Dust On The Nettles: A Journey Through The British Underground Folk Scene 1967-72

Of all the collection CDs I've bought (in a range of genres), this comes jointly top of my list - I could hardly fault it. It came up as a recommended purchase after I'd bought a Principal Edwards CD, and browsing through the tracklist, it looked promising in terms of songs/bands which were familiar to me - ISB, The Pentangle, Willow's Song from 'The Wicker Man' ... so I gave it a try.Generally, I expect a couple of gems from this sort of album; with the rest a 50/50 mix of okay-ish and not my thing. On the first listen, I'm used to making a mental note of the 'gems' to go back to - I gave up with this CD, as track after track entranced me. If it helps any prospective purchasers, the only tracks I actually disliked were 'Glass of Water' on CD 1, and the Tyrannosaurus Rex track on CD 2 (I mildly like T-Rex, but not in a folk context). I particularly enjoyed some of the unreleased tracks - the Dry Heart song, despite its "no-fi" recording, was astounding.It really is song after song of great quality - more and more of the same, in the best possible way.Again, if it helps prospective buyers, I also bought 'The Perfumed Garden' a couple of months ago; by comparison, I found that very disappointing - it just wasn't folky enough for my tastes.The 'sleeve notes' booklet deserves a mention - there are detailed notes about every band featured, in track-by-track order (not just the overview and highlights that are common to this type of CD) together with pictures of bands and album art; also some superbly atmospheric reproductions of photos in chracteristic grainy, washed-out early 70s style, that frankly just made me want to travel backwards in time by 45 years or so.The only warning I'd issue for 'Dust on the Nettles' is that you're likely to want to go off and source whole albums on CD, (or preferably original vinyl) for many of these tracks - so if you're watching your finances, it might prove a source of irresistable temptation.Obviously, my review is subjective and I hope I've included enough comparisions and specifics about what I did and didn't like to be helpful - but if you think the collection sounds promising, I really would urge you to give it a go, as it's one of the best purchases I've ever made.

I probably need to say that I have not struggled all the way through this set, and I may not ever reach the end of it unless some one assures me it gets more interesting.I expected underground psychedelic folk, and so far this seems like middle of the road ordinary British folk. I'd be thinking that the only reason the Seekers are not on this album are that they were successful and originated in Australia even though they became a vital part of the UK scene. Indeed the Seekers were far more quirky than the stuff I've heard so far and Judith Durham had a great voice.So far, I'm not finding undiscovered gems, but stuff that might as well remain undiscovered. Obviously most reviewers disagree with me, so this is a explicitly a personal opinion, but listen to some of it first before buying if you can find it online, otherwise you might be disappointed as well.If you want pleasant mainstream made-up folk style music, this may well please you. Otherwise if you want psychedelic sixties folk, buy some Donovan (and that is not entirely a joke).

This is a wonderful near 4 hour journey through generally obscure psych folk from what was arguably THE golden era of music (1967 to 1972). There are riches a plenty spread across the 63 tracks from the 'known' of Fairport Convention / Steeleye Span / Pentangle etc to the less well known (perhaps). From the latter I would single out a great version of John Bunyans 'To Be A Pilgrim' hymn by Gerald Moore, a wonderful version of 'Scarborough Fair' by Folkal Point, 'Meanwhile Back In The Forest' by Hunt Lunt & Cunningham' & best of all the beautiful melodic 'Rosemary Hill' by Fresh Maggots which deserves to be a popular standard. The comprehensive booklet & overall packaging are also worthy of praise.

Tremendous value for money, I have a love hate relationship with folk some of it is dull and repetitive , one man and his dog/guitar songs can grate after a while and I've heard it all before but not this it's mostly unheard by me 3 CDs and a booklet from a genre long gone, the cover sums up a way of life that was easy , I blame modern life and music for wanting me to go back there the word is HIRAETH

The influence of the Incredible String Band looms large - and what's wrong with that - on this lovingly compiled 3CD collection of the obscure the terminally obscure and the downright mythical. Anyone with an interest in sixties folk mutating into acid-folk and then into seventies progressive folk will have their jaw dropped a good 12" by the sheer depth and quality of this bumper bundle of hobbit floor-fillers.Worth buying just for the Bill Fay demo.

Very nice compilation, reminded me of the old days, dark room patchouli oil and red leb. nice.

This album is a true delight I love disc 2 the best, It's has a fantastic selection of great songs. I would recommend this compilation to all those who revel in a psychedelic musical extravaganza.

This collection is a treasury of British folk music, it's packed with around 60 classic tracks on three cds.Excellent value for money, great booklet included too!