….. Cherry Red Records, a label I know I’ve mentioned before, but a latest purchase prompts me to explore the merits of the anthologies Cherry Red has put out over the years. Are they worth the admission price and would you, dear reader, push the monetary envelope to purchase them. Well Your Honour, the case for the defence is perhaps best exemplified by the recent acquisition of “When Will They Ever Learn?”, a four CD anthology of U.S. Folk Music from 1963-1969.
Like many before it, “When Will They Ever Learn?” succeeds in representing a very specific genre. By combining essential tracks with rarities and forgotten tunes, Cherry Red and their subsidiaries bring to life one of the less revered categories of music. And yet this anthology proves it was a classification that was moving, thought-provoking and still relevant – the music presented over these four discs is also very finally curated and a perfect reminder that music can – and did – in some small way change the world. You won’t like everything here because there are 100 tracks to assimilate and over the 4 CD set we range from the anti war but very melodic ‘Where Have All The Flowers Gone’ through to tracks from The Grateful Dead and Nico. As an illustration, I dislike the Pat Kilroy recording ‘Cancereal’, an acoustic guitar instrumental that demonstrates none of his supposed prowess on guitar – but I’m still delighted it’s on the anthology because it’s new to me (and I suspect many others) and it contributes to the scope and purpose of the overall agenda; and you can always press skip!!
Equally, there are many other recordings of which I had no knowledge (artists and/or tracks), which bought both pleasure and delight to this listener. As for cost, well clearly the period of this particular anthology reduces the cost of production, and that means a good label can reflect that cost in the reasonable price offered to the prospective purchaser. Given the eyewatering prices of many remastered anthologies (Beatles, Jethro Tull anyone), Cherry Red are clearly doing something right.
I would probably argue that the only negative on any of the anthologies I have personally bought (and I will only comment on what I’ve heard) is that they all have particular tracks I could do without; and in one instance (see here), whilst in some ways welcome and of particular relevance for fans or completists, maybe there was simply too much material to dredge up from the archives. But then die-hard, dedicated fans would understandably violently disagree.
Here are just a few of the Various Artist Anthologies I’ve picked up over the years. Each one represents an era or genre and in almost all cases they come lovingly remastered and include excellent booklets overviewing both the period in question and the artists involved.
- Surrender To The Rhythm – The London Pub Rock Scene Of The Seventies
- Taking Some Time On – Underground Sounds Of 1970
- Time! Gentlemen! – Pub Rock Rhythm ‘N’ Grooves 1974-1982
- Riding The Rock Machine – British Seventies Classic Rock
- New Moon’s In The Sky – The British Progressive Pop Sounds of 1970
- Miles Out To Sea – The Roots Of British Power Pop 1969-1975
- Harmony In My Head – UK Power Pop & New Wave 1977-1981
- Looking For The Magic – American Power Pop In The Seventies
- I See You Live On Love Street – Music From Laurel Canyon 1967-1975
- Oh! You Pretty Things – Glam Queens And Street Urchins 1970-1976
- When Will They Ever Learn? – A Story Of U.S. Folk Music 1963-1969
Not exhaustive by any means, but every one heartily recommended. One caveat, which I may just have mentioned before They all have examples of second rate material – they are broad churches and the duffers are part of the story but if you are more inclined to an opinion I spotted in a review then still well clear. “I love all of the compilations I have – I have all of them!! But I’m afraid this is pretty dire – ‘scraping the bottom of the barrel’ springs to mind” – You have been warned!! ⚡️☢️⚡️