Folk & Country > Epic Folk & Country

Advantages: great country music, outstanding vocalist
Disadvantages: wish it had more tracks

This is an excellent debut cd from the dixie chicks and in my opinion is one of their best. I have 4 cds of theirs and the only one that comes close to this is FLY - another one definately worth buying -their second cd release. The ballads are gorgeous - loving arms and i'll take care of you being my faves! The up tempo stuff is excellent too with one exception...'let er rip' - not keen on that one. A mix of tender moments and up lifting songs. Ideal ...
...have to love country to love this cd... Unlike some of their later albums, i feel that this is a complete package and not a couple of great songs and a bunch of fillers! 11 out of the 12 songs are great! The only thing i would say is that most of the songs are under 3 1/2 mins long - music as good as this should be longer!!! It's only whilst writing this review that i noticed they only wrote 1 of the 12 songs, i know they play the instruments but ... Read review

Advantages: Refreshing, energetic, Country with soul
Disadvantages: I struggle to see (hear) any

Following the success of their hugely successful debut album 'Wide Open Spaces' the Dixie Chicks second album 'Fly' is yet another phenomenal collection of songs. Personally I didn't think it were possible for them to replicate the amazing sound of the first album with tracks such as 'There's Your Trouble', 'You were mine' and the title track itself 'Wide open spaces'. However, with 'Fly' they have managed to recreate the foot tapping, catchy beats, ...
...a fan of Country as a genre, and having witnessed many country acts live, I certainly have a penchant for such music, however I have yet to hear anybody who has the ability to deliver upbeat numbers that you can dance to, mixed in with soul searching tear jerking ballads, like these girls. Whether you like Country or not. The first song on the album (featured in the movie, "Runaway Bride') is classic Dixie Chicks. 'Ready to Run' is a feisty number ... Read review

Advantages: mature, inventive, beautiful and emotional
Disadvantages: really can't think of any!

Richard Butler is best known as the charismatic rasping voiced singer in the Psychedelic Furs. After 25 years fronting the band this is his first solo album, and those expecting simply inferior Furs tracks are in for a wonderful surprise. All the songs are co-written with Jon Carin (often a member of Pink Floyd over the past 20 years or so) and all, without exception, are beautifully constructed, grown up, mature songs. Smooth keyboards and rythmn ...
...leaves the listener satisfied. Richard Butler's trademark voice - that 60 a day rasp - is a revelation as he demonstrates a much more tender and intimate side to his singing. His untrained croon is enormously affecting and capable of really drawing the listener into the songs. "Maybe Someday" is one of the highlights, with it's hope filled lyrics and the magnificent "Nothing's Wrong" stands as the centrepiece to this marvellous album. But every track ... Read review

Advantages: Traditional, varied
Disadvantages: Some tracks almost too short

The Bairns is an unsual album to listen to, taking you on (for lack of any better comparison) a roller-coaster of emotion, from the first track to the last. With haunting voices and perfect harmonies, Rachel Unthank and The Winterset, a quartet comprising two extremely talented sisters and their friends hailing from the North-east of England, deliver a provoking, if not flawless, catalogue of traditional folk pieces. Particularly interesting are ...
...pieces of music. For example, I Wish, I Wish, which has been covered by many artists in the past, predominantly Kate Rusby's more upbeat take, has been turned into a melancholy, heart-breaking melody much more suited to the lyrics being sung. They also include a collection of "Lulls" which vary from 20 second accapella songs to the 7 minute variation offered at the end of album, with complex vocal harmonies and instrumental backing. A very worthy ... Read review

Advantages: Track 3 & 12 are the value for this album, rich in poetic flavour
Disadvantages: Don't like the chorus in all tracks

The Vocalist - Rebecca Pidgeon The Genre - Scottish / British folk The Music - In light percussion accompaniment The Recording - Good (CD) The Tempo - All in light and fast rhythm except track 3 & 12. This is an album in simplicity of style with a light percussion accompaniment and Piano, guitar or drum. Some track with violin and viola. The lyrics of each song is a story, or even a verse (track 3 & 12) which rich in sentimental. Rebecca Pidgeon's ...
...and nature, warmth and tenderness with unpretentious. Rebecca Pidgeon is the established actress and a singer. She is also a talented song writer with a wide range of song albums from folk, pop, jazz, to Celtic traditions. This is her first album and she also composed in almost every song, to reveal her unusual music talents. Her album is a mood of a Café in a town that far apart from the urban. Track 3 & 12 in a slow and sentimental mode will easily ... Read review