(Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter) [CD] Karen Beth - The Joys Of Life - 1969 (Reissue 2011), FLAC (tracks), lossless

AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger
Karen Beth's first album, The Joys of Life, is probably one of the most obscure LPs to make the Billboard Top 200 (where it peaked at number 171) in the late
1960s. In retrospect, it's a little surprising that the record even got that high, not because of any flaws in the music itself, but because the record's not
too commercial or radio-friendly, even as it reflected late-'60s trends in folk-rock, the emerging singer/songwriting movement, and psychedelia. Her voice,
to start with, is pretty odd, sounding a little like a pinched, more folk-country-influenced, slightly robotic Grace Slick who's deliberately holding back
and not opening her mouth or throat too widely. Karen Dalton is a more cult-ish reference point, though the vocals here are more pop/rock-friendly, and the
material based in contemporary folk-rock, not traditional folk. It'll be an acquired taste for some listeners, but most of the songs do have an interesting,
fairly attractive sad, haunting quality, if kind of detached and observational in tone. In addition to the acoustic guitars common to many folk-rock-based
singer/songwriters of the era, there are ghostly tinkles, drones, strings, and electric guitar shimmers in the arrangements, somewhat in the manner of some
Elektra Records folk-rock productions of the time (though this came out on Decca, not Elektra). And in the middle of this comes a wholly a cappella
performance, "Song to a Shepherd," that's as spooky as anything else on the record, sounding as if it's being sung from an isolated cave. While the record's
not up to the best such obscure albums of its style in the era, at times it achieves some genuine downbeat eerieness, and is more interesting than some other
neglected records of its type that have gotten much more attention from collectors.

moondoggieferg Nov 18 2007
Here's an obscurity that really deserves some attention - a worldly wise yet somehow naive look at some of the things in the world of a young woman who was never noticed at the time and, unfortunately, stays here at rym in the relative netherworld of #430 for that grooviest of years, 1968.
There is something here that can possibly only come across to me 'cause of the distance of time and the wondering who she was at this age - I Googled her and she appears to still be active..though that fact has failed to diminish the fragile charm of the album's lo-fi once-upon-a-distant-afternoon anonymity.
I'd be keen to give this five stars but the affair is let down by two tracks that make the same mistake - attempts at rocking.
Before closing, i'll mention that her voice is more than reminiscent of another, more well known, 60s 'folkie' - Karen Dalton.
I'll also state that, for me at least, this is an encouraging discovery to go somewhere in amongst Linda Perhacs, Sibylle Baier and the other slightly strange once-upon-a-forgotten-afternoon babes that I hope to happen across in between now and my own, hopefully distant, demise.
GAZHOO117 Jan 10 2015
A real grower. I initially needed repeated listens to fully appreciate this beautiful record after having been a bit annoyed by her high pitched voice, but I actually have changed my mind. Quite pleasant and relaxing. Very consistent for a record of that ilk!!!!!
tymeshifter Feb 07 2010
Very soft and delicate, female vocal, singer song writer style, acoustic folk. Very reminiscent of Linda Perhacs, or even Margo Guryan, this is NOT folk/psych, or psych anything. It is decent for what it is, and worth seeking out. Grades - 3 B's, 1 B-, 2 C+'s, 3 C's, and 2 C-'s. Her third LP was recorded in Woodstock, NY, so she may have been from the upstate area.
Goregirl Jun 21 2008
This is sort of like Snow White folk, her voice sounds very pure and earthy, almost like a bird flying around or something. Honestly, it's not my favorite but it works for this style of thing, I suppose it's sorta like a higher pitched version of Joni Mitchell. The music is like something out of a nature documentary almost were it not for the psychedelic touches. Actually the sound on the version I heard was taken from a record and it sounds almost a little spooky, but I'm not sure if it's just that the record had a bit of a warp or it is recorded a little bit strangely. The result is that everything is very organic and isolated feeling. The lyrics are very typical of this style of music, sort of thoughtful stream-of-conscious sort of stuff but put together a little more nicely than I'm probably making it sound.
The songs are very nice on a whole, but they aren't as memorable as perhaps they could have been in places. Especially the starting songs on the album sort of appear to be the weakest, but by the time "In The Morning" hit I was pretty much sold. The horns on "It's All Over Now" came as sort of a surprise, but the song although more alive than expected is quite good. I do think my favorite moments on the album are the sad ones, but even in the sadness there is quite an undeniable beauty. If you like your music peaceful and reflective and trippy, and you are a sucker for lost folk albums from days of yore then this is a definite gem. It's just that some of the other unearthed folk albums from this time don't sound quite as dated as this one, but heck I like dated once in a while! Definitely this is an album deserving of a lovely re-issue, I imagine it will gain some popularity then.
falconwhit Aug 18 2007
This is now sold as "acid folk" or "psych folk" or something - which makes it sound cooler than it really is.
On her website, Karen Beth describes her music as "new age folk" which is closer to what this lp sounds like is and not nearly as cool...
get it if you can find if for a buck or two, but don't spend a fortune on this expecting real trippy folk
the cover is pretty nice though

02 - In The Morning.flac -=- MPEG (99%)

03 - I Know That You Know.flac -=- MPEG (100%)

05 - Something To Believe In.flac -=- MPEG (99%)

06 - April Rain.flac -=- MPEG (100%)

07 - White Dakota Hill.flac -=- MPEG (90%)

08 - Come December.flac -=- MPEG (100%)

11 - Tomorrow's A New Day.flac -=- MPEG (100%)

Графики были созданы с помощью программы "iZotope RX", следуя рекомендациям из инструкции Графики уровня записи, спектра и АЧХ. Как сделать "три в одном"?