Malvina Reynolds-Malvina (1972-Folk)

Reynolds is best known for Pete Seeger's versions of her compositions, songs like "Little Boxes" and "What Have They Done to the Rain." The first is included on this collection, along with 11 other uncompromisingly political songs that mark Reynolds as one of the great topical songwriters of the 60s. She has other excellent albums (including a long out-of-print Columbia LP), but this is a good place to start, allmusic guide.

Side1: Little Boxes - You'll Be A Man - The Albatross - No Room - Turn Around - The Little Red Hen.

Side2: There's A Bottom Below - Green Shadows - The Day The Freeway Froze - The Money Crop - Somewhere Between - This World.

Artists: Guitars: Malvina Reynolds, Clark Maffitt, Brian Davies, Dick Rosmini, Eric Weissberg. Bass: Steve Le Fever, Bill Lee. Drums: Michael Batts. Piano: Alex Hassilev.

Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of tickytacky

Little boxes on the hillside, little boxes all the same

There's a green one and a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one

And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.

And the people in the houses all went to the university

Where they were put in boxes and they came out all the same,

And there's doctors and there's lawyers, and business executives

And they're all made out of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf course and drink their martinis dry,

And they all have pretty children and the children go to school

And the children go to summer camp and then to the university

Where they are put in boxes and they come out all the same.

And the boys go into business and marry and raise a family

In boxes made of ticky tacky and they all look just the same.

Get it!

Yellow Autumn-Children of the mist (1977, Rare, one song missing..)

Incredible album. A masterpiece I think. Try it, the quality is not perfect, but ok. Anyone that could offer “Song of the weeping willow” is always welcome! The original has 8 songs and here “song of the weeping willow” is missing. Help.

Enjoy!

Roy Harper - Sophisticated Beggar (Debut, 1966)

Recorded under primitive circumstances and not distributed well on initial release, Harper's debut proves that the definitive cult folk-rock singer's idiosyncratic weirdness was firmly in place from the start. Mostly but not wholly acoustic, there are lingering similarities to Donovan and Bert Jansch, as well as a light similarity to Al Stewart on occasion. But Harper's scrambled lyricism is already his own, as is his peculiar melismatic phrasing. Those two traits combine to give the impression of a singer-songwriting dyslexic, not able or willing to write words that are easily digested and apparently unsequenced in any linear fashion. That isn't the most appetizing recipe, but it's leavened by fairly attractive British folk melodies and very accomplished guitar work (the liner notes infer that John Renbourn and Ritchie Blackmore helped out). Although this is largely acoustic, electric guitar and backing are used from time to time, as well as reverb and backwards effects that give it a dated charm. Certainly the most uncharacteristic arrangement is "Committed," a crunching, ominous rock tune whose first-person account of madness recalls Syd Barrett's most distraught work (and is if anything more distraught than Barrett's loony tunes). And speaking of Pink Floyd, "October 12th" makes you wonder if Harper's influence didn't find its way into the post-Syd Floyd on tunes like "Grantchester Meadows." , allmusic guide.

Listen

Randy Burns - Songs for an Uncertain Lady (1970)

Try this Randy’s album, not his best- Evening of the magician (1969) is still his best I think, but this one has its moments. Psychedelic/ Acoustic/ Loner Folk, something like that…I like Randy Burns, I think he really made emotional albums….i like his voice too…In all these kind of albums, the minor inside major chords is killing me…what to say..Actually I think in all these folk guys, the melody is been built with the sudden use of a minor chord between of all major chords (the scale)…Just my point of view….


Listen

Thanassis Gaifylias-The unfinished journey of (1975-Psych Folk-Rock)

Greek artist from Komotini town composes a very interesting album back in 70s, probably he is been influenced by two factors: european psychedelic/ acid rock movement and Greek folk tradition, so he mixes up. Featuring the voice of Mariza Koch in “ekdromi” song. Nice guitars and emotionally vocals, a melancholic-revolutionary album actually. Interesting acoustic guitar riffs and songs that stick in your mind for weeks (as the first, the second the fifth and the seventh one). Its too bad lyrics are in Greek and you wont be able to understand what he is talking about. Anyway, the music has its own value! Try this one, I think its one of the best greek psych-prog-folk-rock ever. I cannot categorize this one, so forgive me for some wrong music labels maybe.

Download

Just Others-Amalgam (1974-Apocalyptic/ Acoustic/ Melancholy Folk-Rock)

Masterpiece. This is an unknown masterpiece. You should try it! Incredible lyrics, amazing voices and fine guitar work. This is a very very interesting album.

Close your eyes to the Sun(Words and Music by Geoff Twiggarr. Rodgers/Twigg)

Lay back, close your eyes to the sun
And dream of me
Somewhere, in a land far away,
I am dreaming of you
Dreaming of you Sunshine, and you are lying on golden sands
Lie with me
Sailing to the twinkling distant stars
Fly with me
All through the night we will search for the dawn
And in the light of the morning,I will lead you to your home.
Lay back, close you eyes to the sun
And dream of me.
Somewhere, in a land far awayI am dreaming of you,
Dreaming of you.

Get it!!

Fionn Regan-End of History (Folk/ Acoustic-2006)

A really good effort by Fionn Regan, a new Irish musician. Great guitar finger picking technique and a mellow voice over the guitar. Percussion is also been discovered in this album. That’s something for 2006, taking into consideration that Fionn is a new artist, a true talented guy. A folk album with many early Dylan-Drake influences. We are waiting in vein for such efforts, that’s all we need. Ok he is not Drake, but maybe a new Drake is been born…..Why not?

Favorite Track: Put a Penny in the slot

Try it

Dave Van Ronk-Just Dave Van Ronk (Request-1964)

This collection is comprised of solo guitar and vocal interpretations of blues and traditional standards. Van Ronk's understated guitar style is perfect for these intimate performances. His naturally rough voice allows him to sing these songs believably without any ethnic affectation or false energy, review by all music guide.

Get it

Nick Castro-A spy in the house of god (Acid Folk, 2004)

Nick Castro (Hollywood, N.Y.), has made here a wonderful, only partly singer-songwriter album, with some nice songs, with acoustic guitars and oud (like the beautiful "Jack of All Seasons” or "No Sweeter thing"), and with some more acoustic meandering textures, and small instrumental improvisations (like the "Ukelin suite" ; with on “Zoey” and on the intro of “If Your Soul Could Sing” the use of some tape-experimenting and semi-acoustic experiments), with the use of an Incredible String Band like- flute (like on the beautiful psych-folk song "Winter's Chill", and even more on the instrumental "Flight of the Mourning Dove"). All these elements give the complete album an overall and definite acid / psychedelic folk result. Another instrumental, “This was that and then” is a dreamy improvisation on dulcimer, sitar, oud and flute. The song "Dear Stranger" with acoustic guitar might follow a bit the tradition of early John Renbourne, even when it reminds me also of a Pink Floyd song, then it turns into a psych-folk instrumental with additional flute and harmonium, called "The Opposite of it". The only track which falls a bit off in quality is the more flat / weeping last track, called “Ordinary Life”. A recommended album, from psychedelicfolk website.

Listen

Songs of Freedom-Theodorakis-Farantouri-John Williams (1971)

Maria Farantouri here sings with that great huge voice she had back in 70s. Great compositions by Mikis Theodorakis actually, nice songs, mostly acoustic-revolutionary folk. Great Federico Garcia Lorca lyrics in some songs. Not easy to describe that kind of music, but not the usual Theodorakis style. Great cooperation with John Williams, that great flamenco guitar player, really incredible guitar. A mixture of greek folk music with flamenco guitar playing and eastern influences. This record is not widely known, but deserves so. Try it and let me hear about your opinion. Please do leave comments about that, not so psychedelic, but great music and cooperation in my own opinion. Something different, interesting work. To Yelasto Pedi (The Smiling Boy) is one of my all time favorites songs! With this record (ok, not only with this one) I always remember that guitar is the best musical instrument.

All compositions by Mikis Theodorakis

Seven Songs of Federico Garcia Lorca Arr. Dodgson:
Tou Pikramenou (He With the sorrow)
Antonio Torres Xepentia I (Capture of Antonito el Camborio)
Antonio Torres Xepentia II (Death of Antonito el Camborio)
Xamos Apo Agapi (Lost through love)
I Kaloggria i Tsingana (The Gypsy Nun)
Tou Anemou (The Wind and the Gypsy Girl)

I Pandermi

Four Epitafios Arr. by Myers for Solo Guitar
Epitafio No. 2 [02.01]
Epitafio No. 3 [02.21]
Epitafio No. 4 [02.14]
Epitafio No. 5 [01.15]

Three Songs Arr. Dodgson for Voice and Guitar:
To Yelasto Pedi The Smiling Boy (Theme from "Z") [03.48]
Silva
Irthan i Anthropoi (The one who was taken by the road)

Enjoy