Innovative acoustic guitarist Davey Graham was the first superstar of the British '60s folk explosion. He directly influenced more commercially successful acolytes like Paul Simon, John Renbourn, and Bert Jansch. All three musicians have covered Graham's signature composition, "Angi," the highlight of his 1961 session with Alexis Korner, 3/4 A.D.
By the time of his first solo record, 1963's FOLK BLUES AND BEYOND, Graham's own music had moved away from traditional British and Scottish folk. He began incorporating jazz and blues influences--including Charles Mingus and Leadbelly covers--and elements from a wide variety of ethnic musics, particularly the modal-tuning drones of North Africa. Such influences are featured most prominently on the evocatively titled "Maajun (A Taste of Tangier)." Graham's later records would continue exploring his increasingly wide-ranging taste, adding Indian, Scandinavian, and other influences to his distinctive guitar style. This classic early album finds Graham at the start of his lengthy musical journey.
Professional Reviews
The Wire (p.56) - "FOLK, BLUES AND BEYOND is the atomic bomb of the UK folk continuum. Released in 1964, it's still capable of blowing your mind if you let it."
Dirty Linen (2-3/00, pp.58-9) - "...renowned for being [a] landmark of the British folk revival....[he] was the first to bring jazz and blues elements to the popular folk tunes of the time....brilliant guitar playing..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.126) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[With] the instrumental tour de force 'Majaan'...his live take on 'She Moved Through The Fair' is as mind-blowing now as it was back in the day."
Record Collector (magazine) (p.106) - 5 stars out of 5 -- "[B]eautifully presented. You'll hear folk standards, jazz and blues. A welcome reissue..."
