Folksinger
Studio album by Phranc
Released	November 13, 1985
Recorded	1985
Genre	Folk
Length	41:06
Label	Rhino Records [1]
Producer	Phranc
Phranc chronology
Folksinger (1985) I Enjoy Being a Girl (1989)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]
Robert Christgau	A− [2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[1]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[4]
Spin Alternative Record Guide	9/10 [5]

Folksinger is an album by folk singer-songwriter Phranc, released in 1985. ^{[6] [7]}

Phranc's first solo LP fused elements of her punk rock past with acoustic folk music. She covers Bob Dylan's " The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," comments on the image of girl groups ("Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go Go's)"), and relays the personal tragedy of suicide in "Lifelover."

Folksinger was released on Rhino Records, and was licensed to Island Records in 1990. ^[8] "Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go-Go's)" is a bonus track on the Island version.

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that "acoustic folk music had yet to be embraced by the punk/new wave underground, making Folksinger a watershed album." ^[3] Trouser Press wrote that "Phranc’s not a timeless melodicist, but her wry lyrical observations and attractive singing make Folksinger a fine effort." ^[8] The New York Times wrote that the songs "tend to be too slight and specific for repeated listening; they don't have the resonances of 'Hattie Carroll.'" ^[9]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Phranc, except where indicated

1. "One of the Girls" – 4:56
2. "Noguchi" – 2:56
3. "Mary Hooley" – 4:02
4. "Ballad of the Dumb Hairdresser" – 3:24
5. "Caped Crusader" – 2:16
6. "Female Mudwrestling" – 2:12
7. " The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" ( Bob Dylan) – 4:26
8. "Amazons" – 2:34
9. "Liar Liar" – 1:58
10. "Handicapped" – 1:30
11. "Carolyn" – 4:27
12. "Lifelover" – 2:36
13. "Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go Go's)" – 2:46

Personnel

• Phranc - Producer, vocals, guitar

Release details

References

External links

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