Treasures from the Folk Den by Roger McGuinn

BACK TO THE ROOTS Yes, I really enjoy to listen to this record, although it is a few steps back to what Roger McGuinn has achieved in the past. He finally gets his chance here to sing along with the very people, that he was never allowed to share vocals with way back then. It must have hurt him badly, and this album makes up for it. Fair enough. It is sort of ironic after all, that the master mind of Acid Rock winds up singing "Whiskey In The Jar". Have a laugh! Let me set things straight here: I do not mean to derogate the beautiful work of Roger McGuinn. The connection to Pete Seeger is obvious, so are the ties to folk-legends like Judy Collins (a wonderful remake of „John Riley“ as known by The Byrds), Joan Baez, Odetta and Jean Ritchie, or his „Old Town Folk School“ banjo-teacher Frank Hamilton. It is very touching, that he reminds us of these forgotten heroes. I just can not quite figure out, what in the world Tommy Makem of Clancy-Brothers-fame is doing on this album: he should not touch the music of Roger McGuinn, in my opinion. The contribution that Roger made (and is still able to make) to popular music is too valuable to be used as a Guinness-commercial (even though I like my Guinness, but each thing has got its time and place). The former chief of musical giants like Gene Clark or David Crosby should not derogate himself and be a back-up musician for the Clancy Brothers. ℗ 2001 2001 Appleseed Recordings