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The Definitive Folk Collection
Highpoint Recordings HPO6002
Prime folk label Topic Records has birthed a new budget-price compilation offspring, citing as motivation decreasing record shop shelfage for artists' back catalogue. Reason indeed, though maybe there's also a fiscal sub-plot caused by the current slump in all-genre CD sales (entertainment product glut, internet pirating, butterflies flapping in Mexico ...)? Whatever the cause, the effect is three flagship releases from Highpoint Recordings (the other two showcase Martin Carthy and June Tabor), with a scheduled six to eight compilations a year.
A general mix of Topic artists graces the grooves of TDFC and for the questing folk novice, it's not a bad sampler. The traditional end of life is upheld by a preponderance of solo and compendium Waterson/Carthys plus Dick Gaughan and Anne Briggs while Martin Simpson's guitar-rich Polly On The Shore spans song and instrumental categories nicely. John Tams, Albion Band and Brass Monkey update the tradition, there's trad/township grooves from e2K and fine singing from Christine Collister and June Tabor. Oliver Knight and Colin Reid's instrumental tracks both flaunt orchestral arrangements while Dave Swarbrick's set from 1967's Rags, Reels & Airs is a real blast from the past. Standout track to these ears is the fabulous Arizona from sadly-defunct young band Tarras and the album winds up with rousing multi-part harmony from occasional supergroup Blue Murder.
Rather a let-down, given Topic's standing, is the poor packaging - just track provenance (and that with bad typography and paucity of information) and back catalogue listings in a single-fold cover. Artists and purchasers aren't best served here though a minimal production budget obviously contributed to the excellent £6 - £7 retail price. Verdict? Established folkies can give this a miss, but it may encourage newbies to explore the folk world in more depth.
Mel McClellan - July 2003
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Folk & Acoustic
