Treasures Left Behind: Remembering Kate Wolf

Amazon.com
Kate Wolf's songs still ring true years after her death. This loving tribute contains 14 heartfelt covers culled from the repertoire of the singer-songwriter, who died of leukemia in 1986. From Kathy Mattea's serene opener, "Give Yourself to Love," to Terry Garthwaite's near-tears closer, "Thinking About You," it's apparent that all involved in the project (from the contributing artists to producer Nina Gerber, who collaborated with Wolf through much of her career) hold Wolf in the highest esteem. Highlights here include Dave Alvin's gruff "These Times We're Living In," Nanci Griffith's mournful "Friend of Mine," and Rosalie Sorrels's sweet-as-an-angel version of "In China or a Woman's Heart." --Alexandra Russell

Entertainment Weekly
Treasures spotlights an impressive songbook.

Tracks:

Give Yourself To Love - Kathy Mattea
These Times We're Living In - Dave Alvin
Friend Of Mine - Nanci Griffith
Sweet Love - John Gorka
Here In California - Lucinda Williams
Like A River - Peter Rowan & The Rowan Brothers/Jim Campilongo & The Ten Gallon Cats
Carolina Pines - Cris Williamson & Tret Fure
See Here, She Said - U. Utah Phillips
In China Or A Woman's Heart - Rosalie Sorrels
Tequila And Me - Greg Brown & Ferron
Back Roads - Nina Gerber
Cornflower Blue - Eric Bogle
Love Still Remains - Emmylou Harris
Thinking About You - Terry Garthwaite

Amazon.com

Kate Wolf's songs still ring true years after her death. This loving tribute contains 14 heartfelt covers culled from the repertoire of the singer-songwriter, who died of leukemia in 1986. From Kathy Mattea's serene opener, "Give Yourself to Love," to Terry Garthwaite's near-tears closer, "Thinking About You," it's apparent that all involved in the project (from the contributing artists to producer Nina Gerber, who collaborated with Wolf through much of her career) hold Wolf in the highest esteem. Highlights here include Dave Alvin's gruff "These Times We're Living In," Nanci Griffith's mournful "Friend of Mine," and Rosalie Sorrels's sweet-as-an-angel version of "In China or a Woman's Heart." --Alexandra Russell

Customer Reviews:

Awesome Tribute CD.......2005-12-05

"Treasures Left Behind" is meant to be a tribute to the late folk-singer Kate Wolf. It's full of her beautiful music, sung by other artists who were either moved by Kate Wolf the person, or by her music.

One of the things I love about this collection is that it includes an insert with a lot of great stories about Kate Wolf, as well as the words to each song.

I found all of the songs on this CD to be both awesome and thought provoking. So, I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys folk-type music - these songs have "real" meaning...

Kate Wolf Music, Kate Wolf People.......2004-02-05

Look at all the musicians here and who they are and what they mean. Go on any page for any Kate Wolf recording and see how many people feel moved to write about Kate and what she meant to them. You are smart if you read all those comments, smarter if you get as much Kate Wolf and her friends as you can, and are lucky, blessed to have found Kate even though she is no longer with us on Earth, she is here with her music, with the spirit that she has inspired.

Kate's "Red Tailed Hawk" will always be inscribed on my brain its beauty its realness, its aptness, and the reality of the golden rolling hills of California. So perfect and beautiful even though I never had a tape or LP or a CD of it until 12 years after it came out, until after we lost Kate. Still its power comes to me as it did on an old radio sitting in an Oakland apartment, the signal fighting its way all the way up from KFAT ("because we need the bucks) down in Gilroy.

The vision of California that Kate weaves on all her records is preciseless, unique real, and a treasure even if much of it is sweeten myth.

I feel so bad that I lived in San Fransisco and Oakland and travelled up and down California and the West Coast in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Kate was doing her best work and only saw her sing once. There was something to her voice that gets through to me, something pure. Part of Kate's magic is the superb arrangements and backup that got from the musical genius Nina Gerber her main accompaniest. Nina is now out there solo alot. If you like guitar and this kind music check out Nina too.
Oh Kate, why didn't we realize how much of a golden treasure you were when you were among us. In her memory think of a performer you might miss like we all miss Kate--well that isnt fair because thats a big ideal to measure up to--how about someone you would miss half or a quarter as much as I miss Kate, and make sure you go see them while you can, and maybe bring a friend, bring two. How about going to see everyone on this record who is touring and ask them to do a Kate Wolf song, or better, ask them to do whatever song Kate liked them to play for her.

sweet love..........2001-10-15

This CD will bring you to tears...all the artists that paid tribute to Kate Wolf did so with all their hearts...every song is done with tender loving care and honor the memory of this beautiful song writer...

Radiant proof that Kate Wolf was a first rate lyricist.......2001-07-03

I love these songs more than those that I've heard Kate Wolf herself sing. Lucinda William's contribution is perfect.

In memoriam Kate.......2001-06-14

A lovingly produced tribute to the late folk singer/songwriter. Some of the artists -- John Gorka, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams -- never met her but are fervent admirers. Others -- U Utah Phillips, Terry Garthwaite, Peter Rowan, Greg Brown -- worked with her. Each seems moved to invest something of their soul in the songs, and the result is extremely moving. Best tracks? Well, they're all great, but I'd give the nod to Dave Alvin's world-weary take on These Times We're Living In, and the age-meets-experience of Phillips on See Here She Said and Rosalie Sorrel's In China Or A Woman's Heart; and the instrumental version of Back Roads by Nina Gerber, Kate's own guitarist, who also acted as the producer and motivating force behind the project. If you don't know anything about Kate Wolf, you'll be a fan by the time the record's over; if you're already a fan, you'll be intrigued and moved by the different approach each artist brings to these songs. Get it; you'll never regret it.

Music Album:

Music Album