Meic Stevens - An Evening With Meic Stevens. CD. (Label: Sunbeam Music, Cat.No: SBRCD5039)
On July 24th 2007 the man they call ‘the Welsh Bob Dylan’ played his first London gig in over three decades at the legendary Half Moon and Sunbeam Records was there to capture the auspicious event for posterity. Backed by his long-time band, he treated the audience to classics from his much-loved late 60s EPs and legendary Outlander and Gwymon LPs, as well as more recent material. Ranging from fragile ballads to out-and-out psychedelic rock, the set is issued here for the first time and captures a master singer-songwriter at the top of his game.
Ian Matthews - Tigers Will Survive. CD. (Label: Water Music, Cat.No: WATER210CD)
1971 found former Fairport Convention lead singer Ian Matthews not only extremely prolific but surprisingly consistent. Tigers Will Survive, originally released on Vertigo in November of that year, is no exception. Featuring backing from British band Quiver (which included Bruce Thomas, later of the Attractions, and Tim Renwick, who played with David Bowie among others). Tigers Will Survive, as was Matthews' style, is a brilliant collection of originals and choice covers (including Eric Andersen's classic "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" and an a capella version of The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron". Mellow folk-rock jams of the highest order.
Davy Graham - Broken Biscuits. CD. (Label: Kudos, Cat.No: LC005)
Recorded over the past two years, his 2007 "Broken Biscuits" offers 16 tracks, and features 9 new Graham compositions alongside arrangements of traditional music from all over the world. It represents Graham's first substantial recorded work since 1979's "Dance For Two People."
Tom Waits - Under Review 1983- 2006. DVD. (Label: Sexy Individual, Cat.No: SIDVD530)
80 minute documentary DVD, which looks at this extraordinary musician and performer’s music during that period. After Waits’ marriage to Katherine Brennan in 1980, his music became more experimental, challenging and left field, but without any compromise of his craft the songs were better than ever. Through album after album during the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s, Waits stunned his audience time and again.This program looks again at these records, and the man who made them, and in doing so provides the most enlightening, revealing and downright entertaining Tom Waits documentary yet to emerge.
recorded live at The Folkus Folk Club in Nottingham in 1966 in the first flush of their success with both audience and performers hardly able to catch their breath. This recording only came to light in 1999, 33 years after it was recorded and is astonishing in it’s fire and clarity. Many of the songs they performed that night were to be found on those early MARTIN CARTHY albums, but on stage the interplay between Martin and Dave virtually re-wrote all the material.
Tom Lucas - Lifeboats. CD. (Label: New Fate Productions, Cat.No: )
Previously unknown second album by this US underground singer songwriter originally issued in 1983. The tight band is well produced and giving the record a high quality sheen without compromising its grittier strengths. Musically it bears some comparison with US singer songwriters such as early Bruce Springsteen or Neil Young or even Lou Reed! At times he veers off in experimental directions that really surprise. Lifeboats is filled with songs that make some deep political and social observations gathering dark emotional depth from some excellent piano arrangements and tasteful guitar solos. An entertaining second shot now officially reissued.
Albert Hammond - When I Need You / Somewere In America. CD. (Label: B.G.O. Records, Cat.No: BGOCD782)
From 1977 and 1982 respectively come two more albums from acclaimed singer/songwriter Albert Hammond. With tracks co written by Hal David, Carole Bayer Sager, the title track becoming a hit for Leo Sayer and "To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before" becoming a future hit for Willie Nelson, it is a minor mystery why this cracking album failed to sell. Digitally remastered and slipcased, the booklet features new notes by John Tobler with help from Albert Hammond himself.
Vashti Bunyan - Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind. Dble CD. (Label: Spinney, Cat.No: FATCD59)
2 CD set complete collection of Vashti’s existing early recordings, the album is divided across two discs and features 25 tracks - mostly rescued from a number of old acetates and quarter-inch tapes Vashti’s brother John had found in his attic a few years ago.The first disc gathers together the early singles (two of which were unreleased) and a set of taped demos recorded between 1965 - 67. Discovered via an industry friend by Rolling Stones manager/guru Andrew Loog Oldham, who gave her a Jagger/Richards song, (‘Some Things’) Vashti was put in the studio to record the song accompanied by a full orchestra.The second disc comprises the entire, unaltered contents of a long-forgotten tape discovered at the last minute before mastering, whilst Vashti was searching for one of the master reels for disc one. Featuring just Vashti’s voice and guitar, unadorned and with no overdubs, the twelve songs here were rattled out one after another with spoken introduction in one hour of time she’d borrowed the money for and booked at a studio in central London in 1964.
Titus & Ross - Titus & Ross. CD. (Label: Fallout, Cat.No: FOCD2076)
This enigmatic duo from Marion, Indiana only made one album, which appeared in 1970 and stands as one of the most appealing underground folk-rock recordings of its time. Certain songs were used in contemporary TV and film productions, but their origins and subsequent history remains unknown. Full of beautiful melodies and hazy harmonies, as well as poetic lyrics and psychedelic flourishes such as recorder and fuzz guitar, the LP bears more than a passing resemblance to the work of Simon & Garfunkel, and is sure to appeal to fans of fellow hippie folk heroes such as Fresh Maggots, Linda Perhacs and Lambert & Nuttycombe.
Recorded over the last eighteen months and completed in 2007 this album features Marianne's beautiful vocals, backing from Circulus and outstanding lead guitar from Firebird's Bill Steer.All original new material. Due In: 10/12/2007
First issue ever with a full color cover,include: Devendra Banhart & Andy Cabic (on the cover) talking about 1960's British folk music, plus interviews with British folk legends: Shirley Collins, Davey Graham, Vashti Bunyan, and Michael Chapman. And interviews with Ron Asheton of theStooges electronica artist Colleen, Ben from Six Organsof Admittance, Elaine Brown of the Black Panther party.hundreds of CD, book, DVD, and vinyl LP reviews !and a BONUS CD with previously unreleased or rare recordings from: ShirleyCollins, Davey Graham, the debut solo recording from Doug Yule of the Velvet Underground (recently recorded in his home studio), Kendra Smith, Barbara Manning (singing a Sandy Denny song), Steven Roback of the Rain Parade, Sean Smith, Six Organs of Admittance, Fern Knight, Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, a 1968 unreleased demo from Ruthann Friedman, Colossal Yes, Thom Moore of the Moore Brothers singing a Genesis tune from their first album and other treats as well.LAST COPY
Ed Askew - Little Eyes. CD. (Label: DE STIJL, Cat.No: IND032CD)
An interesting, and undoubtedly unconscious, competition has cropped up amongst indie record labels over the last five years or so. With the success of the re-releases of long lost albums by artists like Vashti Bunyan and Sibylle Baier, a number of labels have been shaking trees and digging beneath porches to try to find the rarest works to slip into the tea of the record buying public. As you might expect, the smaller the label, the more interesting the music they seem to dig up. Case in point: De Stijl Records giving the world their first chance to hear the second album by the psych folk wonder, Ed Askew. The tiny New York label has been plying hungry listeners with obscure gems by the likes of Michael Yonkers and the Black Vial, but they scored their biggest coup yet by allowing this record to see the light of day, 30 years after it was first recorded.At the time the album was recorded, Askew was signed to the venerable ESP label, the imprint that had released his brilliant work Ask the Unicorn. He recorded this album not long after the release of that album in 1969, but the label ran out of money and couldn't put it out. Luckily, it couldn't be abetter time for Askew's work to be reexamined by the intelligentsia of the music world
Friends from their time together in the Even Dozen Jug Band at the start of the 60's, mandolin maestro David Grisman and John Sebastian of the Lovin Spoonful reunite for this fourteen track journey into traditional folk, instrumentals and Sebastian originals. Meeting again at a benefit concert in Mill Valley, California, it was the first time they had seen each other in forty odd years. This is the results of that by chance meeting.
Gypsy People was recorded in London's IBC Studios with Anthony Browne producing and with backing from a rather impressive collection of UK musicians. With both Hendin and LeFevre contributing material the album offered up an engaging mix of folk, psych and world music moves. Dealers continually drop the term 'acid-folk when trying to unload lame folk stuff on unsuspecting collectors, but if you want to hear a true acid-folk LP, then this may well set the benchmark for such comparisons.This LP edition is beautifully packaged in heavy carton sleeves
)
On July 24th 2007 the man they call ‘the Welsh Bob Dylan’ played his first London gig in over three decades at the legendary Half Moon and Sunbeam Records was there to capture the auspicious event for posterity. Backed by his long-time band, he treated the audience to classics from his much-loved late 60s EPs and legendary Outlander and Gwymon LPs, as well as more recent material. Ranging from fragile ballads to out-and-out psychedelic rock, the set is issued here for the first time and captures a master singer-songwriter at the top of his game.)
1971 found former Fairport Convention lead singer Ian Matthews not only extremely prolific but surprisingly consistent. Tigers Will Survive, originally released on Vertigo in November of that year, is no exception. Featuring backing from British band Quiver (which included Bruce Thomas, later of the Attractions, and Tim Renwick, who played with David Bowie among others). Tigers Will Survive, as was Matthews' style, is a brilliant collection of originals and choice covers (including Eric Andersen's classic "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" and an a capella version of The Crystals' "Da Doo Ron Ron". Mellow folk-rock jams of the highest order.)
Recorded over the past two years, his 2007 "Broken Biscuits" offers 16 tracks, and features 9 new Graham compositions alongside arrangements of traditional music from all over the world. It represents Graham's first substantial recorded work since 1979's "Dance For Two People.")
80 minute documentary DVD, which looks at this extraordinary musician and performer’s music during that period. After Waits’ marriage to Katherine Brennan in 1980, his music became more experimental, challenging and left field, but without any compromise of his craft the songs were better than ever. Through album after album during the 1980s, the 1990s and the 2000s, Waits stunned his audience time and again.This program looks again at these records, and the man who made them, and in doing so provides the most enlightening, revealing and downright entertaining Tom Waits documentary yet to emerge.)
Previously unknown second album by this US underground singer songwriter originally issued in 1983. The tight band is well produced and giving the record a high quality sheen without compromising its grittier strengths. Musically it bears some comparison with US singer songwriters such as early Bruce Springsteen or Neil Young or even Lou Reed! At times he veers off in experimental directions that really surprise. Lifeboats is filled with songs that make some deep political and social observations gathering dark emotional depth from some excellent piano arrangements and tasteful guitar solos. An entertaining second shot now officially reissued.)
2 CD set complete collection of Vashti’s existing early recordings, the album is divided across two discs and features 25 tracks - mostly rescued from a number of old acetates and quarter-inch tapes Vashti’s brother John had found in his attic a few years ago.The first disc gathers together the early singles (two of which were unreleased) and a set of taped demos recorded between 1965 - 67. Discovered via an industry friend by Rolling Stones manager/guru Andrew Loog Oldham, who gave her a Jagger/Richards song, (‘Some Things’) Vashti was put in the studio to record the song accompanied by a full orchestra.The second disc comprises the entire, unaltered contents of a long-forgotten tape discovered at the last minute before mastering, whilst Vashti was searching for one of the master reels for disc one. Featuring just Vashti’s voice and guitar, unadorned and with no overdubs, the twelve songs here were rattled out one after another with spoken introduction in one hour of time she’d borrowed the money for and booked at a studio in central London in 1964.)
This enigmatic duo from Marion, Indiana only made one album, which appeared in 1970 and stands as one of the most appealing underground folk-rock recordings of its time. Certain songs were used in contemporary TV and film productions, but their origins and subsequent history remains unknown. Full of beautiful melodies and hazy harmonies, as well as poetic lyrics and psychedelic flourishes such as recorder and fuzz guitar, the LP bears more than a passing resemblance to the work of Simon & Garfunkel, and is sure to appeal to fans of fellow hippie folk heroes such as Fresh Maggots, Linda Perhacs and Lambert & Nuttycombe.)
Recorded over the last eighteen months and completed in 2007 this album features Marianne's beautiful vocals, backing from Circulus and outstanding lead guitar from Firebird's Bill Steer.All original new material. Due In: 10/12/2007)
Friends from their time together in the Even Dozen Jug Band at the start of the 60's, mandolin maestro David Grisman and John Sebastian of the Lovin Spoonful reunite for this fourteen track journey into traditional folk, instrumentals and Sebastian originals. Meeting again at a benefit concert in Mill Valley, California, it was the first time they had seen each other in forty odd years. This is the results of that by chance meeting.)
Gypsy People was recorded in London's IBC Studios with Anthony Browne producing and with backing from a rather impressive collection of UK musicians. With both Hendin and LeFevre contributing material the album offered up an engaging mix of folk, psych and world music moves. Dealers continually drop the term 'acid-folk when trying to unload lame folk stuff on unsuspecting collectors, but if you want to hear a true acid-folk LP, then this may well set the benchmark for such comparisons.This LP edition is beautifully packaged in heavy carton sleeves