Various Artists - John's Island South Car / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Comprised of four former members of Crowe's New South, along with Vestal, Wildfire's debut is an attention-grabbing effort filled with virtuoso picking, well-chosen albeit slightly commercial-leaning songs, and reliable singing. Resonator guitar master Phil Leadbetter, one of the top players in his field, shares solos with Vestal, mandolin player Darrell Webb, and guitarist Robert Hale.

The perfect introduction to Topic Records the worlds oldest surviving independent record tag, a 2 CD set featuring 28 specially selected tracks from the labels vast catalogue. The story of Topic is synonymous with the growth of folk as a musical and social movement in Britain and these recordings demonstrate the bridge between modern music and a traditional art form. On this 2 CD set you will find some of the most remarkable singers, songs and tunes - either drawn directly from the tradition or inspired by it. Tracks featured include John Tam's, Unity, Steve Ashley's, Ships of Shame, Dick Gaughan's, Both Sides the Tweed and Ewan MacColl's, Dirty Old Town. Many of the tracks deal with social issues of the time and there are also re-workings of great traditional story songs like - Anne Briggs' Blackwater Side, Mike Watersons' Tamlyn, Nic Jones' Canadee-i-o and the majestic performances by Martin Simpson, Shirley Collins, Davy Graham, Martin Carthy, Eliza Carthy and The Watersons. Topic also offers up June Tabor and Oysterband cover version of Joy Divisions classic Love Will Tear Us Apart. Pentangle, Andrew Cronshaw, Brass Monkey, Vin Garbutt, Johnny Handle, Bill Caddick, The Cheviot Ranters, Cilla Fisher and Artie Tresize, Silly Sisters, Tim Van Eyken, Peter Bellamy and Oak - the list goes on - a fulfilling and haunting introduction to the great legacy of the folk tradition and Topic RecordsCD1Dick Gaughan - Both Sides The Tweed /Nic Jones - Canadee -i-o / Davy Graham - Angi / Shirley Collins - The Sweet Primeroses / Martin Simpson - Never Any Good /Andrew Cronshaw - Wasps In The Woodpile / Pentangle - The Time Has Come / Anne Briggs - Blackwater Side / Martin Carthy - Scarborough Fair / Eliza Carthy - Worcester City / Ewan MacColl - Dirty Old Town. / The Watersons - Pace-Egging Song / Silly Sisters - Hedger And Ditcher / John Tams - Unity. (Raise Your Banners High)CD 2

The first folk sampler from the legendary Tradition tag of the 1950's featuring such iconoclasts as Odetta, Etta Baker, Oscar Brand, John Jacob Niles and many others