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Title: Ballads by Charles Vess ISBN: 0-9657769-0-5 Publisher: Green Man Press Pub. Date: 15 May, 1997 Format: Paperback List Price(USD): $9.95

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: This should be a series, not a single volume!
Comment: Songs, obviously, have a musical component. Ballads, specifically, have more than just words; they have stories to tell as well. Now, thanks to Charles Vess, they have their visual side, too.

In his book Ballads, collected from earlier issues of his Book of Ballads and Sagas, Vess gives a new aspect to folk songs passed down through the ages. Visually stunning, his black and white illustrations expose the true faces of the heroes and villains of song.

Vess drew on the writing talents of writers Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Charles de Lint, Midori Snyder, Sharyn McCrumb, Delia Sherman and Jeff Smith to give focus to the words, tightening the ballads into short story-length vignettes. Combined, their work is a wonderful way to re-expose yourself to the ballads. Anyone new to the folk song milieu will likely be inspired to track down some of the recordings listed in Ken Roseman's accompanying discography.

Ballads is a delightful collection, both for the text and the art which helps tell the story.

Rating: 5
Summary: wish I had it!
Comment: I have loved Charles Vess' work since I first saw him do a Spider-Man/Wendigo story for Marvel in the 80's. Elegant linework accentuates the fantastical nature of these "ballads and sagas". This is a labor of love for the artist and it shows in every panel. I own the individual issues and wait with bated breath for further work by this extremely talented individual.

Rating: 5
Summary: Charles Vess' "Ballads" is compelling and exquisite.
Comment: "Ballads" is the trade paperback collection of Vess' four-issue "Book of Ballads and Sagas" comic book. Writers include Neil Gaiman, Charles deLint, Jane Yolen, and Sharyn Crumb. The stories are all based upon songs such as "Twa Corbies," "Barbara Allen," and "Tam Lin." They are all exceptionally well-written, and the illustrations are beautiful, sensitively drawn pen and ink work by one of today's finest proponents of fantasy art. Mr. Vess' work has been compared to Arthur Rackham's, and believe me, he certainly doesn't suffer by the comparison. This book will be loved and treasured not just by afficionados of fantasy, but also by fans of folk music, and by all those who appreciate truly fine artwork.