English Collection, The (A Definitive Collection Of Classic English Folk Music) - Various Artists

Advantages: Good Selection Of Old and New
Disadvantages: Induces a Desire to Dust out the arran sweater

...this compliation as an ideal starting point for a deeper exploration of one of Europe's strongest living musical traditions and I wholeheartedley agree with themon these points. The only downpoint on the collection being Wolfstone who were really a second rate Runrig (who were also bloody awful). The rest of it is a fine collection of Reels, Jigs and Laments in English and Scots Gaelic by some of the finest musicans from Scotland. The only point of contention being the inclusion of Ewan Maccoll's Dirty Old Town but since it is a great song and since he could have played for Scotland if he so desired then I will let them away with it. This compilation completley succeeds in what it intends to do, which is to provide the uninitiated with an insight into Scottish Folk Music. If you are curious or just want a sampler of the best that is on offer than you... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful songs, beautifully sung
Disadvantages: None!

...Ian Bostridge is the young English tenor who's been hailed as one of the biggest talents to hit the scene for a long while. Reviewers rave about his intelligence, his ability to bring out the sense of the songs he sings, and to make the texts spring to life - all the more remarkable since he came to singing quite late: he was an academic and gained his PhD before diverting to music. His new-ish disc with pianist Julius Drake - 'The English Songbook' - is a collection of folk-song arrangements by various composers, from Vaughan Williams to Percy Grainger and Ivor Gurney, and I have to say it is a knock-out. His voice is clear, pure and sends shivers down the spine, especially when unaccompanied (there are 2 such songs on this disc). The sensitive accompaniment of Julius Drake (equally intelligent as a pianist) shines out... Read review

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Advantages: Good cross section of artist work
Disadvantages: not to everyones tastes

...A cracking album from one of the u.k top folk artists. This album shows a true cross section of work from Bert's repertoire. Personally, i like every track on the album and as a fellow musician Bert's arrangements are exceptionally good and complex! There are the traditional tracks like "Black waterside" (Led Zeplin used Bert's arrangement for one of their own tracks,) aswell as reading of "Nottamun Town" and the murder ballad "Bruton Town." If you like your english folk music then you can't go wrong with one of the best examples of folk guitar. This album is a mixture of self-penned songs, trad folk and examples of the tunes that were taken into his band The Pentangle. I have been a fan of Bert's for years and this album is one of the best examples of his career spanning the last 40 yrs.... Read review

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