Folk & Country > G Folk & Country

Advantages: Beautiful songs, lot of variety
Disadvantages: A couple of songs don't meet the standard of the rest

As a longtime fan of Nanci I rushed out and bought this CD on the day of release. Although I was a bit unsure of it at first, it's now one of my favourites. The mood is varied from the opening title track, a sad lyric about life drifting by through to the closing cover of a "In the wee small hours" a song made famous by Frank Sinatra. Between these two there are songs about the Vietnam war, photographer Dickie Chapelle, Nanci's mother and my personal ...
...sees Nanci employing an unusual vocal technique as she sings about her frozen heart. No-one listening to the rest of the album will really believe she's the cold character she portrays but it's still a great song. All in all, Nanci Griffith fans will have this CD already - if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing her wonderful songs, this is a great place to start. ... 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