gfg12's Full Review: Philadelphia Folk Festival: 40th Anniversary [Box]
Four discs containing 58 tracks. All in all, this collection of tunes covering the entire history of the Philadelphia Folk Festival is well worth your time and attention. It was produced by Gene Shay, who has been the emcee at every one of the 40 Festivals held thus far. Shay is the acknowledged dean of folk music in the Philadelphia area, having hosted at least one folk radio show since time immemorial. This CD set comes with a booklet containing several articles that together provide an enjoyable and comprehensive discussion of the history of and the philosophy behind the Philadelphia Folk Festival. If you like folk music, this compilation is a fine companion that will soon become a staple in your CD player. It's lots of fun to sing along to as you drive down the road to nowhere (or even somewhere).
MY HIGHLIGHTS
--If I Had My Way
The Rev. Gary Davis sings up a storm on a stormy night at the very first Festival, on the night of Sept.8, 1962. Davis was a blind country blues man who, then and now, had a tremendous influence on the genre, both vocally and instrumentally. This particular Davis song was later popularized by Peter, Paul and Mary.
--The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Bonnie Dobson does a beautiful 1962 version of the song Ewen MacColl originally wrote for his sweetheart, Peggy Seeger. Ten years later Roberta Flack did a popular version of what had been intended to be a pure folk ballad.
--Watchin' The River Go By
One of the late John Hartford's last recorded live performances, from the summer of 2000. Backed by a great band, including Chris Thile, the mandolin player from Nickel Creek, Hartford really knocked the crowd out.
--Society's Child
Amazingly, Janis Ian belts it out just as powerfully as she did when she first wrote it, at age 15, some 30 years prior to this 1999 version. The song has a simplistic "Why can't we all just get along?" kind of message, but it remains stirring nonetheless.
--Hello In There
John Prine's classic take on the loneliness of old age. It was poignant when he first wrote it many years ago, and it's even more poignant now. After all, he's older. So are we. Recorded in 1999.
--Cakewalk Into Town
Taj Mahal is unique. The audience really gets into this rollicking arrangement. You will too. Recorded in 1992.
--The Golden Apples Of The Sun
A 1966 Judy Collins performance that is as beautiful and pure as a Colorado sunrise over the Rockies. The words are derived from a poem by W.B.Yeats, "Song Of The Wandering Angus."
--Bee's Wing
A 1994 solo performance by Richard Thompson, who also plays on this album on a 1970 Fairport Convention tune, Walk A While. Bee's Wing harkens back to the historic style of British balladry, only with more power and drive. A great number.
--I Ain't A Marching Anymore
A Phil Ochs performance recorded on September 11, 1965, when Ochs was at the top of his game. No one was ever better at writing and performing protest songs that were both literate and moving.
Many, many other artists, both famous and not so famous, are represented with selections here. Listing them all would be tedious, both for you and for me. But suffice it to say that I wholeheartedly recommend this CD set to all folk music fans. If you can get to a Philadelphia Folk Festival, by all means do so. It's always held the last weekend in August. But if you cannot get there, and you truly want to feel what it's like, close your eyes and listen to this collection of tunes. You're there.
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