The opinions expressed are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the KVMR MD, PD, PC, staff, management, underwriters, Board of Directors, hangers-on or passers-by.

This CD is the first of (hopefully) many classic recordings made by Mike Cogan on his Bay label. He couldn't have picked a better place to start than the two albums by Kenny Hall. Jim Ringer is one of the stalwarts in the band and his vocals standout on a CD where all the selections stand out. Fantastic musicianship and great material. Traditional material doesn't get any better. Try learning all the words to "Angeline the Baker!" All tracks except 5, 15, and 25.
DJ

Take a pinch of Iris Dement, a teaspoon of Hazel Dickens, a tablespoon of Patsy Cline, and a bit of Ola Belle Reed. Blend them together and what do you get? Ginny Hawker? Not quite, but close! She embraces everything that was good about the soundtrack for the movie Songcatcher, even though she wasn’t in it herself. As you can tell, I like this CD a lot. My favorite tracks include 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Dennis 11/9/2001

May is a veteran singer/songwriter who has been around the block and his songs are well crafted. Tracks: 2, 5, 11, 13.
DJ

Young band from Colorado. Produced by Tim O'Brien. Tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13
DJ

Another great compilation from Sing Out! magazine. The selections are both from the tradition and are contemporary. "Under American Skies" performed by Ann Hills and Tom Paxton (Title cut of a CD in the KVMR library) is an extremely moving social commentary about how far we have come and how far we have to go. Tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22
DJ

This soundtrack was lost only to be found by Arlo Guthrie who issued it on his own label. There is losts of Arlo and Pete Seeger as well as guest appearances of other luminaries in the folk world. Through the marvels of technology, Arlo and Woody sing a duet. Tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14
DJ

This CD contains a mix of contemporary and traditional material, well performed by young sisters. Mostly vocals with a couple of instrumentals. Tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13.
DJ

Originally recorded in concert in 1984, this is my pick for re-issue of the year! The songs have a significant social component, and just in time too. This CD has an additional 13 songs (and another CD) added to the original, doubling our pleasure. Tracks: Disk 1: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, Disk 2: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13.
DJ

Dervish is one of the finest of the "young" traditional Irish groups. All of their albums are consistently good in choice of material and performance. This CD was issued in Ireland on an obscure label now thankfully reissued in the US. Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14.
DJ

Dervish is one of the finest of the "young" traditional Irish groups. All of their albums are consistently good in choice of material and performance. This CD is a compilation of previously issued material. Tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14.
DJ

Ann and Frank Warner collected songs and tunes from the rural south in the tradition of the Lomaxes. Frank Poffitt has been recorded since, but these songs are sung by people who sung for their own pleasure, not the outside world. Although the technical quality of some of the selections is marginal, these two volumes are an amazing collection. Tracks: 2, 4, 7, 13, 19, 28, 39, 43, 49, 54, 55, 56.
DJ

Ann and Frank Warner collected songs and tunes from the rural south in the tradition of the Lomaxes. Frank Poffitt has been recorded since, but these songs are sung by people who sung for their own pleasure, not the outside world. Although the technical quality of some of the selections is marginal, these two volumes are an amazing collection. Tracks: 2, 4, 5, 12, 16, 18, 26, 27, 31, 32, 35, 36, 45
DJ

This is the second of a collection of songs that either Pete Seeger wrote or song. Some of the performers are Jackson Browne, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Eric Andersen, Kim & Reggie Harris, Magpie and Dave Carter & Tracy Grammar. Tracks: 1, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.
DJ

This CD is an interesting mix of styles, Middle-Eastern, Jewish (Klezmer & Ladino) and African. The overall is definitely Middle-Eastern as is the background of the leader. Tracks: 3, 5, 7, 10, 11
DJ

This CD is a mixture of contemporary folk & world styles It is not as cohesive an album as Out of the Reeds but there are some playable selections. Tracks: 1, 3, 7, 10, 11
DJ

Traditional Celtic is the debut release of Shepard's Folly. It's mostly straight ahead Celtic. They could use a little more spark and work on the vocals but there still is plenty of material to play on this CD. Tracks: 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13
DJ

The William's are well respected northwest musicians who are not well know out of their local area. They have a large repertoire of old time tunes and all are performed well. Tracks: 3, 4, 8, 13, 16, 21, 22, 23.
DJ

Fairly straight versions of (almost all) traditional material. The vocals could use some work but the instrumentals are good Tracks: 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13.
DJ

Goodacre plays the English, small or "Northumbrian" pipes as well as five varieties of pipes I've never heard of (English Great Pipes and Cornish Double Pipes). More closely related to the Irish bagpipe, the Northumbrian Pipes are not as nasal as the Scottish bagpipe. Traditionally used as the lead instrument for dance music, it is no surprise the tunes are mostly dances on this CD. Tracks: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18
DJ

Gans has long been associated with the Grateful Dead hosting a "Dead" show on KPFA for many years. Several of the included selections are Dead songs. He is a good guitarist but only a fair vocalist. The airplay tracks are: 1, 4, 9, 10*, 11, 12,14, 15. *NOTE: the word "shitty" on track 10 "Normal."
DJ

Great traditional and traditional style Cajun music played with virtuosity and spirit. All tracks.
DJ

The selections vary from straight-ahead bluegrass to a more jazzy sound. "Average White Male" gets into social commentary. Tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11
DJ

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