Vashti Bunyan is a rare gem of a singer, who I must put into the category to the likings of Joni and Billie. Her voice is high, clear and strong while singing simple traditional melodies about life in the countryside. Vashti's story is a lovely one as well. She came to New York in the 1960s and discovered the music of Dylan, which inspired her become a musician. She released a lovely album Just Another Diamond Day in 1970, which didn't sell as well as hoped. She decided to give up music and go off to the Irish countryside to raise everntually three children. Little did she know that her LP was gaining followers and its price was driven quite high because of its rareity. In 2000, her only album was re-released on CD and it spoke to a new generation of folk musicians, namely Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. Well, since then she has collaborated with many of these folks and also came out with a new album called Lookafter.
But for me, Just Another Diamond Day is the ultimate in 1960s traditional folk music. Its haunting, jolly, silly, heartbreaking and perfect. Here is one of my favorite songs from it, Rose Hip November. And an interview with Vashti where you can see how shy and sweet she is..
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