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The Whistler View Drop Down
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Points: 7113 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Prog FOLK!
    Posted: November 28 2006 at 16:45

Well, as it has been told, my turn on to Jethro Tull, and by default the progressive movement as a whole, came essentially from the album Songs from the Wood. So, pog folk must, by default, mean a bit to me.

Beard-strokingly strange (well, maybe not THAT strange, but kinda funny at least, give me that) that I only just yesterday purchased two albums by bands Fairport Convention and thu Strawbs. And, lucky me, I pulled a couple of key albums (by this site's warrant at least).
 
First off, What We Did On Our Holiday(se) by the Fairports. This was a nice enough record, there was nothing offesnsive on the album, and I've always liked Sandy Denny's voice...but it feels scattered. You got your folk here, your blooz there, your medieval catharsis in the corner. Some albums (ahem, Stand Up), can get away with that. But that's 'cause it's Tull. I'd like something maybe a bit more focused.
 
Now, Ghosts. Ugh. There's an album. Once again, nothing offensive, but unlike the sweet, quiet little Fairport album, this one is great. Holiday made nothing stick in my head; I can't stop listening to Where Do You Go (When you need a hole to crawl in); Lemon Pie ain't bad either. What else from the Strawbs is recommended? What about, say, live albums? Turns out I like those...
 
So, I want a nice focused Fairport, and more of those sweet, sweet Strawbs. And live albums; hear more songs (without selling out to compilations), and get to have the band at work on stage. Good good. Suggestions?


Edited by The Whistler - November 28 2006 at 16:48
"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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salmacis View Drop Down
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Points: 3928 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 16:54
Well, none of those albums are prog folk, imho. Indeed, I only think that era of Tull you mention- 'Songs From The Wood', 'Heavy Horses' period- was their only prog folk output. Tull have, as Ian Anderson said himself, 'been all things to all people'.

As for Fairport Convention, I personally see them as one of the more dubious inclusions here. I love their music- 'What We Did...' is a fave of mine- but there's little prog about it. Having said that, the concept album 'Babbacombe Lee' is the closest they came. Not their very best, but a darned good effort.

The Strawbs were a prog folk outfit, but after a while got a bit more symphonic starting from 'Grave New World'. I suppose 'From The Witchwood' is the best place to start, with Rick Wakeman's organ used to great effect on that one. The debut is excellent too.

For real prog folk, a lot of the best stuff is quite obscure. Horslips' 'The Tain' defines the genre, pretty much, and I also think 'The Book Of Invasions' does a good job though it is a bit rockier. I think if you're into that 1977/8 Tull era, you'd love Horslips.

Then there are the acid folk bands like Comus, Jan Dukes De Gray and Forest. The first two are some of the more extreme bands you'll hear- one can't imagine what the folk purists made of this! Comus are like The Incredible String Band twisted beyond belief and with Family's Roger Chapman on vocals, while Jan Dukes De Gray at times sound akin to folk music- as played by VDGG. Check out 'Mice and Rats In The Loft'- a jawdropping number.
Forest are decidedly less heavy going, being a more genteel act with an Incredible String Band influence but with more ornate arrangements. Then check out Spirogyra- don't confuse these with the godawful 'fusak' band of a similar name. Some beautifully arranged and delicate music in their output.

That's what readily comes to mind...
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Points: 4411 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 17:13
 "Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios" (1970); "From the Witchwood" (1971); "Grave New World" (1972 and the best one for me); "Bursting at the Seams" (1973); "Hero and Heroine" (1974) are all worth buying.
 
If you liked at the very first listening Ghosts (what a wonderful album it is!), then you'll probably love Hero and Heroine, especially for the explosive title track and the fabulous opener "Autumn"!Thumbs Up
 
Sadly, after Ghosts, with the departure of John Hawken, Strawbs move gradually into more commercial mainstream pop music...Cry Deep Cuts is till good, in my opinion, but nothing comparable with the giants that stand before.
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Points: 4411 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 17:15
How abour Ramases? I own that album (it's fine, btw), but I didn't find such a prog folk vein...
 
P.S. excellent thread this one...a proper "prog folk appreciation thread" was missing...
 
prof folk, my first love in prog music!
 
I'm sorry, but Comus did not impressed me so much...Sleepy


Edited by Andrea Cortese - November 28 2006 at 17:16
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Points: 163 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 17:32
I have two Fairport Convention cds:  "What We Did..." and "Liege and Lief."  The first is okay, but the second gets heavy rotation in the cd player.  I would recommend this cd to you based on your likes.
 
I second the recommendation for Horslips, particularly the two cds mentioned above.
 
I have six Strawbs cds and I like them all.
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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 17:47
If you like the beautiful vocals in your music then be sure to check out Hoelderlin's "Holderlins Traum". This is easily one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard.

Another recommendation with beautiful female vocals is Trees. I have "The Garden of Jane Delawney" and it's another great album although I personally prefer Holderlin. The vocals remind me of Annie Haslam. So if you like her vocals then go and get this album.

My favorite prog folk album of my collection is clearly Comus - First Utterance. It isn't as light hearted as the other two recommendations I gave you. This one is raw, hard and gory. The wierd thing is that this album is entirelly acoustic and they still manage to make such menacing and dark sound with it. Highly recommended if you like all the things mentioned.

Read the reviews from this three albums. If they don't convince you then this albums aren't really for you.



Edited by chamberry - November 28 2006 at 18:02

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Points: 9008 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 17:51
Sean Trane didn't wrote this for nothing.Wink

http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21576

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Points: 1991 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 28 2006 at 18:05
Gryphon is a great band also.... a little inconsistent at times but if you like some mediaeval instrumental folk then you should give it a try
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Points: 7113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:23
I was just looking into Gryphon...looked interesting...
 
Righto. Gonna look me into them Horslips. Gonna check me out them Strawbs 'n Fairports what was recommended.
 
Any current prog folk outfits? Might be nice...I always say I never have enough bands that produce music at a fairly constant rate, give me something to look forward to.
"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Points: 65602 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:34
And Whist, you might also want to look into Steeleye Span, especially 'Now We Are Six' (with none other othan Ian Anderson as Production Consultant! Very Tull-ish album) or 'Parcel of Rogues'.
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Points: 7113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:36

I tried to buy some Steeleye Span once, but it just turned out to be Steely Dan...

Yeah, and, I've never really heard any Deep Purple (I don't like Smoke on the Water as much as I'm supposed to), but what's a "Ritchie Blackmore's Night?" Didn't ole Uncle Ian guest on one of thems?

 
"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Points: 65602 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:38
Originally posted by The Whistler The Whistler wrote:

I tried to buy some Steeleye Span once, but it just turned out to be Steely Dan...


 




Yeah, you gotta be careful.
    
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Points: 4252 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:46
Originally posted by The Whistler The Whistler wrote:

I tried to buy some Steeleye Span once, but it just turned out to be Steely Dan...

Yeah, and, I've never really heard any Deep Purple (I don't like Smoke on the Water as much as I'm supposed to), but what's a "Ritchie Blackmore's Night?" Didn't ole Uncle Ian guest on one of thems?

 

 
 
Shocked
 I don't like Smoke on the Water
 
....perhaps "Blackmore's Night " would be right up your street, then!!LOL
 
 
 
 
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Points: 7113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:51

I was always more a fan of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida anyway...

Suggested Night albums?
"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:53
Originally posted by The Whistler The Whistler wrote:

I was just looking into Gryphon...looked interesting...
 
Righto. Gonna look me into them Horslips. Gonna check me out them Strawbs 'n Fairports what was recommended.
 
Any current prog folk outfits? Might be nice...I always say I never have enough bands that produce music at a fairly constant rate, give me something to look forward to.



Try Circulus.  They're a great modern acid folk band.  Their first album has the woman from Jade on guesting on vocals on one song.  Their new one isn't bad either.

This if prog folk with synth, very good stuff indeed.

Also try out some Par Lindh Project or White Willow.  Although they're primarily symphonic prog bands, they have a lot of mediaeval and baroque influences.  You made indeed like that style.

I cannot recommend Comus enough, they're an amazing band and you need to hear them!  They will possibly scare you off, but please do keep listening to them, as when you understand them, they really are impressive.
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Points: 7113 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:56
I'm fairly confident in my inabilities to be scared off. Oh, unless they're moody and boring...
"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson
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Points: 31644 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:59
Originally posted by The Whistler The Whistler wrote:

 
Now, Ghosts. Ugh. There's an album. Once again, nothing offensive, but unlike the sweet, quiet little Fairport album, this one is great. Holiday made nothing stick in my head; I can't stop listening to Where Do You Go (When you need a hole to crawl in); Lemon Pie ain't bad either. What else from the Strawbs is recommended? What about, say, live albums? Turns out I like those...
 
 
 
Haven't heard any live albums, but of the studio stuff, From The Witchwood, Grave New Worlds and Hero & Heroine all are highly recommended! Try their first two ones too, as they're even more folk-ish than their other releases.
RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on!
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Points: 89372 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 01:59
They're not moody or boring, don't worry!

Oh and try Fairport Convention's Liege and Lief instead.  I'm not a huge fan of the band, but that album is their best in my opinion.
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Andrea Cortese View Drop Down
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Points: 4411 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 04:46
Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

And Whist, you might also want to look into Steeleye Span, especially 'Now We Are Six' (with none other othan Ian Anderson as Production Consultant! Very Tull-ish album) or 'Parcel of Rogues'.
 
Yep, I do own Now We Are Six but, unfortunately, I have to say it not so prog, despite the Ian Anderson's production and the year 1974...
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Points: 65602 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 29 2006 at 04:57
Originally posted by Andrea Cortese Andrea Cortese wrote:

Originally posted by Atavachron Atavachron wrote:

And Whist, you might also want to look into Steeleye Span, especially 'Now We Are Six' (with none other othan Ian Anderson as Production Consultant! Very Tull-ish album) or 'Parcel of Rogues'.

 

Yep, I do own Now We Are Six but, unfortunately, I have to say it not so prog, despite the Ian Anderson's production and the year 1974...



True, it isn't Prog-- but it is progressive, and a splendid example of a folk/hard rock fusion in my opinion.
    
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