The Wedding Present — Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

The Wedding Present -- Ukrainian John Peel Sessions

• Artist: The Wedding Present
• Title: Ukrainian John Peel Sessions
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 10 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1989 – Got it at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The Wedding Present is a British rock band and this is not a typical record for them. This is their version of Ukrainian folk music. There are couple titles on the record sleeve and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions is not one of them. On the front is УкраїнÑ?ькі ВиÑ?тупи в Івана Піла and on the spine Ukraïnski Vistupi v Johna Peela. This is record is an oddball size, 10 inch, and it comes in a handsome package with a nice booklet. I must admit that it’s a lot better than I remember. Or, maybe my taste in music is better than it was.

Etched in the vinyl margins:
That Side — “Should I worship at the feet…
This Side — …of this God like ferret?” (Traditional)

More about The Wedding Present and Ukrainian John Peel Sessions at Wikipedia.

Rodrigo y Gabriela — Rodrigo y Gabriela

• Artist: Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Title: Rodrigo y Gabriela
• Year: 2007
• Format: CD
• Rating (1-10): 10
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2007 – Barnes & Noble in Asheville, NC
• Keeper: Yes

I was in the local Barnes & Noble the other day when I heard a great acoustic version of Metallica’s “Orion.” I headed straight to the music section where a woman in front of me was already asking about it. The clerk grabbed a copy of Rodrigo y Gabriela and I snatched up the last one. I’ve probably played it 20 times in the last few days. I bought it because of “Orion” but my favorites are the originals, especially “Diablo Rojo.”

This was the first I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela, but it turns they’ve been on Letterman, Leno, etc. earlier this year. This record came out late last year in the US. They’re from Mexico City, but have been in Europe for a while. They’re already popular there.

I told a friend yesterday that this album was “the greatest thing ever!” I don’t know if he agrees, but I’m sure he too thinks it’s slamming. They have few, if any stylistic rules, and they have some roots in thrash metal. (Gabriela apparently tired of the “testosteronic” vibe of the metal scene.) So how would I describe it? It’s not Flamenco, but it is rhythmic and energetic. It’s not jazz, they play structured songs. Other than “greatest thing ever” and “slamming” I’ll just add that it’s two people playing acoustic guitars and there is a tasty Latin flavor.

There’s a DVD included with some great live performances where the crowds are going nuts and raising the horns. Also included are interviews, a photo gallery, and a great tutorial where they step through the techniques they use so you can play just like them. Ha!

Glenn Yarbrough — Time To Move On

Glenn Yarbrough -- Time To Move On

• Artist: Glenn Yarbrough
• Title: Time To Move On
• Year: 1964
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1995 ? – Yard sale I think.
• Keeper: Yes

Uh… no one has ever mistaken me for a big folk music fan, but I try to have an open mind. Mary has a fondness for Mr. Yarbrough’s earlier group The Limeliters because her dad had those records when she was growing up. I’ve bought some of those CDs for her over the years and to tell the truth I really like some of it. On this solo record though, everything is a little too slick. Too much orchestration, too much back-up singing. And although some of the lyrics are really good, when I hear him sing “The Honey Wind Blows” I feel the spirit of John “Bluto” Blutarsky rising. Remember that scene in “Animal House” when he smashes that folk singer’s guitar at the toga party?