Hoyt Axton had a long and varied career as a country-folk musician/actor from the early 60's and in to the 80's. This is his first album recorded during the early 60's in San Francisco. I should point out that this is missing the first and fourth track because of it being a pretty bad rip from Limewire as I had an extremely hard time tracking down this album. Normally I wouldn't post an incomplete album like this, but I think this one is worth it anyway. The rest of the songs are fine though. Hoyt had a booming voice that could fill an arena. The sound on this record fits in quite nicely with the folk revival that was going on in Greenwich Village at the same time. It would be easy to write Hoyt Axton off as a squarish folky from that era but I think that undermines some true talent here. He has some serious soulful moments on this record and plays one of my favorite versions of "John Henry" ever recorded.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Hoyt Axton - The Balladeer
Hoyt Axton had a long and varied career as a country-folk musician/actor from the early 60's and in to the 80's. This is his first album recorded during the early 60's in San Francisco. I should point out that this is missing the first and fourth track because of it being a pretty bad rip from Limewire as I had an extremely hard time tracking down this album. Normally I wouldn't post an incomplete album like this, but I think this one is worth it anyway. The rest of the songs are fine though. Hoyt had a booming voice that could fill an arena. The sound on this record fits in quite nicely with the folk revival that was going on in Greenwich Village at the same time. It would be easy to write Hoyt Axton off as a squarish folky from that era but I think that undermines some true talent here. He has some serious soulful moments on this record and plays one of my favorite versions of "John Henry" ever recorded.
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Much of Hoyt's 'post 1963' music was written by Hoyt himself. Pure talent to go along with that booming arena filling voice you mentioned. If one takes the time to listen to the lyrics the appreciation value is then enormous. Whether music be pop, jazz, country, or anything else if it is good it is good. Unfortunately many people criticize music without really listening to it if that music is branded a certain type that happens to not please them. Pity. Try listening to his 'American Originals' album for example. Focus on songs such as Epistle, then tell me where the quality and value are lacking.
ReplyDeleteMike Garneau
My apologies if this post came off sounding more harsh than appreciative of Hoyt's music. I guess for me it's more that my personal tastes in music are satisfied more with his early work. I didn't mean to say that his later work was of lesser quality but that's the pitfall of allowing personal opinions and taste to infiltrate a music post. In fact, maybe I'll edit the post to sound a little less critical. And yes, to be fair, I have only heard one or two albums from his post-folk years when he had a full backing band so maybe I just haven't absorbed it thoroughly yet. Do you know anywhere online where I can find 'American Originals'? I looked around for it, but without much luck. I would be interested in hearing it. Thank you for the feedback, Mike, and my apologies again for sounding critical.
ReplyDeletematt
Thanks fr posting this. I really enjoyed this and have since heard some of his later efforts with a full band which I like a lot (still, nothing like rapidfire banjo and howling like on 'walkin to GA')
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent, thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteHoyt actually went to Greenwich Village with his friend, Judy Mayhan who recorded one of the finest LPs of authentic folk songs--Rocking the Cradle. Judy did the whole album live without a mistake in one take. You probably know Hoyt's mother wrote Elvis his hit song Heartbreak Hotel. Axton had one of the finest voices around. Incredible vocal control. Try duplicating his phrasing sometime!!!
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