CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Just Look Them Straight in the Eye and Say...Pogue Mahone

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: The Pogues

Release Date July 01, 2008
So much to hear, The Pogues put together one very worthwhile box set. Many b-sides, out-takes, and rarities, that leave even the biggest fan wondering "why have i not heard this before?" Good sound quality on majority of tracks, some demo tracks are not of highest quality, but it's fine, because it's the Pogues!
5 disc set, in beautiful packaging with outstanding written history, and interesting facts about each recording.
Personal favorites include: the "nice" version of Boys From The County Hell, Haunted [lead vocals by Cait O'Riordan], Maggie Mae, and a slew of great instrumentals.
If Shane could stay on his feet, he too would dance all night long.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

A Larum

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Johnny Flynn

Release Date July 29, 2008
I'm reviewing this disk for my college radio station. I'm reminded of early Incredible String Band, The Pogues, The Mekons and Chumbawamba. Songs are clever, warm, soulful and spirited.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

For Love and Laughter

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Solas

Release Date August 26, 2008
I am a BIG Solas fan. Great musicians, wonderful people.
I've followed them, now, through 3 changes in lead singers. Each time it took awhile to get used to the new "voice" in the mix.The album itself is great. It's not just another "same old, same old" next album that you find with so many other groups. Very enjoyable.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Awkward Annie

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Kate Rusby

Release Date April 15, 2008
I'm familiar with some of Kate Rusby's earlier music because she gets airplay, from time to time, on BBC radio folk music programmes - but this is her only album that I have. 'Awkward Annie' seems to follow an established pattern - a seamless mix of self-penned original songs and traditional songs from the British Isles.

THE VOCALS : KR's voice is difficult to describe (but I'll try). If you took away the American accent and country twang from Dolly Parton's vocals, and replaced it with a decidedly Yorkshire-English accent, you'd get something which comes close to KR's vocal style (listen to how she pronounces words like 'come', 'money', or 'love'). Depending upon the song, her vocals oscillate between dainty delicacy and haunting poignancy. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Liege & Lief

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Fairport Convention

Release Date October 25, 1990
Liege and Lief is a very nice album. The vocal melodies, while simplistic and repeat a bunch of times, are interesting enough to keep my attention, and interesting enough to tell a good story. The female singer is really good. Some of the arrangements are really good as well. They can let loose and jam out with the best of them.

Fairport Convention sound like they were big fans of Bob Dylan's style of songwriting at the time- sing more or less the same melody over and over while changing the lyrics each time in order to build a story for the lyrically-minded people. An album worth owning.

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Troubadour: The Definitive Collection 1964-1976

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Donovan

Release Date October 29, 1996
Donovan has a bad rep. He was considered poor cow to Bob Dylan bull.

Donovan was an English folk singer that had the same tenor and earnestness, but a sweeter lick on the ear. Donovan had a huge mid 60's hit capturing Dylan's sweeping lyrical with "Catch the Wind". Donovan recorded a couple of LPs, released on Hickory (a C/W label !) as the new Dylan. He signed with Mickey Most, the premier producer of English bands, Animals, Herman's Hermits, Lulu, etc...

Things changed...Donovan went from folk angst to hippie prophet to gentle smile to selling lipstick wear your love like heaven!

This 2CD set has the start of his folk promise and his excursion into the new wonder of the mid/late 60's. "Mellow Yellow", a 1966 song that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Best of the Chieftains

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: The Chieftains

Release Date February 19, 2002
I have always loved the Chieftans and owned many of their tapes/cd's and have never been disappointed until now. This cd is definately not the best of anything they've ever done. I've never even heard of these songs. Wish I could get my money back.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

An Irish Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Moya Brennan

Release Date September 26, 2006
I simply love Irish versions of the carols and the way she sings it is very ethereal! Love it!

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

A Gift from a Flower to a Garden

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Donovan

Release Date September 12, 2000
Anyone who came of age in the late nineteen sixties would remember and love this album. Great tunes and lyrics. Donovan is a poet.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys

CD-Charts > Music > British Folk
by: Various Artists

Release Date August 22, 2006
If you are looking for a CD that gives you a historical sense of the sound and lilt of sea chanteys and such, this is not for you. This album mixes fairly straightforward renditions of 19th and 18th century sea songs and work chanteys with some rather peculiar takes on the genre. The Johnny Depp connection is rather distant, ISTM, and seems present as an indirect tie-in to his "Pirates of the Caribbean" films.
If you are are interested in a more faithful rendition of the genre, I suggest "Blow, Ye Winds, in the Morning" by John Langstaff and the Revels crew.