Search - Burl Ives :: Wayfaring Stranger

One of the most essential folk albums ever

Bradley Olson | Bemidji, MN United States | 07/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the album that set the standard of the classic folk album for many generations yet other than many of these songs on the Flapper "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" album and a few other CD's, this album has never been issued on CD until now. The 29 songs on this CD are all classic folk songs, mostly done with Burl and his acoustic guitar with little or no orchestration. For example, the version of "On Top of Old Smoky" on this CD is all Burl and his guitar and the version on the MCA "Greatest Hits" CD is the recording featuring Percy Faith's orchestration. The songs are short and simple to understand and are set in the classic folk tradition making this one folk album you need to start your collection with. Contrary to another review of this item, Collectables basically copied the liner notes from the original vinyl and used them on this reissue as they still apply to the album to this day. The CD reissue has 3 bonus tracks that were not on the vinyl issue (for those looking for the vinyl: check zShops, Amazon Auctions, ...for that and only buy the mono version, which is what this CD uses, as the "stereo" LP is all rechanneled) and they really work well with the album so you can listen to them over and over again just like the original 26 tracks on the album."

THIS IS REAL FOLK MUSIC ! EXCELLENT IN EVERY WAY

James D. Jones | DeFuniak Springs, FL USA | 11/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's another fine Burl Ives release on compact disc.Finally there are some high quality products available and this one is among the best.Truthfully I have never heard any bad Burl Ives music.This is some of his most famous folk material.Folk song collecting is where Ives got his inspiration to become the great entertainer that he has.In his early days he traveled around the country as a vagabond performing and learning folk songs in coal camps,logging camps,hobo jungles and other places.This is that kind of traditional ,real folk.Included are the most well known recordings of "Sweet Betsy from Pike","Tam Pierce" and "Peter Grey"which are three of Ives'best ever.The other 26 are ALL excellent as well.There are no liner notes of any kind except for the release dates.The sound quality of these old recordings is quite good,sounding as if they could have been remastered from tape.Usually when an Ives compilation is released on compact disc,someone finds fault,comparing it to the original vinyl records.Well if you feel like getting out granny's victrola and searching the ends of the earth,go ahead.But,you wont find anything as good or better than this."

Classic Ives, Classic Folk

mprocise | Carmel, IN United States | 03/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a must for any Ives fan, first-timer to Ives, or if you're just looking for some down to earth, good, simple music. I'm 36 years old and remember this album from childhood. In fact, I still have the vinyl (my mom wanted to throw it away!). Just like chicken and dumplings are feel good food, this is feel good music."