Advantages: great music in a relaxed environment
Disadvantages: none as far as I am concerned

...This is an overview of the Uk folk scene, an introduction for those who are curious but know nothing. There are folk festvals around the country most weekends between the end of February and the beginning of November. The ones that fall during the colder parts of the year tend to offer indoor camping. Folk fetivals vary in size and duration - small local festivals last for a weekend and can having anything from 250 festival goers, while larger ones like Sidmouth last for a week, and have thousands of visitors. Things to bear in mind when looking for a festival - there is bound to be one near you, and if travel is your only concern, that can make things easy. Look at accomodation - you may get indoor camping, a campsite, bed and breakfast or hotel options. Look at the size of the festival - do you want something small and intimate... Read review

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Advantages: Giving country a well deserved facelift
Disadvantages: -

...The term country these days has achieved the same status as the term folk when applied to music, derision, beligerance and dismissal. One envokes images of cowboys and linedancing, the latter beards, pipes and arran sweaters. Well for those that dig deep enough in the fringes of these genres there are some unexpected rewards to be found, and none moreso than Steve Earle. Earle seems to have grown up back to front, most artists begin as boistorus young tearaways full of angst and calm down to a quieter period in there later years. What you have with this man is an artist who has become more pushy and rebellious with age, to the point where by the time of Copperhead Roadthe young country guitarist had been replaced by the Harley riding, leatherclad, tattooed troubadour. Image aside, what do you get for your money. Well the style... Read review

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Advantages: Variety, Superior Material, Showmanship
Disadvantages: Will Country Radio Respond?

...The latest offering from Hal Ketchum is one of his best. Top songcrafting and performance have always been Ketchum hallmarks, sometimes at the expense of commercial viability. As an artist Ketchum has always felt free to share his influences, from blues and R&B to folk to thundering rock licks. This time, he's got it all---there are several prospects for hit singles on this CD. "The Alamo," ("That's a pretty good place to make a stand") released in the US as a duet with LeAnn Rimes, has tons of potential to become a country classic. The title track is already a line dance favorite, even prior to its official US release. "Save Tonight For Me" and "Moment" are power ballads that showcase Ketchum's vocal abilities, though "Travelin" Teardrop Blues" in its seemingly laid back, easy style is no less dynamic. The centerpiece of this disc... Read review

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Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...Everyone has to love this country based soap – it has to britains best soap. Watch all the locals go about there every day life and all their ups and downs. The Dingle family who never seem to mange to stay out of trouble – the family of the manor the Tates – who seem to have a say in nearly everything in this tidy village. And how could I forget Lady Tara who has just returned to stir a bit of life into this sometimes sleepy wee village . Tara bring a sexy , young attitude to the some what sleepy and country folk.... Read review

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Advantages: it's Beck only more mellow
Disadvantages: You can dance to it....except Tropicalla

...This album, not the official follow up to Odelay is more of a side project. It doesn't have any of the over produced and mixed sound of either Odelay or Midnite Vultures. Beck's influences come out here more obviously than ever. You can here the country singer in him, with his folk song and modern blues. It is very mellow and relaxed, perfect soundtrack to a lazy afternoon - that is if you don't go too deeply into the lyrics which are more personal on this album than on any of his other albums. Beck is a man of many talents, and this album is not one that should be left on the shelves.... Read review

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Advantages: Pure unaffected Singer
Disadvantages: Her voice will not appeal to everyone

...Infamous Angel 1992 I've always enjoyed singers with unique voices Iris Dement would definitely fit in that category, her voice is pure unaffected and can send a shiver up your spine like few present day singers. That said her voice is not for everyone, my wife for one can't stand her, no accounting for taste! Anyway I think this is a suburb album by one of the best current female country artists. To label Iris simply as a country artist would also be incorrect; there are real folk roots in her style and sound. The emotion she can put into a song is breathtaking especially the brilliant "Our Town" which will appeal to anyone who comes from a small town which has seen better times. This is not a commercial country album the instrumentation mainly acoustic is traditional and the harmonies are right out of the 1950's. Think 'Oh Brother... Read review

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Advantages: Covers the history of the Black Country
Disadvantages: None

...Country! If you originated from the Black Country or you know someone who did, I can heartily recommend the black Country Bugle as either a subscription for yourself, or as a gift subscription for them. They also run a Black Country Bugle Shop at 41 High Street, Cradley Heath, B64 5HL, 01384 567678. They sell a wide range of books and videos of the area, local greetings cards, etc. You can also order reprints of photographs from the paper.... Read review

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Advantages: Diverse, creative, catchy alternative rock.
Disadvantages: Very slightly patchy.

..., a darker, more thought-provoking track, which rolls through its verse happily enough but suddenly explodes into the chorus with sweeping bass and extraordinary string arrangement. Berry switches to bongos for this hidden gem of a track. Finishing Side A are Near Wild Heaven, an upbeat singalong tune with brilliant vocal harmonies led by Mills a la the Beach Boys, and Endgame, a touching folk instrumental which climaxes with the rising voices of Stipe and Mills, and is easily their best instrumental to date. Side B starts with the other pop hit of the album, Shiny Happy People (featuring Kate Pierson of the B-52's). While it is argued how lyrically serious this song is, the fact remains that once you've heard it you won't stop singing it for days! Following this is another quirky track, Belong. Stipe produces a creepy deep vocal, which contrasts... Read review

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Advantages: Not a Clapton CD, more an experimental showcase.
Disadvantages: Not a Clapton CD, more an experimental showcase.

...Favourite song ever? Layla comes close, so does "Wonderful tonight" Clapton is amazing, folk, country, rock, blues and well, just about any rift you can think of, he nails it better than a butcher with a rabbit and no lettuce left. On tour with Eric Clapton and Delaney & Bonney is a weird mixture of amazing guitar and powerful vocals, I agree but where does it make its impression in an already over rated guitar twanging, plectrum pluckitty plucking finger strumming rock and roll music. Clapton nails everything he plays and this time he experiments with some amazing sounds. Now, the clue to the date this was made is a simple mathematical equation, it has 8 tracks. Remember those famous Video size cartridges that plugged into your whole dashboard? Yeah, of course you can't but I can. Delaney & Bonney were short lived R&B singers... Read review

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Advantages: a good entertaining movie..
Disadvantages: can be boring for some

...Director: Sam Peckinpah Producer: Robert M. Sherman Writer: B. N. L. Norton Stars: Kris Kristofferson, Ali MacGraw, Ernest Borgnine, Burt Young, Franklyn Ajaye and Madge Sinclair This movie was released in 1978 with the intentions of being as popular as as an earlier country and western type film called 'Smokey and the bandit' but falling slightly short of its goal. Convoy, however, did more for the Citizen Band radio than any advertisement could ever achieve. **BRIEF PLOT** When trucker Martin Penwald, {C.B. name rubber duck}, (played by Kris Kristofferson) crosses the path of local Sherriff Lyle Wallace, {Cottonmouth}, (played by Ernest Borgnine) rubber ducks life takes a turn for the worst. After a brief altercation at a truck-stop involving Cottonmouth, rubber duck and other truckers and C.B. enthusiast, including Pig pen... Read review

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