ALEX SEEL – All Sails To the Sun (Ballymore Records)

All Sails To The SunContemporary singer-songwriter Alex Seel is unleashing his latest album All Sails To The Sun on September 29th, 2023, which is self-produced allowing Alex to have his own brand of creative expression. This will be his third album (plus 2 Eps) and a fine album it is too.

Alex is very original and certainly has his own style. With a growing number of folk clubs played at, air play and interest from abroad, Alex is turning heads. Alex says, “I’ve always played with contrasts of song and arrangement/production in the past, but with this album I’ve succeeded more than ever before to weave together the extremes of my influences, from traditional folk through to full rock”.

There are ten fabulous tracks on All Sails To The Sun, nine self-penned and then an excellent cover at the end with Bob Dylan’s ‘You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go’. Instrumentalist Jon Sanders, drummer Sam Winwood and percussionist Martin Schaerer join Alex on this album.

First track sets the scene entitled ‘No Goodbyes’. Exquisite finger picking and my foot was tapping already. A song about travelling. Excellent. ‘Grey Light Of The Moon’ is a punchy melody. In childhood was told to achieve but singing was in his blood. Very much so! ‘Change in Me’ gives me images of changing through nature. Lovely guitar intro to this track. ‘Luna Star’ is full sound and tells of feelings and dreams. Light shining the way. Fabulous marching outro! ‘Prayer to the Ancestors’ – I loved the lyrics, as I am into Ancient History and this track really resonated with me. Words of history beneath our feet calling for the ancients help for this world. Last words being “Who are you Now”?

‘Wild Goose’ is a catchy but sad tale. ‘Wishbone’ is a great country number telling a tale of a little mole. ‘Trailblazer’ is a catchy tale. ‘Circula’ is rather rocky, cleverly worded track and about choices and dreams. The last track on the album is a cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go’. Fantastic guitar playing with Alex putting his own style and showing Mr Dylan (and all of us) his interpretation of the song/tune is certainly well worth listening too!

Alex is certainly one to watch and listen to. This album is a testament to his great guitar playing and song writing. I can’t wait to see him live. You can buy the album and see where he is playing next on his website.

Jean Camp

Artist’s website: www.alexseel.com

‘Wishbone’ – live:

We all give our spare time to run folking.com. Our aim has always been to keep folking a free service for our visitors, artists, PR agencies and tour promoters. If you wish help out and donate something (running costs currently funded by Paul Miles), please click the PayPal link below to send us a small one off payment or a monthly contribution.