Amazon.co.uk: The Imagined Village: Various Artists: Music

Perfect Partner

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

That's Proper Folk ~ Various Artists

(6) �1.98

The Bairns ~ Rachel Unthank And The Winterset

(11) �7.97

Awkward Annie ~ Kate Rusby

(30) �8.98

Folk Awards 2008 ~ Various Artists

�8.98

This Earthly Spell ~ Karine Polwart

(9) �8.98

› Explore similar items : Music (50)

Track Listings

1. 'Ouses 'Ouses 'Ouses - Cooper, Johnny & Sheila Chandra

2. John Barleycorn - Carthy, Martin & Eliza/Paul Weller

3. Tam Lyn Retold - Zephaniah, Benjamin & Eliza Carthy/Transglobal Underground/S imon Emmerson

4. Death And The Maiden Retold - Tunng

5. Cold Hailey Rainy Night - Carthy, Eliza & Chris Wood/Transglobal Underground/The Young Copper Family

6. Welcome Sailor - Chandra, Sheila & Chris Wood

7. Acres Of Ground - Carthy, Eliza

8. Pilsden Pen - Village Band

9. Hard Times Of Old England Retold - Bragg, Billy & Simon Emmerson/The Young Copper Family/Eliza Carthy

10. Kit Whites I And II - Gloworms

11. Slow On The Uptake - Tiger Moth

Product Description

Description

The Imagined Village was a runner-up in the BBC Radio 3 Critics Poll for the World Music 'Album of the Year' award.

Reviews:

Rated as one of Songlines magazine's 'Top of the World' selection for November 2007:

"[a] breathtakingly imaginative record that is sure to become an English folk-rock landmark, just as Fairport Convention’s Liege & Lief did in 1969" - Songlines magazine

"Top Ten Folk Albums of the Year: (5) The Imagined Village - Various Artists" - Mojo magazine

Customer Reviews

14 Reviews

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

(14 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

Bridging the gap..., 21 Oct 2007

By	morgan1098 (Colorado Springs, Colorado USA) - See all my reviews

Don't let the huge number of artists involved with this record fool you... it isn't a dodgy "compilation" album. It's a stellar folk project that features a diverstiy of talent combined to make a beautiful, unified whole. From John Copper's heartfelt narration that kicks off the proceedings, to Benjamin Zephaniah's radical contemporization of the Scottish ballad "Tam Lyn" (over a bed of dubby and clubby beats courtesy of TransGlobal Underground and Simon Emmerson), the collection is top-notch througout.

For me the whole concept really gels with the final four tracks, beginning with Simon Emmerson's original composition "Pilsden Pen," a rolicking instrumental featuring acoustic guitar and bouzouki against accordion and a string ensemble (this song seems particularly suited to a live concert setting, and I hope it turns up in the setlist for next month's Imagined Village Tour.) This is followed by a cool re-working of "Hard Times of Old England," to which Billy Bragg has added new lyrics, and the production team has added an electronic bed of synths and programmed drums. Eliza Carthy provides some finessed fiddling, and the chorus sounds exactly like something you'd hear being sung by the patrons in a rural pub. The album concludes with the one-two punch of the "Worms and Moths" English Ceilidh Medley, comprised of Kit Whites I and II by the Gloworms and Sloe on the Uptake by TigerMoth. You will be AMAZED at the way these two bands combine several tunes into one extended jam, to close the album on a jubilant and triumphant note. There is hand-clapping, foot-stomping, yelping, fiddling, shouting, electric bass, drum programming, and just about everything but the kitchen sink strung across these two tracks. But it doesn't sound like a dodgy "world fusion" experiment. Rather, it contains all of the grit and authenticity of the original songs.

Indeed, the same could be said for the entire Imagined Village album. You need to hear it for yourself, and if possible, listen to it several times all the way through from start to finish. It will grow on you with each listen. The Imagined Village might well be the album that finally bridges the gap between the folk music purists and the advocates of 21st-century innovation. It brings both worlds together with greater harmony and grace than any other album of its kind.

Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?

(Report this)

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

Keeping the tradition alive, 18 Oct 2007

By	M. Ash (Lancashire, UK) - See all my reviews

As a huge fan of folk and folk-rock I am delighted to see folk being carried forward through new experimentation and in new ways. Bellowhead have already done a great deal to bring a new voice to folk music this year with their brilliant 'Burlesque' album, and now traditional folk favourites such as Martin Carthy and his daughter Eliza, join forces with artists as diverse as Paul Weller, Billy Bragg and Benjamin Zephaniah to re-visit favourite folk songs and stories with a modern edge. It all works brilliantly thanks to exceptional musicianship all round and I can see this album being one of the most important in the current second folk revival that seems to be taking hold. Lets have more!!

Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?

(Report this)

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

Fantastic, 22 Sep 2007

By	Martin C "Martin" (Gloucestshire, UK) - See all my reviews

I saw these guys at Womad this year, they were amazing. Reinterpretations of classical folk style, in a loose improvisational setting performed by a group of fantastic musicians. Very highly recommended.

Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?

(Report this)

› See all 14 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

A true fusion of the sound of Britain
Heard about this project a bit ago, but held back buying it till I had seen them live. WOW, now that was truly awe inspiring

Then I buy the album...and the ep... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Gryphon

Fusion without compromise
A wonderful fusion that doesn't compromise any of its elements. If you can imagine a group of musicians taking the concept of something like Fairport Convention's "Liege & Lief"... Read more

Published 2 months ago by C. O'Brien

Brill, brill, brill!
Just can't stop listening to this one - love Simon Emmerson's stuff anyway, but thanks for introducing me to some folks I've not heard of. Tiger Moth just make me want to dance!

Published 2 months ago by Andria Haffenden