THIS four-CD box set is an ambitious attempt to trace British acoustic folk music from 1960 to 2000.
The first track is Jack O'Diamonds by the king of skiffle, Lonnie Donegan, while the anthology ends with 10,000 Miles, a quirky song by Eliza Carthy, representing the latest generation of the Robin Hood's Bay folk dynasty featuring her parents, guitarist Martin Carthy and singer Norma Waterson.
Martin and Norma feature prominently, along with the adventurous guitarist Nic Jones, of York; his great friend, the late concertina player Tony Rose; the roving troubadour Rory McLeod; the ever popular Ralph McTell; the political ranter Billy Bragg; and the lyrical Richard Thompson.
The latter emerged from England's most innovative folk-rock band, Fairport Convention, and the hotbed of London's mid-1960s rock underground, to become a supremely gifted songwriter and phenomenal guitarist.
A deep understanding of traditional music provides a firm foundation for his impressive body of work. Thompson's beautiful ballad Beeswing is the standout track of this impressive anthology.
Updated: 09:54 Thursday, June 27, 2002
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