Folksongs of Illinois 1/ Various - Folksongs of Illinois 1 / Various

Since 2007, Bucky Halker has produced four CD in the series, 'Folksongs of Illinois.' Halker, well known performer, songwriter, recording artist, and historian, has offered an important audio documentary on the rich and vibrant music traditions of Illlinois. He has also offered a powerful argument for a more broadly inclusive model for understanding what American folk music really is. He has certainly taken us beyond the popular and journalistic stereotypes that continue to hold sway among most audiences. On Volume 1, Halker served as both scholar and producer and provides an overview of the state's diverse musical traditions with tracks from the Girls of the Golden West, Art Thieme, Janet Bean, Jon Langford, Carl Sandburg, Tramburitza Orchestra Javor, the Polish Mountaineers, Eleanor Kane Neary, Special Consensus, the Staple Singers, Henry Spaulding, and more. The compilation features new studio tracks, as well as tracks from old 78s, LPs, home recordings, field recordings, CDs, and radio transcriptions. Styles ranges from country blues to traditional folk to early country to gospel to tamburitza to Irish reels. If you want to expand your musical horizons, or enjoy a good musical adventure, you won't be disappointed in this or any other CDs in the series, as critics have pointed out repeatedly. 'exceptional, scholarly, readable, enjoyable' (Justin Cober-Lake) POP MATTERS 'ambitious and informative' Chicago Free Press 'Halker can stake his claim as Illinois' most dedicated folklorist since Carl Sandburg' Lake Magazine 'Anyone who has ever yearned for a bigger earful of the Upper Midwestern soundcape will welcome 'Folksongs of Illinois' with wonder and joy' Upper Midwest Cultures (Jim Leary) This project was originally undertaken by Bucky Halker through the Illinois Humanities Council. 'Folksongs of Illinois' is now a project of Bucky Halker and Company of Folk.