[FM] FAME Review: Grit Laskin's "Unabashedly Folk: Songs and Tunes 1979-1985" written by Matt Fink

[David N. Pyles]

Unabashedly Folk: Songs and Tunes 1979-1985
Grit Laskin

BCD 124

The Borealis Recording Co. Ltd.
67 Mowat Ave., Suite 233
Toronto, ON Canada M6K 3E3

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Matt 
Fink  (fink@clarion-net.com)

Combining and re-mastering Grit Laskin's 1980 release of "Unmasked" and 
1985's "Lila's Jig," neither of which had been available on compact disc, 
"Unabashedly Folk: Songs and Tunes 1979-1985" captures one of the most 
extraordinary voices in folk music. Originally issued on Stan Rogers' 
Fogarty's Cove label, these much-requested recordings have been re-released 
by the Borealis Recording Company with two bonus tracks.

For the uninitiated, Laskin is a Canadian songwriter and author of profound 
talents, incorporating guitar, tenor mandolin, Northumbrian smallpipes, 
concertina, tenor banjo, tenor mandolin, button accordion, tin whistle, 
fiddle and dulcimer into a number of jigs, reels, airs, shanties, waltzes, 
and polkas from a variety of traditions.  Amazingly, he even makes many of 
the instruments he plays, as he is recognized as one of the best craftsmen 
in North America, and has people on three-year waiting lists just to buy 
one of his finished products. Best of all, Laskin is an incredible 
songwriter, adept at combining contemporary themes with traditional styles 
into a perspective that can capture the darkest of human tragedy and 
explore the most controversial issues with careful sensitivity. He writes 
roaring satires, as well.

Joined by a host of friends, including his former bandmates from Friends of 
the Fiddler's Green, "Unmasked" is a modern folk classic.  The darkly 
humorous "The Life of a New Mother" is one such example, as the 
tribulations of parenting drive a woman to grizzly black thoughts.  As 
Laskin seems to take pleasure in parodies, the rousing a-cappella 
sing-a-long of "Cosmic and Freaky" updates the traditional "Pleasant and 
Delightful," just as he twists traditional themes in the slightly risqué 
"The Photographers."  Transporting us into the mind of an 18th century boy, 
"Life on the Rolling Sea" is a breathtakingly beautiful song with guitar 
and fiddle.  Borrowing an Israeli folk tune for the heartbreaking 
recounting of the 1972 murder of 11 Israeli Olympiads, "The End of a 
Pointed Gun" is folk music at its most powerful.

Somewhat lighter, "Lila's Jig" is the culmination of Laskin's many years of 
experience with dance tunes, as this album consists of mostly original 
material.  Still, the bluesy gospel feel of "Shut Off the Power and Say 
Goodbye," a rumination on dying with dignity in the face of being kept 
alive with machines, and the sadly realistic account of sweat shop labor in 
"Sewing Machines," are hardly fluff.  Pensive airs, cheerful waltzes, and 
bouncy polkas balance a set that also features the hilarious 
anthropological satire of "Macho Man" and the sweetly imaginative  "Where 
Does Love Come From?" in this well-rounded set.

All in all, Grit Laskin is a huge bear hug of a folk singer.  Every scrap 
of critical praise falls short in describing just how great his 
contributions really are. He could reasonably be referred to as a Canadian 
version of Martin Carthy--I'd just like to see Carthy make himself a guitar.

Disc 1: Unmasked

The Life of a New Mother  [Lyrics-Grit Laskin, Tune-Trad.]
Derwentwater's Farewell/Salmon Tails Up the Water  [Trad.]
Cosmic and Freaky  [Grit Laskin]
Life on the Rolling Sea  [Grit Laskin]
The Long Note/Old Hag You Have Killed Me  [Trad.]
It's Not the Life for Me  [Grit Laskin]
Paddy Fahey's/The Road to Lisdoonvarna/Comb Your Hair and Curl It   [Trad.]
The Oldest Man in the World  [Grit Laskin]
The Photographer [Grit Laskin]
A Shantyman's Life  [Trad.]
The Lady on the Island/The High Road to Linton/The Mooncoin Jig   [Trad.]
The End of a Pointed Gun  [Lyrics-Grit Laskin, Melody-Trad.]
The Upper Class Shanty (Dow Jones)  [Grit Laskin]

Disc 2: Lila's Jig

Middle of November/ Spot the Cliché/Middle of November2.      A 
Lucky  Man  [Grit Laskin]
Shut Off the Power and Say Goodbye  [Grit Laskin]
The Old World and the New [Grit Laskin]
When I Was a Lad [Gilbert and Sullivan]
My Love's Dark Eyes/The Beginner's Waltz  [Grit Laskin]
The Winetaster/Beans in the Grinder  [Grit Laskin]
Macho Man  [Grit Laskin]
Slowpoke/The Reversible Polka  [Grit Laskin]
Sewing Machines  [Nancy White]
Lila's Jig/Generic Jig/There's a Crowd  [Grit Laskin]
Where Does Love Come From?  [Grit Laskin]
A Fair Maid Walking  [Lyrics-Grit Laskin, Tune-Trad.]

Edited by Lindsay Cobb

Copyright 2001, Peterborough Folk Music Society. This review may be 
reprinted with prior permission and attribution.


=====================
David N. Pyles
acousticmusic.com
P. O. Box 459
Brattleboro, VT 05302-0459
(802) 257-0336 Mon-Thur 9:30am-4:30pm
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames
http://www.acousticmusic.com/frames/fame.htm
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