I was unfamiliar with the music of folksinger Bruce Piephoff, so I wasn't sure what to expect from his new CD Slaughterhouse. Well, I have to tell you, I'm pretty pleased with what I've heard.

Piephoff, a full-time musician and poet since 1986, has put together a great little album that he wrote on a trip to Manhattan in July 2001, showing the listener another side of New York using the folk medium -- something that is usually done through hip hop or jazz.

I'm not sure, really, what I enjoyed more about the album: Bruce's poetic expression, laced with touching images and prose, or the beautiful use of guitars, harmonica, fiddle and accordion.

With 20 tracks, including spoken pieces, there is something for nearly every folk lover. This is definitely a must for folk collectors.

[ by Charlie Gebetsberger ]
Rambles: 7 June 2002