Private American Myth : When Dead voices gather (US,2001)**°

(= Empty Cellar Prod.)

American Myth did send me a bunch of demo's claiming they played psychedelic folk music, so I should check this stuff out. Most of the recordings were so stifflystuffed stoned I could not figure out how to interpret such an approach. But when I heard "When dead voices gather" I saw a clearer spotlight. It was less stoned and bury-me-in-the-country styled, and it was more folk inspired. The additional vocals by Jolie Holland who also plays guitar and fiddle on some songs combines perfectly with the withdraw and dissolve-to-the- background music from the usual 'American Myth'. It awoke my attention. Now this is mostly psychedelic folk (and blues) indeed with this time all multilayered depths to make it interesting. The first song "Pretty Polly", is a traditional song whose interpretation I like  very much. "Death By Misfortune" has a stoned and experimental mood and continues with a Julie Holland's song "Alley Flowers", a nicely performed complaint with sparse percussion and guitar.  Also the traditional "Dark Holler", is nicely interpreted as a bluesy song reminding me of a lonely caravan somewhere near the road. It fit perfectly with the rest of the songs. Also the acoustic guitar blues song "Brother" has a warm campfires mood. No, we're not alone on this part of the road. With the slide instrumental evokes dinner at the campfire tonight, and the slide guitar on the "Barbecue" I can travel the road again with stomach filled with some joy, my melancholy transformed.

An overall nice and moody album. Worth checking out.

The title of the CD refers to the title of the book by Nick Toches.

Info : emptycellar@yahoo.com Webpage : http://www.sfhomespun.com/music.html

Lune  In Gowan Ring : Hazel Steps through a weathered home (US,2003)*****

'In Gowan Ring' made various interesting records with beautiful moments of introspective poetic neo-folk and nicely arranged gothic psych folk reminiscent of some 'Current 93' and 'Stonebreath' with various medieval touches and with some use of experimental pastoral ritual droning textures. Best release I heard so far (before having heard this release) was "Abend the knurled stitch /The Glinting Spade"(1999). I think B'Eirth (voice, acoustic guitar, cittern, harp, wood flute) wanted to achieve perfection with this release, and he has succeeded with this release, in a more basic way, by leaving off most of the instrumental textured arrangements. He attracted other talents to complete the score, like Annabel Lee (Alraune, Blood Axis, former Amber Asylum), for playing violin and viola, Michael Moynihan (Blood Axis), for playing the bodhran, Philip & Gayle Neuman (De Orgonographia, ORB),for playing the alt and tenor sackbut, Margie Wienk (Eyeshores, Fern Knight, Iditarod), for her wonderful violincello arrangements. This cello, in combination with the acoustic guitars and whispering male voice works beautifully. The words and poetry recalls nostalgic medieval moments of lonely silence. "Without paper without ink/would you set out to think / a song that was never sung/...on lines that have not hung / the signs that leave no token" (from "Kingdom of the shades"). The album, which deserves praise, has the richness and calmness of an introspective vision. The style is minimal without being repetitive, in stead  with a rich sound through its poetic vision. The songs are sung with a melancholic voice, but with a transcendent mood. "Two Towers", piano and voice, being composed and recorded before the 11-9 event could have described the event as seen trough the eyes of a visionary. The whole album is beautiful and recommended.

First edition is limited to 444, or available in a leather-bound edition..

Soundfiles : "Hazel Steps","The Wind That Cracks The Leaves"

Review : http://www.opuszine.com/music/review.html?reviewID=585

& http://www.fakejazz.com/reviews/2003/ingowanring2.shtml

& http://www.rambles.net/ingowan_thru02.html

World Serpent distr.In Gowan Ring : The Glinting Spade (US,1999)***°'

I listened back to the preceding album "The Glittering Spade" to compare. The first tracks of it work as a filmic experience, with lots of ideas and instruments being used (like "Two Wax Dolls" & "To thrum a glassy stem" ). The ritual droning sounds however being used at the end of track 3 I personally would have preferred at first to have endured less long, or with more evolvement, or as a separate track and idea. But never the less I must admit that after a second opinion it's not as demanding as I first thought, but since the music before was perfect and evolving, this part was much more stable within its meditative moment, thus creating two different moods that are contradictory and are not uplifting to each other's level of energy. Instead it works a bit as a halt.  After this musically introspective moment, the next songs are the expressions of a poet, performed with a warm mood, basically with acoustic guitar, and on the first song, a surprising medieval brass arrangement. Also the next track has that "search for the grail" magical flavour, with beautiful arrangements. ("A Bee at the Dolmen's Dell") The last mystery track which comes after a pause of silence with its experimental droning I don't think was really necessary ; it is as if they wanted to fill the CD with a few more minutes to make it more attractive. For me the listening pleasure was already complete in all tracks I heard before. I can consider the basic shorter CD as being a nice successful listening experience.

More info : www.ingowanring.com  & http://www.bluesanct.com/bands/igr/archive/gs1sht.html

& http://www.bluesanct.com/bands/igr/discog/glintwords.html E-mail : Lune@InGowanRing.com

Reviews : http://www.legendsmagazine.net/113/gowan.htm & http://www.ink19.com/issues/june2000/wetInk/musicHK/inGowanRing.html & http://www.opuszine.com/music/review.html?reviewID=78 & http://users.skynet.be/entrepot/rev/i/gowan.html & http://www.cornerstonemag.com/pages/show_page.asp?449 & http://www.tollbooth.org/2000/reviews/ingowanring.html

Another In Gowan Ring release (recorded 1994-2003, published in 2007 ) is reviewed on http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/acidfolkreview19.html#anchor_588

Another release under the name of Birch Book is reviewed on http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/acidfolkreview7.html#anchor_109

English GardenThe Rabbit's Hat : BBC related acoustic sessions (UK,2002)*°

Unfortunately I don't know the other (electric) releases from Tim Jones and Terri B., that would have get some acquaintance in the UK underground scene. It might be especially the interest for and attention of these recordings that led to the publishing of these acoustic live at the BBC recordings. Not having heard the electric recordings I can only judge this music standing on its own. The cover looks promising to me, and knowing it has been published on folk related label, I am reminded of private psychedelic folk recordings. But it's nothing of the sort. It's song oriented music, with acoustic guitars. On the first three tracks this is with very simple chords and duo singing. The melodies of these songs sound mainstream, pop like. Luckily it changes after that. "Hieronymus" has finger picking guitar. Such an approach with acoustic forms makes much more sense. Also "Say Yes", almost 7 minutes long, with extra environmental sounds, is much more enjoyable. The songs itself have indie rock melody lines, 80's like, but at the same time there's a slight magical folk touch in at least some songs that I can understand the mood of the front cover drawing and why English Garden might have reissued this. Most of it is not my cup of tea. But various songs make it up for me. "Infra Red" for instance, has really nice duo vocals and quiet finger picking, some hand percussion. Also in the following song we can hear this sweet kind of vocal arrangements nicely fitting with the song. Most of the songs however don't appeal to me.

I will ask our singer-songwriter specialist critic later what he thinks about the text / composition.

Label : http://www.hinotemusic.com/IAD.html

Info : http://www.demimonde.co.uk/rhbio.htm

Interview : http://www.algonet.se/~iguana/DRAKE/rabbitchat.html

Tribute to Nick Drake release : http://www.algonet.se/~iguana/DRAKE/rabbitjohnson.html

German review of older release : http://www.crossover-agm.de/cdRabbitsHat99.htm

I heard some of the groups other releases now (except the Nick Drake tribute album). Mostly the group has no reference to any wyrd/acid etc. folk style. Their usualy style is more a kind of vaguely inspired(?) alternative music. The "best" release I heard so far from these was "Outsiders"*.

all links on this page updated 2004-06-27

GO TO REVIEW PAGE 2 --->

or go back to the index page of psych folk

or go back to general index webpage

NEW PROG FOLK, ACID FOLK and FOLKROCK and  PSYCH FOLK items REVIEW PAGE 1

-all music items ares used in radioshow PVHF-

listed on this page : Mary Jane (2 releases) , P.G.Six, Joshua, The Famous Jug Band,

The Iditarod (2 releases), Red Morning Chorus, Solar Mumuns, Fit & Limo,

American Myth, The Morrigan, In Gowan Ring, The Rabbit's Hat

Acony Bell              Mary Jane : Tacit (Live Sessions)***°

Mary Jane always was and still is for me one of the most interesting folk rock bands around. Their first album was very much Trees inspired. Jo Quin's voice was somewhat shrieky there ; I liked it very much, some reviewers were puzzled by it. Their latest album, a 70 minutes quiet (Fairport like vibe) folkrock album was nice without much highlights. Jo's voice seem to have matured on this album. Very beautiful it is. "I loved a Lass", "Lady Margeret" and "Maid on the shore", all are sung with a more subtle voice, rarely heard since the 70's.

The second site contains two folkrock reels, a more happy song (flute/guitar/bass, like everywhere sparse percussion),an capella song, and a very alive folkrock song with drumming. The album is recommended to collectors of magic UK folkrock of the seventies. Be quick before it's sold out ! Only 400 were pressed.

Although the album says "live recordings" it sounds like a studioalbum, except for the live energy on the last track.

This release now is reissued on CD by Seventh Wave Records.  :

Seventh Wave Rec. Mary Jane : Tacit (Live Sessions)***°

Now after a year and a bit I heard the release of the acid folkrock record 'Tacit' again, on CD and I still enjoy it. LP's I generally listen more to the overall effect of recordings, while with CD's I always have more attention to the details because then I can listen more carefully in a more technical way. Compared with earlier releases Jo Quin's slightly shrillness (-which I also like very much by the way, which puzzled some listeners-) disappeared to be replaced by a more subtle mature voice.

A very beautiful and talented voice indeed. It's her quality that comes to the fore with this CD comparing with the groups' talent show off here. There were two live sessions with two slightly different groups (with 2 different percussionists and an additional violin player at the second session). The first group shows a simple chords based modest character in the playing, with technically all there, needed for a full character / sound, creating a top level's group sound.  I especially liked the interpretations of "I loved a Lass" and "Maid on the shore". The quality of the recordings of these sessions are very good. The second slightly different group its mixed balance sound more live, not sure if this is the best group sound to show full right to potential talent.

After having heard this release with a second renewed opinion I still am convinced that anyone who likes Trees should get notice of this group, but comparing with the other released works this release is not the most essential one of Mary Jane's repertoire.

Official download on http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/ next Mary Jane release : ->

Seventh Wave Rec.  Mary Jane : To the prettiest one (UK,2002)****

Jo Quin's voice is at her best here, with second / third recorded harmonic voices. Also the group's sound matured. All is in perfect balance : creativity / musicality / warmth / technical skills / rock / folk / acid originality. All top level. EACH interpretation of songs stands out. The Trees influence might be even stronger. A wonderful release, possibly the most perfect of the group so far.

There are various layers, not only in voice(s), but also in guitars (and in various arrangements) that creates the maturity therein.

Mary Jane now is Nick B.Davies, drums and percussion, Martin Griffin, bass guitar, Jo Quin, vocals, flutes, recorders, flageolets, fiddle(s), bodhran, Paul Alan Taylor, acoustic, electric and 12-string guitars, bouzouki, bouzar. I will not credit any of the members here especially, while each talent and skill perfectly contributes to the groups' full sound. Recommended.

Soundfile : "Three Maidens"

Website :http://www.maryjane.biz/ and http://www.mary-jane.info/ (old page : http://web.ukonline.co.uk/philhotston/homepage.html and Contact the group : Paul, Jo, Gillie, Steve, Pidge

or the label for the LP at http://www.septembergurlsrecords.com/ or  septembergurls@compuserve.com

or the mail order at http://www.greatesthitsmailorder.com/

Review of first album at http://www.forcedexposure.com/artists/mary.jane.html

Review of this album : http://www.greenmanreview.com/prettiest.one.htm & http://www.folkworld.de/23/e/cds4.html#mary

Official download page : http://www.wovenwheatwhispers.co.uk/

Other albums of Mary Jane  :

LP/CD Hazy Days ****(EX), single Isle of Wright ****, LP/CD The Gates of Silent Memory ***(VG)

Soundfile of "The Gates of Silent memory" : "Isle of Wright"

Amish Records P.G.Six : Parlor Tricks and Porch Favorites ****

Surely one of the best and most recommended Acid Folk releases of the last years. Beautiful version of an Ann Briggs song, "Go Your Way", several subtle and beautiful arrangements and some quiet singing. This is mostly a solo project of Pat Gubler with the help of Tim Barnes for percussion.

Pat is also leader for the New York's psych folk meanderings group Tower Recordings, a group who produced somewhat lo fi recordings, with stoned but sometimes very poetic music too, still very different in style from this project ; first two recordings of them (The Fraternity of Moonwalkers-1996 & Furniture Music For Evening Shuttles-1998 ) are quite good.

PS. This album has made Magnet Magazine's "Hidden Treasures" 10 Great Albums Buried in 2001. Very recommended.

PS. Soon Aether Records (Indianapolis, IN) will be releasing a compilation of sixties inspired folk music by contemporary artists, for which Pat has recorded a version of the Incredible String Band's "My Name is Death."  Look forward to that one ! )

Soundfles : "The Divine Invasion", "The fallen leaves that jewel the ground", "When I Was A Young Man",

"The Shepherd"  Info CD : http://www.amishrecords.com/ (with this release here)

or LP :http://www.perhapstransparent.com/  (sold out).

Contact group: pgsix@hotmail.com

Reviews : http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue16/pgsix.html

& http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/30

More information on Tower Recordings at my Minstrels of Song Webpage.

http://www.squealermusic.com/discographies/towerdiscog2.html

New release of P.G.Six more thoroughly reviewed at next review page

Market SquareThe Famous Jug Band : O for summer (UK,2001)**°

Clive Palmer used to be with the Incredible String Band during their first album, and is especially remembered for his two exceptional albums of C.O.B. from which I especially like the melancholic songs. The Famous Jug Band had two albums with Clive Palmer back somewhere in the seventies. I have the reissue of their first 1969 album "Sunshine Possibilities", an album which I like very much. I know the variety in it takes lots of listeners some time before full appreciation. The melancholy from Clive's voice can still be heard on this album, slightly tempered (-the beautiful song "Sitting alone" reminds very much C.O.B.-). The songs are virtuous, fine folk songs with a good production. You can hear the atmosphere of the cold barn where the recordings are done and where an improvised studio has been installed. Female vocals are by Jillian Johnson-Sharp. Also Peter Berryman from the original band is there. Michael Barlett is replaced by his brother to make this reunion project.

Information on the Famous Jug Band at http://www.icebergradio.com/artist/26459/the_famous_jug_band.html

Label entry with sound file at http://www.themusicindex.com/commerce/system/store.htm

Discography of Clive Palmer at http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/discocp.htm

1969 album at http://www.shock.com.au/artists/info.asp?artist_ID=62554

Clive Palmer's Banjoland (also 1969) is reviewed on next page, Famous Jug Band on next, COB on next

Other reviews : http://www.makingtime.co.uk/beglad/osummer.htm & http://www.greenmanreview.com/cd/cd_famousjugband_ohforsummer.html & http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1197/is_2_46/ai_88582209

Blue Sanct     The Iditarod : The Ghost, The Elf, The Cat and The Angel (US,2002)***°

A beautiful release in balance with its moods, inventions, psychedelic tension, quite dreamy folk trance explorations, songs, and this completely acoustic. Recommended and with no doubt the best release of The Iditarod. I heard in my radio program already how  talented this band really is. In the beginning after having heard their first release I still wondered how much because they balanced there between lo fi, sleepy experimenting and psychedelic folk. Their singles showed a much more powerful expression. And here also they adapted so much ideas to be in balance with all elements and areas involved and interested in, defining a creation of a beautiful atmosphere. The music can be described as a crossing between In Gowan Ring at its best with Fit and Limo, with some hints to Algärnas Trädgard. The CD has been made with the help of Fit & Limo thanks to mailing recordings. The whole recordings flows from one part of the story into the next. Music to dream away by. It was really hard task for me to pick out tracks for air play.

Soundfiles :  "The Roots Of The Butterfly Bush" & "Afternoons Like This Are Hard To Come By"

Info on this release : http://www.bluesanct.com/cats/catalogue/descriptions/inri065.html

Iditarod bio : http://www.geocities.com/morctapes/iditarod/iditarod_bio.html

Reviews : http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/198 & http://www.tonevendor.com/item/5840

http://www.tollbooth.org/2002/reviews/id.html & http://www.opuszine.com/music/artist.html?artistID=508

& http://www.secreteye.org/theiditarod/reviews.html More info at the Poor Mistrels Webpage. See next release->

E&J Rec.    The Iditarod and Sharron Kraus : Yuletide (US,2003)***°

I looked forward very much to this release because I know what both the Iditarod and Sharron Kraus have made before and a combination of both talents should be promising. The CD is as beautiful as expected, also very nicely produced. With a beautiful semi-acoustic intro, "The Trees are all bare", a beautiful mixture of triple vocals, the sitar like droning of the tampura, echoed variedly coloured sounds of percussion, flutes, and something that sounds like a mixture of a harmonium with a harmonica ?. It's a song that instrumentally sounds like a nightly Sufi-inspired lucid dream travel, but with a 70's UK Folk edge in song. The version of The Iditarod with Sharron Kraus of the traditional "Lyke Wake Dirge" with harmonic voices, tribal drum, electric finger picking guitar and effects, and accordion with clarinet ? is magical. The next track "Gift" starts with beautifully describing experimental acoustic and collage sounds, then continues with a ballad sung by a fragile angelic voice (Sharron) accompanied by finger picking and textured ambient sounds, and further on some clarinet and watery and airy sounds. Also "Winter's Spell" is of a similar beauty. The instrumental part with fingerpickinging banjo with flute, bass and sparse cymbal percussion gives again a magical mood, reminiscent of  the Timothy Renner project 'The Spectral Light and Moonshine Firefly Snakeoil Jamboree'. The instrumental textures in between are beautiful too, as experimental mini-overtures. "Wintermute", with piano, and background instruments, reminds me a lot at groups like Midwinter and of the Mellow Candle demo on the Kissing Spell label. Made with an ear for musicality in sound.  The magical era of UK underground folkrock has been revived. Iditarod with Sharron Kraus have succeeded in becoming a new landmark. Highly recommended.

Audio : "Beautifully Twisted", "The Peacock's Wing", "Wintermute"

Label entry : http://www.elsieandjack.com/elsieandjack/eaj014.html

Other reviews : http://www.fakejazz.com/reviews/2003/iditarod3.shtml & http://www.aural-innovations.com/...

First Yuletide project (without Kraus & different, early recording !) : http://www.cameraobscura.com.au/cam063_2.htm

Other Iditarod release,reissued in 2007 is reviewed on http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/acidfolkreview18.html

Sharron Kraus first release has been reviewed at http://singersong.homestead.com/folk2.html

Her second release at http://psychedelicfolk.homestead.com/acidfolkreview5.html

PrivateRed Morning Chorus : demo (US,2002)*** (mini cd)

Very trance like textured gentle psych folk, dreamy on the edge of falling into beauty sleep like Eustachian echoed moods. Song based throat placed whispery vocals. Mostly to the basic use of acoustic guitar, sitar and other acoustic instruments, enriched with still to the essential electronic and tape trickery. Possibly not essential, but still very nice. Hard to choose tracks for airplay.

Best listen when loud enough.

This release will come out by the end of the year on Timothy Renner's Hand/Eye label.

Contact : peepthesky@yahoo.com

Biography and other review at next txt.-file

Coloursounds Rec.                    Solar Mumuns : Broken Waters (UK,2000)***

Pleasant folk moodscapes say minimal experimental folk with song-like content. It is not really correct to compare it with certain neo-folk because there is no dark edge. There's a certain poetic approach, gentle textures and sound, minimal finger picking without ever turning into loops, and whispering lush vocals. Although many groups hang around in similar areas for various reasons this release might be one of the better experimental folk releases because it still is somewhat song-structured, in a stretched and relaxed moody way. Also there are no droning or boring parts we heard in similar groups more often. Only "Oh my darling, you be free" based upon an a capella whispered song and a bit less "The Future alien has spoken" evolves a bit more slowly, both are still ok. "She came here as a cloud" I give a spetial mention for its beautiful Pianomagic like folk lullaby possibly sung by a young Japanese girl ? Perfect music for a cocktail on on a couch on a warm evening.

Website : http://www.coloursandsounds.freeserve.co.uk/solar.html

Contact : jesse@coloursandsoundsounds.freeserve.co.uk

Related is (Jesse) Morning Star. This item was reviewed at the singer songwriter section but is now removed.

September Gurls Rec.      Fit & Limo : Ginnistan (D,2002)****

Where the last releases like "As Above so below" or the Discolor releases were a bit more experimental but also more vague in style, this is the pure Fit & Limo again, like we hoped to expect them to be. The romantic images of maidens, villages with meadows greener than over the hill evoked by the 'Incredible String Band's legacy were left behind are revisited and are found flowering and blossoming again. A contrast in peace of mind to the usual German's heavy weighted soul, Gothic and metal hopelessness to be found in many youngster's lives. This is the fairytale of an adult's life, far from disillusions, made strong through its choice of creation, an enlightening dawn after ages of sorrow. Medieval moods need not sounds like the dark ages any more. The past forgotten becomes the free present. Hippie days are over ; this is a choice of healthy realistic mental state. That's the way it can work today, independently from other genres and fashions were soul find itself. This is not a search. 'Ginnistan' is alive in music and song.  A breathtaking beautiful mood. Lots of twinkling and twining acoustic eastern and Victorian instruments played by Fit and Limo, and poetic moods narrations and vocals by both of them.

Much recommended to anyone who likes psychedelic folk music, gentle moods, and friendly souls.

Last track is a 22 minutes exotic free jazz music track partly in a Sun Ra kind of mood, partly psychedelic folk / Pink Floyd like trip . Interesting.

Ginnistan was inspired from a place in Monté Veritá, a place where anarchists, artists, freethinkers lived in the 19th century and later on a gathering place of hippies in the 70's.

Audio : "Here's the Place", "Wonneberg"

Label's entry at next page from www.septembergurlsrecords.com

There's also a seperate Fit and Limo Web page.

New release reviewed on review page 7-->

English Garden    The Morrigan : Hidden Agenda (UK,2002)***'

The Morrigan's evolution puzzled me sometimes, wondering if I should be disappointed by some details or not,

for the production is heading often towards a turbo boosted sound, a sound which can also be heard during a live concert sometimes but which seems to be trickery in a studio recorded CD.

This "dynamic approach" on the first track "Swallows Tail" makes that particular track sound unnecessarily "thick". Besides there are banal straight chords, and an emphasis on the jig/reel, a genre which I prefer not to be too doodling. These thick melodic layers makes the first listen difficult to fully appreciate. 

The second track "In the End" is more in balance with the English progressive folk style which The Morrigan started so originally. The melodic element is skilfully played with electric guitars. "Volia / Basse Danse / Volia"  recalls medieval England. It is nicely played with lots of flutes and hand percussion. The second part of it is a very good electric medieval folkrock interpretation from that same melody. The Irish ? traditional "South Australia" is easily appreciated for its more popular sounding folkrock. "A night to remember" is more folk rock inspired neo progressive rock, with full (live) show-effects, skilfully played, with the beautiful and unique voice of Cathy Alexander, with some additional male vocals, and some classical arrangements at the end, as a careful interwoven set of musical ideas. Track 6 and 8 are both reels finely interpreted like only The Morrigan do it. On "Joe Cooley's reel" it sounds even more rock oriented in interpretation. "The other" is The Morrigan in a balance

I like most : with equal voice and instrumentation, both as much interwoven in layers and with similar sound colours. What else could end this CD better than a farewell song, with simple arrangements. There I can say again : Oh, I do like Cathy's voice..

This latest release has much talent in evidence. The production is untypical for folk music, but is more likely for a neo progressive rock band. The Morrigan balances between the two genres, but still succeeds in creating its own particular place and (unique) sound.

 

From The Morrigan I still look back with admiration towards earlier works like

"Wreckers" ***° where all instrumental parts and beautiful vocals are in balance and with its full potential realised. Also the solo album from Colin Mason ***° has much qualities, both in guitar style as in the multi layered instrumental composition, as again for the nice vocals by Cathy Alexander. This work is a bit Mike Oldfield related.

Both other mentioned works are still good starters for The Morrigan and a recommended listen.

Soundfile excerpt from 'A Night to Remember' as ra (download) and ram (streaming) file

Webpages : http://homepage.ntlworld.com/morrigan1/ & http://www.simon-s.net/themorrigan/

Label's entry : http://www.hinotemusic.com/englishgarden.html & http://www.hinotemusic.com/ENG1024NR.html

Review : http://www.progressor.net/review/the_morrigan_overall.html#part_5

Other review : http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue23/morrigan.html

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Feather one's nest               Joshua : Gold Cosmos (US,2001)***°

I expected much from this CD, because of the guest appearance of Six Organce of Admittance (review of an item on the raga-guitar page), Dredd Foole (unknown to me), Noah Wall from Jukeboxer (unknown to me), PG Six (review above this one, here on the acid folk page), Matt Moran (Sideshow) and Matt Valentine from Tower Recordings (remarks at the poor minstrels page). Although in the scene of such groups, there appears some droning folk (which is not my cup of tea) I hoped that with these musicians that it would show the best of each talent, so that the music would speak more than from mostly a droning mode. The latest Tower Recordings in this way disappointed me, while I found the group at its best before with some of their unsober song orientated tracks. On this release we hear a kind of poor man's house bluesy raga psych folk. At first on the edge of an inspirational momentry brooding of expression, with remarkable moments of original acoustic experiments (on "goose,save baby /l ost motherhood") to almost falling asleep and motionless awakening, amidst quiet spaces with no sound around (on "look floating"), and with the potential of the dawn and creation of a newly born 'it's now Man's nature' (on "Pencil Lavene"), with murmuring words and songs, which sound like hope and peace, as the movement of human creation itself in a bodily motionless state. During the filmic listenening appearance one uncovers beauty lying underneath things. And there is indeed much musical interaction / changes of expression by a variety of instruments / with a tempered smooth creativity, keeping balance between improvisation, composition and musical experimental invention, creating new sounds and ideas, accompanied by raga like, relaxed but never dull, so still evolving rhythms, like quiet waters enlightened by small lights. A fine album, which fulfilled my expectations. For quiet rainless evenings, envisioning clouds or trees and objects in a distance.

Sound files : "Lavender Eagle", "Look Floating", "Spider walks web","Pencil Lavene", soundfile 1, 2

Contact leader of the band : joshuaburkett@hotmail.com

Other reviews : http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue19/jburk02.html

http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/154 Interview : http://www.longhousepoetry.com/joshua.html