The Waifs - A Brief History...

The Waifs certainly restore my faith in folk music every single time I hear them, and also in independent music. They are often hailed as "Australia's most successful independent band", and I suppose they are, having been personally chosen by Bob Dylan to open for him on tours and having gained undying fans the world over. All this without a record label to back them up is quite an achievement, but arguably the biggest achievement here is the connection they make with the audience. I always say (probably too often) that folk music is one genre that really does work best live, and it certainly comes across on this record. At last after some fantastic studio albums and one of the best live folk acts you can find, The Waifs put together a collection of live recordings of all their "hits" (if you can call them that), alongside a couple of top-notch covers. The result is the nearest thing to a Waifs show in your living room as you can get without them actually being there - althouh I'm sure they could probably be persuaded with some petrol money for their van and a few beers. Or, according to folklore, sambuka shots if you fancy Vikki Simpson crawling across your bar with Kiefer Sutherland. Just listen to the song, okay? It makes sense!

I just love this band. They put me straight back at Cambridge Folk Festival every single time. Or at least late-night at Cambridge Folk Festival, when everybody has had a few too many ciders and the instruments start appearing in the audience as well as onstage... I can't play any instruments but if you strain your ears then I'm sure you can hear my sort stamping their feet and singing very loudly.

Not all of The Waifs songs have the word 'crazy' in the title, I just really like these two tracks. 'Crazy Train' is, as they say themselves, pretty much The Waifs theme tune. 'Crazy/Circles' is a the last track on the album - a little combination of snippets and out-takes they couldn't fit in anywhere else, but somehow I think it sort of sums up what this band is about. Like I said about New England Roses, they're just friends having fun (or family having fun, in The Waifs' case) - only The Waifs do 'fun' in a slightly more musically adept way. Try not stamping your foot along to this! Live folk music at it's best, hands down.

The Waifs - Crazy Train
The Waifs - Crazy/Circles

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