FolkWorld #54 07/2014

CD & DVD Reviews

Roland Digh "Dance if You Can"
Own label; 2010

www.rolanddigh.com

This is the first of five albums by Roland Digh that was recently released via Bandcamp. It is the first I have heard of him, as he comes from the remote reaches of Vancouver Island (although a well known drummer friend of mine resides on near-by Salt Spring Island). Digh achieves a rather universal folk sound here with some North American roots. He varies songs nicely through introduction of instruments beyond the acoustic guitar, like mandolin, steel drum, and electric guitar solos. He also shifts away from his vocals to female vocals for a few cuts. As a result of the variety, as well as the song quality, this album breezes by comfortably, but not before sinking in. Although the last few songs did not quite hold up to the earlier work.
© David Hintz


Robby Hecht "Robby Hecht"
Old Man Henry; 2014

Artist Video

www.robbyhecht.com

I like Robby Hecht’s gentle approach to his brand of folk music. He is from Nashville, so there is a little bit of country music in here, but he keeps it on the subtle side for the most part. The arrangements are rich, but nuanced to keep the focus on the vocals and the songwriting. This is a solid album with a lot to offer folk fans.
© David Hintz


zBug "Splitting Glass, Twilight Sunrise"
Sound to People; 2014

www.davidleikam.net

I rarely quote a press release, but this trio’s release has blurb from John Baffa that reads… “zBug sounds very similar to Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Trio!” That was a group with Lou Reed and a couple of talented experimentalists who together explored sonic variations that worked their way from the infamous Lou Reed album they were named after. This is all of that with drums, bass, and guitar with the latter two adding moog and electronics. It is actually quite good and fun for the forty minutes here. You don’t need me to try to convince you that there is even anything remotely connected to folk music here. However, I did enjoy this all the same.
© David Hintz


Väärt "Det Kommer ett Skalv"
Westpark, 2014

Artist Video

www.vaart.se

This intriguing collective hails from Sweden, which boasts some outstanding folk all through the years. And even some of the death metal bands from up that way will claim that folk roots run deep in their music and that of any other Swedish band. The music here is not death metal, but does not show much folk moves either. Never the less, this band’s progressive rock sounds give off a strong Scandinavian feeling throughout, and some folk moves within. It likely resembles Sigur Ros from what I recall of their sound. The lesser songs here slip into comfortable spacey light rock. They are decent enough, but the edgier cuts that transcend rock music barriers work best for me.
© David Hintz


JJ Thames "Tell You What I Know"
DeChamp; 2014

Artist Video

www.jjthamesmusic.com

JJ Thames sings the blues, although not from a point of desperate living, but as someone who may know those depths, but also knows a variety of musical styles and histories. That is evident with the gospel stylings of “Souled Out” or the classic soul singing in “My Kinda Man”. Her voice has the power and restraint to make these songs come alive, although it is not without some careful production as well. This is a solid, classy record.
© David Hintz


Eddie Cotton "Here I Come"
DeChamp; 2014

Artist Video

www.eddiecottonjr.com

Hailing from Clinton, Mississippi and being the son of a minister, it only seems natural that Eddie Cotton, Jr. became a blues guitarist. Chances are that if we did a poll, it would be more likely that sons of ministers become ministers or something else, but it just feels like this is such a normal path. But not everyone can develop the skills of Eddie Cotton, as he displays on this record. This is electric blues performed with great touch, as his quieter moments are just as important as his fiery solos. He has a decent voice as well, although he does not engage in ferocious highs as some singers might, but you can go to the JJ Thames record for that as he plays guitar there.
© David Hintz


Quartiere Coffee "Italian Reggae Familia"
QC Music/Soulfire; 2014

Artist Video

www.quartierecoffee.it

There is no disguising the genre and place of origin with this record’s name. Frankly, I would rather hear this music live than on record, aside from the Jamaican classics of course. Thankfully, this band includes traces of Italian progressive rock in some of the sounds, particularly on the title cut. They also have plenty of pace which keeps my interest up. I would love to see them do more of this and play with the arrangements more. But if you want up-tempo danceable reggae music, these guys deliver.
© David Hintz


Ulrik Arturen "Watch my Show"
Paraply, 2013

My first impression was that is something between Opeth and Journey. And it makes a little sense as Ulrik Arturen is an older artist from Sweden. Although some arrangements have some good progressive moves, others are slick pop rock, so ultimately it is a bit more Journey (and not all that bad at that). Just four songs on this EP, but there was time and money spent on production, clearly.
© David Hintz


Jeanette Akerlund "En Egen Plats"
One98One; 2013

Artist Video

www.jeamusic.se

This is lovely singer songwriter material that is folk-country with light rock touches. It is about 50/50 in English lyrics and Swedish lyrics, which is a nice touch so that it does not sound fully rooted to one genre. Instead, there are 12 sharp songs with breathy or strong emotive vocals that display a fine range and a crackling band that works well to carry the songs and fill in the gaps with tasteful runs.
© David Hintz


Martin Lorentzson "Together"
Own label; 2014

Artist Video

www.martinlorentzson.com

Martin Lorentzson follows a familiar, well-traveled path that is one I am always willing to take. He writes lovely songs and has a smooth rich voice that allows his words to burst with life. He has acoustic guitar and piano to keep things moving in a quiet way, a rock rhythm section to push the sound forward and a spacey electric guitar to add some mystery. There are some female vocals here and saxophone, which adds to the variety of the otherwise steady arrangements. These are fine songs and Martin Lorentzson is a fine songwriter. Most important t note, he is not the Martin Lorentzson, who is a fine right back for AIK in Swedish Football.
© David Hintz


Stoney Spring "Right on Heliotrope!"
Western Seeds; 2013

www.stoneyspring.com

This band cooks up a fairly twisted and potent brand of folk-rock. Lyrically, it was a little too snarky and uninteresting in its attack. Your opinion may vary depending on your age and attitude. I liked the musical side of it as the band worked up some tricky arrangements that are not quite California Americana folk-rock, but seem to run that through a blender and place the fragments together in a sensible way that can still appeal to listeners that don’t want to whole hog into Beefheart, Buckley, etc. territory. It does get even odder toward the end. I may be scratching my head, but that is so much better than being bored.
© David Hintz


Nancy Cassidy "Memphis"
Own Label; 2013

www.nancycassidymusic.com

Although from California, Nancy Cassidy’s songs and arrangements sound more Nashville than Topanga Canyon. And yes there is a bit of Memphis blues in here as well. There is a distinct country edge to the American folk moves here. The better songs do stand out with distinction and are well worth spending additional time on. I also like her vocals with her deep voice that almost sounds like Jesse Colin Young at times, only even deeper. There is some cool old time jazz moves in “Come on In” which liven up this record nicely. Hopefully Nancy Cassidy will continue to explore additional musical styles and continue to develop. This has some fine highlights in the mean time.
© David Hintz


Famara "Karibu"
N-Gage; 2014

Artist Video

www.famara.ch

Every two years, I get another taste of reggae from Switzerland.[43][48] Famara has been doing this for quite a while and has his sound down. It is modern reggae with all the requisite moves. There was a bit more variety on the last record than on this one, which is something I as someone who hears new music every single day sorely needs. But if you want a strong sound in the reggae field filtered through Europe, then give this one a spin.
© David Hintz


Well Informed Citizens "Leaders of the Revolution"
Citizen Recordings; 2013

www.wellinformedcitizens.com

Nothing folk here, nor anything particularly worldly for that matter from this Wisconsin rock band. For the most part, this is straight up hard rock in a throwback style you surprisingly do not hear often beyond the cover band scene. I don’t know how well informed they are, and I doubt this will create much of a revolution. The positives trend toward a strong Leafhound style blues rock sound with good guitar work. The negatives are a rap/rock song complete with radio edit, but not the original edit for some reason. Tunes could be a bit more memorable, but a couple of them sound rather classic in the sense you feel you may have heard them before on the radio in between Led Zeppelin and Foghat in 1974.
© David Hintz


Omnia "Earth Warrior"
Paganscum; 2014

Artist Video

www.worldofomnia.com

100% Organic Earth Musick… This is Pagan Folk! Actually, that is their description, not my review. If anything, there is more rock here than folk, but the back to nature paganism is certainly apparent in the lyrics and the photos of the band. There are some of the modern sounds that a band like Circulus employed, but the music mixes rock moves with more tribal folk patterns. The instrumental work impresses me more than the vocals, and overall this does fit right into my wheelhouse. It does not quite hit Circulus heights, let alone Gwydion. But it fits in with Todd Alan and others.
© David Hintz


Jennifer Evans "The Last Cheap Hotel"
Sweet Cody Boy; 2014

Artist Video

www.jennifer-evans.com

As much as I enjoy genre busting bands and intricate combinations of musical approaches, I still strongly desire pure folk albums when I dig into my stack of CDs to review for Folkworld. And Jennifer Evans has answered my call perfectly. She sings a classic folk style somewhere between Joan Baez and Jancis Harvey. Her finger style guitar work is also perfectly styled to handle the original folk songs, written by her brother Griff Evans. This certainly is a rare case for a sibling act to have one person doing all the writing, yet not playing or singing one note. There are some strings and other guitars with arrangements worked out by Guy Van Duser, who is a Professor of Guitar at Berklee College of Music, which says enough right there. Jennifer Evans is American with roots in Wales and her style balances these styles perfectly. Every song is so firm and direct vocally with pleasant guitar work dancing around the melody. So dig in folk fans, this is the real deal.
© David Hintz


Bohemian Betyars "Stone Soup"
Own label; 2012

Artist Video

www.bohemianbetyars.hu

I thought this would be one of the many gypsy punk-folk records that come my way. But no, instead this reminds me less of Gogol Bordello and much more of System of a Down, an Armenian-metal band. This electric guitar really crunches away, but the music has ethnic melodies that work quite well. The devilish violin playing and pounding rhythm section add to the fun (and head bobbing). The meek can stay home and wait for their inheritance, for if you have some untapped energy, put this record on and go nuts. (and as a final note, after writing this review, I see that their Facebook page lists both bands noted above as influences, which is hardly surprising)
© David Hintz


La Pegatina "Eureka!"
Kasba, 2013

Artist Video

www.lapegatina.com

This veteran band from Barcelona knows how to swing. They have all the snappy dance music filled with plenty of ethnic roots at the heart of it all. What I really like, though, is the way they weave great melodies and different textures into the slower numbers like “Amantes de lo Ajeno” or “Olivia”. These songs break up the mood enough to make the dance music jump out at you, all the more. This is fun and can transport you out of your funk, even if you are at first unwilling.
© David Hintz


Paul Stephenson "Girl with a Mirror"
Stockfisch, 2014

After a couple of songs, I was thinking that this folk album is maybe a little too nice. But just as nice people can break down your cynical veneer, 15 songs of Paul Stephenson eventually converted me to his pleasant take on folk music. His clean voice and acoustic guitar take the center stage of each song, but also leave room for some smart arrangements with rhythm section, some strings, backing vocals, and other tonal accompaniments. The story telling is strong and these songs span 20 years, so he has taken his time in presenting his quality music steeped in life experience.
© David Hintz


Sisyphos "Travel Wide"
Own label; 2014

Artist Video

www.alpinereggaesystem.com

This is a modern reggae outfit that does not try overly hard to stay on pure genre path. That is a good thing in my book, as unless you really have the music deeply ingrained, it probably has been done better by many artists before, so why not twist it just enough to suit your own talents? Sisyphos has does that by integrating modern sounds, electronics, synthesizers into brass moves, all atop the usual instruments. A couple of the dub remixes are the most interesting to me as a lot of creative things are happening.
© David Hintz


LQ Bucket "The Long Loneliness"
Own label; 2014

www.lqbucket.com

This is a raw lo-fi folk album. The key here is in the songs, as the singing and acoustic guitar are not going for virtuosity. Instead, it is raw emotional story telling that will chill your bones if you let the music in. There are just four songs here, so it is pretty painless even if you like a more composed and produced style.
© David Hintz


Peter Simon "Who I Am"
JBR; 2013

Artist Video

www.peter-simon.com

This is a nice contrast to the lo-fi folk album I just listened to. Here, the production is lush with brass and full string orchestration. The singing is rich and resonant with a folky rock quality that reminds me of a refined Pogues (if you can imagine such a ghastly image). There is a sea shanty quality to some of these songs as various folk and rock moves work their way in and out of the arrangements. This is a very pleasant listen with a lot going on that is almost cinematic at times. If you like your folk-rock big and bold, yet still with heart, give Peter Simon a listen. He just may surprise you and will certain bring you some joyful moments, in between your puzzled expressions.
© David Hintz


Brandy Zdan "Lone Hunter"
Cavalier; 2013

Artist Video

www.brandyzdan.com

Kudos to Brandy Zdan for adding modern sounds to her country brand folk songs. Yes, there is steel guitar wailing around in the background, but her electric guitar parts have modern electronic textures, which keeps things fresh. She also has a slow picking style as she goes through chords note by note, which adds space and mystery to her songs. Brandy Zdan even plays some drums on half of these six songs adding yet another twist to the proceedings. This EP showcases a fine songwriter with the talent to present her songs in a manner that may exclude a few purists, but will welcome the masses who want more personal creativity in the mix.
© David Hintz


Trailhead "Bodies in the Basement"
Cannery Row; 2012

Artist Video

www.trailheadmusic.com

Trailhead is the music of Tobias Panwitz. He writes and sings the thirteen songs featured here, also playing guitars and keyboards. He has some help on drums along with a few guest spots, which does thicken the arrangements into full band folk-rock workouts. That is particularly helpful in a song like “Catch You” which is a rather light folk song, but features some playful guitar runs and a breezy rhythm. I would have liked more memorable songs here to get me enthused enough for continuous play, but this is a decent enough effort that has some appeal.
© David Hintz


Sam Brookes "Kairos"
Own label; 2013

Artist Video

www.sambrookes.com

Most of the records I review have something to enjoy or at least show a decent level of quality. What I hope for, are transcendent moments that elevate a record into something a little more universal and powerful. Sam Brookes has created more of these moments with his rich and full ranged vocal work on top of interesting music. He plays a rather modern folk style with elements of pop and rock merged in along with bright musical highlights that move from electronic sounds to classic instrumentation. Although he cites Joni Mitchell, Bert Jansch and Davy Graham as influences, I hear Tim Buckley in here, although it’s a little lower key than the major Buckley works. But like Buckley, he can bring out incredible intensity even if the delivery is soft and soothing. He operates out of the UK, but he could easily be big enough to go worldwide. I certainly hope to see him on this side of the Atlantic.
© David Hintz


Stille Volk "La Peira Negra"
Holy Records; 2014

Artist Video

www.stillevolk.org

This dark pagan folk rock reminds me little of the older pagan folk scene, but more of the modern variety such as Current 93, Werkraum, and beyond. This, their sixth album, is the first I have heard of the band and they offer much to please and excite me. The sound is thick, deep and powerful. Although French, they sound Germanic with the guttural vocals that do not sacrifice on melody as they dart upward on the clef. There are some classic French folk themes running about and there is so much going on, it may challenge some listeners. But for me, this is vibrant and exciting and will get many more listens here. Perhaps by the tenth listen, I will have uncovered the many instruments used, which clearly hnumbers 20 or more. Like Comus, this band may have many more metal fans crossing over than that from the pure folk camp, but I would advise everyone to take a listen. And don’t miss the bonus track, which is a cut from Mercyful Fate’s “Don’t Break the Oath”. Ha.
© David Hintz


Ultan Conlon "Songs of Love so Cruel"
DarkSideOut; 2014

Artist Video

www.ultanconlon.com

For some reason I typed Ultra Conlon instead of his proper name, which induced a little levity here at album review headquarters. Is this the Ultra Ultan Conlon album? Perhaps so, although from reading about him, I would think one of his ultimate musical moments may have been working with John Martyn on his final recording for a track of Ultan Conlon’s album with John Conneely (called UltanJohn). John Martyn is a good connector to this music as it is folk based, but has rock moments and wanders to the beat of its own drum in the manner that Martyn perfected many years ago. The best of these songs are quite excellent, such as “Bristlecone Pines” with its exquisite lead and backing vocals weaving an infectious melody. This is a fine record with a little something for everyone in the folk and light rock world.
© David Hintz


The Slambovian Circus of Dreams "A Box of Everything"
Red River; 2014

Artist Video

www.slambovia.com

If you are like me and have not heard of this band (and if I heard of them once, I surely would have remembered their picturesque name), then this greatest hits package is a great place to start. They remind me of California's Kaleidoscope in the exoticism department, but with songs and arrangements that are more comforting and fit into folk rock forms with ease. Circus is the appropriate word as there are so many playful moves in the arrangements, yet the quality of the songs could also work in a stripped down folk environment. The production is a real plus here, especially considering this band has a reputation for its live shows. The sound is rich with the instruments filling the room while preserving clarity for each. There are three previously unreleased songs among eleven that hardened fans will already know and love. Hopefully they will make it down from their Hudson Valley haunts for a DC area show some time soon. I have some catching up to do.
© David Hintz


Steve Dawson "Rattlesnake Cage"
Black Hen, 2014

Artist Video

www.stevedawsonmusic.com

If you play a high quality finger-style guitar, it is inevitable you will be compared to some of the greats. Although there is a general divide between the British greats (Graham, Jansch, etc.) and the Americans (Fahey, Cooder). Clearly Steve Dawson favors the American style. He is very quick so Leo Kottke comes more to mind than John Fahey, but Dawson’s music has that seem deep dark down home sound that sounds both rustic, but exotic. Guitar lovers will be able to sink their teeth into this disc.
© David Hintz


Moulettes "Constellations"
Navigator, 2014

Artist Video

www.moulettes.co.uk

This third album from this interesting and well-produced UK band features some nice surprises. The Unthanks, Herbie Flowers, and the amazing and incredible Arthur Brown are amongst the guests here. The core of their sound is brisk up-tempo pop music with passionate vocals amongst traditional instrumental sounds along with the latest electronica. The guest stars only augment these core sounds and do not steal a spotlight away from the overall effect of the music as a whole. There is a lot of pleasure to be had here, although the more introspective songs such as “Land of the Midnight Sun” and “Elegy” (with the Unthanks) hit home more with me. Although there is plenty of heft in those songs as well, as the production does propel this all up a notch or two.
© David Hintz



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