CD-Charts Position 91
Average Rating:

Like I Said: Songs 1990-91

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Ani DiFranco

Release Date July 26, 1994
One thing about Ani's albums is they're always different. Really, other than the truth, you never know what you're going to get. "Like I Said" brings us back to when Ani was just starting out in her amazing music career, back in the days where it was just her, her guitar and her head full of thoughts and emotions. Personally, I feel that of the six Ani DiFranco cds I have so far acquired, this is one of her best works. It's my second favorite right after "Not A Pretty Girl" and a must for any feminist. On this album, she tackles everything from freedom of choice to why having sex with someone isn't her obligation, no matter how thankfull she is to them, among many other personal ballads and lyrics that will really move you and maybe even ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 92
Average Rating:

Newport Folk Festival, Turn of the Decade 1989 - 1990

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

Release Date March 23, 1992
I got this CD 3 years ago, and I have loved it ever since. At the time I didn't know much about folk music except for people like Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthery, whom I had heard my parents play. I didn't realize at the time what a good album this was. It contains a variety of really good folk songs from groups like Indigo Girls and Sweet Honey in the Rock. All of the recordings are live, which just adds to the effect of these really good songs. I especially enjoyed Arrow (Cheryl Wheeler), American Tune (Indigo Girls), and Cry like an Angel (Shawn Colvin). Some of each artist's best efforts are on this disk. Pete Seeger is the exception, but he is getting a bit old to sing so his music can't be rated on the same scale. If you like the folk music ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 93
Average Rating:

Brewing Up with Billy Bragg

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Billy Bragg

Release Date February 21, 2006
Fantastic to see this being reissued. Yes, some of the politics seem rather obvious now that I'm 37 and not 15, but what always made this album special in the first place wasn't the politics, but the mixture of impressively-observed detail in the plaintive love songs (The Saturday Boy, St Swinthin's Day, A Lover Sings) and lo-fi amphetamine thrill, not to mention occasional downright silliness (Strange Things Happen, From a Vauxhall Velox). It's deliberately raw and unadulterated, but every song is immediate and easily remembered after 23 years. While I'm not averse to his later 90s work, the bare but vibrant years of 83-85 were Billy Bragg's peak for me. If you're British, male and of a similar age or older, try listening to The Saturday Boy without ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 94
Average Rating:

March 16-20, 1992

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Uncle Tupelo

Release Date August 03, 1992
what further can be said?? this is a time-capsule on tape,..a modern folk recollection of an age fading into a sonic fog and rapidly disappearing behind slick suits, fancy ties, cyber-cafes and over-production. here lies a collection of stripped-down acoustic poems, audio folklore and haunting "front-porch" stories depicting the hardships and weight borne by "common folk" and the burden of the "thankless trenchmen" who labor anonymously to serve the common good AND make ends meet. it was certaily an AMBITIOUS undertaking for UT but we (the listening masses) were THANKFULLY rewarded with a absolute classic. never have Farrar and Tweedy sounded more earnest and TRULY inspired by the tracks they laid down (than on this album). from the weary wails of Grindstone ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 95
Average Rating:

Shangri-La West

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Jesse DeNatale

Release Date March 11, 2003
Especially All In The Name and Shangri-La West. Does sound a bit like Dylan.

CD-Charts Position 96
Average Rating:

World Without Tears

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Lucinda Williams

Release Date April 05, 2004
World Without Tears is a great CD. It's got a great slow groove feel to a lot of it, very sensual, langorous... smoldering hot. This might actually be my favorite Lucinda CD, which is saying a lot. It's not a CD that immediately grabs you with hit singles, but if you give it a chance, play it when you want to relax and groove, you may start to realize how good it really is.

CD-Charts Position 97
Average Rating:

Reaching to the Converted

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Billy Bragg

Release Date August 31, 1999
This is an album that's grown on me very much in the two years that I've owned it. The first Billy Bragg cd I owned and heard was "Back to Basics", and I loved it from the start. But as with "The Internationale", I wasn't too keen on this one at first. Unlike "The Internationale", which I still only like to listen to once in awhile, this cd's become a real favorite of mine. I loved songs like "Shirley", "Sulk", "Accident Waiting to Happen", "Bad Penny" and "Jeane" from early on, but as time has gone by, I've come to love just about every song on here--romantic or political, upbeat or slow tempo. Simply put, it's an amazing collection of songs, and surprisingly cohesive for a compilation album. The instrumentation is great, and when Bragg sings, it's done beautifully ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 98
Average Rating:

Songs for Parents Who Enjoy Drugs

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Hamell on Trial

Release Date February 07, 2006
I had high hopes for this album after seeing it reviewed well in a magazine. However, I'm disappointed in it. I don't feel the songs were 'tuned up'; there are too many places where I feel let down by sections that feel rushed. Do note that I generally don't take my politics through music. I'm only here to be entertained. This was was a detractor for me as well.

CD-Charts Position 99
Average Rating:

Rockabye

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Robin Holcomb

Release Date September 01, 1992
This is a slightly strange, idiosyncratic disk -- but not in a bad way. Robin Holcomb has a thin country-sounding voice. She plays piano and writes unusually literate and harmonically open songs. Her better known keyboardist husband, Wayne Horvitz, assembled some really crack jazz musicians (Bill Frisell, Marty Ehrlich et al.) to interpret this country chamber jazz. The results will probably not be to everyone's liking, but I note that the used copies are being practically given away, so why not take a flyer on it?

CD-Charts Position 100
Average Rating:

Workers Playtime

CD-Charts > Music > Urban Folk
by: Billy Bragg

Release Date October 25, 1990
This is unquestionably one of my picks for being stranded on the proverbial desert island with. The musical arrangements, the absolutely lush songwriting, the staggeringly strong poetry. Workers Playtime came out almost 20 years ago, but I don't hear its age. It stands up to time very well. I have four Billy Bragg albums, and I love them all, but this is my favorite. "Must I Paint You a Picture" is beautiful, as is "The Price I Pay." If this were the only music he ever put out, I would still consider him a songwriting genius. He has an amazing ear for rich composition. And a great sense of humor!