Search - John Jacob Niles :: I Wonder As I Wander - Carols & Love Songs

True American folk original

Aquarius Records | San Francisco | 03/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rare American folk connoisseurs rejoice! Finally re-issued on CD are the long awaited Tradition label recordings of John Jacob Niles. If you saw the recent Dylan documentary by Martin Scorsese, you won't forget the clip of Niles singing Go Away From My Window. This is a CD of Carols and Love Songs recorded in 1957 (Rev-Ola will be re-issuing My Life in the Public Domain, ballads culled from older 78 rpm recordings later this month, which we'll list when we get it).



Niles, old beyond his years, accompanied by handmade dulcimer, had an intense other-worldly fallen angel like voice that perfectly captures the hauntingly lonely and creepy hill country feel where the bulk of his catalog of songs originated. Niles, like Jean Ritchie, was a folk musicologist and performer from Kentucky who spent his time wandering through isolated American mountain communities collecting folk songs, or scraps of melodies and lyrics, embellishing them with his own inventive arrangements and often fleshing them out by writing additional verses. For example, his version of "Black Is the Colour of My True Love's Hair" has become the definitive arrangement for all versions following (from Nina Simone to Patty Waters), because while he loved the verse he disliked the original tune. This is why folk historians have had a famously difficult time classifying which songs in Niles repertoire are originals or reinventions of songs in the public domain. Some people may be turned off by Niles high-alto voice (At times he can look and sound like the evil preacher man in Poltergeist II), but don't let that hinder you from exploring the work of a true American folk original whose recordings have finally been made available to folks who cannot afford the hundreds of dollars his albums go for on eBay. Fans of Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, and Anthony & the Johnsons take note!"

Essential folk artist

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 02/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Jacob Niles, "The Dean Of American Balladeers," influenced many who came after him. He was both a musical preservationist and one of the most unique performers of all time. During the 1920s, Niles collected and published Appalachian mountain songs such as "Barbara Allen" and "Pretty Polly." He also wrote "I Wonder As I Wander" and "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair." "Go Way From My Window" was penned by him at age 16, yet Niles never performed it until 22 years later. These three compositions are some of the many highlights on: THE TRADITION YEARS * I WONDER AS I WANDER.



Around 1960, John Niles performed on NBC's TODAY Show-- I saw him that morning. Although a very little child, this man's lovely counter-tenor voice and unusual dulcimer really registered with me. About a decade later, I found a scratchy LP copy of this very same album in a thrift shop and it immediately became a favorite.



This high quality CD reissue brings back memories and is a joy to listen to. Recommended for all lovers of traditional folk music."

The Voice

The Equalizer | 02/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got involved with JJ Niles by watching Scorseses Movie about Bob Dylan.

Dylan himself got influenced by Niles and his aproach to folk music.So I

bought this Disc without hesitation.First of all it is music for listeners which haven't lost their abiltiy for music so deep and rich,as it can be.Niles's voice is like this of an angel.But be warned there is no music to dance or snap or listen while driving on the highway.Take your time and get moved forever.Highly Recommended."