WHERE THERE’S FOLK, THERE’S FIRE

In this occasional feature, The Times’ pop music contributors will spotlight out-of-the-way albums that have gained a special place in their hearts. “RADIO TOKYO TAPES, VOL. 3,” various artists (PVC Records).

For at least a year, we’ve been hearing about a folk-music revival going on in the Los Angeles rock underground, but the only way to keep track of it is to search out the intermittent live showcases: a Knitters gig at the Music Machine, a rockers-go-acoustic night at McCabe’s, a poetry-and-music bill at the Lhasa Club. There’s no real center, and recorded evidence of the movement is scant.

Until now.

“Radio Tokyo Tapes,” produced by Ethan James, is a compilation of 16 acoustic songs by a diverse collection of Southland characters, ranging from rock bands like Chris D. & the Divine Horsemen, the Minutemen and Revolver to rock-band members like Black Flag’s Henry Rollins and the Surf Punks’ Drew Steele to performance artist Linda Albertano to early-’60s Vanguard instrumentalist Sandy Bull to ukulele-wielding singer-songwriter Carmaig de Forest.

“Tapes” opens with the first recording released by X and Blasters spinoff group the Knitters, who knit together two 1952 country hits: Hank Thompson’s “Wild Side of Life” and Kitty Wells’ “Honky Tonk Angels.” Elsewhere, ‘60s folk-rock is the key element: The influence of Simon & Garfunkel and the Mamas & the Papas is prominent in cuts by Balancing Act, Revolver, Pop Art and Alisa. With the 12-string guitars chopping and the tambourines whacking and Sandy Bull’s sarod sproinging, you can practically smell the incense.

More intense approaches are taken by such acts as Chris D., Rollins, Albertano, Phranc and the Minutemen, who use the acoustic format to explore darker territory. Topping it all is a cartoon cover by local artist Teen Angel (information on his highly recommended “Teen Angels” magazine is available at Box 338, Rialto, CA. 92376), securing “Radio Tokyo’s” position as a landmark documentation of a lively corner of mid-’80s L.A. music.