Meet the wayfaring strangers who helped me escape from Kate Bush
I’ve seen and heard so much about Kate Bush this year that it’s making me sick. She’s referenced by poets at readings, remixed by every electro act under the sun, and pretty much every goddamn hipster girl whose car I unfortunatey get into, plays her music for me and enthusiastically squeals something akin to, “Have you ever heard of Kate Bush?!”
Yes. I have heard of Kate Bush. I am not linking to her because not only have I heard of her, but I have also listened to her songs, danced to her videos, and memorized her lyrics. I’ve decided sure, she’s fine, but really…lets move on because I’m sick of Kate Bush and thankfully I’ve found a worth escape route, via the Wayfaring Strangers: Ladies from the Canyon
The album is compilation by The Numero Group (The Numero Group specializes in rare soul music from the South and Midwest), and it’s title comes from a Joni Mitchel song called, “Ladies of the Canyon.” The compilation consists only of tracks by female folk singers who had less than 15 minutes of fame in the Laurel Canyon singer/songwriter era of the late 60’s/early 70’s. These home-strung recordings have been packed away in boxes for the past few decades, and have been discovered all over America - they’re basically all that’s left of those lost ladies of Laurel Canyon. Each artist featured on the comp is from a unique parts of the country, but while the style and quality vary, it is clear the the intention and spirit behind the music originates from a common place. If you love Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill and Vashti Bunyan as much as I do, you MUST buy this record. Do that at insound. But first, dig the highlights according to me:
Caroline Peyton - Engram
Linda Rich - Sunlight Shadow
July 28th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
dude are you sure caroline peyton isn’t just a name for joni mitchell?
um cause dude.
that’s joni mitchell.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Yes, I think Caroline and Joni were seperated at birth. But there’s room on this earth (or even just Canada) for two Jonis. The Linda Rich track came out a bit glitchy on my end. Perhaps it’s just me, but you might want to re-upload.