Early Warnings

Early Warnings

Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide, 2002
"'Early Warnings' offers Near's charming vocals, a number of well-written songs, and a few rays of hope."

Product Description
"Early Warnings" is a thematic and all-too-relevant collection of songs concerning war, human rights abuses and the spirit required to transcend these dysfunctions that were selected by the pioneering "women's music" and political activist Holly Near from two of her previous albums, "Watch Out! (1984) and "Sky Dances" (1989). Both of those records were originally released on Holly's own much-missed Redwood Records and have been unavailable for the last decade. "Early Warnings" contains nine songs from "Watch Out!" that are making their CD debut here, four songs from "Sky Dances," and the version of "Quiet Early Mornings" that Holly contributed to Appleseed's award-winning 1998 release, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 1."

As Holly describes the contents of "Early Warnings," "Most of the songs were written in the 1980s. Reagan was president…Fear-based thinking and fundamentalism were on the rise. There were many early warnings…and the storms just keep on coming."

The song "Watch Out" warns that "there's the rumble of war in the air," pointing a finger at the Reagan administration's militarism. The political "death machine" and the religious right wing are put on notice that "the meek are ready, armed with a loving hand," on "The Meek are Getting Ready." "War of the Flea" is also about the battle between the small and the mighty.

Holly's strong feminist beliefs are the basis of "She," which Holly calls "a mythological song about the rise of women in the face of oppression," "Step It Out Nancy," in which a woman rejects an arranged marriage, and "The Train Song," described by Holly as "the lament of a poor woman who can't seem to get out of her situation of bad times and hard knocks."

Not all of "Early Warning's" songs, many of them Near originals, concern confrontation. "Sky Dances" is a Native American tribute to nature. "Couple of Friends" and "West Virginia Friend" are tranquil meditations on friendship, and "Sun Won't Stop" is about Holly's father. The CD ends on a hymnlike note with "Quiet Early Morning," reminding us "We can still have singing tomorrows."

Holly's warm, unafraid vocals are accompanied by world-renowned instrumentalist John McCutcheon (dulcimer, banjo, guitar), members of the chamber folk ensemble Trapezoid, New Age bassist Michael Manring and longtime Near associate John Bucchino on piano.

Early Warnings

Early Warnings,Holly Near,Appleseed Records,Folk & Traditional,More than a dozen tracks from two of Holly's out-of-print albums; “Near offers a survey of late-20th-century society, including musical examinations of feminism, opposition to war, child abuse and political torture.” – Dirty Linen,Pop,Women's Music

Early Warnings
Average customer rating:

Moving, Inspiring, Get Up and Go

Early Warnings
Holly Near
Manufacturer: Appleseed Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music
Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00005TPGS
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Tracks:

The Meek Are Getting Ready
Don't Let The Singer Down
War Of The Flea
Watch Out!
Step It Out Nancy
The Train Song
Couple Of Friends
She
Nicaragua Night
Sun Won't Stop
Child
Skydances
West Virginia Friend
Quiet Early Morning

Album Description

"Early Warnings" is a thematic and all-too-relevant collection of songs concerning war, human rights abuses and the spirit required to transcend these dysfunctions that were selected by the pioneering "women's music" and political activist Holly Near from two of her previous albums, "Watch Out! (1984) and "Sky Dances" (1989). Both of those records were originally released on Holly's own much-missed Redwood Records and have been unavailable for the last decade. "Early Warnings" contains nine songs from "Watch Out!" that are making their CD debut here, four songs from "Sky Dances," and the version of "Quiet Early Mornings" that Holly contributed to Appleseed's award-winning 1998 release, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone: The Songs of Pete Seeger, Vol. 1."

Customer Reviews:

Moving, Inspiring, Get Up and Go.......2004-04-29

First I have to admit that I am a fan of Holly's but her music is always on target. Songs written some ten years ago are still relevant although, that doesn't say much for our times. If you are looking for inspiration and hope and at the same time wanting a message to get you up and moving towards change, this is the album for you.
Holly has a very polished voice without sounding like an opera singer. Her words are clear and easy to follow. I like her music because there are many songs I can sing on my own or sing along with. That to me is the true test of a songwriter and singer; if you can carry them along with you in your head or sing along. Too often these days, without a lyric guide, I can't understand even a fourth of the words of a song.
Also, if you are feeling frustrated with our world situation and need some hope, Holly's songs on This album both remind us we must change ourselves and our society and at the same time, give us hope that change is possible. I don't feel so alone when I hear her words. This is not a professional review; just one that says this is one of her best and very much worth buying.

Average customer rating:

Mandatory Compilation

Early Warnings
Fair Warning
Manufacturer: Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000005S3X
Release Date: 1997-04-15

Tracks:

Out On The Run
Burning Heart
Take A Look At The Future
Take Me Up
Children's Eyes
Don't Give Up
What Did You Find
Long Gone
Stars And The Moon
Desert Song
Hang On
When Love Fails
Pictures Of Love
Rain Song
One Step Closer
The Heart Of Summer

Album Description

Japanese 'best of' compilation featuring 16 of the metalact's absolute finest rockers, including: 'Burning Heart','Rain Song', 'Don't Give Up', 'What Did You Find', 'DesertSong', etc.

Album Details

Japanese Exclusive Coupling featuring Tracks from Thier First, and Second Albums. Tracklisting Unavaialable at this Time.

Customer Reviews:

Mandatory Compilation.......2006-05-08

Along with Gotthard and Pink Cream 69, Fair Warning is one of the absolute finest melodic rock bands on the planet. I ran across their single Heart on the Run at a used CD store and was instantly addicted. Since then I've managed to track down later albums Go and 4, but have not been able to find Rainmaker or the band's self-titled debut album.

I normally skip "best of" compilation albums, particularly if it is from a band that I really enjoy. I'd much rather buy the studio albums. When those studio albums are as hard to track down as Fair Warning's, a collection like Early Warnings '92-95 becomes a must-have.

Early Warnings collects songs from the band's first two albums as well as some live material. It features 16 tracks of ultra melodic hard rock, and is the perfect album for anyone unfamiliar with the band's work.