FOLK SONGS IN EVERY LANGUAGE

IF I HAD A HAMMER :Trini Lopez was an American actor and singer who scored his first big hit with 'If I Have A Hammer'. I've heard one of his song 'Lemon Tree' when I was a young lad but it was not sung by him but by a Singaporean group called The Cresendoes. Anyway, I like that song. I bought this CD at dirt cheap price. Expecting nothing more than it to fill my CD shelf, I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be quite an enjoyable CD, one that I played every now and then. Favorites includes 'La Bamba', 'Amour', 'America', and who can forget  the old time favorite 'Guantanamera' One of those CD that's worth every cents spend. DOP : 11th August 1997.

PETER, PAUL and MARY. PLATINUM COLLECTION  : Peter, Paul and Mary were one of the most popular acoustic folk groups of the sixties. They were also the first to bring commercial success to Bob Dylan by covering his song 'Blowing In The Wind'. The first song I heard from Peter, Paul and Mary were their version of John Denver's 'Leaving On A Jet Plane' I wasn't paying much attention to them while growing up so I only got this CD much later. Folk songs are easy to play and sing to. Songs that I like here includes 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone', 'Lemon Tree', 'If I Have A Hammer' and their own composition 'Puff, The Magic Dragon. This CD includes a song book with lyrics to all the songs. DOP : 16th Jauuary 2005.

DEMIS ROUSSOS LOST IN LOVE  :Demis Roussos is Greek but can be considered a singer of folk songs. This most unconventional of man, over weighted and not too handsome to boot. Hardly the citeria for a pop star or a folk star. But he have a gift. A distinctive operatic vocal style which lifted him above the rest. Still the reason I bought this CD is because of two songs. 'Forever And Ever' and 'Goodbye, My Love, Goodbye. Two songs of utmost beauty. The rest is pleasant enough but not too memorable for me, so I'll stick with these two songs. DOP : 17th March 2008.

THE PLATINUM COLLECTION : THE VERY BEST OF THE KINGSTON TRIO : 26 ORIGINAL GREATEST HITS : I bought this CD in Thailand while holidaying there. I've always wanted The Kingston Trio as part of my CD family. The next in line will be The Brother Four. Matter of fact, I almost confused them with The Brother Four when for a brief while I was aghast that 'Green Fields' was not here. Anyway, with 26 tracks this is a real value for money. The usual familiar songs like 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone', 'Tom Dooley, 'Lemon Trees' are here, and an almost identical Tokens' version of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' as well. Other notable tunes includes 'Colors', 'The Tijuana Jail', 'The M.T.A.' I am not too crazy on their take on 'Turn Around'  'cos I much prefer the female's version. Their version of 'Shenandoah' is stunning to say the least and I have heard quite a few version of this song. I like 'Green Back Dollar' and 'Scotch And Soda', a song that sounded familiar and yet not so. DOP : 19th January 2013.