"Moldie Oldies": ALIVE and KICKING!

I grew up listening to The Limeliters, so Folk Music is something I can relate to. One person I know did inform me that their brand of "Folk" was too "classied up for popular consumption" for his tastes. I SUSPECT (tho' no way to be sure), that AIN'T NO GRAVE might be more --ahem-- "authentic" for his sensibilities. Here, a group of modern "alternate country" (and other) bands carry on the tradition of breathing NEW LIFE into songs that, as Hal Levy once put it, "Nobody wrote it, nobody remembers it, and everybody sings it."

Good example: I first heard "John The Revelator" in the movie BLUES BROTHERS 2000 ! I first heard "Corine, Corinna" done by Lawrence Welk on his classic 1960 album CALCUTTA! --and have been wondering what the lyrics might be ever since. I believe "Rose Connelly" by Ware River Club was recently mentioned on a CMT documentary that focused on "songs about murder" in country music. I first heard it done by, of all people, Art Garfunkel, on his 1973 album ANGEL CLARE, as "Down In The Willow Garden" (and it's even MORE disturbing here). I think my favorite song on the disc is Mark Erelli's "The Drinking Gourd". (The word "gourd" always makes me think of the movie LIFE OF BRIAN-- how far back in history do some of these things go?)

Trying to think of something appropriate to reccomend with this, the one album that comes to my mind is John Fogerty's BLUE RIDGE RANGERS, which is a lot more country than folk, but also does its best delving into "the old classics".

as good as the hype

I first heard about this album because it is rated as one of the best albums of 2003 by a critic at RollingStone.com. Then I heard that the title track, "Ain't No Grave," by Kris Delmhorst is rated as one of the best songs of 2003 by a critic at NPR's All Songs Considered. Well that was enough praise for me, so I bought the disc. It was definitely worth it. For an album containing songs by various artists it is very consistent. I enjoy the album from start to finish. The songs vary in style, some of the styles on the record are folk-rock, americana, folk, blues, country, roots-rock and bluegrass. Despite the variety of styles, the album flows together beautifully. The singing is earnest and warm. These artists certainly respect the power these songs hold. My favourite track is "Southern Girl's Reply" by Tim Eriksen, who plays on the Cold Mountain Soundtrack and used to play in the band Cordelia's Dad.

Wonderful

I could never have imagined in a million years that a compilation of old traditional and Public Domain songs could be so entertaining and catchy and modern sounding. This cd has fast become one of my all-time favourites. These songs have come alive once more for a new generation. It just goes to show that good songs never die. This is a cd that should be in everyone's collection.