Classic Album Review-Eddy Arnold “Folk Song Book”
Yesterday, we entered the realm of country-folk with Johnny Cash’s “Orange Blossom Special” release, and today, we stay on that style of music, but with an album that was released a year prior to Cash’s. Eddy Arnold’s release “Folk Song Book”. On the market, beginning in February, 1964, the album was recorded over a span of three days in October, 1963, with the Needmore Creek Singers. This album may well be one of Eddy’s more underrated efforts. The album, itself, peaked at number four on the bestseller lists, while containing one top-five single.
“Time’s A-Gettin’ Hard” opens this collection, a slower tempo song with lyrics that frankly, are very appropriate in today’s economic climate. A song many can relate to, today. It’s the typical smooth, easy performance that one expects from Eddy. I really like this track.
“The Young Land” is an okay track. It has a melody and feel to it that are reminiscent to “Scarborough Fair”, just not as good of a song. Eddy gives a great performance, though.
I do like his version of the New Christy Minstrels classic, “Green Green”. It does sound a good bit difference, though, with Eddy’s smooth vocal styling, as opposed to the NCM version. But it works, and works well.
The album contains only one single, “Molly”, a tale of a young man returning from the Civil War, to his wife and young son, but without his sight. A top five hit for Eddy. A nice track, with a touch of sadness to it.
Next, Eddy tackles the Billy Grammer hit “Gotta Travel On”. It’s a great song, and Eddy does the song justice with his version. Well done.
Side one ends with a track titled “The Song Of The Coo Coo”. This one gets some serious Hidden Gem consideration. Great melody, good lyrics, and of course, Eddy singing. Great arrangement, as well, that’s not overpowering, but perfectly produced.
Side two opens with a bouncy track from the pen of the legendary Harlan Howard. “Poor Howard” certainly fits the folk mold, or for that matter the old-timey music mode. It has that type of melody and lyrical content. Lyrically, kind of morbid, as the subject of the song is hung for killing his wife, but a great melody.
Can Eddy Arnold sing Bob Dylan? You bet. Eddy’s version of “Blowin’ In The Wind” is one of the best I’ve heard. Great recording.
Though written by veteran Nashville songwriter Danny Dill, “Jeff Canady” sounds just like a traditional folk tune. That being said, it’s a rather strange song. How the fear of a transient causes a young girl who couldn’t walk to start walking. Melody, good. Lyrics, weird. Result, not one of the album’s best.
Along with Dylan, Eddy also tackles Pete Seeger, with a version of “Where Have All The Flowers Gone”. Another nice, easy performance from Eddy. While I think the Kingston Trio version is the best, I do think Eddy’s version is comparable. Another good track.
“The Folk Singer” is an okay track, made better by the performance of Eddy Arnold. A story song about a folk singer who leaves his girlfriend for fame and fortune, only to lose it all, yet regain his girlfriend’s love.
The album wraps with Eddy’s version of “Cotton Fields”. My favorite version of this song can be found on Charley Pride’s “In Person” album, but I think Eddy does a great version of this well known song. A good, swinging way to end a pretty decent album.
Anywhere between $5 and $20 seems to be the going rate for used vinyl copies of this album. It was in print for several years, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a copy. I also ran across a couple of 8-tracks, as well. This album is not currently available on Cd or MP3 downloads, to the best of my knowledge.
As for the album’s Standout Track, I think I have to go with “Blowin’ In The Wind”, while “The Song Of The Coo Coo” gets the nod for “Hidden Gem”. As for the Weakest Track, I would have to give that nod to “Jeff Canady”.
Overall, a nice album of folk and folk-styled music, from a truly great vocalist. Is this his best album? No. But I do think it’s a very good album, enjoyable to listen to, and there are some outstanding tracks on it. Overall, I rate it a 4 out of 5.
