FolkWorld #57 07/2015

CD & DVD Reviews

Fairport Convention "Myths and Heroes"
Matty Grooves; 2015

Artist Video

www.fairportconvention.com

If you have dug into Folkworld this deeply, then I am not sure you really need to know much more about the band Fairport Convention, aside from the basic issues regarding this new release. The lineup includes Simon Nicol, Chris Leslie, Dave Pegg, Ric Sanders, and Gerry Conway with only the occasional guest. So the sound of the Fairport Convention during the last couple decades will remain intact, if these guys still have the chops. They do. The music still has a nice crackle to it with guitars, mandolins, and violins interchanging on top of the dependable rhythm section. It’s not as magical as the olden days, but it is 2015 and it is great that these guys are still able to put out decent music.
© David Hintz


Bella Hardy "With the Dawn"
Noe Records; 2015

Artist Video

www.bellahardy.com

“All the new sounds felt like old sounds,” sings Bella Hardy in the opening cut, “The Only Thing to Do”. That is as good as place to start as any when describing this fine new album. In this her seventh album, Bella Hardy shows an incredible individual style that takes the folk/singer songwriter style into exciting areas, mostly with the use of subtle brass arrangements. She still leaves plenty of room for her fine voice, which enhances the lyrical quality even more. This should appeal to a lot of music fans as there is a balance between innovative arrangements and warm songwriting. That is the sort of combination that makes for many nights of pleasant listening.
© David Hintz


Josh Rouse "The Ember of Times"
Yep Roc, 2015

Artist Video

www.joshrouse.com

It is a high wire act that Josh Rouse successfully performs by balancing a breezy laid approach to thoughtful, serious songs. He reminds me a bit of Al Stewart in that regard. The arrangements are tight and just thorough enough to enhance the songs without shifting focus. There is an occasional burst of tempo, such as the rock cut, “Crystal Falls” which is a fine closer as it is a call to action, which is to go back to the beginning and play this again. There is a lot to uncover in these songs and it is pleasure to spend enough time with them for their full value to unfold.
© David Hintz


Andrew D. Huber "Mercury gets a Moon"
NorthLight Records; 2014

www.geckoclub.com

Huber has a fine folk-rock approach with brisk songs that rock out just enough for a rousing night in the club, but hold on tightly to a fine catchy melody. He has a touch of Irish in the mix, but not in any overwhelming sense. It almost approaches a certain Eastern Canada/UK hybrid folk style, although Huber operates out of the Midwestern US states. There are plenty of good songs on this album and his warm and breathy vocals are a fine starting point for this music, although there are plenty of fine instrumental parts as well.
© David Hintz


Myles Manley "More Songs"
Own label; 2015

www.mylesmanley.com

Six ‘more songs’, in fact, on this record. It is all low-key contemplative folk, almost bordering on the slacker style. Although more times than not, it is just eerie with the deep organ and other odd little sounds behind the guitar and voice. I enjoyed the jolting electric guitar rocking song ‘Ordinary Love’ which woke up any sleepyheads at song three, so they would take in the remaining three songs. Not for everybody, but this UK artist has some rather intriguing and quite enjoyable songs for us here.
© David Hintz


Jeff Jensen "Morose Elephant"
Swingsuit; 2015

www.jeffjensenband.com

Jeff Jensen is working the blues terrain with an expansionist mindset. The arrangements are quite varied and make the album go down all the better. The blasting horns are there in some songs, the more stripped down acoustic style in another, and there is plenty of focus on guitar licks of course. It’s the overall ‘swing’ that makes this album worth a listen. You don’t always get that anymore and these players get it done.
© David Hintz


Johnny Duhan "Highlights"
Own label; 2015

www.johnnyduhan.com

In his song “A Winter’s Night”, Johnny Duhan sings ‘Warm was the feeling’ which pretty much describes my feeling in listening to this 23-song ‘greatest hits’ collection. Personally although I have heard a recent Duhan album, I have heard even more of his songs sung by Mary Black. And if you are a fan of Christy Moore and the Dubliners, you may know the Duhan cover versions more than the originals. If so, you should check out this collection, as the songs are quite wonderful from the source. Duhan has a warm, weathered voice and has gorgeous arrangements around these stories. The songs are more story than oblique imagery, which is fitting of their setting.
© David Hintz


Eric Schwartz "The Better Man"
Claritone, 2015

www.reverbnation.com

Here is another collection of 11 songs from 2000 to 2012. There is a bluesy soul at the heart of this music and it is delivered with clarity in a rock/singer songwriter style. Everything is spritely and the songs appear quite smart at first listen. I’m guessing they will continue to reveal some interesting sides in future listening. Musically, there is not much new, but the playing is with passion, so it is well worth a spin.
© David Hintz


Kelly Hunt "The Beautiful Bones"
88 Records; 2014

www.kelleyhunt.com

This started off as a well produced rhythm & blues record, the kind of which I have heard many times before. About the third song, the qualities elevated even further from the norm as Kelly Hunt and the musicians here are really locked in to the spirit of these songs. The interpretations are strong and clear, with a good dramatic way of increasing or decreasing intensity as needed. Kelly Hunt comes from the blues fertile ground of Kansas City and clearly has learned her lessons well from the masters that came before her. She is a worthy contributor to this scene.
© David Hintz


The Levins "Trust"
Summersongs; 2015

www.thelevinsmusic.com

Quite simply, if you enjoy exquisite male/female harmonies singing in tandem nearly the whole way through an album, you should give the Levins a listen. They remind me of some of my favorites like the Kennedys, but also I hear some of the phrasing in Gurnemanz. They don’t quite go psychedlic folk, actually not at all, but they do have some interesting instrumentation and tricky moments amidst the mostly positive songs. This is fine heartfelt folk rock with a light touch and a few rousing moments to keep things moving. The quality is there in each player and the songs. Most FolkWorld fans should jump on this release.
© David Hintz


Steve Pledger "Striking Matches in the Wind"
Story Records; 2015

www.stevepledger.co.uk

Here is a solid album of classic folk songs from an English troubadour. I hear quite a bit of Harvey Andrews and Ralph McTell in here. Most of the songs have an exploratory emotional depth to them, although there are some breezier cuts to break things up a bit. But mostly it is some serious but well phrased lyrics that will draw your attention. This is the type of folk singing that will long survive all of us.
© David Hintz


ODi "Maslow’s Songbook"
Odi Music; 2009

www.odimusic.bandcamp.com

This album is a bit old for current appraisal. And frankly, it is not too great a fit for FolkWorld. It is perfectly decent contemporary rock music, with a touch of pop and some singer songwriter moves. I cannot dislike it, but neither can I say….
© David Hintz


Hat Check Girl "At 2 in the Morning"
Gallway Bay Music; 2015

www.hatcheckgirl.net

This is a California duo that features plenty of guitar and string sounds and feature male and female voices. That is the clinical description, but thanks to all the right buttons they push in writing and performing their original music, they make it high on my list of American folk bands. They cover deep territory with a careful grace and quiet intensity, that it is easy to stay riveted on the songs. My only complaint is that the early songs seem stronger than the latter songs, but that could be due to a steady pace and tonal quality that changes little. But when you play the songs this well, I can see why you don’t want to alter things much.
© David Hintz


Faarao & Kakspainen Narttu "Kukaan ei Korvaa Aitia"
Helmi Levyt, 2014

www.faaraopirttikangas.fi

This is one gnarly blues record. If the guitar sound were any fuzzier, it would float away in the breeze. This is way too crazed for blues purists, although it is not quite crazy enough for Cramps/punk fanatics. Instead, it is more of death metal blues, powerful dark and deep. There are even some odd psychedelic drone-folk moments that always interest me. There are no subtitles for me with the Finnish lyrics, so I can’t tell exactly how dark they are. They clearly have a fondness for hilariously bad movies, as the art work includes shots from ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’ and ‘The Thing with Two Heads’. So if you want some of the craziest blues you have ever heard, give this Finland outfit a listen.
© David Hintz


The Skints "FM"
Easy Star; 2015

www.theskints.co.uk

Although not a very good fit in FolkWorld, this is a pretty fine album that I am happy to listen to. It began in a dub hip hop sort of style before some more classic rhythm and blues worked their way in. But when I recognized the lyrics in the dub rendering of Black Flag’s ‘My War’, I burst out laughing. This London outfit is quite funny and clever both with the cover as well as in their original songs. There are more classic dub reggae moves here as well but this is modern, smart and thoroughly entertaining.
© David Hintz


The Great Dictators "Killers"
Royal Toad; 2015

www.thegreatdictators.com

There is quite a bit more intriguing modern folk around these days when the usual singer songwriter troubadour wants to pull in a few more influences, or in this case put together a full band. So ‘mere folk songs’ that start off sounding close to the Richard Buckner style go even further with some thick rock arrangements featuring full electric instruments and full brass sections.
© David Hintz


Matt Lax and Nearly Beloved "This House of Mine"
Attaboy Records; 2015

www.nearlybeloved.com

We have mostly gentle folk songs here, but not always gentle as the Nearly Beloved add a lot of stringed interest to the equation. There is stand-up bass and all the usual candidates in Americana based folk music. The vocals are almost perfect heartland style with a touch of country, a touch of blues, more rural than urban but comfortable in a downtown club or a boxcar heading through Colorado. This is a fine little record with just enough bite to appeal to a broad cross section of Americana fans.
© David Hintz


Astrid Young "One Night at Giant Rock"
Own label; 2015

www.astridyoung.net

‘By the time you hear this, I won’t be gone’ is the gripping first line of this excellent album. Astrid Young hits an important point for me as I have always preferred the active punk rock lyrics to the passive blues lyrics. Real life does not always work out that way, but anytime a lyric can get me to stand up and do something or at least plan for that, that song has grabbed me for good. Young’s musical style and voice are also quite strong and powerful, as she kept me with her for these eleven songs. There are bluesy folk outings and tough rock vibes throughout. But there are contemplative songs and fun western twang guitar outings in ‘The Nerve’. The key component here is the quality of developing personal songs into those that connect with lyrics, hooks, and arrangements.
© David Hintz


Dave Desmelik "We Don’t want a Dying Flame"
Own label; 2014

www.davedesmelik.com

This is an album for guitar lovers. Desmelik plays some fine acoustic guitar in quiet folk songs, yet adds some powerful blues rock electric guitar when the mood strikes and the song warrants. His vocal style is also a plus as there is genuine warmth and style to his singing. I particularly enjoyed the few times he holds a note to the point where I wonder if the CD is stuck. He is assisted only with some bass and lap steel on select songs. Otherwise, it is his guitar talents and decent songwriting that shows the way forward. Fans of the Sadies and American folk rock should give this a listen.
© David Hintz


The Porter Draw "The Porter Draw"
Own Label; 2014

www.theporterdraw.com

This Albuquerque band offers up fairly straightforward Americana music on this long player. The strings are brisk and the rhythm steady as they venture through bluegrass, folk rock, and west coast rock’n’roll. It is on the stronger electric side of the equation, so bear that in mind, folkies. A pretty good effort if you are in the mood to get revved up a bit.
© David Hintz


John McDonough "Dreams and Imagination"
Own label; 2014

www.johnmcdonoughlive.com

‘This veteran singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas’ is an introduction that can and will be used many times. Yes, they are everywhere in this city, but John McDonough has been there for a few decades now and is still going strong. So with a city like Austin, you pretty much have your chops if you can make it last beyond a year or two. And these songs are quite professional in formation and execution. Whether it is guitar or piano leading the way, the voice is strong and clear and there are various cellos and backing vocals that enrich the proceedings. All in all, a fine album here that you can go to often.
© David Hintz


Hank Woji "The Working Life"
KZ Records; 2014

www.hankwoji.com

The title gives you the gist of the thematic approach to a majority of these songs. These are for the working man, channeled through the work of Woody Guthrie and many blue collar folkies since then. There is some crisp bass and drumwork behind the acoustic guitars and the gutsy singing. The stories in the songs are an interesting mix of some of the clichés you can expect with this style along with some interesting stories now and then. And with the music being spritely and the understanding that this type of music will endure well into future centuries, it still has plenty of relevance.
© David Hintz


Marco R. Wagner "My Old Spain"
Several Records, 2014

www.marcorwagner.com

I am not sure there is much here to distinguish Marco Wagner’s music from much of what else I hear. With that said, it becomes a question of quality and thankfully Wagner has plenty of that in his songs and playing. It is evident in his finger style playing as well as the variety of songs from folk to lounge blues to various hybrids. His voice pulls you in and will have you listening to all twelve songs here (as well as a bonus video performance of the title cut).
© David Hintz


Martin Kaplan "The Slow Down"
Own label; 2014

www.martinkaplanmusic.com

This is a fairly straightforward American folk rock outing. It is full band and has quite a bit of grit and heft to the backing with plenty of Western twang in the electric guitar. Songwise it is decent, but the highlight for me is the Chris Bailey (Saints) sounding vocals with their rich tones and weather worn emotion. A pretty fair listen, this, and no doubt a fine live act as well.
© David Hintz


Fuzzbee Morse "Dreams and other Living Things"
Own label; 2014

www.fuzzbee.com

Well, there is some fuzz guitar here as I was hoping for when I saw the guitarist/lead vocalist’s name here (and read of his vast experience). That part of this album is good, as well as the rhythm and blues cuts that have a little edge to them. But some of the backing vocal work is just too radio friendly and overly smooth for my tastes. But I can just replay the decent workout of Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child’ if I want an antidote to that. And there is plenty of experience and quality in the supporting ranks with Tony Levin on bass, Jerry Marotta on drums, and David Sancious on keyboards.
© David Hintz


Paul Brady "The Vicar St. Sessions, Vol 1"
Proper, 2015

German CD Review

www.paulbrady.com

Paul Brady is still going strong, although this live album was from a series of historic shows in 2001. He played 23 Dublin gigs with his band featuring former Steeleye Span drummer Liam Genocky among others. The unique part of these shows were the assembled guest who rolled in. Perhaps you have heard of some of them as such names as Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Sinead O’Connor, and Mark Knopfler are among them. The sound and playing on this recording is quite decent and this is a fine document to Brady’s songs as well as the merging of some historic talent for a few nights in Dubln. And based on the title, the good news is that more is forthcoming.
© David Hintz


Robin Adams "The Garden"
Backshop Records; 2015

www.facebook.com

This is moderately delicate finger style guitar coupled with steady emotional vocals. Adams has a quiet intensity, especially in voice although the guitar is quite expressive as well. There is just enough production here on his fourth record to offer up a variety of tones keeping this from becoming too one-dimensional. This is a good solid record that covers a wide range of folk ground that should pull in a lot of support.
© David Hintz


La Banda di Piazza Caricamento "Il Sesto Continente"
Felmay Records, 2015

www.facebook.com

This is a fascinating world folk album from Italy. There is as diverse an ensemble of musicians here that you would ever find in any one band. If I have this correct, Tajikistan, India, Ireland, Benin, Brazil, Cape Verde, Sri Lanka, Italy, Senegal, and Iran all have members in this band. While you can hear some songs that reflect certain parts of the world specifically, others organically shift into some compound that all the members add to. There are songs to dance to with others to meditate to. It may be a bit too eclectic at times, but the quality is high. And with a cover of the Clash’s ‘Rockin the Casbah’, it’s easy to just go with this and let them explore the entire world of music.
© David Hintz


Kieran Halpin "It’s always 3:15"
Own label; 2015

www.kieranhalpin.com

This world travelling Irish folk troubadour keeps it simple, voice and acoustic guitar. His songs ring out with experience and assurance. Vocally he is akin to a young Willie Nelson, although there is not any real country or Americana tone, maybe a wee bit of a lilt. Instead, it is quite universal with songs on various classic themes, with some good insights in the lyrics. Simple yet effective folk music is always worthy of your time.
© David Hintz


Jim Heald "Chiaroscuro"
Own label, 2015

www.jimhealdmusic.com

This DC area folkie came to my attention via an album sent to my German editor in Folkworld who remailed it back to the US for me to review. I have been a fan ever since and it is great to see that this new album even exceeded my lofty expectations. Heald has a fine guitar style and technique with an excellent voice to match. He adds just enough instrumentation to fill things out but allowing plenty of space to create different atmospheric textures. He can go from psychedelic folk to rootsier folk to a more mainstream pop folk style. It never is dull and he gets it all together with his strong central presence.
© David Hintz



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