Folksinger (album)

Folksinger is an album by folk singer-songwriter Phranc, released in 1985.[6][7]

For the 1963 album by Muddy Waters, see Folk Singer (album).
Folksinger
Studio album by
Phranc
ReleasedNovember 13, 1985
Recorded1985
GenreFolk
Length41:06
LabelRhino Records[1]
ProducerPhranc
Phranc chronology
Folksinger
(1985)		 I Enjoy Being a Girl
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Robert ChristgauA-[3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[1]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[5]

Phranc's first solo LP fused elements of her punk rock past with acoustic folk music. She covers Bob Dylan's "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," comments on the image of girl groups ("Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go Go's)"), and relays the personal tragedy of suicide in "Lifelover."

Folksinger was released on Rhino Records, and was licensed to Island Records in 1990.[8] "Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go-Go's)" is a bonus track on the Island version.

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that "acoustic folk music had yet to be embraced by the punk/new wave underground, making Folksinger a watershed album."[2] Trouser Press wrote that "Phranc’s not a timeless melodicist, but her wry lyrical observations and attractive singing make Folksinger a fine effort."[8] The New York Times wrote that the songs "tend to be too slight and specific for repeated listening; they don't have the resonances of 'Hattie Carroll.'"[9]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Phranc, except where indicated

  1. "One of the Girls" – 4:56
  2. "Noguchi" – 2:56
  3. "Mary Hooley" – 4:02
  4. "Ballad of the Dumb Hairdresser" – 3:24
  5. "Caped Crusader" – 2:16
  6. "Female Mudwrestling" – 2:12
  7. "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" (Bob Dylan) – 4:26
  8. "Amazons" – 2:34
  9. "Liar Liar" – 1:58
  10. "Handicapped" – 1:30
  11. "Carolyn" – 4:27
  12. "Lifelover" – 2:36
  13. "Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go Go's)" – 2:46

Personnel
  • Phranc - Producer, vocals, guitar

Release details
Country Date Label Format Catalog
1985 Island CD 422-846 358-2
LP 422-846 358-1
cassette 422-846 358-4
1990 PolyGram CD 846358

References
  1. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Volume 6: MUZE. p. 528.CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. "Folksinger - Phranc | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  3. "Robert Christgau: CG: Phranc". www.robertchristgau.com.
  4. MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. p. 873.
  5. Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 299.
  6. "Phranc | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  7. Oseary, Guy (September 27, 2016). "Jews Who Rock". St. Martin's Publishing Group – via Google Books.
  8. "Phranc". Trouser Press. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  9. Pareles, Jon (December 1, 1985). "LONE GUITARISTS: A RARE BREED SINGS ON (Published 1985)" – via NYTimes.com.
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