The FolkScene Collection, Volume III

“All the cuts share an emotional intensity combined with an amazing intimacy; the performances are all truly inspired . . .” — Marco G. La Viola

The FolkScene Collection, Volume III continues the series’ celebration of the remarkable music preserved in the archives of FolkScene, once again bringing together performances chosen for their intimacy, artistry, and emotional immediacy. For this volume, Howard and Roz Larman personally hand-selected a collection of beautifully crafted songs performed by seasoned veterans of the folk and roots scene. Their selections reflect the breadth of artists who passed through the FolkScene studio, while maintaining the close, unvarnished atmosphere that made the original radio program so special.

Great care was taken in preparing the archival recordings for release. The performances were selected not simply as historical documents, but because they still possess the power and clarity to stand on their own as compelling listening experiences. The sound quality is arguably even stronger than on the first two volumes, allowing the character of each voice and instrument to come through with remarkable warmth and detail. The result is a collection that feels immediate rather than archival—as though the listener has been invited into the studio for the original performance.

The series' tradition of closing each volume with a special live recording continues here. Volume III ends with Loreena McKennitt performing an arrangement of “Huron ‘Beltane’ Fire Dance” at an intimate Los Angeles concert. The performance was not recorded elsewhere, making this rare live version a particularly valuable addition to the collection.

With Howard and Roz Larman guiding the compilation and sound engineer Peter Cutler carefully bringing these performances to life, The FolkScene Collection, Volume III serves both as a document of a vital chapter in folk music history and as a beautifully curated listening experience in its own right. It captures what FolkScene did best: creating an intimate space where accomplished musicians could strip away the distance between performer and audience and let the songs carry the weight.