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Concert in the Park
The Shaw Brothers really take one back. As with Peter,Paul, & Mary
and Gibson & Camp, one is transported back to an optimistic world
view that came part-and-parcel with the early '60s folk revival. The harmonies
are tight, pleasant, and happy. Although recorded in the '80s, Concert
in the Park represents a world view untarnished by the cynicism that followed
the Kennedy assassination, Vietnam, and Watergate. While young curmudgeons
may scoff, the pure of heart will sing happily along with "Seven
Daffodils" and "Three-Legged Man." "Hot Crawfish"
has an infectious melody that is made even more upbeat by a jaunty banjo,
while Tom Paxton's "Who Speaks for Me?" is a touching political
portrait of injustice in Central America. Another Paxton song, "I'm
the Man That Built the Bridges," is a lively piece praising the "common
man's" multiple contributions to building America. The duo captures
a sense of loss in a melancholy cover of "It Was a Very Good Year,"
and one shouldn't miss the Brothers' version of "I'd Like to Teach
the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)," the '70s hit that became
a Coke commercial standard. Most of this album was recorded in Portsmouth,
NH, in 1981 during the Shaw Brothers' annual appearance at Prescott Park.
An enthusiastic audience adds a great deal of ambience to this recording.
For old fans, young fans, and revival fans, Concert in the Park is a pleasant
recording, full of hope and lovely harmony.
Collection
Album Review
Having risen to fame as original members of The Tradewinds, The Brandywine Singers, The Hillside Singers, and the Pozo Seco Singers, New Hampshire's identical twin brothers, the Shaw Brothers, have carried on their musical odyssey for over thirty years. THE SHAW BROTHERS - COLLECTION album is a collection of original folk tunes and timeless ballads that is a welcome addition to their recorded catalogue.
Rick and Ron Shaw have personally chosen the music for this album using two criteria: First, they all had to be good songs - interesting musically and lyrically. Second, they had to tell a story; not only individually but collectively. And the result is the story of the Shaw's thirty year musical odyssey that has taken them around the world. Some of the songs are original; others were written by people the Brothers know and admire, and together the songs create a collection of music that has been favorites of the Shaw's and their audiences for many years.With their smooth voices and impeccable harmonies, the Shaw Brothers calm listeners with their songs of sensuous spring and cobble-stone streets. "The Day the Tall Ship Came," recalls the visit of the great ships to the ports of New York, Newport and Boston, 100 years later in 1976, for our country's bicentennial. "I was so moved I had to try to capture the moment as best I could," Rick explained. "It was more than simply a memorable event." "Farewell To Carlingford," and Terry Gilkyson's "Hot Crawfish" are also songs that lull listeners and lift spirits, while having additional meaning to the Shaws. Terry Gilkyson was a source of encouragement in the late 50s when the Shaws were taking their first professional steps in "the biz," and Tommy Makem, who taught them his 'Farewell To Carlingford' lives just a couple of miles down the road from Rick in New Hampshire.
All songs except 'Hand Me Down My Jogging Shoes,' 'Lou'siana Young' and the fully-orchestrated cuts were recorded in New Hampshire. The latter were done in New York and London, England. But no matter where these songs were recorded, they all have one thing in common, the moving sensitivity and talent of The Shaw Brothers.
Whether singing original ballads or music written by songwriters the Shaw Brothers know and admire, this album's free-flowing rhythms and moving sensitivity are unparalleled. The Shaw Brothers have sung for millions of people from New Hampshire to Hong Kong and just about every destination in-between. Their latest album, THE SHAW BROTHERS COLLECTION, is a musical testament to their success.
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