Does it matter? She is great!!!
First off, you can be forgiven if you have never come across this particular singer/songwriter. You can also be forgiven that on your first hearing it will be love or hate. I think she could be called a 'Marmite' singer. I know of no other artist who can polarise a room of people on a first listening! You will have to make up your own minds and I hope you enjoy the journey!
Born in Paragould AR in 1961 she was a late starter when it came to both her singing and writing (at the age of 25). In 1988 she moved to Nashville where she 'teamed up' with Jim Rooney who helped her with her first record contract. Her first attempt 1992 was 'Infamous Angel' which at the time was a flop!
The underground whisperings on the streets of Nashville brought her to the attention of Warner Brothers Records and in turn reissued 'Infamous Angel' in 1993 and followed it up in 1994 with the fantastic 'My Life'.
1996 saw the release of 'The Way I Should'. And this album is a real dandy, very different to the first two and enjoyable as a 'stand alone' album with track after track that makes you think about our modern way of life.
This trio of albums is 75% of her total output (another following in 2004). In my opinion, three 'must haves' for your collection.
If you are the owner of Kate Rusbys album 'Sleepless' you can catch a cover of 'Our Town' on that. It's a good un!
And where did I first get an ear full? Series 1 of Transatlantic Sessions. If she's good enough for Aly Bain she's good enough for me!
You can also find her on You Tube so you can try before you buy. If your one of the 50% 'pro Iris' you can look forward to lots of great listening. If not, at least you tried and I cannot ask for more than that.
Three personal favourites from each album are:
Infamous Angel: 'Our Town, 'Let the Mystery Be' and 'Mama's Opry'.
My Life: 'No Time to Cry', Easy's Gettin' Harder Every Day' and 'My Life'.
The Way I Should: 'There's a Wall in Washington', 'Wasteland of the Free' and 'Quality Time'.
And my last tip is. If you are going to take the plunge get 'The Way I Should' first to test the water. Enjoy them all!!
Late News
Just found this great Iris link so you can have a listen while doing the cleaning! Some Iris Tunes
Diary Dates
Louise Hamilton (@folkcircus) and her band Flaming June have gigs to go to and tracks to download. I also 'hear' through the 'Tweetvine' an album is on it's way for Aug. Anyway, here we have a few dates for ya.
June 9th, Golden Hind, Cambridge, (Louise Solo).
June 23rd, Relay For Life, (a charity event), Ickworth.
Aug 24th, Blyth Power Ashes, Peterborough, (Louise Solo).
Sep 29th, Cottenham Primary School, (a charity event), Cottenham, Cambs.
Oct 13th, Oxjam, (a weekend event), Bury St Edmonds.
Sorry but I do not seem to be able to find any phone numbers for tickets, info etc. I'm sure a touch of 'Google'in' would solve that.
Now David Hope's 'mini tour. I think the poster says it all (he's the one in the middle)! And dates are on a previous posting. Good luck to him and all the girls.
And last but by no means least is a 'listen and vote' for Tony Bowen (@tonybowenmusic). In my mind a super track and well worth your fingers doing the pressing! I hope this link works but if not get in the old Twitter and give him a follow. promo.xfm.co.uk/danny-wallace/, (looks like you may have to type it in yersens but it's well worth it.
Well that's all for now folks, hope you have a good wknd, TTFN.
PS, pet hate for this week......that American guy on TV who goes from one eatery to another trying to gobble down hot wings or 5lbs of steak in 10 mins! Don't know why he just gets to me!
Contact: folktalkinfolk@gmail.com, Tweet: @folktalkinfolk, Direct: 07526 504285.
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