Tag: folk

206. Lead Belly

~ ernopepper ~ 1 Comment

(March 2019) I have completed episode 206 of my “opus project.” This edition: LEAD BELLY. A master in blues and folk, Lead Belly’s songs also touched on gospel, children’s songs and topics of the day like FDR, Hitler and the Titanic. His songs were thankfully preserved by the Lomax recordings for the Library of Congress, making him influential, particularly for his technique on his big 12-string guitar. Despite, or maybe because of, his scoundrel-ish life, his voice always sounds like he’s having a great time.

Favorite song: Bottle Up and Go (love the guitar work)

Compared to expectations: same

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170. Leonard Cohen

~ ernopepper ~ Leave a comment

(June 2018) I have completed episode 170 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: LEONARD COHEN. He is a legend. And yet, I can’t get much beyond meh with much of his work. As a poet, his lyrics are the heart of his music. But since lyrical content is the last thing I listen to in music, I am missing the depth of appreciation. I prefer the earlier folk material, but also the last sparse, dark recordings. One interesting observation is how the pitch of his voice drops with each album, from medium-high register on the first albums to nearly inaudible depths by the final ones.

Favorite album: Songs of Love and Hate

Favorite song: Suzanne

Compared to expectations: ↓

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54. Bob Dylan

~ ernopepper ~ 2 Comments

(July 2015) I have completed phase 54 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography from beginning to end. This episode: BOB DYLAN. This was a long one, some three dozen studio albums across a 5+ decade career. Lots in here to cherish, lots to forget, and plenty in between. He’ll inspire you and then he’ll bore you, but there is no doubt that Zimmerman is one of the premier songwriters ever.

Favorite album: Blonde on Blonde

Favorite song: Subterranean Homesick Blues

Favorite period: 1963-1966

Strong comeback: 1997-2006

Great song you’ve never heard: Nettie Moore

Least favorite period: the 1980s

Worst album: Self Portrait

The world could live without : Christmas in the Heart

Compared to expectations: same

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