Review: Melissa Carper apparently banjo and bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley use the phrase "borned in ya" to describe an artist's ability to play old timey songs. At that moment, she began jotting down ideas as to how that could be turned into a song. "I knew I had to write that song," one quote states. "I was turning over in my mind wha it means to have something 'borned in ya'... The song evolved as I was writing it to be more about having your soul 'borned in ya' and the more life experience you have, you hopefully grow to embody the highest version of yourself that you can be." It's hard to argue with the logic, or the album itself. Borned In Ya, which opens on the title track before jumping on the horse and riding off across the Badlands of yesteryear, is a vivid and visceral record, capable of transporting us to another time, if not entirely another world, calling off at campfire folk, barroom country and plenty more besides.
Review: Drag City has reissued Dorothy Carter's 1976 debut album, Troubadour, a significant work in her folk music career. Known for her expertise on hammered dulcimer and psaltery, Carter's musiciinterweaving Appalachian, Celtic, Jewish, and her own compositionsiexudes a timeless, magical quality. This reissue not only revives her debut but also includes an insert with additional photos and notes by producer Eric Demby, recalling his childhood encounters with Carter's music. Troubadour captures Carter's eclecticism and her dedication to melding global musical traditions. The album opens with the medieval French instrumental 'Troubadour Song' and ventures through a variety of folk traditions, including an enigmatic rendition of the Scottish ballad 'The Twa Sisters' and a vibrant Psalm 100 in 'Make a Joyful Sound.' Carter's approach blends Eastern and Western influences most strikingly on 'Tree of Life,' hinting at the spiritual fusion she would explore further in her later work. With tracks like the Israeli folk song 'The King of Glory,' Michael Praetorius' 'The Morning Star,' and Appalachian standards 'The Cuckoo' and 'Shirt of Lace,' the album is a profound exploration of folk traditions. This reissue, presented in its original format with enriched visuals and historical context, offers a deep dive into Carter's visionary artistry, capturing the essence of her early, transformative work. Essential listening for fans of Michael O'Shea, Laraaji, and Jerusalem in My Heart.
Review: The announcement of Johnny Cash's posthumous album Songwriter, has sparked a debate about the ethics of releasing music shelved during an artist's lifetime. The album, featuring 11 unreleased demos from 1993, sees Cash's vocals and acoustic guitar, with new instrumentation by musicians like Marty Stuart and Dave Roe. The first single, 'Well Alright,' exemplifies Cash's clever, humorous style, reminiscent of lesser-known gems like 'Country Trash.' Produced by Cash's son, John Carter Cash, and David Ferguson, this release aims to highlight Cash's songwriting. Some critics argue against releasing music the artist did not originally deem worthy. However, the album's timing during a commercially rough period and Cash's subsequent career reinvention suggests the demos' initial shelving wasn't due to quality concerns. One listen will confirm that - this is top drawer material from a master of the genre.
Review: Before the legendary Johnny Cash would embark on his mid-90s resurgence with the help of producer Rick Rubin, the country songsmith had already been hard at work on a collection of tracks recorded at LSI Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. These sessions were ultimately shelved in favour of the subsequent American Recordings, until three decades later, they were to be discovered by John Carter Cash, son of Johnny and June Carter. Stripping away the bells and whistles from the takes to get down to the core of Cash's sole vocal and acoustic guitar tracks, long-time producer David 'Fergie' Ferguson was tapped to help helm this accidental new project. Handpicking a collective of artists close to Cash, including guitarist Marty Stuart, the late bassist Dave Roe, drummer Pete Abbott, as well as a plethora of contributors such as Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys; the team retreated to the Cash Cabin in Hendersonville, known for being a place of solitude and inspiration for the timeless songwriter, in order to do these forgotten gems their due diligence. Aptly titled Songwriter, these are the resulting never-before-heard, and likely final newly released songs from a legend whose looming presence still continues to resonate to this day.
Review: Walkin' After Midnight is a excellent collection that shows off the unparalleled talent of Eva Cassidy, featuring 12 previously unreleased live recordings on 180g vinyl. Recorded during a serendipitous performance at the King of France Tavern in Annapolis on November 2, 1995, this album highlights Cassidy's exceptional voice and ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances. The inclusion of the new track 'Down Home Blues', a lively western swing piece, is a delightful addition that complements her existing repertoire. With a stripped-down arrangement featuring violin, lead guitar, bass and Cassidy's acoustic guitar, the performance feels intimate and fresh, allowing her joyous vocals to shine. While most of the songs are familiar to long-time fans, their raw and unpolished nature makes this collection a unique listening experience. For both diehard completists and casual listeners alike, Walkin' After Midnight serves as a poignant reminder of Cassidy's brilliance, inviting you to immerse yourself in the warmth of her voice.
B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition
She Belongs To Me (4:46)
Fourth Time Around (4:43)
Visions Of Johanna (9:11)
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (5:17)
Desolation Row (12:41)
Just Like A Woman
(5:46)
Mr Tambourine Man
(6:23)
Tell Me, Momma (4:58)
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We
Never Have Met) (5:13)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (2:48)
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues (5:41)
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
(3:53)
One Too Many Mornings
(3:50)
Ballad Of A Thin Man
(6:06)
Like A Rolling Stone (6:32)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***
In November 2022, Cat Power took the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall and delivered a song-for-song recreation of one of the most fabled and transformative live sets of all time. Held at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in May 1966 - but long known as the “Royal Albert Hall Concert” due to a mislabeled bootleg - the original performance saw Bob Dylan switching from acoustic to electric midway through the show, drawing ire from an audience of folk purists and forever altering the course of rock n' roll. In her own rendition of that historic night, the artist otherwise known as Chan Marshall inhabited each song with equal parts conviction and grace and a palpable sense of protectiveness, ultimately transposing the anarchic tension of Dylan’s set with a warm and luminous joy. Now captured on the live album Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert, Marshall’s spellbinding performance both lovingly honors her hero’s imprint on history and brings a stunning new vitality to many of his most revered songs.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.