Odetta: Blues Everywhere I Go (M.C. Records)
The name of the American folk singer, Odetta, is invariably linked to the great folk movement of the early 1960s, when, along with figures like Richard Farina, Joan Baez and one Bob Dylan, she graced many a festival with her proud, soulful voice. Now aged 69, and with her first studio album in 14 years, she has produced a wonderful reading of a collection of mostly blues standards. The voice has aged well; the richness remains, but is now seasoned with experience. Her delivery is a combination of sweet timing and deep emotional resonance. Though songs such as Leadbelly's Careless Love have been covered many times, rarely have they come alive with such vivacity. In addition, her band is a model of understanding and craft. A welcome bonus is Robert Gordon's revealing sleeve notes. Recommended.
- Joe Breen
Hart Rouge: Une Histoire de Famille (Red House Records)
This is my first taste of this remarkable French-Canadian family band and, even if my understanding of their native language is embarrassingly limited, the response must be: more, please. The music ranges from intense traditional French-Canadian folk tunes to more contemporary material written and performed in a traditional vein. There are touches of other cultures; uileann pipes colour the moody La Belle S'est Endormie (the only track with any English lyrics) while there is a Hispanic influence on Smaragdos Margara. But it is the blissful blend of the voices of Suzanne, Michelle and Paul Campagne on tracks such as Trois Hommes Noirs or the playful Vichten that sends shivers down the spine. The production is full of atmosphere and purpose with no clutter in the stripped-down instrumentation to spoil the effect of the voices.
- Joe Breen
