Producers: Roz Larman, Howard Larman, Peter Cutler.
Personnel: Marvin Denton Dykhuis (vocals, guitar, mandolin); Dar Williams, Dave Alvin, David Wilcox, Dillon O'Brian, Eric Lowen, Zane Baxter, John Gorka, Anna McGarrigle, Richard McLaurin, Richard Thompson, Tish Hinojosa, Bruce Cockburn (vocals, guitar); Kate McGarrigle (vocals, banjo); Joel Zifkin (vocals, fiddle); Keith Carper, Mary Black, Maura O'Connell, Michel Pepin, Dave Francis (vocals); Declan Sinnott (guitar); Greg Leisz (12-string guitar, dobro); Frank Gallagher (fiddle); David Jackson (accordion); Pat Crowley (piano); David Raven (drums); Dave Early, Paul Pearcy, Rock Deadrick (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Ian Anderson .
Recording information: 01/06/1991-02/26/1997.
Photographers: Peter Figen; Henry Diltz; Ben Elder.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Dar Williams; Dave Alvin; David Wilcox; Dillon O'Brian; Iris DeMent; John Gorka; Kate McGarrigle; Lowen & Navarro; Mary Black; Maura O'Connell; Anna McGarrigle; Richard Thompson; Tish Hinojosa; Bruce Cockburn.
If you like folk music and have ever lived in Los Angeles, chances are you know the names Roz and Howard Larman. Their FolkScene radio show on KPFK has been an L.A. institution since 1970, and one of its highlights has been visits to the studio by just about everybody you can think of from the world of folk. There have been more than 1, 500 such guest appearances over the history of the show, so this 13-track CD of FolkScene performances from the 1990s barely scratches the surface. Still, it's a start, and a fine one. The sound quality is amazingly good, especially considering that the disc contains unvarnished live recordings, with no overdubbing or "fixing in the mix" later on. Noteworthy performances include Bruce Cockburn's "Pacing the Cage," Kate and Anna McGarrigle's "Goin' Back to Harlan," Richard Thompson's "Waltzing's for Dreamers" and Mary Black's "Columbus." The best track, though, is Iris Dement's "Our Town," a self-penned ode to a dying hometown with an aching, heartfelt vocal that will stay with you after the singing has ended. ~ Jeff Burger
