For Folk's Sake » Johnny Cash

A playlist for the end of the world

For Folk's Sake — Fri, 20 May 2011 12:21:21 +0000

The End of the World by John Martin

The ol’ playlisting ground to a resounding halt when Brian got himself into what can only be described as “a MASSIVE HUFF” over Spotify’s user-unfriendly changes. Huffing is terribly unattractive behaviour, (especially for one who considers himself to be wise), so we decided to just let him be for a while.

In the meantime, though, a nice chap* called Harold Camping has kindly pointed out that it’s the start of the end of the world tomorrow, so we’re not wasting another playlist-making moment.

And we’ve found some spangly new software that makes it EASY and means anyone can listen to it, Spotify user or not. We’re hoping Brian will be coaxed back, tail feathers between his birdy little legs.

So in celebration of tomorrow’s Rapture, here’s a playlist of our favourite songs about the end of the world. Enjoy!

*lunatic

Thanks our twitter pals for song suggestions: @awkwardellie @woodlandbear @leefli @antoniojl @cajitamusic @thomhoffman @martinchilton @bickbox @darrenmjones @theyannster @life_nerd @grouchotendency @brownie873 @lucy_shepherd @heart_of_a_dog @docnat @petiteesperance @drelfy @outroversion @L0Liveri @crosstheborder @sheena__is

Interview: Jamie Ley

For Folk's Sake — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:58:59 +0000

Emerging from London’s seemingly never-ending and ever-talented pool of wonderful folksy-types, Jamie Ley has been packing out a variety of the capital’s venues with people, all eager to hear his soulful and timeless tunes. Emma Barlow caught up with him to talk about the rise and rise of folk, his inspirations, and what the future holds.

FFS: Do you describe your music as folk? Or is it a label that has been somewhat thrust on you?

JL: I guess it is folk, but I don’t really think we are this or we are that. We usually get described as folk or nu-folk, it’s always got some folk in there somewhere. I don’t consider it anything I just consider it my songs played as best as we can play them!

London has become something of a haven for up-and-coming folk acts, who do you most admire?

Most admire…I dunno. I like what’s happening with folk and it’s exciting to be in anyway involved in it. I admire how massive and how mainstream Mumford & Sons are now. Like I still cant really believe it. Usually bands takes like 5 years to get that big. I’ve played with them in Cardiff and I know them. That gig in Cardiff – about 2 years ago, there were about 20 people in a room and now they’re headlining Reading or whatever. So I admire what they’ve done for folk – the fact that they’ve made people more aware and bought this kind of music to people’s attention. And they’re great musicians, really great.

I think that’s what people like because it’s less of the kind of manufactured pop music and more people on stage with cool instruments like the banjo and the mandolin making honest music and that’s what appeals, that’s what appealed to me about it forever and that’s what I think people are starting to see. And I’ve always admired Johnny Flynn, he was one of my favourite artists while I was at uni and now I’ve had the privilege to like play with him. Bands like that – I always thought they were cool are suddenly much cooler, which is good for me, so I’m a bit cooler now too!

So that’s you’re more recent influences what are some of your older ones?

Bloody hell! Well, obviously The Beatles, so boring! Have you heard of the band Love? Arthur Lee, he’s a bit of a legend, Bob Dylan. But my true greatest hero of all time is Johnny Cash. Yeah I love Johnny Cash. And also songwriters like him, I kind of aspire to be like Leonard Cohen. As a lyricist he’s incredible and his poetry… even the way he sings them…he sings them as the poems they are, which really appeals.

Okay, so what about the poets that inspire you?

Well I used to be into the Romantics, you know the Shelley’s of this world and the Dylan Thomas’s but I’ve recently kind of moved away from that, just because, you know, it’s healthy! I’m into a few German poets and writers – they have a theory about pure imagery and it’s less about words and more about telling things like straight to the point. It’s all about writing in a purist way rather than using fanciful words so yeah: I’m trying to do that with my songs.

Is songwriting something that comes easily to you then or is it really hard work?

Um…sometimes I can sit there for like a week and nothing will come out! Or even a month! And I’ll just be banging my head against the wall. But other times I can write three in a day so it just depends. It’s cliché but if you’re sitting there with your guitar and you just feel you’re in the zone, you’ve got your music mojo or whatever so it just comes out. That’s the time you’ve got to sit there and make yourself keep working at it because that’s the time that’s going to be the most fruitful.

Are you more at home with a band behind you on stage these days or do you miss going it alone?

Yeah at the moment we are doing kind of a mix. So we play three songs as a band and then I’ll do a few. Because there’s something really special and intimate when you’re on your own on stage with an audience. But personally I prefer having my pals around me on stage and I get more into it. Now I feel a bit naked when they leave!

And how did the current band line-up come to be?

I played some gigs in Steeles in North London because my friend Rodney Fisher, who is an amazing musician, he runs a folk night there. We used to have lock-ins and things and I got chatting with one of the barmen, Matt. We just got playing some stuff together and he ended up becoming my bass player and then he knows Jack our drummer from a former band. So we pinched Jack from his old band. Elena Tonra – we had played a lot of gigs together and got on well so she started singing and then we’ve got Bobby on piano, who is our newest sort of musical hero. So basically we just went pilfering from other people’s bands. But in a really charming way so no one seems to mind…yeah so, don’t tell anyone that!

So what can we expect from Jamie Ley, what are the big plans?

Well expect to see a release, quite soon. I’m doing my showcase on the 20^th October at the Flowerpot. So getting a lot of people down, lots of people that haven’t seen me who want to see me um….and hopefully that will be a great night and we’ll push on from there with a tour and a release and everything that follows.

Interview: Emma Barlow

Brian’s Mixtape #30: Duelling and storytelling

Brian — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:13:04 +0000

A large chunk of Brian’s record collection was purchased after a recommendation by his uncle Peter, who has an enormous library of albums and an insatiable enthusiasm for music. Brian thought it might be good for FFS’s readers to benefit from his uncle’s wisdom, too, and it had the happy side effect that Brian could put his feet up for a week. So here it is, folks, Peter’s guest playlist, straight from the horse’s mouth…

Uncle Peter says: “There’s no denying that FFS’ roster of favourites has a complex set of relationships through shared musical adventures, education and romances. No surprise there, but how do ordinary mortals keep track? There is an answer… duets. So here’s a playlist to show how it’s done.

“Starting with the best singers ever singing the best song ever, George Jones and Tammy Winette with Golden Ring. These Nashville writers can tell a lot of story in 3 verses of 4 lines. Then George’s duet with Patty Loveless links us into John Prine and his fantastic track with Iris DeMent. The two characters in this song should have their own TV show.

“Wildwood Flower is a Carter Family song one of the earliest recordings in 1928, Picture In A Frame is one of Tom Waits’ and Jeff Bridges’ Oscar-winning character in Crazy Heart looks and sounds a lot like Waylon Jennings, who sings here with the great Kimmie Rhodes.

“Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash are enthusiatic collaborators, Bob Dylan less so. Bob usually approaches duets as a form of hand to hand combat. Joan Baez has had a particularly hard time at various points over the past 50 years. Laura Marling should be careful of accepting any invites at Hop Farm in July. However, he’s on his best behaviour on these two tracks. Maybe the presence of bigger boys keeps him in line.

“Roger McGuinn gets a bit overshadowed by Dolly, but who wouldn’t? Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, that’s who. And to complete the circle, back to George and Tammy with one of their first recordings together”

Golden Ring – Tammy Wynette and George Jones
You Don’t Seem To Miss Me – George Jones and Patty Loveless
Back Street Affair – Patty Loveless and John Prine
In Spite Of Ourselves – John Prine and Iris DeMent
Wildwood Flower – Iris DeMent and Emmylou Harris
Gulf Coast Highway – Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson
Picture In A Frame – Willie Nelson and Kimmie Rhodes
Be Mine – Kimmie Rhodes and Waylon Jennings
The Highwayman – Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash
Girl From The North Country – Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan
My Back Pages – Bob Dylan, several others and Roger McGuinn
Turn Turn Turn – Roger McGuinn and Dolly Parton
It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels – Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette
Take Me – Tammy Wynette and George Jones

Find the whole playlist on Spotify here: Brian’s Mixtape #30: Duelling and storytelling

Are there any duets that have been cruelly overlooked? Tell us about it below.

Our Spotify Inivtation amnesty continues – if you need one let us know and we’ll make a request of the ever-generous posse of FFS readers. Similarly, if you have any going spare let us know and we’ll give you the opportunity to do a good deed for a stranger, providing them with an lifetime’s supply of free music.

Have a flap around our mixtape section to find Brian’s previous efforts.

Brian’s Mixtape #18: Christmas is Coming

Brian — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:24:55 +0000

We’ve held him back as long as we could, but the Christmas spirit’s fit ready to burst out of old Brian now and the first (of many) Christmas playlists is ready to go. He’s been working on them since May, so don’t be surprised at how astoundingly wonderful they are.

If, by some miracle, you’ve not yet gotten into the saltdough, glitter, ribbon and wreaths yet, this week’s selection will boot you into the right frame of mind smartish.

Also, it has come to our attention that some of you are without Spotify access. We’ve instigated a bit of an invitation amnesty on Twitter (@forfolkssake) so if you’re in need we’ll sort you out with an early Christmas pressie. If you need one, or you have spares you’d like to share, get in touch!

Here’s this week’s playlist, for your delectation:

Brian’s Mixtape #18: Christmas is Coming

Johnny Cash – Blue Christmas
Ben Kweller – Rock if Ages
Au Revoir Simone - Christmas Time is Here
The Pogues – Fairytale of New York
Hefner – The Little Baby Hefner’s Xmas Song For Holland
Eels – Christmas is Going to the Dogs
The Beach Boys – Santa’s Beard
Parenthetical Girls – Festive Friends (Forever)
Blitzen Trapper – Christmas is Coming Soon
Kate and Anna McGarrigle – Il est né/ Ca Bergers
The Beach Boys – Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town
Sufjan Stevens – Get Behind Me, Santa!

Also, for those of you still woefully out of the loop, here are Brian’s previous offerings (I’d listen to the Christmas one first, mind, seeing as it’s DECEMBER).

Brian’s Mixtape #1: Salad and Twilight

Brian’s Mixtape #2: Pick of the Scmercuries

Brian’s mixtape #3: imitation and flattery

Brian’s mixtape #4: Conkers and Blusters

Brian’s mixtape #5: heroes and villains

Brian’s mixtape #6: Birthdays and Remembrances

Brian’s mixtape #7: End of the Road

Brian’s Mixtape #8: From A to B

Brian’s Mixtape #9: Yellow Bird Project

Brian’s Mixtape #10: Nymphs and Harpies

Brian’s Mixtape #11: With a Little Help from Dolly

Brian’s Mixtape #12: Swning