Today's Psych Folk Playlist
- Thread starter Mystic
- Start date
olson_jr
Lunatic Member
Hampshire & Foat - Nightshade (Athens of the North, 2018)
Most of the A-side is split between gorgeous psychfolk and explosive jazz fusion, starting with “Jasmine.” Here, melancholic guitar and autoharp weave 60s acid fantasies with pizzicato strings dancing over deep contrabass. It evokes the smell of moss, birds in the trees, leaves rustling underfoot, with heart-wrenching flute melodies ringing out and strings swelling underneath. Next comes “Mariposa Lily” and Warren’s old west fingerpicking, like tumbleweeds rolling through some forgotten ghost town. And then there’s that harmonica, all lonesome Morricone magic drifting alongside plucked strings and aching viol melodies, with a rhythmic pulse of gentle double bass. The fusion fire comes with “Antonio’s Theme,” guided as it is by the monumentous drumming of Antonio Feola. We get tight loft breakbeats panned hard left while orchestral streaks of sound hover above thumping funk bass, shining woodwinds, and guitar darkness. And at some point things turn especially driving, with big e-piano bass phasing over the frenetic drumming and climactic GY!BE string crescendos crashing down. The fusion focus continues with “Coastal Drive” and its mellow sax weaving balearic dreams. Electric guitars circle alongside vibing Rhodes solos and just as in “Antonio’s Theme”, the drums are far away, crashing and thrashing underneath layers of swooning symphonic ambiance. The final piece on the A-side is a stunning interpretation of Mikołaj Hertel’s “Zagubiona w Nostalgii”, transforming the originals’ aquatic dreamjazz into cocktail lounge exotica. Rimshots and cymbal taps lead a midnight shuffle, while lonely saxophone drips with the nostalgia of times past. And near the end, the drums become bombastic, while the strings carry irresistible Arabic-leaning moods.
Most of the A-side is split between gorgeous psychfolk and explosive jazz fusion, starting with “Jasmine.” Here, melancholic guitar and autoharp weave 60s acid fantasies with pizzicato strings dancing over deep contrabass. It evokes the smell of moss, birds in the trees, leaves rustling underfoot, with heart-wrenching flute melodies ringing out and strings swelling underneath. Next comes “Mariposa Lily” and Warren’s old west fingerpicking, like tumbleweeds rolling through some forgotten ghost town. And then there’s that harmonica, all lonesome Morricone magic drifting alongside plucked strings and aching viol melodies, with a rhythmic pulse of gentle double bass. The fusion fire comes with “Antonio’s Theme,” guided as it is by the monumentous drumming of Antonio Feola. We get tight loft breakbeats panned hard left while orchestral streaks of sound hover above thumping funk bass, shining woodwinds, and guitar darkness. And at some point things turn especially driving, with big e-piano bass phasing over the frenetic drumming and climactic GY!BE string crescendos crashing down. The fusion focus continues with “Coastal Drive” and its mellow sax weaving balearic dreams. Electric guitars circle alongside vibing Rhodes solos and just as in “Antonio’s Theme”, the drums are far away, crashing and thrashing underneath layers of swooning symphonic ambiance. The final piece on the A-side is a stunning interpretation of Mikołaj Hertel’s “Zagubiona w Nostalgii”, transforming the originals’ aquatic dreamjazz into cocktail lounge exotica. Rimshots and cymbal taps lead a midnight shuffle, while lonely saxophone drips with the nostalgia of times past. And near the end, the drums become bombastic, while the strings carry irresistible Arabic-leaning moods.
Mystic
We're all born mad
Wow, that's quite a review, OJr. Keep that up 'n' y'all gonna bring respectability to this 'ere thread.
Mystic
We're all born mad
P.S. Now of course I could'a just replied "Arkay, izzat you?"
olson_jr
Lunatic Member
Oh my goodness, those are not my words. I am more inclined to say something along the lines of, "listened & liked."
I also sometimes wonder whatever happened to Arkay?
Mystic
We're all born mad
I (dimly) recall a "final communique" (or s.t. to that effect) from RK. We (AK) were still @ the old forumware (sorry, no longer recall its "technical" name), so perhaps his parting words, if in fact he did post such, are no longer available to us via search, etc. In any event I sort'a remember a "goodbye" post, then -- POOF! -- he was (and has since remained) gone.
Deacon Beker
Active Member
The Spectral Light & Moonshine Firefly Snakeoil Jamboree "Scarecrow Stuffing" '94
Timothy Renner invented the term "wyrdfolk".
This is not PSYCH-folk, but then again most accredited , so-called psychfolk lps are not either.
Bent hillbilly moves. Weird,slightly twisted Appalachian.
Should be a future classic.
But , of course, never will cos no one has the attention-span anymore.
Timothy Renner invented the term "wyrdfolk".
This is not PSYCH-folk, but then again most accredited , so-called psychfolk lps are not either.
Bent hillbilly moves. Weird,slightly twisted Appalachian.
Should be a future classic.
But , of course, never will cos no one has the attention-span anymore.
BlindBoyGrnt
Nullius in verba
Espers - “ll”
VanishCave
New Member
Reviving a 16 month old thread.
John Fahey
Guitar Volume 4: The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party
"Knott's Berry Farm Molly"
Solo acoustic guitar utilizing backward tape effects.
John Fahey
Guitar Volume 4: The Great San Bernardino Birthday Party
"Knott's Berry Farm Molly"
Solo acoustic guitar utilizing backward tape effects.
I posted in heavy psych earlier. More appropriate here probable
BostonDave
Lunatic Member
Various Artists
Maybe I'm Dreaming
Anthology Recordings
2025
Maybe I'm Dreaming
Anthology Recordings
2025
grillebilly
Empty Head
Thanks for resurrecting this old thread. I didn't think about folk psyche as being a separate genre until the last year or so. Leave it to @Mystic to be ahead of the curve.
Most of the artists I've heard playing folk psyche I considered "experimental". I see a lot of artists incorporating traditional instruments from all around the world into their jams. It's some really interesting music.
My first post in this thread is from a collective from Hungary.
River Flows Reverse
When River Flows Reverse
Twisted Flowers 2XLP
70 pressed 2021
grillebilly
Empty Head
This one is the last album purchase but there's going to be more coming from musician Steven R. Smith, half the duo on this. He's a recent discovery, despite his extensive discography spanning a couple decades.
I read a review that describes the genre as "drone folk noise". The proliferation of drones in psychedelia is something I'm learning about. I was familiar with the traditional Indian drones, the tambura, and the electric guitar-noise used in bands I like such as The Warlocks for drone effect, but Smith has revealed that almost any stringed instrument or keyboard is fair game. He plays a, spike fiddle, baritone psaltery, organ, electric piano, bouzouki, harmonium, moog synth, electric guitar and spike cello on this. He plays a hurdy gurdy for drone on other albums. Bandmate Glenn Donaldson plays banjo, bowed banjo, space harp, guitar, bass, percussion, drum machine, synth and casio. A banjo with a bow is something unusual I believe.
I'll post a link to a cut off this album if interested.
43ODES
HWN UN AMN
I read a review that describes the genre as "drone folk noise". The proliferation of drones in psychedelia is something I'm learning about. I was familiar with the traditional Indian drones, the tambura, and the electric guitar-noise used in bands I like such as The Warlocks for drone effect, but Smith has revealed that almost any stringed instrument or keyboard is fair game. He plays a, spike fiddle, baritone psaltery, organ, electric piano, bouzouki, harmonium, moog synth, electric guitar and spike cello on this. He plays a hurdy gurdy for drone on other albums. Bandmate Glenn Donaldson plays banjo, bowed banjo, space harp, guitar, bass, percussion, drum machine, synth and casio. A banjo with a bow is something unusual I believe.
I'll post a link to a cut off this album if interested.
43ODES
HWN UN AMN
BostonDave
Lunatic Member
Nick Drake
The Making of Five Leaves Left
Universal
2025
The Making of Five Leaves Left
Universal
2025
