The Matt McGinn Sampler is just that, a sample of the best of Matt's Transatlantic
years. For some reason when I see this one for sale it's very, very expensive.
I was lucky enough to get a reasonably priced copy; and now that I have it—it's
well worth the expensive price tag. I like to have the original vinyl, but for
those of you not so inclined I would suggest the CD release The Best of Matt
McGinn—it includes most of the same songs included here and many more;
it's much easier to find and cheaper—not to mentioned the marvelous Sleeve
Notes by Janette McGinn (Mrs. Matt McGinn to those of you that didn't know).
Sleeve Notes:
Karl Dallas, folk columnist of Melody Maker, writes: Matt McGinn—a pair of sparkling
eyes over a bushy red beard, a rich sonorous voice. and one of the wickedest wits
in the folksong revival. In the great tradition of the Bards of Dublin, Glasgow and
Grub Street, he will use any material to express his ire or his amusement or his joy
and if a great old song expires in the process, that's tough on the tradition. Matt is
busy creating a tradition of his own. There is always a danger, which Matt doesn't
try to avoid, that people will not take him seriously enough. Wit he maybe, lampooner
he certainly is, but when he leaves off clowning Matt can write some of the most moving
and profound songs in the song writing revival. This sampler, drawn from Matt McGinn's
recordings for Transatlantic's XTRA label in the last three years, is amply representative
both of Matt's wicked wit, (witness "Big Sammy" or "The Pill")
and of his ability to write moving and profound songs. Listen hard to "The Ballad
of the Q4" or "The Ballad Of John MacLean".