Balkan Gypsy, UK Folk, Zydeco stomp meets Punk
by
lapt0p
Modern Folk is an album that mixes Balkan Gypsy Music, Bluegrass Stomp, Pre War Blues, Music Hall, English Folk, zydeco stomp and acoustic Punk. A Sort of Alt. Caucasian primordial of soup of styles that bear the unmistakable signature of JC Carroll.
In the Last 20 years since the break up of "The Members" JC has spent time Learning accordian, mandolin and banjo, playing Klezmer, Highlife, and Folk at Weddings, Festivals, Pubs, Parties and funerals all over the UK. He has played accordian on major motion pictures for the likes of The Late Michael Kamen, Marlon Brando Johnny Depp Jolie Richardson and more recently Robert Di Nero. He has been the musical director of several Music Hall type productions and composed music for Film and TV.
This album sees the fruit of all that back to the roots research. From the dinging triangle introduction from arch collaborator percussionist Nick Cash on "House on the Risin' Sun" to the lonely organ on the final track "Give me paradise" There is a vibrant no-punches pulled approach to Modern Folk. Crammed with Songs about murderers, brothels, suicidal lovers, Lovesick Bluesmen, night people, Music Hall Dames and old haunted houses this is definately a celebration of the darker sides of Folk. What JC voices lacks in finesse is more then made up with the gusto in which he attacks his subject.
My only two criticisms is that there are two versions of the new Sound of the Suburbs I prefer the neo Ragga track 12 which brings a slight Shaggy tinge to this once punk now folk song, and the inclusion of the deeply depressing Butchers Boy.
JC's Guitar, mandolin,Banjo, accordian and melodica are alternatively comic, filmic and haunting throughout, as is the splendid piano of Tony Galye (it was he who composed the music for the excellent show tune style "Simplicity") the accordian and Banjo of Donal Lunny side man Graham Henderson (Nightshift and Sam Hall) are wonderful with the accordian solo on "Nightshift" a hightlight of the album. Ex fellow wise Monkey Elliet Mackrell provides lilting violin and tin whistle on the guitarless waltz version of "Love in Vain" Nick Cash has been massive in bringing JC back into the studio in the last two years and his understated work on this album is exceptional. Lastly Simon Godley makes an impressive debut on Banjo.
This is Folk in the Johnny Cash Vein and a Great Follow up to "The Rock is in the Lapt0p" Buy it Now
Standout Tracks
Sound of the Suburbs 2007
Nightshift,
House of the Risin' Sun
I'm Yer Fairy Godmother.
Lookin' for Love
JC Does it again
by
arn0ld C
Modern Folk is a Great ALbum, The version of House of the Rising Sun sounds Like Howling Wolf meets the Carter Family...
The Nightshift is maybe JC's Best ever Song when it descends into the Kelzmer Frenzy at the end I felt like I was attentending some Balkan wedding....The New version of Sound of the Suburbs is Great.... (buy The Acoustic Drum version if you can....) I would have liked to hear some more of the Wise Monkeys Cajun Style... But hey you can't have everything.....Buy This Now...
W
