Search - Michael Johnathon :: WoodSongs

This recording is a delightful mix of old and new.

09/11/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, it is Michael Jonathon...correct spelling of the artist's name is always important. That said, this recording is a delightful mix of old and new. From Michael Jonathon's original songs to Woody Gutherie's "Pastures of Plenty" to the traditional "Shenandoah", "Woodsongs" pays tribute to the artistry of the past while pulling the listener into the present with fresh arrangements of old favorites balanced against new works. It's the kind of recording you find yourself singing days after you've listened to it. From the opening rocked-up version of "Shady Grove" clear through to the jump-up and dance "Mousie HiWay" this recording entertains. Michael Jonathon, a New York native, captures the spirit of Appalachia as few from outside the area do. His "Colista's Jam" is both fresh and familiar, wrapped in J.D. Crowe's amazing banjo. Odetta's vocals on "New Wood" are incredible, with a haunting quality that lingers long past the track. Also lending their considerable talents are Appalachian legends, Jean Ritchie (vocals & dulcimer) and Homer Ledford (fiddle & mandolin). If you are a longtime folk fan or just discovering it, treat yourself to "Woodsongs." It's a rare find."