House on Fire, Volume 2: An Urban Folk Collection
Various Artists
RHR CD100
Red House Records
P.O. Box 4044
St. Paul, MN 55104
A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Rona Edwards (rebel@netcom.com)
Upon listening to Red House Records' compilation "House
on Fire: Volume Two," I am impressed by their roster of artists.
This one outshines their first volume which I personally found
too eclectic. But Volume Two is a crisp, clean sweep of some of
the hardest working road warriors in the business. It's also a
wonderful variety pack if you just want to get a taste of each
performer. "House on Fire" combines traditional folk, blues,
urban folk, Celtic, bluegrass, and French-Canadian. It
celebrates the label's first decade of showing off the varied
talent it produces.
So many songs stand out on this CD packed with such
diverse artists as Ramblin'Jack Elliott, John Gorka, Lucy
Kaplansky, Chuck Brodsky, Cliff Eberhardt, Greg Brown, and Suzzy
Roche to name less than half the distinguished artists who
perform their magic on this album.
Normally when I listen to such a distinct group of
talent, I head straight for the ones I know, but "House on Fire"
introduced me to an amazing new group, Hart-Rouge, a band out of
Montreal. According to the liner notes, they sing in both
French and English. Their song "Peine" speaks of asserting
one's self amidst the tempest of another's rage. It made me want
to hear more of their songs. Keep your eye on Hart-
Rouge, a group made up of the Campagne family--Paul, Michelle,
and Suzanne, whose voices blend with rich vocal harmonies--and
add Davy Gallant on various instruments including the bagpipes,
flute, and mandolin, and Michal Dupire on percussion. The
group's sound is extraordinary, and I think Red House has a
winner with them. Their new album is called "Beaupre's Home."
Chuck Brodsky's "Ballad of Eddie Klepp" is a wonderful
example of storytelling as he recounts the little-known story of
a white ballplayer in an all-black league. The legendary
Ramblin' Jack Elliott does a terrific version of Tim Hardin's
"If I Were a Carpenter," while "Scorpion" by Lucy Kaplansky has
the ever-present Jennifer Kimball singing background. I'm sure
most of you know that Lucy, who used to be Shawn Colvin's musical
partner, became a psychologist before returning to music and the
road. "Scorpion" is just one fine example of the magic she
brings through song.
It has been said that troubadour Greg Brown helped build
Red House Records ten years ago as their first signed artist.
When I listen to Greg, his voice is so reminiscent of Leonard
Cohen it's eerie. His "Small Dark Movie" is filled with wit and
sensuality.
The incomparable John Gorka contributes "Let Them In"
which was inspired by a poem from a patient's diary found in the
Philippines during World War II. It was given to Gorka by a fan
who was moved by his song "Semper Fi." In turn, John was
inspired to write this song. Lucy Kaplansky and Jennifer
Kimball support him with background vocals and Peter Ostroushko
plays fiddle. Gorka has the most amazing baritone, and he draws
you in with his words as if he's singing to you in your living
room. I've seen him perform several times and no matter how
large or small the venue, it's always an intimate affair with
him.
There is so much to say about "House on Fire" vol. 2 that
the best thing I can do as a reviewer is to tell you to go buy
it for yourself. There's something for everyone. While some
songs stand out more than others, it is a great collection and
tribute to the label itself. This CD is chockfull of talented
musicians representing the very best in music today and each one
deserves a mention. So below is the roster of fine artists
assembled for this project:
Peter Ostroushko SEATTLE (THE FANTASY REEL)
Lucy Kaplansky SCORPION
Greg Brown SMALL DARK MOVIE
Hart-Rouge PEINE
Chuck Brodsky THE BALLAD OF EDDIE KLEPP
Cliff Eberhardt THIS OLD WORLD
Suzzy Roche HOLY SMOKES
Guy Davis LONG TRAIN
Archie Fisher GUNSMOKE & WHISKEY
Spider John Koerner DANVILLE GIRL
Kate MacKenzie AGE OF INNOCENCE
Ramblin'Jack Elliott IF I WERE A CARPENTER
Ralph McTell PEPPERS AND TOMATOES
John Gorka LET THEM IN
Martin & Jessica Ruby Simpson/Band of Angels LILIES OF THE FILED
Edited by Henry Koretzky (HRK@PSULIAS.PSU.EDU)
Copyright 1998, Peterborough Folk Music Society. This review may
be reprinted with prior permission and attribution.
David N. Pyles | (512) 929-3840
Music Alive! | dnpyles@acousticmusic.com
2716 Sweeney Lane | http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/
Austin, TX 78723 | http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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