Category Archives: Folk
ERIC ANDERSEN-STILL ONE OF MUSIC’S BEST KEPT SECRETS
Eric Andersen-Still One Of Music’s Best Kept Secrets. In 1975, thirty-two year old folk singer and songwriter Eric Andersen moved to Greenwich Village, New York, where it had all started for him in the early sixties. Back then, Eric Andersen was part of the folk scene, and as a twenty-one years in 1964, had auditioned for …
CLEAR LIGHT-A CASE OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
Clear Light-A Case Of What Might Have Been. Elektra records had come a long way by the sixties, and was home to everyone from folk singers Judy Collins and Josh White to Phil Ochs and Tim Buckley, right through to psychedelic pioneers Love and The Doors, to Detroit based rockers like MC5 and The Stooges and …
MARIANNE FAITHFUL’S DECCA YEARS.
Marianne Faithful’s Decca Years. By March 1964, it was apparent that pop music wasn’t just a passing fad. The Beatles were a global phenomenon, and the British Invasion of the American charts had just begun. Britain was a musical powerhouse, that the world envied. Despite this, many labels weren’t resting on their laurels. Record companies …
THE LIFE AND CAREER OF BOO HEWERDINE.
The Life and Career Of Boo Hewerdine There aren’t many people who have spent the past four decades doing something they love. Nowadays, they’re in the minority, and are the lucky ones. Award winning singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine is one of the lucky ones, and has been fortunate enough to spend the last four decades fulfilling …
JEANETTE-SPAIN’S SILKY VOICED SONGSTRESS 1967-1983.
Jeanette-Spain’s Silky-Voiced Songstress 1967-1983. Label: Ace Records. During the sixties, seventies and eighties, Jeanette’s quiet, tender and languorous vocal was something of an anomaly in Spain, and was the polar opposite of many singers including Rocío Dúrcal, Massiel, Encarnita Polo, Marisol and Karina who had deep, raw, blazing, and powerhouse vocals. Jeanette’s unique style proved …
FOTHERINGAY-SANDY DENNY’S SOMETIMES FORGOTTEN AND SHORT-LIVED GROUP.
Fotheringay-Sandy Denny’s Sometimes Forgotten and Short-Lived Group. When Sandy Denny left Fairport Convention in December 1969, the reason she gave, was that the wanted to hone her skills as a songwriter. However, less than a year after her departure from Fairport Convention, Sandy Denny formed a new group, Fotheringay. Although Fotheringay were a short lived band, …
THREE DAY WEEK-WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT 1972-1975.
Three Day Week-When The Lights Went Out 1972-1975. Label: Ace Records. In 1973, both Britain and America were experiencing one of the worst years since the end of World War II. The Vietnam War still raged, while the civil rights movement continued to fight for equality and an end to the racial discrimination that blighted …
MANCHESTER-A CITY UNITED IN MUSIC.
Manchester-A City United In Music. Label: Ace Records. Mention Manchester, and most people think of two things music and soccer, and specifically God’s own team Manchester City who for too long, were perceived as the city’s second team. That wasn’t always the case and isn’t the case any more. Between 1966 and 1975, Manchester City …
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE BETA BAND
The Life and Times Of The Beta Band. The Beta Band was formed in Edinburgh in 1996, and a year later, in July 1997 released their Champion Versions EP, which was the first of a trio of innovative EP’s the folktronica pioneers released. In March 1998 The Beta Band released their sophomore EP The Patty Patty Sound, with Los Amigos …
HALLELUJAH-THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN.
Hallelujah-The Songs Of Leonard Cohen. Label: Ace Records. On the ‘21st’ of October 2016, Canadian singer-songwriter, novelist and poet Leonard Cohen released what was to be his swan-song You Want It Darker to widespread critical acclaim. Sadly, just seventeen days later Leonard Cohen passed away on the ‘7th’ of November 2016, aged eighty-two. That day, music lost …
THE THREE YEAR STORY OF SWEENEY’S MEN.
The Three Year Story Of Sweeney’s Men. One of the bands that emerged from the mid-sixties Irish roots revival was Sweeney’s Men, who were formed in Dublin in May 1966, by Andy Irvine, “Galway Joe” Dolan and Johnny Moynihan. Sweeney’s Men were together for just three years, and released two albums which feature one of the …
THE JOHNSTONS-A STORY OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?
The Johnstons-A Story Of What Might Have Been? During the mid-sixties, folk music on both sides of the Atlantic was growing in popularity, in America and Britain. It was a similar case in Ireland, where a number of folk bands were founded, including The Johnstons in Slane, County Meath, whose original lineup featured Adrienne Johnston, her …
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SANDY DENNY.
The Life and Times Of Sandy Denny. In December 1969, an announcement was made that Sandy Denny had left Britain’s leading folk band, Fairport Convention. This came as a shock to many as Fairport Convention, who were Britain’s first electric folk band, popularity been rising over the past two years. Playing her part in the rise and rise of Fairport Convention was Sandy Denny who had previously been …
THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF JOHN WETTON.
The Life and Music Of John Wetton. On the ’31st’ of January 2017, John Wetton passed away in Bournemouth, Dorset aged just sixty-seven. Music had lost another of its most talented and successful sons. John Wetton had enjoyed success with seven bands and as a solo artist. His career began with Mogul Thrash, before he joined Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep and …
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE YOUNGBLOODS.
The Rise and Fall Of The Youngbloods By 1965, bassist and vocalist Jesse Colin Young was twenty-four and had already enjoyed a degree of success as a folk singer. He had already released two albums The Soul Of A City Boy in 1964, and Young Blood in 1965. However, Jesse Colin Young’s solo career was …
FIVE DRUMMERS, FIVE GUITARISTS AND FOUR ALBUMS-THE STORY OF SEATRAIN.
Five Drummers, Five Guitarists and Four Albums-The Story Of Seatrain. Although Seatrain were only together for four years and released four albums, there were five separate lineups of the band. Drummers and guitarists proved to be Seatrain’s Achille’s Heel. Seatrain featured five different drummers and guitarists between the release of their 1969 debut album Sea …
THE RISE OF JUDY COLLINS THE FIRST LADY OF FOLK 1961-1970.
The Rise Of Judy Collins The First Lady of Folk 1961-1970. Judy Collins was never meant to become a folk singer. Originally, she had studied classical music and made her public debut when she was just thirteen. That night in Denver, Judy Collins played Mozart’s Concerto For Two Pianos. All Antonia Brico’s tuition and encouragement had been …
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