Hello! This page is part of an opinionated overview of Celtic and British folk music, with record reviews by me, Joe Sixpack... This is not meant to be taken as a "definitive" resource, but rather as a record of some of the music which has caught my interest. I am always looking for more good music to explore, so your comments and suggestions are welcome.
John James "Sky In My Pie" (Transatlantic, 1972) (LP)
John James "Head In The Clouds" (Transatlantic, 1975) (LP)
This single-disc reissue features two albums of obscure instrumental acoustic guitar music by Welsh guitarist John James. The first album, Pie In My Sky features duets with guitarist Peter Berryman, many with a choppy, blues-informed style that doesn't quite have the expansiveness or imaginative breadth of, say, John Fahey or Leo Kottke, although it is still quite nice. (Certainly better than anything I could play...) By his second album, though, James had grown considerably, and the melodies and phrasing are much, much richer. Underscoring this growth, one of the masters of the genre, John Renbourn, joins him on three of the album's tracks, and these duets are indeed quite lovely. Guitar music fans will find this disc of note.
Bert Jansch - see artist profile
Jacqui & Bridie "Next Time Round" (Galliard Records, 1972) (LP)
(PRODUCED BY PETER SELF)
A charming live set by the duo of Jacqueline McDonald and Bridie O'Donnell, stalwarts of the Liverpool folk scene. Starting out as Jackie & Bridie in 1964, the pair established a folk club which hosted numerous up-and-coming artists from Great Britain and beyond, and -- as heard on this lively set -- they championed contemporary songwriters both on recordings and on stage. The vocals get a little too Joan Baez-y at time, but there's a joyful feel and a lot of warmth palpable in the air as the album unfolds, A nice snapshot of the Northern UK folk scene at its most humble levels.
Adrienne Johnston "Adrienne Johnston Of The Johnstons" (1975)
The lone solo album from a member of the Johnstons family band... Adrienne Johnston died not long after the release of this record.
The Johnstons "The Travelling People" (Hallmark Records, 1966)
The Johnstons "The Johnstons" (Transatlantic Records, 1968) (LP)
The debut album of the Johnstons family band, which also included Irish folk songwriter Paul Brady... This album was later reissued on CD along with the 1969 album, Barley Corn.
The Johnstons "Give A Damn" (Transatlantic Records, 1969) (LP)
Two late '60s albums by this influential British folk band, which in its early years included Paul Brady and Mick Moloney along with the Johnston Sisters, Luci and Adrienne. Give A Damn, recorded at the end of 1968, tackles social issues and folkie poetic yearnings in a rather clumsy manner, with the sisters warbling away in a most Judy Collins-ish fashion. The repertoire is ambitiously chosen, though a bit lofty and quite modern: new tunes by Joni Mitchell and Dave Cousins, a couple of songs by Jacques Brel and Mort Schuman, a stab at traditionalism via Ewan MacColl, even a bit of Leonard Cohen. This is more of a modern "folk" album in the American mould, stretching towards the artsy singer-songwriter end of the spectrum and, frankly, a bit irritating and pretentious. Not my cup of tea, but it might be interesting to students of folk music folklore, and certainly to fans of Paul Brady who would like to explore his roots.
The Johnstons "Bitter Green" (Transatlantic Records, 1969) (LP)
Paul Brady emerges a bit from the background on this album -- although he's still not credited as a songwriter, he and Moloney help adapt some traditional tunes, and Brady's rich vocal style comes through on a couple of more Celtic-oriented songs, and this handful of songs are the real heart of these albums. This twofer CD reissue omits a couple of tunes from the original albums, and mysteriously opts to add a B-side from one of their singles -- probably no one but the most diehard of purists will even notice.
The Johnstons "The Barleycorn" (Transatlantic, 1969) (LP)
Released at the same time as Give A Damn, this record highlights their traditional side; the other disc showcased their interest in more contemporary material.
The Johnstons "Colours Of The Dawn" (Vanguard Records, 1971) (LP)
The Johnstons "If I Sang My Song" (1972) (LP)
By this time, the group had all but disbanded, and songwriter Paul Brady was the primary creative force...
The Johnstons "Give A Damn: The Folk-Rock Years" (Castle Records, 2003)
Although this collection shares the same title as their 1969 Give A Damn album, it is actually a best-of set drawn from various albums... Probably as good an overview as any!
Bill Jones "Panchpuran" (Compass Records, 2001)
Why... choke! sputter...!! This here Bill Jones fellow is actually a girl!! While she doesn't have quite the vocal oompf of Niahm Parsons, or the sweetness of tone of, say, Kate Rusby, Jones is certainly no slouch in the folkloric department, having picked out some of the oddest story-songs and variant forms I've heard in a while. Her voice is a little chirpy, but the songs are nice, including both Celtic and English material. Worth checking out!
Bill Jones "Turn To Me" (Compass Records, 2002)
Jones continues to dazzle on this start-to-finish stunner. Plenty of great songs -- both old and new -- and the young lady has a very appealing voice. Highly recommended!
Bill Jones "Two Year Winter" (Compass Records, 2003)
Amazingly, Jones just picks up greater depth and resonance as she goes along... This two CD set -- one disc of twelve sad, fabulous songs, and an additional four-song "Bits And Pieces" disc that sounds much like the first -- is a rich and rewarding listen, with a reflective, doleful air that is sustained over its entire length. he set has more emphasis on new compositions, by Jones herself and contemporaries such as Pete Morton, Anne Hills and Brian Bedford, and though there is less trad. arr. material, the entire album has a deep, old-world feel to it. What else can I say? This is another really great record, easily the equal of the Jones albums reviewed above. Trad fans should snap it up.
Nic Jones - see artist profile
Martyn Joseph "Whoever It Was That Brought Me Here Will Have To Take Me Home" (Appleseed/Pipe, 2004)
Gentle, well-sculpted, tuneful folk music... Not "folk" as in English trad as much as folk in the confessional, singer-songwriter-y sense... While this is a little too dense, anguished and flowery for me, I still was enchanted my Joseph's knack for developing catchy hooks, and several of these songs can really catch in your brain, notably "Wake Me Up" and "Every Little Sign." Joseph, who is known in part for his socially-oriented political material, reins it in a bit for this introspective, emotional album. It's still more for the contemporary folkie crowd, but quite nice all the same.
JSD Band "Country Of The Blind" (Regal Zonophone, 1971)
JSD Band "Black Album" (Cube, 1972)
JSD Band "Travelling Days" (LP) (Cube/Warner Brothers, 1973)
A pleasant, notably eclectic, folk-rock release by this under-remembered Irish band. The tracks vary widely from straight-ahead trad to mellow acoustic blues and clompy Celtic folk, as well as a few dreamier pop tunes that wouldn't be out of place on a Teenage Fanclub album. A pity so little of the old JSD Band material is available on CD... From what I've heard, they seem to have been pretty darn good. This disc is sure worth looking for!
JSD Band "For The Record" (Klub Records, 1997)
JSD Band "Pastures Of Plenty" (Klub/Lochshore Records, 1998)
