The folking.com music archive for album reviews and news

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This is a list of everything we have on folking.com in date and month order. So if you like trawling the depths of the site for amazing content that you may have missed then this is the place to “net” an article, feature or review or two.

The archive is a work in progress as we still have gaps to fill from 2009 back to 2001. Most of the missing content are older album reviews which require reformatting with each article having to be submitted back on to the site with album covers and links to where they can be obtained from (where available).

The Folking.com 2018 Dave Pegg Interview from Cropredy

Paul Johnson and Darren Beech track down Dave Pegg at this year at Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Festival. The interview gets off to a great start ...
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Diggers Festival – Free event in September

The Diggers Festival is a celebration of the life, ideas, and actions of Wigan born, Gerrard Winstanley, founder of The Diggers (or True Levellers) Movement, ...
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THE GLOAMING – Live At The NCH (Real World CD/Vinyl)

It almost goes without saying that Martin Hayes (fiddle) and Dennis Cahill (guitar) have shaped Irish traditional music for the last quarter century and are ...
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WILL KEATING – Cornwall My Home (Kernow Ow Thre) (Own Label)

As it happens, I'd heard quite a lot of Will Keating's CD Cornwall My Home (Kernow Ow Thre) before a copy came my way, having ...
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ASSYNT – Road To The North (Garthland Records, GAR001CD)

The trio of musicians who make up Assynt may still only be in their 20s but between them have already amassed a barrowload of nominations ...
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HILARY SCOTT – Don’t Call Me Angel (Belltown)

Released in the 20th anniversary of her older brother’s death, which saw her take her stage name in his honour, Don’t Call Me Angel  is ...
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The Folking.com 2018 Chris Leslie Interview from Cropredy

It would not be Cropredy without an interview with the ‘Jewel In The Crown’ of the Fairport five, so here are Paul Johnson and Darren ...
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THE HOT SEATS – Stupid Mountain Too Big

Not only is Stupid Mountain Too Big a great title, but it is also the first album in three years from the Virginia-based Hot Seats ...
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Introducing Young Waters

Young Waters’ twisted neo-folk is a tapestry of emotionally powerful vocals, stirring harmonies, lyrical strings and finely mastered acoustic guitar. Their exhilarating rhythms and intricate ...
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DUNCAN McCRONE – Land Of Gold (Greentrax CDTRAX398)

A well-established veteran of the Scottish folk scene, Duncan McCrone returns with Land Of Gold, his fourth solo album, and his first on the esteemed ...
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MARTIN BARRE – Roads Less Travelled (Garage Records GAR0002)

I don't think I've heard Jethro Tull for decades, but one of the highlights of the band's music was, for me and many others, Martin ...
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Dolina Maclennan celebrates her 80th birthday at Blas

Gaelic writer, singer, actress, broadcaster and political campaigner, Dolina Maclennan will celebrate her 80th birthday with musical friends at a concert during Blas Festival on ...
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Swedish Celtic punks Sir Reg announce new album

Sir Reg is an energetic six piece from Sweden fronted by Irishman Brendan Sheehy on vocals, who left his home-town of Dublin to come to ...
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Gryphon announce new album – forty-one years on

Would you believe it? Gryphon are releasing an all-new studio album of especially written, previously unheard material – and this comes all of 41 years ...
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Karine Polwart announces new album and tour dates

Multi-award winning songwriter and musician, theatre maker and published writer Karine Polwart - six-time winner at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, including 2018 Folk ...
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NITEWORKS – Air Faìr An Là (Comann Music, CM002)

If the combined words “folk” and “electronica” bring on an attack of the vapours, a lie down with the reviving sal volatile of Niteworks’ second ...
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Levellers on limited edition coloured vinyl

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the Levellers have announced the release of a series of limited edition coloured vinyl albums, including the never before released ...
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The West End Centre unveils its autumn programme

The autumn programme at the West End Centre kicks-off in September with Leveret, a unique collaboration between three of England's finest folk musicians, Andy Cutting, ...
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RACHAEL McSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS – When All Is Still (Topic TSCD596)

It’s been nine years since Rachael McShane realised her solo debut, the time since then keeping her busy as cellist, fiddler, viola player and singer ...
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Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham announce major Scottish tour

Together Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham have established themselves as the epitome of excellence in the world of traditional music. With their musical magic and ...
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MAIREARAD & ANNA – Farran (Shouty Records SHOUTYCD04)

Farran is the Scots word for the starboard side of a boat and is also Mairearad Green and Anna Massie’s fourth album as a duo ...
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John Smith unveils debut single from new album

John Smith had just announced the release of his new album Hummingbird.  It features appearances from Cara Dillon, John McCusker and Ben Nicholls, and will be ...
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NIALL HANNA – Autumn Winds (own label)

I have to say out the outset that this is rather lovely. Two years ago Niall Hanna received a Young Musician’s Platform Award from the ...
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DAN JOHNSON – Hemingway (State Fair)

In 1987, when Dan Johnson was just ten, his father, an injured US Air Force veteran, finding his skill set was not transferrable to civilian ...
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Duster Bennett – complete Blue Horizon recordings set for release

Duster Bennett was one of the most distinctive and unusual artists to emerge from the very productive period of the late 1960s latterly dubbed the ...
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GREGORY PAGE – A Wild Rose (own label)

His mother lead vocalist London’s first all-girl pop band The Beat-Chics and his uncle Tom Jones’s dummer on ‘What’s New Pussycat’, born in North London ...
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Tyler Childers – new album and London date

26 year-old Tyler Childers of Lawrence County, Kentucky has announced details of the physical release of Live On Red Barn Radio I & II, out ...
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The Blue Bell in Belford announces first free festival: Bluebella

The first ever Bluebella Music Festival takes place at The Blue Bell in Belford on Saturday 18th August. The Blue Bell Hotel, Market Place, Belford, ...
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JACKIE OATES – The Joy Of Living (ECC Records ECC018)

Jackie Oates’ new album, her seventh, is an intensely personal one with songs spanning four generations of her family from her grandfather to her daughter ...
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Allan Yn Y Fan release their first single and announce tour dates

Welsh traditional band Allan Yn Y Fan will be celebrating their 22nd year on the road with the release of their first single in September, ...
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Mairearad and Anna announce their new album

Given that Mairearad grew up by Achnahaird bay and is now living by the sea in Ullapool and Anna is from the village of Fortrose ...
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Alasdair Gillies celebrates his 80th birthday at Blas

Alasdair Gillies has been described as one of the most beautifully melodic and expressive Gaelic singers and next month he will celebrate his 80th birthday ...
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Le Vent Du Nord announce August tour dates

Le Vent Du Nord (Wind from the North) perform traditional Québécois music in French which is heavily influenced by Celtic music from both Ireland and ...
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THE SHACKLETON TRIO – Fen, Farm And Deadly Water (own label)

The name having slimmed down from The Georgia Shackleton Trio, though still comprising fiddle player, locally accented vocalist and songsmith Georgia alongside guitarist Aaren Bennett ...
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Hannah Rarity announces debut album and autumn tour dates

Hannah Rarity - BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2018 - releases her much anticipated debut album Neath The Gloaming Star on 2nd September ...
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SINGLES BAR 32 A round-up of recent EPs and singles

Named for the Virginia city, but based in Nashville, ROANOKE are a rising Folk Americana five-piece led by guitarist Joey Beesley and Taylor Dupuis, alongside ...
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TONY WINN – Push And Pull (Freefall FF011D)

Hailing from Essex and while you’ve likely never heard of him, an actor and poet as well as a musician, Winn has sufficient a following ...
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LETITIA VANSANT – Gut It To The Studs (own label)

Letitia VanSant is an American activist whose first album, Gut It To The Studs, has a UK release date of August 28th. Gut It To ...
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Seth Lakeman announces new album and tour

Fresh from his whirlwind world tour with rock legend Robert Plant, charismatic singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman releases his stunning, ninth solo album The Well-Worn Path ...
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Martin Stephenson re-records Gladsome, Humour And Blue

There is rarely a dull moment in conversation with Martin Stephenson, but that’s exactly what you’d hope for from someone who’s never stood still during ...
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PHILIP MARINO – Chasing Ghosts (own label)

Philip Marino released his fourth CD, Chasing Ghosts, on July 27th. Marino is an American singer-songwriter who lives in Essex in the UK. In style, ...
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EFDSS NATIONAL YOUTH FOLK ENSEMBLE – Grand Arcade, Cambridge

Serendipity. It’s great isn’t it? I was just leaving John Lewis (other department stores are available -Ed), doing a spot of late-night shopping, when I ...
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LONESOME GEORGE – Flat As The Earth (own label)

What do you do if you’re essentially an Irish traditional band who also want “to represent an underlying dissatisfaction that we believe to be present ...
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Bruce Cockburn to visit UK in November

Few recording artists are as creative and prolific as Bruce Cockburn. Since his self-titled debut in 1970, the Canadian singer-songwriter has issued a steady stream ...
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BEINN LEE – Osgarra (own label BL18)

Beinn Lee are a young six-piece band who are deeply rooted in the music of their home in Uist. Osgarra is their debut and I ...
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JULIE JULY BAND – Who Knows Where The Time Goes (Aurora Folk Records JJB18CD1)

The Julie July Band has built a substantial reputation on reinterpretations of Sandy Denny's songs, so it comes as no surprise that the CD Who ...
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IRA BERNSTEIN & RILEY BAUGUS – Appalachian Roots (Yodel-Ay-Hee CD-0046)

I’m pretty sure I saw Ira Bernstein demonstrating his Appalachian clogging and flatfooting when he was the sensation of the festival circuit back in the ...
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WE BANJO 3 – Haven (own label WB3CD005)

I know I’ve said this before but there are four members of We Banjo 3: two sets of brothers David and Martin Howley and Fergal ...
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Techno-folkies Niteworks release their second album

Air Fàir an Là, the second album by Niteworks releases 17th August, and is the follow up to Niteworks critically acclaimed debut album, NW. The ...
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JACKIE OATES – Lush Studio Soho

I have reported on CD launch events from a number of venues; the BBC Club, The Convent, even Wigan but none as lush as …well, ...
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Philip Marino announces fourth album

Philip Marino is excited to announce the 27th of July, 2018 as the release date of his fourth CD, a ten-track album, entitled Chasing Ghosts ...
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Martin Barre announces new solo album – Roads Less Travelled

Martin Barre, best-known as guitarist in Jethro Tull - one of the biggest selling prog bands of all time, releases his new solo album Roads ...
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STEPH GEREMIA – Up She Flew (Black Box Music BBM009)

I was beginning to muse about why it is that Irish, and indeed Scottish, musicians have such a deep desire to rework and circulate the ...
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Baka Beyond: 25 years of Spirit Of The Forest

A full 25 years after the release of Baka Beyond’s groundbreaking debut album, Spirit Of The Forest, the band celebrate their beginnings with a series ...
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YVES LAMBERT TRIO – Tentation (La Prûche Libre PRU2 4818)

Yves Lambert's is a well-known and well-respected name in Québécois traditional circles, as a founding member of La Bottine Souriante, as founder of the Bébert ...
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SHEILA K CAMERON – Those They Chose (Glalell SKC1708CD)

Over the past couple of years, Sheila K Cameron has completed the reissue of her 7-CD back catalogue and recently released Those They Chose, an ...
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GEORGE DUFF – The Collier Laddie (BEAGCD BEAG CD005)

Although he’s been singing for many years and is well-known and respected in Scotland George Duff hadn’t until now made a solo album. He is ...
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ROO PANES – Quiet Man (CRC057CD)

Roo Panes released his third album Quiet Man on June 15th. Panes has a strong following – I gather his first two albums clocked up ...
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Richard Thompson: new album in September

Richard Thompson is set to return with 13 Rivers on September 14, via Proper Records. The thirteen-song set is the Grammy nominated artist’s first self-produced album ...
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TRAIL WEST – From The Sea To The City (TW Records TWO1CD)

Trail West’s third album, From The Sea To The City finds the band contemplating the often necessary transition for islanders (Hebrideans, in this case) to ...
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Bert Jansch – Just A Simple Soul: a definitive best of collection

From his 1965 iconic debut album, Bert’s peerless musicality, songwriting and interpretation of traditional song has held generation after generation spellbound and inspired musicians in ...
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TARA BEIER – California 1970 (Red Raven)

The title, California 1970, pretty much tells you where this is coming from musically and lyrically, as the Canadian singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist (not to ...
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STEVE TILSTON – Distant Days (Riverboat Records TUGCD1117)

Steve Tilston has enjoyed a long career as a singer, composer and guitarist both solo and in partnerships. It seems to me that his popularity ...
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PAUL COWLEY – [Just What I Know] (Lou B Music LBM 005 2018)

In the notes that arrived with Paul Cowley's third solo CD [Just What I Know], he explains the album's title by quoting the Reverend Gary ...
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Dave Whetstone talks about returning to The Resolution

"Why did I stop?" asks melodeon player Dave Whetstone, as he prepares to return to the stage for only the second time in twenty years ...
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SINGLES BAR 31 A round-up of recent EPs and singles

Special Commissions is just that, a set of songs written or recorded by JIM CAUSLEY, for one-off projects and left in search of a home ...
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Scottish trio Assynt announce their debut album and launch tour

Assynt are one of Scotland’s newest, most exciting folk trios featuring award winning musicians Graham Mackenzie (fiddle), David Shedden (pipes/whistles) and Innes White (guitar/mandolin). Having ...
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CLANNAD – Turas 1980 (Made In Germany Music, MIG02092)

On the heels of their 1979 US tour - the longest by any Irish band back then - a five-piece Clannad fetched up in Germany ...
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Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith announce new album

The release of their critically acclaimed second album Night Hours in 2016 cemented Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith’s reputation as two of the most exciting ...
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I SEE HAWKS IN LA – Live And Never Learn (Western Seeds WSRCD-013)

Having released a solo covers collection in 2016, lead singer Robert Waller returns to the band nest for their first album in five years. The ...
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Trail West announce new album

From The Sea To The City is the latest album from Trail West, a band leading the thriving scene of Gaels in the city of ...
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Hamish Napier announces new album, The Railway

The Railway is the much-anticipated new album from Scottish musician Hamish Napier. The follow-up to Hamish Napier’s critically-acclaimed debut solo album The River, Hamish’s newest ...
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DAMIEN O’KANE & RON BLOCK – Banjophony (Pure Records PRCD48)

If you’re not a fan of the five-string egg-slicer you might be thinking of moving on but hold hard there, stranger. This is no ‘Duelling ...
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CHRIS RONALD – Fragments (Borealis Records BCD 248)

With a solid body of work since 2004’s Pacific Time, the English-born/Canadian-based singer-songwriter, Chris Ronald has just issued album number four, titled Fragments. On this ...
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Derby Folk Festival – all the details

The complete line-up for Derby Folk Festival is now confirmed, featuring main and headlining artists. This will be the 12th year that the festival will ...
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COWBOY JUNKIES – All That Reckoning (Proper PRPCD149)

It has been six years since the Cowboy Junkies last released an album. The Nomad Series may have been something of a diversion for the ...
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A Night For Lonnie Donegan

Monday 3rd September 2018: London, Union Chapel Finally. After way too long, we have a great follow up concert to the ‘Rock Island Line’ memorial ...
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Charley Crockett tours UK this month

The wonderful Charley Crockett is coming back to the UK later this month.  With new album Lonesome As A Shadow out earlier this year he’ll be ...
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Jake Morley – new recordings and tour dates

Singer, songwriter and virtuoso guitar player Jake Morley is a firm believer in straight talking, direct songs.  His Spotify playlist, Tell It To Me Straight, ...
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BOB & GILL BERRY – Echoes Of Alfred (WildGoose WGS427CD)

This takes me back. I knew Bob Berry’s parents back in the day when albums were still issued on cassettes. Len was a genial gentleman ...
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MICHAEL McDERMOTT – Out From Under (Pauper Sky Records 2018)

I’ve been bewitched by the music of Michael McDermott for a few years now, I’m late to the party I know, as the Chicago based ...
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BEN SURES – Poema Poematis (BS11CD)

Ben Sures is a Canadian singer songwriter whose latest album, Poema Poematis, was released worldwide on June 17th. His website tells you, “We are holding ...
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REG MEUROSS – Reg Meuross (Stockfisch SFR 357.40922)

I don’t often get to review a Reg Meuross album, usually because someone else gets to them first but this time that someone else wrote ...
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ALISTAIR McCULLOCH TRIO – Off The Hook (Rostral Records RTRLCD015)

The Alistair McCulloch Trio summer tour has become a well-established Scottish fixture over many years now, yet this busy bunch has only just got around ...
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Alt-country band Lucero announce new album and tour dates

Celebrated rock / alt-­country quintet Lucero celebrate twenty years together with the announcement of the August 3rd release of their ninth studio album Among The ...
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Landermason announce new album and tour dates

Northumberland based song-writing duo Landermason are soon to release their 6th studio album on their own label Lama Records. The combined talents of Fiona Lander ...
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THE FRETLESS – Live From The Art Farm (own label TFCD004)

The Fretless is a string quartet – two fiddles, viola and cello although Karrnnel Sawitsky and Ben Plotnick double up on viola and fiddle so ...
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FEAR OF DRINKING – Live In Zurich (own label)

There was an Englishman, a New Zealander and several Canadians who met in Vancouver and formed a band. While I don’t altogether approve of their ...
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Australian singer/songwriter Ben Salter to tour UK

Acclaimed Australian songwriter and performer Ben Salter returns to Europe in 2018 to promote his new solo album Back Yourself (available now). Back Yourself is ...
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BRACKENBURY & NEILSON – Crossings (Monoline MLRC1)

Crossings is an album that falls into a category generally known as “music”. Faith Brackenbury and John Neilson have worked together for some time and ...
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THE ANDREW COLLINS TRIO – Tongue / Groove (own label, ACT003/ACT004)

Finally, there’s an album paying long-overdue homage to practical, yet rustic bathroom panelling. What’s that? It’s not? Fortunately, Tongue / Groove is a paired album ...
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JEFF WARNER – Roam The Country Through (WildGoose WGS425CD)

If you haven’t yet heard Jeff Warner live, you have a rare treat in store. Jeff is the son of two of America’s foremost song ...
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THE BEVVY SISTERS – This Moment (Interrupto IM007)

The Bevvy Sisters first came to our ears in 2009 with an album of mostly old songs sung in the close harmony style of the ...
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RAB NOAKES – Welcome To Anniversaryville (Neon Records NEONCD021)

I was delighted to receive a review copy of the new Rab Noakes CD Welcome To Anniversaryville – scheduled for release on the 13th July ...
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FOLKY MACFOLK FACE – When Night Falls (own label)

Can we just accept that this is the worst band name since Sconce The Ogives and move on? When Night Falls is the debut album ...
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Bath Folk Festival and Traditional Music Summer School

Now in its ninth year, Bath Folk Festival runs from 11th - 19th August 2018 and presents great opportunities for players and listeners alike. The ...
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DOWALLY – Somewhere (own label, DW002)

Are we there yet? Today’s destination is highland hamlet Dowally – or rather, the immensely talented Scottish trio of that name, who decided to call ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – Destination (Fellside Recordings FECD282)

The Fellside Recording label has been a major force in independent folk music recording for 42 years and has over 600 albums to its credit, ...
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Jackie Oates: new album and tour dates

We are proud to announce the release of the seventh studio album, The Joy Of Living, by Jackie Oates. It’s a record that covers an ...
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Rab Noakes announces new album

Welcome to Anniversaryville released on Friday 13th July 2018 In February of 2017 Rab Noakes performed a well-attended, highly-acclaimed concert, with his ‘70/50 in 2017’ ...
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THE KIMBERLEYS – The Kimberleys (Popla OB7)

It can be difficult to take a well-known traditional song and attempt to do something new with it. Those of us with long memories will ...
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ALDEN PATTERSON AND DASHWOOD – By The Night (own label)

Arriving in a hand printed card sleeve, By The Night is the second album from the Norwich-based trio of Christina Alden, Alex Patterson and Noel ...
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Fellside Recordings announce their final history triple-CD set

After 42 years of the business and with the release of over 600 albums managing directors Paul and Linda Adams are now wanting to take ...
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TONY ROSE – Medicine Tunes (Cannery Row Records. CRR 1824/ CRR 1825)

Recorded in just one session in the spring of 2017, Medicine Tunes is the debut solo album by Tony Rose. Moving away from his more ...
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JAMIE MACDONALD & CHRISTIAN GAMAUF – The Pipe Slang (own label JMCG01)

Jamie and Christian met on the Isle Of Uist and, having participated in a cultural exchange in Asturias and paid their dues at small gigs, ...
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LUCY WARD – Pretty Warnings (Betty Beetroot BETTY03)

Having been finally converted to Ward with her last album, I Dreamt I Was A Bird, I was unsure whether that was a one-off or ...
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Adrian McNally talks to Dave Freak about The Unthanks and Molly Drake

The songs of Molly Drake have been slowly seeping into public consciousness for the best part of a decade. There was a fleeting glimpse of ...
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SERIOUS CHILD – Empty Nest (TCR Music TCRM75099)

The core of Serious Child – or as the CD sleeve has it, SERIOUS CHiLD – consists of Alan Young on guitar and vocals, Carla ...
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Son Of William – EP launch event

Though their name would suggest otherwise, the link between Hayley and Ben Williams is nothing but musical. Son Of William is a collaboration between Hayley ...
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PARKER MILLSAP – Other Arrangements (OkraHoma OKRA004CD)

Three albums in, two of which have topped the US Americana charts, the Oklahoma singer-songwriter is expanding his musical horizons and looking to broaden his ...
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THE MOONBEAMS – This Land (Moonbeam Records MBR003)

The Moonbeams band forms the core of The Moonbeam Collective, a multi-platform arts community based in the Yorkshire Dales. This Land, the band’s third album, ...
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Serious Child announce debut album

Empty Nest is the affecting and impressive debut album from Serious Child, a talented trio fronted by singer/songwriter and guitarist Alan Young with Carla March ...
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HECTOR GILCHRIST – Gleanings (WildGoose WGS426CD)

Hector Gilchrist, as you will quickly discover, comes from Ayrshire but is much travelled. To misuse a common phrase, however: you can take the man ...
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CARDBOARD FOX – Topspin (own label, CARRIVICKSCD09)

Featuring the shared lead vocals of sisters Charlotte and Laura Carrivick (who also perform as a duo), with backing provided by Joe Tozer and John ...
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HÒ-RÒ – Hex (own label)

Since their eponymous debut album two years ago, Hò-Rò have expanded to a six-piece with Paul Martin and DC Macmillan joining Calum MacPhail, Lucy Doogan, ...
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Copperplate Podcast 224 – Presented by Alan O’Leary

folking.com brings you the latest podcast from that aficionado of Irish music, yes you guessed it, the one and only Mr. Alan O'Leary with his ...
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SKERRYVORE – Evo (Tyree09CD)

Skerryvore release Evo, their sixth studio album, on June 11th. You get an album to review and it’s a bit like sitting in the marquee ...
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SINGLES BAR 30 – a round-up of recent EPs and singles

Following on from 2016’s Trick Star, accompanied by Steve Mayone on mandolin and nylon string guitar, pedal steel player Chris Tarrow, Jason Mercer on upright ...
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Ben Sures releases landmark concert album

In 2016 Ben Sures received a grant from The Canada Council, Canada’s most significant granting body to Arts and Culture. The grant was to have ...
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FAIRPORT CONVENTION – What We Did On Our Saturday (Matty Grooves MG2CD055)

If you’ve ever been to a Cropredy Festival you’ll know exactly what they do on Saturday. They gather together a bunch of former band-mates and ...
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VINNY PECULIAR – Return Of The Native (Shadrack & Duxbury SADCD013)

An album celebrating his return to his roots after years living in Manchester, with its heady dose of nostalgia and memories, borrowing the title from ...
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MISCHIEF AFOOT – Mischief Afoot (WildGoose WGS424CD)

Mischief Afoot are a trio of English musicians based in the Cotswolds and I think it’s fair to say that John Davis, Becky Dellow and ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – 1989 Newport Folk Festival (Air Cuts AC3CD8060)

Hats off to the Air Cuts label for this box-set of the Ben & Jerry’s 1989 Newport Folk Festival – a near 30 year old ...
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The Ballads Of Child Migration on tour

With award-winning folk artists: John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, Boo Hewerdine, O’Hooley & Tidow, Chris While, Julie Matthews, John Doyle, Jez Lowe, Andy Seward and Andy ...
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JENNIFER WARNES – Another Time, Another Place (BMG 538358052)

I first encountered Warnes back in 1977 with the release of her eponymously titled Arista debut fourth album, prompting me to immediately seek out its ...
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JAKE WALTON – Silver Muse (CM0001)

Folk music, as opposed to singer-songwriting or the many facets of acoustic music, has a sense of place and history. It is defined by social ...
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MISHAPED PEARLS – Shivelight (own label MISSHAP04)

Four years on from Thamesis, the London septet return with an album that take its title from Gerard Manley-Hopkins’ invented word for the lances of ...
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MATTHEW BYRNE – Horizon Lines (own label MB060417)

Hailing from Newfoundland, the deep-voiced Byrne stands in the classic tradition of Canadian folk singers such as Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot and Ian Tyson, his ...
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RURA – In Praise Of Home (Rura Music RURACD003)

Almost the first sound you hear is the voice of Steven Blake’s grandfather, James Russell, reflecting on his home in Montrose. Or rather the feeling ...
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BOB DYLAN – Live NYC 1963 (Rox Vox. RVCD2130)

In early 1963, Bob Dylan was at the threshold of a career that would skyrocket him to previously unimaginable heights, in part, aided by his ...
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DANIEL & EMMA REID – Life Continuum (own label EMR04)

Saxophone and fiddle isn’t a combination you hear very often, no more than flute and Hardanger fiddle but here they are, together with accordion, piano ...
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MISNER & SMITH – headwaters (own label)

The actor-turned-muso duo of Sam Misner and Megan Smith return with their fifth album, headwaters, due for release on June 25th, although it has been ...
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JON BUDWORTH – We All Share The Same Sky (Flying Folkie FF001CD)

Jon Budworth is a man of contradictions: a son of Lancashire who now lives in Yorkshire; a former rock’n’roller who discovered the joys of the ...
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BARRY NISBET – A Bright Ray Of Sunshine (Own Label, RRIG001)

Shetland singer-songwriter (and sailor) Barry Nisbet’s little box of delights, A Bright Ray Of Sunshine finally reaches the top of the unruly stack by the ...
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Brackenbury And Neilson announce debut album

The long-awaited first full-length album by Faith Brackenbury and John Neilson brings together nine of their own compositions, plus one short piece by the Swedish ...
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Scottish trio Dowally announces second album and tour dates

Described as "something very special” “truly great music-making” and “great stuff” by BBC Radio Scotland, Scottish folk trio Dowally release their hotly-anticipated second album, Somewhere ...
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TRACY GRAMMER – Low Tide (own label TGM180119)

Although Grammer released six albums with the late Dave Carter and a previous solo outing in 2006, this is the first on which she’s both ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – Resound (Shrewsbury Folk Festival)

Curated by Hannah James and released by Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Resound is a multi-tasking album. Firstly, it’s a tribute to Alan Surtees, founder and organiser ...
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SHARON LAZIBYRD – Half Shame And Half Glory (Trampoline TRL002)

Sharon Lazibyrd first came to my attention in 2013, disappeared for a while and returned with her single, ‘Opium Of The Masses’. It felt at ...
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JACK CARTY AND GUS GARDINER – Hospital Hill (It’s Dinner Recordings/ MGM GLWCD07)

Australian musicians Jack Carty and Gus Gardiner collaborate to co-write Hospital Hill, which will be released on June 1st. While by and large, I would ...
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DÓNAL CLANCY – On The Lonesome Plain (Proper/Copperplate DCLPCD16)

Dónal Clancy is the son of Liam Clancy, and comes highly recommended by the likes of Archie Fisher and Martin Simpson. His forthcoming album On ...
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Joe Broughton talks about The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble

"Things often get out of hand when working with the Folk Ensemble," reckons founder and leader Joe Broughton. "You just mention an idea and before ...
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Lucy Ward announces new album and tour dates

Pretty Warnings is the captivating fourth studio album from Lucy Ward. Rich with tradition and exquisitely penned original songs, this album weaves its way effortlessly ...
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WINTER WILSON – Far Off On The Horizon (The Launch Event)

If you go to a Winter Wilson gig you can expect great songs well-played, but also humour in their introductions. I saw them play at ...
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PHIL MADEIRA – Providence (Mercyland Records. ML006)

Providence is the brand new release from one of Nashville’s most seasoned veterans, Phil Madeira. It’s jazzy, it’s bluesy and as you’d expect from a ...
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PHANTOM VOICES – Peace By Peace (Wyre Records WR006)

Phantom Voices are a six-piece band from Lancashire, Peace By Peace being their second album. With five vocalists and eleven instruments to choose from their ...
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Parker Millsap releases third album next month

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Parker Millsap will release his third full band album, Other Arrangements on June 15th via Thirty Tigers. The anticipated new release showcases the ...
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JILL JACKSON – Are We There Yet (own label JJR001CD)

Are We There Yet was released a few days ago on May 18th. The album was produced by Boo Hewerdine and has that classy feel ...
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PROSECCO SOCIALIST – Songs From Behind Bars (Gypsy Chicken Box Records)

Prosecco Socialist emerged late last year with a brilliant single, ‘This Dog’s Just For Christmas (Not For Life)’. It’s the second track here and not ...
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Cowboy Junkies release new album and announce winter tour dates

Cowboy Junkies will release All That Reckoning, the band’s first new recording since The Wilderness (2012) on July 13, 2018 via Proper Records. Whether commenting ...
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DÀIMH – The Rough Bounds (Goat Island Music, GIMCD005)

Twenty years to the day since their first gig, Dàimh release their seventh album, The Rough Bounds. While the title might aptly describe the burly ...
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Hò-rò announce new album and tour dates

Hex is the much-anticipated new album from Scottish outfit Hò-rò.  Winners in the ‘Up and Coming Artist of the Year’ category at 2017’s MG Alba Scots Trad Music ...
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BRYONY GRIFFITH – Hover (Selwyn Music SYNMCD0009)

It’s funny how things go but there seems to something of a resurgence in English fiddle music at the moment. Hover is Bryony’s second solo ...
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BLAIR DUNLOP – Notes From An Island (Gilded Wings GWR005)

No artist is going to say their latest album isn’t as good as their previous ones, but when Dunlop says he thinks Notes From An ...
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Rura announce new album and tour dates

In Praise of Home is the new album from four-piece powerhouse Rura. The Scottish outfit, described as one of the most exciting bands on the ...
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Rowan Piggott talks about the Songhive project

Songhive is a folksong project concerned with raising awareness of the current plight of the bees, but now it’s time to raise some money as ...
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CHRIS TAVENER – Is He Joking? (own label)

Recorded live over two sold-out nights in Manchester’s Three Minute Theatre, Is He Joking?, the debut album by satirical singer-songwriter, Chris Tavener is available now ...
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Ó CONAILL FAMILY AND FRIENDS – Let’s Have Another Gan Ainm (Digital release)

I'm not sure I should be writing this review: while I've played guitar in many ceilidh bands over the years, I don't claim any in-depth ...
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GRETCHEN PETERS – Dancing With The Beast (Scarlet Letter/Proper PRPCD148P)

Having enjoyed her biggest success to date with the Ben Glover co-penned southern gothic ‘Blackbirds’, it is, perhaps, not too surprising to find echoes in ...
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SINGLES BAR 29 – a round-up of recent EPs and singles

VIRGINIA KETTLE is one of Merry Hell’s front line as songwriter and singer and formerly a successful soloist around the clubs. This eponymous EP with ...
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Evan Carson releases the first installment of a long story

‘Shards’ is part of an ongoing story inspired by George Ocipinski and members of the various Polish Resistance Units across Europe during 1939 - 1945 ...
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Richard Thompson announces autumn/winter tour

World renowned guitarist and singer-songwriter Richard Thompson has announced an extensive UK tour for October and November 2018. During a busy 2017, Thompson released two ...
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CATH & PHIL TYLER – The Ox And The Ax (Ferric Mordant Records Fe10)

Cath and Phil are based in the north-east – Phil is from Newcastle upon Tyne – but you wouldn’t know it from their music. Their ...
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THE JELLYMAN’S DAUGHTER – Dead Reckoning (own label)

A gentle beginning with cello, voice and mandolin and then the strings flow into the musicscape. ‘Quiet Movie’ is a fine opener to the new ...
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HATFUL OF RAIN – Songs Of The Lost and Found (Long Way Home Music 004)

Hatful Of Rain were formed in 2011, have been played by Mike Harding and have performed live on the Bob Harris show. Their music crosses ...
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Cara Dillon & Sam Lakeman headline ‘Folk Day’ at Stogumber Festival

7th - 9th September 2018 Stogumber Festival has announced that 4 excellent gigs will feature on ‘Folk Day’, Saturday 8th September, which is a major ...
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Conservatoire Folk Ensemble – Sleepy Maggie becomes mini-album

It’s been a heady 12 months for The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. Their acclaimed studio album, Painted, racked up a string of jaw-dropping reviews, and the ...
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WILL FINN & ROSIE CALVERT – Beneath This Place (Haystack HAYCD012)

It’s not often that you hear British traditional music played on steel pans but that’s what you’ll find here. Will and Rosie are half of ...
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JOE SOLO – Not On Our Watch (own label)

Having issued the equivalent of nearly one recording per year since 2004, Not on Our Watch is the most recent release by the prolific folk-punk ...
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THE POOZIES – Punch (Schmooz SCHMOOZCD003)

I was amused by the quote from Eilidh Shaw (fiddle, vocals) who says that the Poozies are probably fortunate that the charge of witchcraft has ...
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JOE WILKES – Japanese Elvis (Frontline FLR009)

Born in Coventry and now based out of East London, Wilkes first caught my ear back in 2006 with his debut album Spotlight. This was ...
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Skipinnish re-release Wishing Well in tribute to Eilidh MacLeod

Released, on download, at midnight on Saturday, 19th May To help with fundraising for a permanent memorial to Eilidh MacLeod from Barra who was killed ...
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William Andrew’s fiddle to play again at Wren Dartmoor Fiddle Day

The violin used by a 19th century musician who became known as The Dartmoor Fiddler is playing his tunes again – and it’s all set ...
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ROBBIE SHERRATT – Provenance (own label)

Robbie Sherratt comes from north Staffordshire, as his repertoire readily testifies. In fact, the music of his home region is part of the rationale of ...
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Olivia Chaney announces new album

London-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Olivia Chaney follows up her 2015 Nonesuch debut, The Longest River, with Shelter on June 15th 2018. The album was ...
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Alistair McCulloch Trio announce new album and tour dates

The Alistair McCulloch Trio annual summer Scottish tour has become a firm fixture on the folk music calendar. Featuring champion fiddler McCulloch, alongside past Scottish ...
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FRANK TURNER – Be More Kind (XtraMile Recordings/Polydor 6738173)

The globe-circling gigging machine and humanist that is Frank Turner might surprise some with his seventh solo studio album, Be More Kind. Fearlessly true to ...
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Wanton Seed Singing Weekend

Find harmony in Sheffield this summer Do you want to sing your heart out in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside? Do you yearn to delve into ...
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JOSHUA BURNELL – Songs From The Seasons (Misted Valley Records MVR18a)

In late December 2015, quite possibly infused by a degree of festive spirits, the York folk musician (his voice not unlike Gerry Colvin) set himself ...
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RAY COOPER – Between The Golden Age & The Promised Land (Westpark 87368)

They say you only get one chance – this time I’m very grateful that I’ve had two. A couple of months ago a friend put ...
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Caro Emerald announces autumn tour dates

Following 5 star reviews and sold out shows across the board, the gorgeous and stylish Caro Emerald is back with a brand new live UK ...
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MERRY HELL ACOUSTIC – live at The Old Courts, Wigan – 29th April 2018

The previous evening, the electric Merry Hell had rocked the packed courtroom supported by The Trials Of Cato and Derek Martin. I’d like to tell ...
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STEPHEN HARRISON – It Starts With The Soul (Word Poem Records, WP018)

Stephen Harrison is a something of a music industry veteran. From his early days as a teen, playing in Edinburgh’s post-punk scene and the electronic ...
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SCOTT MATTHEWS – The Great Untold (Shedio Records)

For a man so frequently brushed with greatness, singer-songwriter Scott Matthews does not quite yet seem to be a household name. Perhaps his sixth album, ...
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WILL POUND – Through The Seasons (Lulubug LULUBUG004)

The cover tells you most of what you need to know about this album. Will Pound, here devoting more of his energies to melodeon than ...
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Will Varley announces autumn tour dates

Will Varley is very pleased to announce he will be touring the UK again this autumn, with the majority of the shows taking place in ...
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LUKE JACKSON – Solo Duo Trio (First Take Records FTCD003)

Wow! Luke Jackson stepped on stage at Bramley’s Cocktail Bar in Canterbury and roared his way through a new blues-based song, ‘Fun Of It’ – ...
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Calan announce 10th anniversary album and tour dates

It’s 10 years since the masters of Welsh folk Calan released their debut album – Bling. It’s fair to say that during those 10 years ...
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MOONRAKERS – Tides (own label)

First of all, I’d like to make it clear that we’re not reviewing Tides because one of the key members of Moonrakers is also a ...
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MILTON HIDE – Little Fish (Howdy Records HOWDY 3)

Eastbourne husband and wife duo Jim Tipler and Josie Tipler began their musical lives busking in the town centre, he on piano accordion, she on ...
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THE CINELLI BROTHERS – Babe Please Set Your Alarm (own label)

Marco Cinelli (guitarist, singer, composer) and his brother Alessandro Cinelli (drummer, singer) were born in Italy and have played in several European countries but are now ...
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Christy Moore live album to be issued on vinyl

Christy Moore’s latest album, On The Road, was released on CD & digital last November. Now, a special vinyl version is released featuring 24 songs ...
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Frank Turner – 2018/2019 tour dates

Frank Turner has announced details for the Be More Kind 2019 UK Tour - a string of arena dates running through early 2019, which will ...
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ANNA & ELIZABETH – The Invisible Comes To Us (Smithsonian Folkways SFW40229)

When you see the terms avant-garde and experimentation, you may tend to fear the worst. Good news then that, for their new label debut, Anna ...
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SMITH AND BREWER – Mumford Theatre, Cambridge (21st April 2018)

It’s surprisingly hard to recall, on this bright sunny Spring day, that a little over a month ago, snow and gales stopped play. Back then, ...
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Mock Tudor to be re-released as double LP and book

Bong Load Records announces a re-visit to one of its classic pressings, Richard Thompson - Mock Tudor. A decked out hard cover coffee table art ...
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MA POLAINE’S GREAT DECLINE – The Outsider (OMH Records MPGD05)

I don’t usually get to review this kind of record, mostly because I’m not sure what kind of record this is. Ma Polaine’s Great Decline ...
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GLYMJACK – Light The Evening Fire (Storm Lantern GLYMJACKCD001)

To describe Glymjack simply as contemporary English folk would be rather inadequate. It is acoustic roots, lyric-driven with a nod to soft rock, peppered with ...
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DARLINGSIDE – Extralife (More Doug Records MDR003)

Someone who knows rather a lot about these things has been saying for two years that I should go and see Darlingside. I haven’t seen ...
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BEAU – Rattle The Asylum Bars (Cherry Red BEAURTAB1)

Released almost forty-nine years to the day since his first-ever John Peel recording sessions, approaching 72, his latest release and his tenth studio album, Rattle ...
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