Greetings from Amazon.com Delivers Folk Editor, Steven Stolder FEATURED IN THIS E-MAIL: * Word for Word: Ray Wylie Hubbard * New and Notable: Dolly Parton, Guy Clark, Michael Hurley, the Chieftains, Mimi and Richard Farina * Digital Downloads: Peter Himmelman * Artist Essentials: John Prine * Irish Ayes! Great titles from Ireland * Advance Orders: Upcoming titles from Ani DiFranco, Natalie Merchant, Norman Blake WORD FOR WORD: RAY WYLIE HUBBARD ******************************** "I was 43 and I realized that to be a better songwriter I had to be a better guitar player, and in order to do that I had to take lessons. But I couldn't do that for fear of embarrassment. I had read that Rilke line about 'Our fears are like dragons guarding our most precious treasures,' and I knew if I could get over that fear, pick up the phone, ask someone to give me guitar lessons, there would be these treasures on the other side. I knew Rilke wouldn't lie about that." --Ray Wylie Hubbard Read more of Amazon.com's interview with Hubbard at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=ts/feature/2993 Find his latest release, "Crusades of the Restless Knights," at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JMK5/entertainmentsit NEW AND NOTABLE *************** "The Grass is Blue" Dolly Parton http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002067T/entertainmentsit With her new record "Grass is Blue," Dolly Parton delivers the first all-bluegrass effort of her career and shows that her angelic voice is a natural fit for the genre. She's no longer a staple of country radio, but Nashville's loss is pure gain for those who love her best when she's singing from her Tennessee mountain heart. "Cold Dog Soup" Guy Clark http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002067S/entertainmentsit With the passing of his longtime running mate Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark now stands alone as Texas's towering troubadour. Now in his 25th year of recording, the songwriting legend offers another appealing, pared-down acoustic album with nine originals and guest harmonies from Emmylou Harris. "Weatherhole" Michael Hurley http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001QEO0/entertainmentsit The man who made "snockgrass" a household name (OK, we're talking about a few scattered--and likely rather odd-- households) returns from yet another extended absence with a characteristically laconic, whimsical, and tuneful set. If you haven't discovered the charms of this veteran songster, start here and work your way back to the early '60s. "Collection: The Very Best of the Claddagh Years" Chieftains http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001U03G/entertainmentsit Upon these recordings much of modern Irish music was constructed. Culled from the groundbreaking ensemble's first five records, "Collection" offers entree into music that balances mirth and melancholy with effortless panache. "Pack Up Your Sorrow: Best of the Vanguard Years" Mimi & Richard Farina http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001NTJ0/entertainmentsit Here's a welcome anthology commemorating one of the great misplaced folk acts of the '60s. Mimi (the sister of Joan Baez) and Richard Farina didn't record for long (Richard died in a motorcycle accident when he was 30), but they packed a lot of music and even more living in a few short years. Here's the essential portal into their beguiling folk stylings. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: PETER HIMMELMAN ********************************* "The Himmelvaults Volume One" offers cult favorite Peter Himmelman in all his damn-the-genres-full-speed-ahead glory. Here he presents everything from a Barry White parody to the kind of incisive folk-rock that's been his bread and butter through the years. You can download the "Himmelvaults" track "Holding Diamonds" and the previously unreleased "New America" for free exclusively at Amazon.com. Free Downloads John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Toshi Reagon are just a few of the artists whose songs are now available for your listening pleasure in our Free Download section at: Free Downloads ARTIST ESSENTIALS: JOHN PRINE ***************************** One of the most prolific and vital singer-songwriters of the past three decades, John Prine is as much of an inspiration to literate troubadours today as he ever was. His latest, "In Spite of Ourselves," is a charming set of duets with the likes of Iris DeMent, Emmylou Harris, and Lucinda Williams. Check out his essential recordings: Find "In Spite of Ourselves" at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000K3LI/entertainmentsit IRISH AYES! GREAT TITLES FROM IRELAND ************************************** The Chieftains are the Emerald Isles' most celebrated folk-based act, but the nation has produced a surplus of soulful, stirring performers, including the Bothy Band, Sharon Shannon, and Planxty. Here's an assortment of CDs from some of Ireland's leading lights: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=entertainmentsit&path=tg/feature/-/3107 ADVANCE ORDERS: FOLK ARRIVING SOON ********************************** "To the Teeth" Ani DiFranco http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002DDNE/entertainmentsit Certainly one of the most prolific figures in contemporary music, DiFranco is back with her third outing in less than a year, if you include her "Fellow Travelers" collaboration with Utah Phillips. "Far Away, Down on a Georgia Farm" Norman Blake http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002DDNJ/entertainmentsit Another title from a player who always provides pure pickin' pleasure. "Live in Concert" Natalie Merchant http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002MZ2G/entertainmentsit The concert hall is an appropriate setting for the solo Maniac, who revels in audience admiration. ****** You'll find more great music, articles, and interviews in Amazon.com's Folk Music section at Folk ******
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