Cat Stevens - Tea For The Tillerman (1970)

Cat Stevens - Tea For The Tillerman , 1970. SACD

  Ok so who hasn't roasted a few marshmallows over an open campfire singing your guts off to this album?   I had this album on 8 Track....no kidding !   Over 30+ years now and it still is a magical album that deserves the title "Classic".  Just a simple album really of just acoustic guitar folk songs with some of the most imaginative and enduring tracks songs ever recorded IMHO.  
   The 2011 Analogue Productions SACD release is just scrumptious!   It was carefully mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound who ensured that nothing was limited or stonewalled with the sound.   It literally sounds like Cat Stevens is singing in your living room.....it sounds that good !
   "Sad Lisa" is just one of greatest folk songs ever !   As is the whole album!!!!!
 

Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)

 Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)   SACD

In 1977 something happened to Genesis........The album was `Wind and Wuthering`` and the music carried the deep musical progressions of early Genesis with some lighter poppy tendencies which started to creep into their music.  I am a Genesis fan....always have been and always will be and slowly I have been picking up all the Nick Davis SACD Remasters as I find them reasonably priced....as you know there are some lunatics asking way too much for these discs.
If you are not familiar with the post Gabriel era Genesis then I can assure you that Phil Collins does a reasonable job on the vocals in replacement of Peter Gabriel. Musically "Wind and Wuthering" from 1977 was another great album from this band who began on this album to show signs of pop and progressive rock combined. No question that Afterglow is one of the truly great Genesis tracks! ...still give me the shivers when I hear it....

Now how is the SACD transfer you ask ? well....I can assure you that this is an excellent transfer that sounds great. Excellent clarity and nice instrumental depth. Nick Davis is responsible for the 5.1 mix and unlike many of the critics out there I think he did a very good job on these albums. The music is bright and clear and in many ways I feel like I have never heard the album until now !
I also have been able to hear things that I never heard before from my vinyl and 1st edition CD sources.
If you are a fan of Genesis or this album then I recommend you pick it up.......


  

Airborne - Songs For A City (1977)

Airborne - Songs For A City, 1977 Ocean Records

  I had a copy of this Canadian folk gem back when I was a kiddie-boo boo and about 10 years ago I found it again on vinyl in perfect shape so life is complete now.........   But seriously Airborne released as far as I know this one great album mixing folk, pop and even some slight prog elements into their music.  The title song "Song For A City" is killer and is a song I have played a million times and actually think this sounds a lot like the music YES used to do.
  A wonderful album that needs to be re-released again so that it does not remain a long lost hidden gem forever.

McKendree Spring - Spring Suite (1973)

McKendree Spring - Spring Suite , 1973

    McKendree Spring were a folk-prog band who released a number of excellent albums in their career with The Spring Suite hitting all the marks for me.   McKendree Spring were Fran McKendree (guitar and vocals), Christopher Bishop (bass and vocals) , Martin Slutsky (guitar) and Dr. Michael Dreyfuss ( violin).    Spring Suite was their fourth album released and sported a Roger Dean album cover which is why I originally bought this gem!   come on I wasnt the only person who did this.....  
   "The Madman" is a great song and every time I hear this I get that nostalgic feeling..not really all that far off of the work of CSNY and Seals and Crofts.
  Like many of McKendree albums this one does not feature a drummer! 
   Songs like "Equinox" and "Winter" carry a stronger prog vibe with some synth work to coincide with the acoustic guitar led songs.  These guys could really sing as well with some great vocal harmonies and all the songs on this album are excellent with great musicianship.

Carole King - Writer (1970)

Carole King - Writer (1970)

  Criminally overlooked debut album from Carole King.    "Tapestry" was of course THE Carole King album that sold oodles and oodles and for me I discovered this beauty only thru that album.   Of course most of the songs were written by Carole with James Taylor providing his acoustic guitar.  "Child Of Mine" is one of the great Carole King tunes and in fact the whole album is just excellent.  "Goin' Back" and the opener "Spaceship Races" are killer tunes.
   

John Martyn - Solid Air (1973)

John Martyn - Solid Air, 1973 Deluxe Edition Remaster

  Solid Air was really singer songwriter John Martyn's masterpiece and remains one of the most defining albums of the British folk 70's scene....and for good reason.  This 2 disc remastered set takes a very deep look into this album with the first disc devoted to the original album with a great remastering and the second disc covering 12 previously unreleased out-takes, 3 live tracks and the 7-inch single version of May You Never.
  I find this album haunting and in many ways really reminds me of the music and style of Nick Drake with a timeless folk-space delivery.

Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971)

Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971) Remaster

  You must love Joni!   Hard to pick what album is my favorite but "Blue" is certainly right up there which seems to carry a deep emotional factor for me.   The album itself is pretty quaint and unassuming and pretty much is themed around the feelings of sorrow and loneliness.......a rich and wholesome album if I could suggest.   The remastered HDCD version of this album is very well done and offers a nice and clean version of this gem.
   The title song "Blue" is one of my favorite songs she has ever done and it was a toss up for my wedding whether I'd play this track or "Both Sides Now" from 1969's Clouds album........well the only way you will know what I picked is if you were there !   (LOL).
  Legendary rock band Narareth made a million off her song of "This Flight Tonight" which remains a centre piece of this album.  
  Joni is joined by Steven Stills and James Taylor on this album as guest musicians as well.
"acid, booze and ass........needles, guns and grass.........lots of laughs......LOL's...

The Wakami Wailers - Waltz With The Woods

  For those of you who have spent time camping in Ontario's Provincial Parks, you may have heard of The Wakami Wailers. They have been performing their wonderful folk tunes depicting life in Ontario from times gone by for 30 years. They have recorded 3 CD's, of which this is the 2nd from 1993. Their other two releases focus around the life of Ontario's logging camps in the 1800's. Their versions of traditional logging songs are combined with some original tunes that highlight their exquisite playing and vocal harmonies.

Waltz With The Woods is inspired by the natural beauty and stories of Ontario's Provincial Parks. It was recorded at Northumberland Studios in Campbellford Ontario. The sound is dynamic, clear, and detailed and showcases these beautiful songs wonderfully. The Wailers are superb multi-instrumentalists and consist of...
Robert Hollett - guitar, vocals
Michael Bernier - fiddle, mandolin, vocals
Mark Despault - guitar, banjo, concertina, vocals
Jeff Allen - spoons, raconteur
They are supplemented on this recording by Andy Thompson (bass, accordion, keyboards & effects) and Bernie Martin (accordion, bodran).

To reminisce about what life & music was like back in the pioneering days of the 1800's, and for some feel good music played by four musicians devoted to their craft, you can do no better than listening to The Wakami Wailers! If you are lucky enough to be in one of Ontario's Provincial Parks in the summer when they are performing, make sure you don't miss them.

Nick Drake - A Treasury ('70 - "72) SACD

Nick Drake - A Treasury (1970 - 1972) Island Records (SACD)   
  The music of Nick Drake is somthing that lives within you.   Although I have all his albums I had to pick up this SACD compilation of 15 tracks coded in 5.1 with great care.   Of course most of his fav's are here and it is a real pleasure hearing these songs in SACD with even better clarity and tone that on the standard CD layered releases.  Brilliant music !

Ry Cooder - My Name Is Buddy (2007)

Ry Cooder - My Name Is Buddy , Nonesuch Records, 2007

 Ry accompanied by Mike & Pete Seeger, Roland White, Van Dyke Parks, Paddy Moloney, Flaco Jiminez, Stefon Harris, Joachim Cooder and Jon Hassell. Cover drawing and interior illustrations by Vincent Valdez.

Gillian Welch - Soul Journey (2003)

Gillian Welch - Soul Journey, Stony Plain Records,  (2003)

  If you are not familiar with the soulful and expressive voice of Gillain Welch then you need to be !  Soul Journey is the 4th album by this folk-country singer songwriter and is an album I just can't stop playing.    Songs like "I Had a Real good mother and father" simply makes me stop in my tracks.   Producer David Rawlings is the other part of this genius and patnership.  For me one of the things I really find really interesting is the parallel to the early music of Neil Young with acoustic guitars and soul driven vocals.  "I Made A Lovers Prayer" is one of the most personal songs I have heard in a long time.  No question this is a very special album deserving your attention. 

Bob Carpenter - Silent Passage, Stony Plain Records, 1975

Bob Carpenter - Silent Passage, Stony Plain Records, 1975
 
According to the sketchy bits of info I can find on Bob Carpenter this was sadly his only album recorded .  Silent Passage was written and was recorded over a 4 year period and is a true magical Canadian-folk masterpiece IMHO.   The music on Silent Passage plays is highly emotional and memorable and I played this album a lot in 2010 and fell in love with this one BIG time !   Guest appearances from a young Anne Murray,  Emmylou Harris and Canadian Prog Rocker Ben Mink.  A few interesting side notes is that Bob used to open for the Perth County Conspiracy and he was born in North Bay !. 

Bert Jansch - Moonshine (1972)

Bert Jansch - Moonshine, Reprise Records, 1972   (2009 Remaster)

   Here is the perfect album for those quiet times when you just need to sit quietly and contemplate life, death and the universe (sounds kind of like the Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy moment eh ?).  Bert Jansch was a folk legend really and recorded a number of stunning albums in his career with MOONSHINE being one of these gems.    Musically this is a predominantly an acoustic guitar and vocal driven album with a heavy emphasis on lyrics carrying a heavy allusion to the genius of early Donovan.  Jansch's use of Instruments to compliment his acoustic prowess is quite interesting with flute, bass and double bass, harmonica, harp, calrinet, cello, magic bean shaker and TUBULAR BELLS (no kidding!) .  MOONSHINE presents both traditional and original songs with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ewan McColl)  also appearing as an instrumental version on his Jack Orion album.  Overall an enchanted little album full of beauty and magic.