Hills of Home: 25 Years of Folk Music
Released in 1995 to commemorate Rounder Records' 25 years in business,Hills of Homeis a terrific investment for anyone interested in exploring the label's myriad folk offerings. (Blues fans would be well-advised to check outDeep Blue,Hills's silver-anniversary blues twin.) Bargain-priced and boasting a wide range, this two-disc overview is elevated over standard label anthologies by superior sequencing and worthwhile liner notes. The Massachusetts-based imprint has been a stronghold for developing troubadours and stalwart mountain musicians as well as an outlet for classic reissue material. Indeed, everyone from instrumental hotshotMark O'ConnortoWoody Guthrieto acid folkies the Holy Modal Rounders to hill harmonizers theLouvin Brothersare represented here.--Steven Stolder