Various Artists – Philadelphia Folk Festival: 40th Anniversary
Next to Newport, the Philadelphia Folk Festival is arguably the most important event for singer-songwriters and traditionalists in the United States. Though its profile has fallen to Strawberry and Merlefest, the gatherings in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, still draw tens of thousands every late summer.
This deluxe 4-CD set (including a delightful multimedia fourth disc) follows the festival in rough chronological fashion, from 1962 to 2000. Producer (and emcee and head honcho) Gene Shay has smartly selected performers and performances both obscure and essential.
No further evidence is necessary, but Fairport Convention (sans Sandy Denny), recorded at their festival debut in 1970, were capable of incendiary sounds. The compilation’s first full track, “Walk A While”, stands up to any live recording by any contemporary. It’s that good. Ditto for Reverend Gary Davis’ “If I Had My Way”, recorded at the height of his hieratic wail at the first festival.
More jewels come from the festival’s salad years, 196277, including a jaunty gospel number by Doc and Merle Watson (’66), a hilarious reworking of “Froggie Went A Courtin'” by Pete Seeger (’62), a chaotic pickup jug-band version of “City Of New Orleans” by Steve Goodman (’76), another pickup band jam to “Sharon” by David Bromberg (’72), and a wicked Travis-style instrumental performance from the late, underrated Gamble Rogers (’74).
The pleasures offered by the first and second discs fall off considerably on the third, which is devoted to sets from the ’90s and 2000. That drop in quality (to be sure, live performances by Richard Thompson and Ricky Skaggs are worth hearing from any decade) mirrors the festival’s own decline. Organizers remain fiercely loyal to longtime acts such as Bromberg, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Janis Ian, and Arlo Guthrie, but by now their tenure on the Old Pool Farm stage smacks of the oldies circuit.
Moreover, the festival has begun to bank on the more frivolous of contemporary folk acts. Bands such as Eddie From Ohio, Groovelily, Nickel Creek, Erin McKeown, and Small Potatoes dominate contemporary lineups. But the truly thrilling performances found here should remind organizers of what was once so exciting about the Philly Fest: the sight and sound of genuine craftsmen and women making music that transcended time.