Easy
Ralph McTell · 1974
35 min · 12 tracks · folk music
A warm blend of intricate fingerpicking and storytelling that weaves personal tales into the fabric of everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Take It Easy — The opening track sets a laid-back tone with its gentle melody and reflective lyrics, encapsulating McTell's ability to blend personal narrative with universal themes.
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Teacher, Teacher — This song captures the essence of youthful curiosity and longing for knowledge, showcasing McTell's knack for storytelling through vivid imagery and relatable experiences.
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Run Johnny Run — A poignant tale that addresses themes of escape and resilience, it highlights McTell's skill in crafting narratives that resonate emotionally with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
McTell's storytelling and fingerpicking create a solid folk album, though it doesn't fully stand out in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate fingerpicking guitar work that is prominent in nearly every track, creating a warm and inviting sound.
- Lyrically, the songs often tell personal stories or reflect on everyday life, with a focus on narrative structure.
- Several tracks include shifts in tempo and mood, such as 'Take It Easy' starting with a relaxed feel before transitioning to more upbeat sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- nostalgic storytelling for reflection
- short tracks for easy listening
- warm melodies for cozy moments
- light-hearted tunes for sunny days
Maybe skip if you
- seeks fast-paced excitement
- prefers lengthy, complex arrangements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1974, Easy was Ralph McTell's fifth studio album and came after his breakthrough hit 'Streets of London.' At this point in his career, McTell was solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in British folk music, following a period of growing popularity in the early 1970s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nick Drake· John Martyn· Sandy Denny
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Take It Easy 2:32
- 2 Maddy Dances 2:13
- 3 Maginot Waltz 3:19
- 4 Sweet Mystery 2:30
- 5 Stuff No More 3:11
- 6 Teacher, Teacher 3:02
- 7 Truckin' Lil Baby 2:23
- 8 Run Johnny Run 4:08
- 9 Zig Zag Line 3:34
- 10 Let Me Down Easy 3:08
- 11 Would I Lie to You 3:16
- 12 Summer Lightning 2:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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