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Transatlantic Folk Box
Various Artists
Transatlantic Folk Box
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (26) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #2
  •  Track Listings (21) - Disc #3

What started as a hand-to-mouth labour of love for Transatlantic boss Nat Joseph soon turned into a highly successful cottage industry. At its peak, Nat's label was Britain's top folk label, with a roster that stretched fr...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Transatlantic Folk Box
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Sanctuary UK
Release Date: 1/4/2005
Album Type: Import
Genres: Folk, International Music, Pop, Rock
Styles: British & Celtic Folk, Singer-Songwriters, Folk Rock
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3

Synopsis

Album Description
What started as a hand-to-mouth labour of love for Transatlantic boss Nat Joseph soon turned into a highly successful cottage industry. At its peak, Nat's label was Britain's top folk label, with a roster that stretched from Stefan Grossman to Billy Connolly, and Bert Jansch to Ralph McTell. This 3-CD tribute is a perfect introduction to the riches of the Transatlantic catalogue.

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CD Reviews

+ 1/2 stars...The British Folk Revival Scene
Steve Vrana | Aurora, NE | 11/08/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"The success of the independent label Transatlantic is a direct result of the vision of its founder Nat Joseph, who began the label in the early Sixties. And while the label would dabble in R&B, jazz and even comedy and poetry, it was principally the home of the British folk revival.



The label's first major signing was the Ian Campbell Folk Group in 1963, followed by The Dubliners. In 1965, the singer/songwriter/guitarist Bert Jansch became the label's franchise artist. Jansch's signing led to the arrival of John Renbourn and then, of course, Pentangle. These artists alone make the Transatlantic story one that must be heard. These are the artists that are the British equivalent of such American artists as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan.



American listeners may recognize a few of the other performers such as the celtic bands Silly Wizard and Contraband, or fiddler Dave Swarbrick or guitarists Stefan Grossman and Ralph McTell (the latter represented by the achingly beautiful original 1968 recording of "Streets of London"). There are also artists like the Humblebums (which included Gerry Rafferty) and The Sallyangie (a sister-brother act which included Sally and her 15-year-old brother Mike "Tubular Bells" Oldfield).



There are a couple of complaints that kept me from giving this a 5-star rating. The accompanying booklet is only eight pages and contains only four pictures. There are no artist biographies or even which albums these tracks were taken from. I would think that even the UK customers would have appreciated a more thorough booklet. [After all, even the most recent songs are nearly thirty years old!] Also, each CD is housed in a cardboard slipcase with the same cover on each as the front of the box.



Overall, this is an enjoyable look at the British folk revival scene from the early sixties through 1978. If you are looking to expand your view of British folk beyond Pentangle (or even Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span), this is a rewarding listening experience. [Running Time - Disc One 78:06, Disc Two 76:19, Disc Three 77:27] VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED





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