Includes music by Blind Lemon Jefferson, Son House, Kokomo Arnold, Mamie Smith, Jimmie Rodgers, Chet Atkins, Carson Robison, Ernest Tubb, Blind Willie Johnson, Leadbelly, Sons Of The Pioneers, Uncle Dave Macon, and more (Blues, Folk/Country) CD

Bloody War folk songs from the early 20th Century – put together for an essential compilation from the deep searchers at Tompkins Square – with patriotic tunes, weary laments, and even some darkly humorous perspectives! The songs are spun from the experiences of World War I, going back to the Civil War and Spanish American War. Fiddle and banjo tunes, strummed guitar narratives and more styles that either predate or predict strains of American country and folk music to come. Amazing stuff! Includes "Just As The Sun Went Down" by Zeke Morris, "Uncle Sam & The Kaiser", by Ernest V Stoneman, "Not A World Of That Be Said" by Wade Mainer & Sons Of The Mountaineers, "Everybody Help The Boys Come Home" by William & Versey Smith, "He Is Coming To Us Dead" by GB Grayson & Henry Whitter and more, 15 tracks in all. CD

Obscure 60s work from Rex Allen – recorded for a smaller label than some of his bigger hits, and done in a more laidback style that's mighty nice! There's less of the western themes on the record than you might guess from Rex's look on the cover – and a fair bit of the album has an easygoing approach to honky tonk – with almost echoes of Hank Thompson at times. Titles include "I'll Keep On Loving You", "Down The Wrong Highway", "Sure As Your Name's Kate", "Sixteen Hundred Miles", "Cold Cold War", and "You Don't Care What Happens To Me". CD

Sublime early work from Bonnie Dobson – really spare, really beautiful tracks recorded years before Dobson became more of a pop phenomenon – with a classic sound that's instantly mesmerizing, right from the very first note! The record just features Bonnie's guitar and her amazing voice – recorded perfectly by Rudy Van Gelder, who did as great of a job here as with any of his jazz sessions for Prestige Records – maybe even more so, given the intimacy of the record. Titles include "The Cruel War Is Raging", "Mistress Bond", "Envoyons De L'Avant", "The Road To Grandmere", "The Old Maid's Lament", "Across The Blue Mountain", and "Frankie Slide". CD

A really weird, really moody sort of record – one that was issued in the mid 80s, but by a guy who seems to think that he's still working in the singer/songwriter generation of the late 70s! For Scott Seskind, punk and new wave never happened – as the songs here are personal, heartfelt, and delivered with this darkly-presented folk style – not the sunny optimism of the early 60s, but more that smoky haze from the second half of the decade – infused with the realization that the revolution wasn't gonna happen, with more focus on personal issues. There's some great moody echo in the production, which really helps set the tone – and titles include "War", "Empty Arms", "Unknown & Disliked", "Bobby Sands", "You're The Reason", "This Is My Country", "Out Of The Blue", "Our Ring", and "Been Waitin". (Rock, Folk/Country) CD

An excellent introduction to the work of one of the more interesting singer-songwriter avant folksters of the 60s. Tracks include "She Is", "Song Slowly Song", "No Man Can Find The War", "Morning Glory", "Goodbye And Hello", "Buzzin Fly", "Strange Feelin", "Chase The Blues Away", "So Lonely", "Moulin Rouge", and "Song Of The Siren", "Sweet Surrender", "Make It Right", and "Who Could Deny You". (Rock, Folk/Country) CD

A soaring set from the great Robbie Basho – one of the most unique artists of his generation! Basho's often mentioned in the same breath as John Fahey, but a record like this really shows his difference – as the record not only features wonderful work on both 6 and 12 string guitar from Basho, but also has lots of these oddly-sung, surprisingly heartfelt lyrics – in a mode that's quite far from folk roots, and which instead has this really soulful warbling that really adds a lot to the spirit of the tunes. The only other instrumentation is some very cool work on the South Indian log drum – and titles include "Omaha Tribal Prayer", "Sweet Medicine", "Roses & Gold", "Joseph", "Blue Corn Serenade", and "Wounded Knee Soliloquy". CD

... CD