Troubadours of Folk: The '60s Acoustic Explosion [Import]

Track Listings
Disc: 1

1. 500 Miles Away From Home - Lonnie Donegan
2. Wild Rover - The Dubliners
3. Times They Are A-Changin' - Ian Campbell Folk Group
4. Universal Soldier - Donovan
5. Blues Run the Game - Jackson C. Frank
6. Farewell (Fare Thee Well) - Lonnie Donegan
7. Car Car (Riding in My Car) - Donovan
8. I'm So Confused - Mick Softley
9. Needle of Death - Bert Jansch
10. Kimbie - Jackson C. Frank

See all 21 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2

1. Big Fat Silver Aeroplane - Roy Harper
2. Frutch - The Incredible String Band
3. Gallowgate Calypso - Matt McGinn
4. This Train - Sandy Denny
5. Yesterday's Dream
6. Willy O'Winsbury - Sweeney's Men
7. In the Shade - Alan Dyson
8. Don't You Feel Good - Gordon Giltrap
9. Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale) - Duncan Browne
10. Blind Blake's Rag - Ralph McTell

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Subtitled - The 60s Acoustic Explosion. 41 track compilation on 2 CDs featuring the best of the 60s British folk scene. Artists include Bert Jansch, Donovan, Nico, Lonnie Donegan, Sandy Denny, Jackson C. Frank, & more. Slipcase. Castle. 2003.

Troubadours of Folk: The '60s Acoustic Explosion, Music, Various Artists, British Folk, British Folk-Rock, Folk, Folk & Traditional, Folk Collections, Folk Revival, Folk-Rock, Pop, Singer/Songwriter, V/a Compilations

Average customer rating: Best United Kingdom Folk-Rock Songs of the entire 1960s. A superb introduction to British Folk Music of the 1960s A History of British Folk

Troubadours of Folk: The '60s Acoustic Explosion Various Artists Manufacturer: Sbme Castle Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Folk | Styles | Music Revival | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008O33T Release Date: 2003-04-01

Tracks:

1. 500 Miles Away From Home - Lonnie Donegan
2. The Wild Rover - The Dubliners
3. Times They Are A-Changin' - Ian Campbell
4. Universal Soldier - Donovan
5. Blues Run the Game - Jackson C. Frank
6. Farewell (Fare Thee Well) - Lonnie Donegan
7. Car Car (Riding in My Car) - Donovan
8. I Am So Confused - Mick Soffey
9. Needle of Death - Bert Jansch
10. Kimble - Jackson C. Frank
11. Catch the Wind - Donovan
12. I'm Not Sayin' - Nico
13. Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice - Hamisch Imlach
14. Blowin' in the Wind - The Settlers
15. Goldfish - Roy Harper
16. Long Ago Far Away - Black Country Three
17. John Henry - John Renbourn
18. Dirty Old Town - Ian Campbell Folk Group
19. Blackwaterside - Bert Jansch
20. Ev'ry Time (When We Are Gone) - The Ludlows

Tracks:

1. Big Fat Silver Aeroplane - Roy Harper
2. Frutch - The Incredible String Band
3. Gallowgate Calypso - Matt McGinn
4. This Train - Sandy Denny
5. Yesterday's Dream - The Ludlows
6. Willy O'Winsbury - Sweeney's Men
7. In the Shade - Alan Dyson
8. Don't You Feel Good - Gordon Giltrap
9. Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale) - Duncan Browne
10. Blind Blake's Rag - Ralph McTell
11. Brutch Town - The Pentangle
12. Reynardine - Archie Fisher
13. Why Don't They Come Back to Duncan - The Humblebums
14. Goodbye Booze - Hamisch Imlach
15. Eternity Will Soon Be Over - Matt McGinn
16. Light Flight - The Pentangle
17. Blood And Glory - The New Humblebums
18. When You Don't Care - Sweeney's Men
19. William Taplin - Gordon Giltrap
20. Streets of London - Ralph McTell

Customer Reviews:

Best United Kingdom Folk-Rock Songs of the entire 1960s. .......2007-05-11

A superb introduction to British Folk Music of the 1960s.......2004-04-12

There are some familiar songs beyond Donovan's "Catch the Wind," such as Nico's cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "I'm Not Sayin'." But more often you will recognize the song but not the artist covering it, as is the case with the Dubliners' doing "The Wild Rover" and "Blackwaterside" a tradition song done by Bert Jansch that Jimmy Page would do on Led Zeppelin's debut album (the flip of this would be recognizing the name Roy Harper but not ever having heard any of his songs before, which is rectified by having both "Goldfish Bowl" and "Big Fat Silver Airplane" on these discs). Not surprisingly there are several covers of various Bob Dylan songs: "The Times They Are A' Changin'" by the Ian Campbell Folk Group, "Farewell (Fare Thee Well") by Lonnie Donegan, "Blowin' in the Wind" by the Settlers, "Long Ago Far Away" by Black Country Three, and "Girl from the North Country" by Josh Macrae. All of these appear on the first disc, and you will note that the forty-one tracks are arranged chronologically, starting with Donegan's "500 Miles Away From Home," which dates all the way back to 1963, and ending with perhaps the most successful English folk song, Ralph McTell's "Streets of London."

The covers of Dylan by obscure English artists is interesting, but it is the original works that are ultimately where your judgment of this album are to be made. You may actually have heard Jansch's "Needle of Death" or Maish Imlach's "Cod Liver Oil nd Orange Juice," but that might be just about this for the rest of this collection. There are several gems, especially on the first disc, where you have Jackson C. Frank's "Blues Run the Game" and "Dirty Old Town" by the Ian Campbell Folk Group. There is something rather quaint about hearing British artists singing American folk songs like the traditional "John Henry," by John Renbourn, and the Ludlows doing "Ev'ry Time (When We Are Gone)." The second disc is not as strong overall and I have to wonder if there were restrictions having to do with getting permission, because there is only one track by Duncan Browne, "Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale)," which is not what I would consider a first tier example of his work. I think my suspicions are confirmed by Denny only having a rare solo recording made the year before she joined Fairport Convention. But then, to be fair, that seminal British folk group does not really need the introduction that artists like Matt McGinn, Archie Fisher, and Mick Softley require to an American audience.

The liner notes by Colin Harper provide a brief look at each of the artists and most of the songs included on these 2-CDs. Harper sees the early folk movement in Britain as starting with the broadly American sound of its earlier practitioners and material to was clearly influenced by the skiffle boom of the Fifties (the opening track is by Lonnie Donegan, the king of skiffle). Donovan dominates the liner notes, but there is enough about everybody else to at least give you a sense of their identity as folk artists. Overall, I find the first disc in this collection to be a 5, while the second comes in at a 4. I could easily put together a single disc from this collection that would be the best compilation of British folk music from the Sixties around, but then "Troubadours of Folk" already has that distinction. More importantly, this collection serves as a perfect introduction to that part of the folk movement of the Sixties. After listening to these songs you should not be surprised if you are motivated to track down more work by Ralph McTell, the Incredible String Band, the Ludlows, Duncan Browne, or any group in which Sandy Denny showed up to sing.

A History of British Folk.......2004-01-27

Of the former style, you get artists like Lonnie Donegan (Britain's "King of Skiffle") performing the standard "500 Miles Away from Home" and Dylan's "Farewell (Fare Thee Well)." In fact five other artists cover Dylan material, mostly in a pop vein, like the Ian Campbell Folk Group's rendition of "The Times They Are A-Changing" and The Settlers' version of "Blowin' in the Wind," which in a blindfold test could pass for The Seekers. Not that it makes these songs any less enjoyable; it's just that it is very evident that the goal was to get on the radio. Even Nico (who I have always linked with the Velvet Underground) is here with a very pop-sounding version of Gordon Lightfoot's "I'm Not Sayin'."

But there are some real treasures here, too. The Dubliners (a much grittier band than their counterparts, The Chieftains) provide a rousing performance of "The Wild Rover." One of the biggest treats is Jackson C. Frank's original version of "Blues Run the Game." I'd always associated the song with Bert Jansch, but it's obvious Jansch owes a lot to the original. Frank's other contribution, "Kimbie," is almost as good. Roy Harper's two tunes are also quite good, especially enjoyable is his guitar work on "Goldfish Bowl." Mike Heron's "Frutch" by the Incredible String Band is much folkier than the band's later material. Sandy Denny does a credible cover of the folk standard "This Train" from 1967 (a year before she would join Fairport Convention. The New Humblebums' "Blood and Glory" is perhaps most notable for its most famous member, Gerry Rafferty (of "Baker Street Fame). Ralph McTell shows himself an accomplished guitarist on the instrumental "Blind Blake's Rag," and closes the album with the instrospective "Strets of London."

On a personal note, I enjoyed the comic tone of Hamish Imlach's "Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice." [My parents served me that cocktail every morning for years as a child...blechh!!!]

Overall, this is a delightful look at the folk era in Britain. My only complaint is that some of the song notes are very thorough, while others are non-existant. Also, the foldout CD booklet is awkward at best. But those are minor complaints when compared to the quality of the music. (Running Time - 61:46, 65:57) RECOMMENDED

Average customer rating:

Troubadours of Folk: The '60s Acoustic Explosion Various Artists Manufacturer: Castle Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Folk | Styles | Music Revival | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B0007TKGNK Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

1. 500 Miles Away from Home - Lonnie Donegan
2. Wild Rover - The Dubliners
3. Times They Are A-Changin' - Ian Campbell Folk Group
4. Universal Soldier - Donovan
5. Blues Run the Game - Jackson C. Frank
6. Farewell (Fare Thee Well) - Lonnie Donegan
7. Car Car (Riding in My Car) - Donovan
8. I'm So Confused - Mick Softley
9. Needle of Death - Bert Jansch
10. Kimbie - Jackson C. Frank
11. Catch the Wind - Donovan, Donovan
12. I'm Not Sayin' - Nico
13. Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice - Hamish Imlach
14. Blowin' in the Wind - The Settlers
15. Goldfish Bowl - Roy Harper
16. Long Ago, Far Away - Black Country Three
17. John Henry - John Renbourn
18. Dirty Old Town - Ian Campbell Folk Group
19. Blackwaterside - Bert Jansch
20. Girl from the North Country - Josh MacRae
21. Ev'ry Time (When We Are Gone) - The Ludlows

Tracks:

1. Big Fat Silver Aeroplane - Roy Harper
2. Frutch - The Incredible String Band
3. Gallowgate Calypso - Matt McGinn
4. This Train - Sandy Denny
5. Yesterday's Dream - The Ludlows
6. Willy o' Winsbury - Sweeney's Men
7. In the Shade - Alan Dyson
8. Don't You Feel Good - Gordon Giltrap
9. Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale) - Duncan Browne
10. Blind Blake's Rag - Ralph McTell
11. Bruton Town - Pentangle
12. Reynardine - Archie Fisher
13. Why Don't They Come Back to Dunoon? - Humblebums
14. Goodbye Booze - Hamish Imlach
15. Eternity Will Soon Be Over - Matt McGinn
16. Light Flight (Take Three Girls Theme) - Pentangle
17. Blood and Glory - The New Humblebums
18. When You Don't Care for Me - Sweeney's Men
19. William Taplin - Gordon Giltrap
20. Streets of London - Ralph McTell

Average customer rating: A History of British Folk

Troubadours of Folk: The '60s Acoustic Explosion Various Artists Manufacturer: Castle Music UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD British Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Folk | Styles | Music Revival | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Folk | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000071WFI Release Date: 2003-02-17

Tracks:

1. 500 Miles Away from Home - Lonnie Donegan
2. Wild Rover - The Dubliners
3. Times They Are A-Changin' - Ian Campbell Folk Group
4. Universal Soldier - Donovan
5. Blues Run the Game - Jackson C. Frank
6. Farewell (Fare Thee Well) - Lonnie Donegan
7. Car Car (Riding in My Car) - Donovan
8. I'm So Confused - Mick Softley
9. Needle of Death - Bert Jansch
10. Kimbie - Jackson C. Frank
11. Catch the Wind - Donovan, Donovan
12. I'm Not Sayin' - Nico
13. Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice - Hamish Imlach
14. Blowin' in the Wind - The Settlers
15. Goldfish Bowl - Roy Harper
16. Long Ago, Far Away - Black Country Three
17. John Henry - John Renbourn
18. Dirty Old Town - Ian Campbell Folk Group
19. Blackwaterside - Bert Jansch
20. Girl from the North Country - Josh MacRae
21. Ev'ry Time (When We Are Gone) - The Ludlows

Tracks:

1. Big Fat Silver Aeroplane - Roy Harper
2. Frutch - The Incredible String Band
3. Gallowgate Calypso - Matt McGinn
4. This Train - Sandy Denny
5. Yesterday's Dream - The Ludlows
6. Willy o' Winsbury - Sweeney's Men
7. In the Shade - Alan Dyson
8. Don't You Feel Good - Gordon Giltrap
9. Dwarf in a Tree (A Cautionary Tale) - Duncan Browne
10. Blind Blake's Rag - Ralph McTell
11. Bruton Town - Pentangle
12. Reynardine - Archie Fisher
13. Why Don't They Come Back to Dunoon? - Humblebums
14. Goodbye Booze - Hamish Imlach
15. Eternity Will Soon Be Over - Matt McGinn
16. Light Flight (Take Three Girls Theme) - Pentangle
17. Blood and Glory - The New Humblebums
18. When You Don't Care for Me - Sweeney's Men
19. William Taplin - Gordon Giltrap
20. Streets of London - Ralph McTell

Album Description

Album Details

Customer Reviews:

A History of British Folk.......2004-01-27

Of the former style, you get artists like Lonnie Donegan (Britain's "King of Skiffle") performing the standard "500 Miles Away from Home" and Dylan's "Farewell (Fare Thee Well)." In fact five other artists cover Dylan material, mostly in a pop vein, like the Ian Campbell Folk Group's rendition of "The Times They Are A-Changing" and The Settlers' version of "Blowin' in the Wind," which in a blindfold test could pass for The Seekers. Not that it makes these songs any less enjoyable; it's just that it is very evident that the goal was to get on the radio. Even Nico (who I have always linked with the Velvet Underground) is here with a very pop-sounding version of Gordon Lightfoot's "I'm Not Sayin'."

But there are some real treasures here, too. The Dubliners (a much grittier band than their counterparts, The Chieftains) provide a rousing performance of "The Wild Rover." One of the biggest treats is Jackson C. Frank's original version of "Blues Run the Game." I'd always associated the song with Bert Jansch, but it's obvious Jansch owes a lot to the original. Frank's other contribution, "Kimbie," is almost as good. Roy Harper's two tunes are also quite good, especially enjoyable is his guitar work on "Goldfish Bowl." Mike Heron's "Frutch" by the Incredible String Band is much folkier than the band's later material. Sandy Denny does a credible cover of the folk standard "This Train" from 1967 (a year before she would join Fairport Convention. The New Humblebums' "Blood and Glory" is perhaps most notable for its most famous member, Gerry Rafferty (of "Baker Street Fame). Ralph McTell shows himself an accomplished guitarist on the instrumental "Blind Blake's Rag," and closes the album with the instrospective "Strets of London."

On a personal note, I enjoyed the comic tone of Hamish Imlach's "Cod Liver Oil and Orange Juice." [My parents served me that cocktail every morning for years as a child...blechh!!!]

Overall, this is a delightful look at the folk era in Britain. My only complaint is that some of the song notes are very thorough, while others are non-existant. Also, the foldout CD booklet is awkward at best. But those are minor complaints when compared to the quality of the music. (Running Time - 61:46, 65:57) RECOMMENDED

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