Dark Holler
Various Artists : Hand / Eye (var,2003) CD1 ****°, CD2 ***°/****
Couldn't wait to hear this double CD, knowing that some favourite psych folk groups / musicians were on it. One CD is called "hand", with all the 'all time' beauties on it, very handily put together. The other CD is the "Eye" CD, I thought at first listen this would be more like a bonus CD. But after a second listen it seemed more clear to me, that I had to look a bit closer to this 'Eye'. While the first CD had clear song structured tracks, this second CD was even more moody, atmospheric, a bit like an evolving soundscape trip on improvisational / experimental folk. The most clear and also very poetic tracks were compiled on the first CD, into a perfect compilation, except for one somewhat lost track near the end, which could still fit in for some reasons. The second CD could work better more as background music, fine to relax with. Once settled down I could find myself easily enjoying it. Having various groups on it with more or less similar moods this CD also evolves nicely.
Maybe it is too much to describe each track, but I'll add a few remarks on some of the tracks I heard. Peter Scion's track with second female vocals by Carita is one of the best songs I have heard from him. In Gowan Ring's and Iditarod's songs (Peter and both groups were guests on my show) are beauties, both groups are surely able to create with their music perfect mood conditions with the feeling of a unique moment. I'm also a fan of Fit & Limo, Greg Weeks, and Prydwyn. They all created similar poetic moments on the first CD. Also Stonebreath & Currituck County (who received airplay more often) succeed with their contribution. Even Ring's track hits the right spot (more than he ever did). The other tracks from the other musicians I have not mentioned, fitted well with that first CD too. Acid Mother's Temple with a bit more of a hypnotic pattern & female vocals, always improvising in a thematically inspired way, like I know them. Witch-hunt I find the only lost track here, a cloudy recorded Americana Irish folk song, possibly recorded in a bar. When choosing tracks for airplay later, I believe from this first CD I can hardly leave out any track.
Second CD has more moods, less inspired by song clarity. It sounds just fine. Only the last track, a stoned version of "Ghost Riders in the sky" by Salamander I cannot appreciate. It sounds like a sing-a-long song with everyone bored enough not to be able to sing. This double CD release is recommended. For those who don't know any of the psych folk groups I'vereviewed before, this is a perfect start. I see 2 kinds of psych folk which has got my attention lately : the clear poetic song oriented groups, and the droning mood creators. The Hand and Eye CD reflect in fact both areas nicely divided in two separate CD's. I told you already about my raving about the first CD. I don't like the cloudy moodfolk approach so much, but for what they have recorded here (on the second CD) I can say, that here it became really a more enjoyable listen, thanks to the many visions involved, creating much evolvement throughout the listen.
Audio :
All involved groups (most of them received airplay before, or will) :
CD 1, HAND (in right order)
I will review their latest item soon, and will add an overview of their complete work
I'll add a review of his latest item in December.
CD2: EYE :
(from a Camera Obscura Records release)
