What Album Have You Just Bought?

[philipchevron]

Various - Ceolta Eireann (Gael Linn)

Essentially, these are the first two Gael Linn vinyl albums from 1958 on a single CD for the first time. It is something of a miracle that in its darkest days, Ireland was still managing to produce music of such charm and eloquence. The first album features Cork baritone Thomas O Sulleabhain performing in the Irish language accompanied by Sean O'Riada on piano. The accompaniment and musical direction could hardly be from any other musician - even a year before his Mise Eire movie opus, O'Riada was producing startling and muscular and atypical arrangements. An O'Riada piece features on the second collection too, which is the RTE Light Orchestra performing orchestral versions of traditional tunes set by many of Ireland's major composers from the first half of the 20th century. Bodley and Larchet also feature and older listeners will be familiar with some of these recordings, as RTE used them as radio and television sig tunes throughout the 1960s, notably "The Palatine's Daughter", aka The Riordans.

Gael Linn has done O'Riada proud in the attention it has given to the reissue of his historic catalogue and it's nice to see them approach the rest of their archive with the same care.

[Shaz]

Johnny Cash: American Recordings VI

[philipchevron]

Gil Scott-Heron I'm New Here (XL)

His first album in 13 years, apparently, and also his first post-prison and post-rehab. It would be great to report that it has the lean swagger and thrust of his classic work, but it really doesn't. In its place, not unexpectedly, is a more rueful voice, aged in trouble and disillusionment but still poetic and still proud. Musically, it's somewhat unfocussed - a bit of Kanye here, a bit of Damon Albarn there, a smattering of folk guitar, some urban beats...........but it's still the new album by Gil Scott-Heron and that in itself is a cause for celebration.

[soulfinger]

Gil Scott-Heron I'm New Here (XL)

I bought this last weekend too. It kind of feels like the producer's favourite Gil tunes were Re-Ron and Message to the Messengers. This feels like a natural extension from them. Gil's re-emergence is truly a reason to celebrate, doubly so as he's booked to play Manchester Opera House (of all places) on 25th April. I guess they must've got round the not admitting him to the UK because of drugs convictions thing that scuppered his last proposed tour five or so years ago.

[Jon]

Just bought the Mumford & Sons album, the tunes are pretty good - but why do I get the feeling that most (over half) of the songs have a religious feeling to them? If I wanted a fucking lecture, I'd have bought a Bennie Hinn CD

Thankfully Fopp will give me my money back..

[firehazard]

Just bought the Mumford & Sons album, the tunes are pretty good - but why do I get the feeling that most (over half) of the songs have a religious feeling to them? If I wanted a fucking lecture, I'd have bought a Bennie Hinn CD

According to the band, the songs (or some, though I'd say certainly not all, of them) tend to have a "spiritual" rather than a religious feel to them. I don't think any of the band are specifically religious, and the songs hadn't struck me as propagating any particular religious view. Perhaps I have an immunity to it.

They don't strike me as the deepest of lyrics, but I sort of like the way they tap into a variety of different literature, from Shakespeare to, erm, other stuff.

[Jon]

don't get me wrong, I don't mind the album - but having just spent an hour listening to Lifehouse's, "No Name Face" (which is religious, but not obvious) M&S seem a bit 'cack-handed' with their imagery, almost Snow Patrol clumsy, but we'll see...

The music itself is good and as someone else said, it'd be handy to see them open up to the folky instrumentation a bit more.

I'm currently circumventing our proxy server at work to listen to Show of Hands and their new tune AIG, which is getting a lot of attention.

[firehazard]

I'm currently circumventing our proxy server at work to listen to Show of Hands and their new tune AIG, which is getting a lot of attention.

Over the years I've tried really hard to like Show of Hands. Really, honestly, I have. Well, fairly hard. But I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't know what it is. (Actually, possibly I do know what it is.) Oh well. The sentiments of "Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed" are to be commended, but I reckon Pete Seeger did it so much better in "Banks of Marble" (which Lau have recently done a pretty good, and timely, version of).

[Low D]

Just Pickin' by The Dixie Flyers, 1978 LP. The great thing about the early records from this Canadian bluegrass band is that they had no fiddler. The fiddle part was played by the late, great Willie. P. Bennett on harmonica! Bill Munroe might have pitched a fit, but it's great stuff.

They're still around today, with Bert Baumbach (guitar) and Ken Palmer (mandolin) still kicking.
http://www.dixieflyers.ca/

[Hennybhoy]

The Undertones - An Anthology

[RoddyRuddy]

Mr Lungs - Luggness cd
" " - Tam "n"lungs
The Knockouts - Honolulu Sunscream
" " -The Very Special World Of The Knockouts

[Clash Cadillac]

Doc Harry just gave me a 4CD collection from harmonica player Eddie Clarke who was from his home town of Virginia, County Caven.

Eddie Clarke Unheard 2009 Comhaltas

[philipchevron]

Doc Harry just gave me a 4CD collection from harmonica player Eddie Clarke who was from his home town of Virginia, County Caven.

Eddie Clarke Unheard 2009 Comhaltas

And very fine too, from the samples heard on the Claddagh Records website. I just purchased it. Please tell Harry that Terry Woods lived in Virginia, Co Cavan throughout the 1980s and beyond.

[Low D]

The Sting original motion picture soundtrack ft. the music of Scott Joplin, and ft. some fine jazz violin by a guy named Bobby Bruce. I remember my daughter digging the music in the film, and saw a nice vinyl copy for a buck.

Who is this Bobby Bruce? Google's not telling me much - assuming his is not the Bobby Bruce who plays Neil in the Neil Diamond tribute band "Nearly Neil & the Solitary Band". Maybe he played violin on Phil Ochs' 1970 album "Greatest Hits", and a Bob Seeger album from 1991. He played on the Lawrence Welk show from '64-'67. Assuming those are all the same guy, that's all i've learned.

If anybody knows, i am ever curious.

[Mike M]

Was just send "Shatter The Hotel: A Dub Inspired Tribute To Joe Strummer" by my cousin as a birthday present. With just a couple of exceptions, a very good disc. And of course, it benefits Strummerville, which is an added bonus.