Roger Mcguinn - Treasures From The Folk Den CD

 Treasures enough for me
Not all of these songs are as "lost" as the Folk Den project would imply, but there are some great versions of some great songs on this album. Cut free from any track length constraints the early Byrds were under there is, at last, time for Roger to give us "the missing verse" of John Riley ! Josh White Jr is a fantastic singing partner for Roger, as is Judy Collins. What a fine version of Whiskey in the Jar is given to us by Tommy Makem. Great playing, great musical partners, the only reason it's not 5 stars is because there are 2 or 3 songs I don't care for - they aren't badly done, I just don't like 'em ! Can't wait for the 4 disc box set !
Submitted by Americana (London, UK)
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 No Treasures For The Folks Then, From A Byrd Who Won't Fly
True rock legends are musicians who can critically and commercially accomplish something--solo, or in another group--after departing a famous rock band, or, continue to flourish with the same band that brought them fame. Such is the case with Roger McGuinn, of Byrds renown. Touted as the legendary "King Of The 12 Strings," McGuinn is the unparalleled expositor of the Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar sound. His dexterity as a banjoist, Moog synthesizer operator, vocalist, composer, and arranger/modernizer of traditional tunes, was also esteemed. With these talents he, as part of the Los Angeles based Byrds, reshaped the Pop music vocabulary of the 60s and 70s. After the group's disbandment in 1973 (although there were reunions, of sorts, in the late 70s, 80s and 90s), he went solo and enjoyed a few sporadically creative moments up to 1977, after which he released no new albums until 1991, and none again until 1996. His career has been relegated to redoing Byrds numbers umpteen times in concert; basking in the afterglow of a most glorious past. He also spends his time resurrecting forgotten folk songs and performing duets with artists who, albeit talented (so I won't denigrate or even mention them), are--let's face it--ensconced in yesterday. McGuinn's "Treasures From The Folk Den" CD, from 2001, is an offering in this genre. I found the material on this CD insipid; retarding his abilities. His singing, sometimes drowned out, is about as exciting as watching an empty bird's nest. The instrumentation is jejune, too. Listening to this CD is tantamount to the ennui one had felt, way back, when they heard amateur high schoolers on hootenanny night at the local coffee club. This is what I probably would've thought of McGuinn, if I heard him for the very first time in such a context. One traditional work, "John Riley," which the Byrds covered on their "Fifth Dimension" album, is about the only bright spot on the whole CD, although I much prefer the version recorded by the Byrds. Otherwise, nothing here is even penned by him because, after all, they're all old folk songs McGuinn thinks you youngsters should hear, or, should I add, nobody wants to hear. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE folk music--in its authentic presentation by true folkies who never abandoned the form, not by a folkie (yes, Roger [then "Jim"] McGuinn was once with the Limeliters and in The Chad Mitchell Trio) cum folk-rocker cum folkie again, trying to resuscitate a career that's in the doldrums. If you want dedicated folk musicianship from McGuinn, return to the bona fide treasures in the canon of the group he helped found, the inventors of folk-rock and greatest band ever--the Byrds. An overview of his stellar, but spotty, solo efforts can be found on his "Born To Rock And Roll" compilation. "Treasures From The Folk Den" is a critical and commercial disaster because McGuinn, its main creator, is bereft of the only flock(s) that he achieved a famous synergy with and who could've redeemed him--the Byrds. Roger McGuinn, now a would-be legend and lone star, gets one star out of five for his CD, "Treasures From The Folk Den," which are no treasures for the folks then, from a Byrd who won't fly.
Submitted by David Chirko (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada)
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