Playlist "Psyche van het Folk", Radio Centraal, Antwerpen, Belgium 2003-12-17 : part 1: Amps For Christ part 2 : promising elements of the Belgium & Dutch new psych, prog, acid folk & crossover scene PART 1 : AMPS FOR CHRIST : * Shrimper Rec. Amps For Christ : Beggars Garden (US,1997)*** Tr.1, "GSN7 Pipes" 3 min Tr.2, "Not of the world" 3 min Tr.3, "Tungsten Aire" 2 min Tr.10,"Esaus' mandoline" 1 min Tr.18,"Egg Mountain" 9 min 18 Good combination of semi-electronica version of folk music with original acid folk & folk. "Not of the World" is with sitar, guitar, strange percussion, background textures and noises. "Egg Mountain" is a raga improvisation with guitars, tabla, organ. I didn't play any of the tracks of the second half with more attention to distortion. (Distortion makes me nervous). Some of the distortion the group sometimes uses however is well adapted into folk melodies and has still a melodic colourful aspect too. First half is highly original, enjoyable, but also the second half is enjoyable. Recommended. The group often expresses a unique or very individual style trough the use of prepared instruments, like keyboards. For full review see http://psychedelicfolk.homestead.com/acidfolkreview3.html * Total Annihil. Rec. Amps for Christ : Songs from Mt.Ion (US,1998)° This release emphasises on the distorted electronics, which is, like I said, not my cup of tea / personal choice for airplay. * Vermiform Amps for Christ : Thorny Path (US,1997)**° Tr.12, "Prepared TEAC" 1 min Tr.18,"Raspberry Box" 2 min Tr.22,"Wolfskill Falls" 3 min 6 Here the melodic and the distortion are interwoven a bit. Very experimental folk. Last multi-layered track is with sitar too. * Vermiform Amps for Christ : Circuits (US,1999)**° Tr.3, "Janitor of Lunacy" (Nico) 4 min Tr.12, "The Wife of Ushers Well" 3 min Tr.19, "Snap Daragons" 2 min Tr.10, "Eyes that shine" 3 min Now with extra female singer, often in their (distorted folk or) more typical folkcore style. But there are also her and there some more acid/psych folk tracks, like the 8th or this 10th track. * Shrimper Rec. Amps for Christ : The Oak in the Ashes (US,2001)*** Tr.1, "She's with me" 4 min Tr.2, "Give/Leave" 3 min Tr.3, "Scotland the Brave/Ditches" 4 min 11 47 More into psych/Acid folk & a kind of individual folkrock territory.. with more clarity of songs, more clear ideas etc.. An improvement in style to add such songs, but there are also different other alternative styles adapted. "Scotland the Brave" is the best version I ever heard. The distorted guitars and the smooth electronic rhythm sounds makes this tune acceptable and musically interesting. Reviews of Amps For Christ releases : http://psychedelicfolk.homestead.com/acidfolkreview3.html * RecRec Camberwell Now : All's well (UK,1982-1986)**° Tr.1, "Cutty Sark" 3 min 50 A splendid surreal folk song. Other tracks are darker in Art Bears like mood combined with a folk new wave flavour. I keep the record for the unique first track. The accompanying melody is slightly slower, and the percussion is loop like and experimental creating a strange and unique atmosphere. * Merlin Rec. Moonkyte : count me out (UK,1971)***° Tr.3, "Way out Hermit" 5 min 55 Good end 60's styled folk psych & song oriented soft psych record which style puzzles me a bit for categorization in my collection. First played track has sitar. PART 2 : A VERY PROMISSING PART OF THE BELGIAN & DUTCH MORE ACOUSTIC PROG & PSYCH & CROSSOVER SCENE * Gath.Dust Rec. Zaam : Acid Folk (B,2003)*** Tr.2, "The Duke of Grantham" 15 min Tr.3, "Spring & Sap" 13 min Tr.7, "way out" 3 min 30 min (shortened) 85 Very fine private release of folk psych duo with great psych jams & compositions with perfect instrumentation (organ, acoustic & nice electric guitars, flute, voice, some percussion.., with some psych cosmic effects). The only Belgium (Antwerp) group I know who plays this style nowadays. Recommended !! Nice to have a psych space trip in this second track with finally some Dutch narration ! Hope this will get an official release soon !! Sounds a bit like Roots of Echo. Review published at http://progressive.homestead.com/belgium.html Contact the band : (Bert D'Hooge) dhoogebertm@hotmail.com * Purp.Plazma R. Purple Void : Thru the wormhole (NL,2002)** Tr.1, "Time ..acoustic mix" 4 min Tr.3, "Thru' the wormhole" (feat. Bal), 5 min (shortened) 9 94 Good guitarist with psych and few other influences and good elements. Second track with "inter-galactic" trumpet accompaniment. * P.Plazma Rec. Purple Void : Within the Nebula of Time (NL,2003)** Tr.1, "The King is mad" 3 min 97 More psych guitars with band, with some other influences. Not always good recorded, but promising if guitarist one day would record in better conditions with other talented musicians. Review & pictures : http://progressive.homestead.com/holland.html * Private Salmon : Decade Reference (NL,2003)***' Tr.2, "Avoid" 10 min 107 Very enjoyable new/Neo-symphonic band, with some romantic & melodic elements. Review : http://progressive.homestead.com/holland.html * Private Flamborough Head : One for the Crow (NL,2003)**° Already more internationally recognised, somewhat neo-symphonic band. I decided not to play any track. * Fissure Rec. Soysoy : Six teaspoons of Eiren Cari (B,2002)***° Tr.2, "One with the wind" 7 min Tr.7, "Waking the witch" 3 min 117 Nice early Cocteau Twins, Creatures,.. like wave rock band with powerful witchy female dual vocals and strong playing. Pagan related. Very good ! Review : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/WICCAREVIEW.html * Private Alughana : 3-track demo (B,2003)**** Tr.1, "Unmachsocks" 6 min Tr.2, "Instressentals" 5 min Tr.3, "Yan Rag" 5 min 16 133 One of the most promising and open-minded Belgian (Antwerpen) crossover folkrock bands. First track is Dead Can Dance mixed with Rammstein and beyond, even with bagpipes and tough metal rap vocals. Second track is more quiet and relaxed. Partly in a minimal DCD wave folk style, then changing into wave-rock folkrock or something. Last track starts with didgeridoo and background percussion & flute, then we have another DCD/folk/Rammstein reminiscent mix, all nicely produced. Highly recommended. With influences from metal, electronica, punk, folk, new wave, rap, Dead Can Dance, with elements of these styles without being part of the style as result. Sung in a language of their own invention. Review : http://progressive.homestead.com/belgium.html * Private In Julia's Mind-Scene : 2-track demo (NL,2003)****° Tr.1,2 : "Feel the warmth that given" & "Stonerage" 13 min 146 Perfect combination of 12string acoustic guitar with double bass, percussion, trumpet & flugelhorn, very emotionally sung (slightly like a more matured Bonnie Prince Billy. Highly recommended !! The group will be invited for a live studio concert. Review : http://progressive.homestead.com/holland.html * Elektra Rec. David Stoughton : Transformer (UK,1968?)****° Tr.5, "Evening song" 5 min Last time when I played this I underestimated this wonderful s/sw folkpsych with beautiful experimentations and songs. With Buckley like voice and experiments. This song is sung by female singer Davi Klate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other playlists : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/2003.html General index page : www.radiocentraal.be/psychevanhetfolk More detailed index page : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/index.html Receive weekly this playlist before the radioshow with new reviews and additional comments : / ontvang wekelijks playlist vòòr de radio-uitzending : Subscribe / schrijf u in : psychevanhetfolk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com