Various Artists - Rockin at Midnight at Parrot Club / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Alice Babs, the Swedish singer and actress, was mostly seen by the industry as the hit-warbling InchSwedish girlInch. But she continued to make excursions into the realms of jazz and swing. This was also thanks to Erwin Lehn, who invited her, beginning in 1952, to sing before the microphones of his Südfunk Dance Orchestra (Südfunk-Tanzorchester). One can hear what a good choice this was on the recordings that were made on various occasions between 1952 and 1955 in Stuttgart. One can also hear Alice Babs's roots in the European vocal culture, but the sheer presence of her interpretations is impressive. Each of the songs radiates the smile of her enthusiasm, which also makes Erwin Lehn's orchestra shine acoustically. Alone for this reason these finds from the SWR archives are jewels of European swing history.

The first volume of classics and rarities drawn from the vaults of the influential Vanguard tag of New York, who were instrumental in forging the marriage of folk and rock in the mid-1960s. Long famous for their folk catalogue, this CD charts the development of Vanguard's folk-rock category. As the genre took hold, the tag's primarily acoustic roster began to feature amplified accompaniment on their albums. The best of these electric experiments by Richard & Mimi Fariña, Eric Anderson, Ian & Sylvia, Patrick Sky and others are featured. We also include the original versions of several songs that went on to become folk rock standards, such as 'Co'dine', 'Reno Nevada' and 'Back on the Street Again'. The compilation also shines light into several worthy nooks and crannies of the Vanguard catalogue, such as Jonathan & Leigh, Judy Roderick, Jackie Washington (accompanied by an incognito Youngbloods), and Circus Maximus, the latter featuring a young Jerry Jeff Walker. Several acts like the Vagrants, Hi-Fives and Project X appeared only on rare singles that are seeing their first ever reissue here. There are a handful of unissued gems featured, including a storming alternate version of 'Morgan the Pirate' by Mimi Fariña, from her never-released 1967 solo LP. The package comes with comprehensive annotation and many rare illustrations. Ace. 2005.

The golden days of Folk music in the early sixties is explored in this live historical document recorded at the Troubadour club in Los Angeles at the height of the folk boom. Featuring early folk stars Hoyt Axon, Barry McGuire, Judy Henske and others. All selections newly remastered.