an interesting debut album. It is experimental in the sense that it seems to explore a few different styles of rock, pop, and folk in these twelve songs. It is occasionally naïve and does not quite connect. Yet there are some real gems here such as “Fools in April”. And there is nothing wrong with being a little naïve or not having a complete vision, as Mason Summit is all of 17 years old. He’s based in LA, so he can connect with some fine musicians and does have former Circle Jerk Zander Schloss here on bass. He is worth following as there is talent here and there are also enough interesting songs to give this a try.
© David Hintz


Ruth Theodore "Dear Lamp Love Moth"
Own label; 2014

Artist Video

www.ruththeodore.com

Definitely part of the newer folk style, Ruth Theodore takes that as a starting point and does a lot more. There are Kate Bush moves in here as arrangements move from delicate guitar and delicate voice to blasts of horns that are carefully placed. Whenever I listen to the newer style of folk music (post Joanna and Devandra) the question is always is this precocious or not. For Ruth Theodore, it is not, as she is the real deal. Purists and Trad fans need not apply, but she will appeal to a lot of folk and indie rock fans who can appreciate lighter arrangements. These are thick, strong sounds, even if they sound like they may float on air. If you like Kate Bush, Linda Perhacs, Roy Harper, etc., give Ruth Theodore a listen.
© David Hintz


Andy Griffiths "Mind on Other Things"
Own label; 2013

www.andygriffiths.ca

Canadian guitarist/singer Andy Griffiths has a rootsy hard rocking style that sets the tone for these seven songs (and two bonus demos). There are some folk elements here, but the near honky-tonk strength of some of the faster cuts seems to work best for Griffiths. The songwriting is decent and if he continues to work up fun and engaging arrangements, he should be quite an entertaining performer. I would go to the clubs to see his show.
© David Hintz


The Tatsmiths "Curiosity Shop"
Own label; 2012

www.tatsmiths.moonfruit.com

Lead singer and guitarist Zora McDonald writes all the songs and has the core sound of this record fully in her grasp. And she has a voice worth listening to in these eclectic and entertaining songs. She has assembled a fascinating band of drums, bass, fiddle, and saxophone. I hear lounge jazz, klezmer, and other worldly styles blended into this music. It is not easy to classify on the whole, but it is brisk, not too heavy, and thoroughly engaging when the band locks into an interesting melody, which is more often than not. This record has some magic within.
© David Hintz


Elephant Revival "These Changing Skies"
ITZ Evolving Records; 2014

Artist Video

www.elephantrevival.com

I do enjoy my Colorado bands. It was an area I called home for about twenty years, but even if I had never ventured in, I would still seek out much of the music from that mountainous region. This band relocated from Oklahoma to Nederland, just outside of Boulder. They have an incredibly smooth rootsy style, which is not quite as transcendent as Woven Hand, per se, but has a worldliness to it that is similar. Perhaps a slightly lighter Walkabouts may be the better comparison here. The stringed instrumentation so calmly carves out pathways around the melody with vocals that mesmerize and tantalize. This is a high quality album that folk fans and even indie rock fans should take a careful listen to.
© David Hintz


Tom Mank & Sera Smolen "Swimming in the Dark"
Ithaca Records; 2013

www.tommank.net

This Ithaca, New York duo combines cello, guitar and voices and create a delicate music that balances folk with singer song style from many eras. There are many guest vocalists, additional strings, and piano to fill out the sound. The vocal work is contemplative and keeps the atmosphere soft and subtle. There is nothing overwhelming enough for me to find something to grasp firmly hold of and recommend, yet the overall effect is quite pleasant and could be something for a lot of music lovers.
© David Hintz



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