Chieftains - Voice of Ages CD

Voice of Ages album for sale Those who find the pairing of '70s rock god Robert Plant with contemporary bluegrass queen Alison Krauss unlikely have probably not been paying attention to Plant's latter-day work, which is full of intimate, acoustic-flavored balladry. While the organic-sounding, low-key Plant/Krauss collaboration, RAISING SAND, is a far cry from Led Zeppelin's stadium rock, it offers up some hauntingly moody textures that should appeal to "Battle of Evermore" admirers. Consisting mostly of sagely chosen cover tunes, the album finds Plant and Krauss bringing their warm-but-eerie harmonies to everything from Townes Van Zandt's nihilistic folk poetry ("Nothin'") to the crumbled beauty of latter-day Tom Waits ("Trampled Rose"). Determined not to rest on their laurels or cater to expectations, the 59-year-old icon and his junior partner craft a subtle and intriguing sound built on their shared love of folk forms and gift for interpretation, bringing to light esoteric gems by late Byrds visionary Gene Clark and the Everly Brothers along the way as well.

Voice of Ages songs Digitally remastered by Andrew Garver, Dan Hersch, and Bill Inglot. He may be remembered by the unenlightened as a purveyor of mellow '70s AM radio hits, but Gordon Lightfoot is as fine a singer-songwriter as Canada has ever produced (no small accomplishment, considering the company), feted by no less than Bob Dylan himself. COMPLETE GREATEST HITS is as definitive a Lightfoot collection as you can get onto a single disc, and it bears out the aforementioned facts handsomely. "Early Morning Rain," one of Lightfoot's earliest hits, is a poignant evocation of lost love on a par with Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings." "If You Could Read My Mind" has enough introspective pop savvy to compete with Elton John's equally ubiquitous "Your Song." The bluesy, subtly sensual undercurrent of "Sundown" makes it plain why there's always been such a large female contingent in Lightfoot's audience, and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" proves that the pop star can write a timeless-sounding folk ballad worthy of Townes Van Zandt. Clearly, this compendium presents Lightfoot quite rightly as a man for all seasons. 20 classic hits released by United Artists, Reprise and Warner Bros. From 1965 to 1987. features the hits 'Sundown', 'If You Could read My Mind', 'The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald', 'Carefree Highway' and many more! Include liner notes by Leigh Hall. Compilation producer: Thane Tierney. Personnel: Gordon Lightfoot (vocals, guitar); Red Shea (guitar, dobro); Charlie McCoy (guitar, harmonica, celesta, bells); Terry Clements (guitar, background vocals); Chip Young, David Rea, Dean Parks, Bruce Langhorn, Hugh McCracken, Michael Francis, Michael Landau, Bob Mann, Jerry Shook (guitar); Vassar Clements (fiddle); Jack Zaza (alto flute, harmonica, recorder, bass clarinet, English horn, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, harmonium); Nick DeCaro (accordion, piano); Mitchell Clarke (bassoon); Vern Dorge (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Doug Riley (piano, electric piano); Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano); Lou Pomanti (organ); Mike Heffernan, Tom Szczesniak, David Foster (keyboards); James Newton Howard, Robbie Buchanan (synthesizer); Gene Martynec (Moog synthesizer); Barry Keane (drums, tambourine, percussion); Jim Gordon , Kenny Buttrey (drums, percussion); Jim Isbell, Herb Lovelle, Buddy Harman (drums); Victor Feldman, Milt Holland, Farrell Morris (percussion); Laverna Moore, Catherine Smith, Herb Pedersen, Jackie Ward, Suzie McCune, Sheree Jeacocke, Ray C. Walker, Richard Marx, Vesta Williams, Rick Haynes, Neal Matthews, Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins, Millie Kirkham (background vocals). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Andrew Garver; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: Thane Tierney. Recording information: Amigo Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Eastern Sound Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lighthouse Recorders, Los Angeles, CA; Lionshare; Nashville, TN; New York, NY; Owen Bradley's Barn, Nashville, TN; Sunwest Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, TN. Photographer: Jim Marshall . Personnel includes: Gordon Lightfoot (vocals, guitar); Red Shea, Huey McCracken (guitar); Rick Haynes (bass); Jim Gordon (drums, percussion); Kenny Buttrey, Buddy Harmon, Jimmy Isbell (drums). Producers include: John Court, John Simon, Elliot Mazer, Lenny Waronker, Joe Wissert.

Voice of Ages CD music Personnel: Patty Griffin (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano); Doug Lancio (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, autoharp); Mary Vonosdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson , David Angell (violin); Chris Farrell, Kristin Wilkinson (viola); Kirsten Cassel, Jane Scarpantoni, Anthony LaMarchina (cello); John Mark Painter (strings, horns); Jim Hoke (harmonica, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Ian McLagan (grand piano); J.D. Foster (acoustic bass, electric bass); Glenn Worf (upright bass, electric bass); Michael Longoria (drums, percussion). Additional personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals).

Voice of Ages buy CD music Some folks were mighty surprised when virtuoso jazz guitarist Bill Frisell announced a "country project" back in 1995. This disc is the result, and it's a stunning accomplishment, especially from a man who claimed "never to have liked" country music. Of course, NASHVILLE is not "country music" by any current definition of the term. No cryin' in the beer here. Instead, Frisell uses his enormous talent as an instrumentalist to explore the textures and nuances of traditional American musical styles. "Gimme A Holler," the disc's opening track, is a perfect example of his vision; delicate and trance-like in a natural, unassuming way. The whole disc, in fact, is an extremely soothing listening experience. Even the faster numbers, like the up-tempo banjo rag "Go Jake," have a sense of control and discipline about them. You get the sense that this man knows exactly what it is he wants to get across. Recorded at Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee in September 1995 and October & November 1996. Personnel: Bill Frisell (guitar); Robin Holcomb (vocals); Ron Block (acoustic guitar, banjo); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Adam Steffey (mandolin); Pat Bergeson (harmonica). Audio Mixer: Roger Moutenot. Recording information: Sound Emporium, Nashville, TN (09/1995-11/1996). Personnel: Bill Frisell (guitar); Robin Holcomb (vocals); Ron Block (acoustic guitar, banjo); Jerry Douglas (dobro); Adam Steffey (mandolin); Pat Bergeson (harmonica); Viktor Krauss (bass).

Voice of Ages songs In many respects, art is about the process that goes into the creation of the work as much as the work itself; the path that leads to a final creative vision can often mean as much to the art as the physical technique or the initial inspiration. It's a process not unlike faith, in which the road to spiritual understanding plays a powerful role in informing one's beliefs, and both art and faith play a crucial role in Patty Griffin's seventh album, Downtown Church. While Griffin has described herself as a "lapsed Catholic," she's also spoken of herself as a seeker who believes in the spiritual dimensions of music, and she's a passionate devotee of classic gospel music, with the influences showing clearly on her 2007 album, Children Running Through. On Downtown Church, Griffin has given her gospel influences free reign; while it features two fine new songs from her, most of the album is devoted to vintage gospel of all stripes, from Hank Williams' "House of Gold" and Dorothy Love Coates' "The Strange Man" to traditional numbers such as "Wade in the Water," "If I Had My Way," and "Never Grow Old." Downtown Church was recorded in Nashville's Downtown Presbyterian Church, and while it's hard to say how much that informed the mood of the sessions, Griffin's vocals here possess a fierce passion bordered by a touching emotional fragility, as if she's fully aware of the gravity of the themes at hand, and means to give them the consideration they deserve. Griffin is also accompanied by a number of gifted friends and colleagues; Buddy Miller produced the album, and his spectral guitar lines weave their way through many of the songs, while the guest vocalists include Emmylou Harris, Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, and gospel stars Ann McCrary and Regina McCrary, all of whom add to the richness of this music while never leaving any question that this is truly Griffin's album. Griffin has certainly learned a lot from vital gospel artists of the past, but rather than emulate their style, she's absorbed them and used their influences to create something of her own, and along the way, one can hear her digging deep into the meanings of these songs as well as appreciating the beauty on the surface. Griffin sounds bold on "I Smell a Rat," fervent on "The Strange Man," and almost in awe of the simple faith and complex mysteries of "All Creatures of Our God and King," and just as she's not afraid to step into the musical unknown, she's sincere and assured as she considers the depth of faith expressed in these songs. It's no surprise that Downtown Church is a beautiful album, as Patty Griffin has been making beautiful albums since 1996, but here she's reaching for something deeper than she has on much her previous work, and the search that informed these 14 songs is compelling and joyous to hear, regardless of your religious convictions. ~ Mark Deming Recording information: Buddy's Home Studio; Downtown Presbyterian Church; Studio G!. Photographer: Traci Goudie. Personnel: Doug Lancio, Buddy Miller (guitar); Russ Pahl (pedal steel guitar); Stuart Duncan (fiddle); John Catchings (cello); John Deaderick (keyboards); Jay Bellerose (drums); Bryan Owings (percussion). Audio Mixer: Buddy Miller.

Voice of Ages album for sale On this CD recorded at various shows, Ruthie Foster is a folkie at heart, but she meshes various styles and nuances into each song, beginning with the short but pleasing tango-like intro to the powerful and soulful "Ocean of Tears." The song glides along gracefully as Foster's earthy delivery fuels the slightly Latin textures, with assistance from partner Cyd Cassone on percussion. Foster's uplifting and spiritual approach often keeps original acoustic folk tunes like "Crossover" flowing effortlessly. "This is something I wrote in a Sam Cooke style," she says before starting "Another Rain Song" with more of a bluesy folk approach with minimal instrumentation. The first of several highlights comes during a give-and-take effort on the reggae-tinged and melodic "Real Love." The singer takes things down somewhat with a jazzy cover of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," with mixed results at best. The stellar "Death Came a Knockin' (Travelin' Shoes)" is also simple but quite pleasing. Perhaps the sleeper picks come in the second half, as "Prayin' for Rain" and "Get Out of My Way" have a dreamy folk-pop aura in the vein of a sparse Melissa Etheridge. There are a few anecdotes included as Foster mentions how people often think she's Tracy Chapman when they first hear her. The interaction between Foster and the crowd also shines on the rambling "Church," which isn't so much a song as a description of Foster growing up in a Baptist church atmosphere. And by the time you listen to her version of Stephen Foster's "Oh! Susannah," you realize that Foster will be doing this brand of folk quite well for quite a long time. ~ Jason MacNeil Stages\" is the first live album from the dynamic Ruthie Foster. Ruthie\'s reputationfor scorching live performances has spread across the country as she andpercussionist Cyd Cassone have toured in support of her Blue Corn debut \"RunawaySoul\". \"Stages\" is an aptly titled album as it features songs from all stages of Ruthie\'scareer and was recorded in a variety of musical settings. In addition to Ruthie\'susual performance setup, which features her vocals and guitar and Cyd\'s percussionand harmonies, \"Stages\" finds the duo working with an expanded rhythm section onseveral songs. The Austin-based chamber group Will Taylor and Strings Attached joinsin on a few numbers including a haunting version of Stephen Foster\'s \"Oh! Susannah\". Ruthie\'s infectious stage personality comes through loud and clear on \"Stages\",making it a \"live\" album in every sense of the word. If you\'ve seen Ruthie and Cydin person or on their Austin City Limits appearance, \"Stages\" lets you bring thatmagic home! If you haven\'t had the pleasure yet \"Stages\" is a great introduction tothe magic of Ruthie Foster LIVE! Recording information: Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant, Houston, TX (02/22/2003/02/13/2004); Club Passim, Cambridge, MA (02/22/2003/02/13/2004); St. David's Episcopal Church, Austin, TX (02/22/2003/02/13/2004). Photographers: Neale Eckstein; John Carrico. Personnel: Ruthie Foster (vocals, guitar); Ruthie Foster; Casey Cassone, Cyd Cassone (vocals, percussion); Renn Carson (electric guitar); Steve Zirkel (trumpet, bass guitar); Stephen Zirkel (trumpet); Tanya Richardson (bass guitar); Samantha Banks (vocals, drums, percussion); Will Taylor (violin, viola, piano); Charles Prewitt (cello); Brad Evilsizer (drums). Audio Mixers: Tim Leatherwood; Will Taylor.