what Frank is listening to #63 – THE ROCHES – Self Titled – (Warner Brothers) – 1979
I hadn't heard of "The Roches" before but the LP looked sufficiently interesting, though slightly arty (I didn't reach for my handgun).
As it turns out the Roche sisters were part of the "contemporary folk" movement from New York (specifically Greenwich Village) … where else?
Contemporary folk arose in the 70s in the wake of Dylan with songs that tended to be less topical and more personal and introspective. Also the instrumentation was not limited to traditional folk instruments … any instruments, electric or otherwise could be used.
What makes it folk? … Well the folk traditions are still there: anti commercialism, simple basic song structures with an emphasis on the lyrical content, voices rather than instruments to the front, fewer instrumental hooks. Other contemporary folk acts include Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Suzanne Vega and Loudon Wainwright III.
I like / love a lot of folk … from all the various sub-genres and crossover genres: old-timey, traditional, country folk, pop folk , folk rock, contemporary folk, new folk, folk blues, Americana, singer songwriter so this was not going to be hard to listen to … as long as the artist is good.
And good it is. My preferences for women in music is always in country, folk, singer songwriter, or soul. Not so much in rock – there are only a few rock chicks I find convincing – Suzi Quatro, Joan Jett, Wanda Jackson, 60s girl groups.
The Roches bio is attached below though the first song on the LP, "We" is a song about them.
allmusic describes the LP thus (and I couldn't think of a better description …and I couldn't be bothered plagiarising): The group's mischievous and highly original folk blend of barbershop, doo wop, Celtic, and bluegrass styles found its watermark with this eponymous debut, which features the pithy, tongue-in-cheek lyrics of Maggie and Terre.
I know someone out there is complaining "you will probably be listening to "Women in Docs" soon" … They are boringly bland and mainstream and not remotely like The Roches on this LP. I acknowledge a lot of folky girl groups are "twee" at best, nauseatingly sweet at worst and occasionally agenda laden but The Roches, at least on this album, are quite clued on, not stridently feminist, and not even remotely lesbian themed (maybe its because they are Irish-American Catholics?). Most importantly they are funny and the brunt of their of their wit is not directed at anyone specifically, but is, rather, observational. The best thing though is the harmonies, the rotating lead voices within songs, and the quirkiness of it all (there is a lot of acapella and nods to other styles of music).
Some of it sounds like early solo Paul Simon though that is not unusual as he was influential on the contemporary folk movement (and two of the sisters actually did backup vocals on Simons, "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" (1973)).
Quite surprising the electric guitarist and producer of the album is Robert Fripp from King Crimson!. Tony Levin from King Crimson plays bass.
Best tracks:
- We – hilarious – a resume of the band.
- Hammond Song – quite haunting, later covered by UK band "The Colourfield"
- The Troubles – which manages to be both funny and sad.
- The Married Men – later covered by Phoebe Snow.
- Runs in the Family – the closest they get to a traditional folk song.
I like this album. I don't know if I will keep it though … though I'm leaning to yes … I think the wife would like it also.
Sound:
attached
and:
Hammond Song
The Troubles
The Train
Bio:
Website:
(originally posted: 17/07/2009)
