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 DICEMEN – Double Six (own label)

The Dicemen release their new album Double Six on My 3rd. The band, based in Watford, consist of Ken Spearpoint on acoustic bass, Kevin O’Brien ...

Edinburgh Tradfest begins this Friday

FESTIVAL DATES: Friday 3 May - Monday 13 May 2024 A packed programme of music, film and storytelling kicks off Edinburgh Tradfest this weekend (3 ...

THE KIMBERLEYS – The Shape Of A Year (Popla Disque)

Six years ago we reviewed the first album by The Kimberleys and I must confess that I’d forgotten about them until a week or so ...

ROSS COUPER BAND – The Homeroad (Ross Couper Music)

We proudly present the second of our podcast reviews by Paul Johnson. The Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad. Buy the album from https://rosscouper.bandcamp.com/album/the-homeroad ...

SINGLES BAR 101 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

NIGHT FLIGHT, Sam Holmes and Harry Phillips, release their new EP, English Noise, in early May. The title track, reflecting on the end of a ...

RAY COOPER – Even For A Shadow (Westpark Music)

Even For A Shadow is a sublime singer-songwriter album from Ray Cooper, also known as (the beloved) Chopper from his twenty-three-year stint with the great ...

RUM RAGGED – Gone Jiggin’ (LHM Records – LHM077)

Newfoundland has a distinct identity. It’s an identity forged amid a history of colonisation and migration, with its oldest art form – its traditional music ...

KATHRYN WILLIAMS AND WITHERED HAND – Willson Williams (One Independent Records)

Willson Williams is music that is (to invert the words of Charles Dickens) “the worst of times” and “the best of times”. Maverick British singer-songwriter ...

MALIN LEWIS – Halocline (Hudson Records HUD051CD)

Halocline is the debut album by trans bagpiper, fiddler and composer from the western isles, Malin Lewis. It may help to know what a halocline ...

COME AND EXPERIENCE THE UK’S FRIENDLIEST FAMILY FESTIVAL THE GENERATIONAL MAGIC OF FAIRPORT CONVENTIONS CROPREDY 2024 8th – 10th AUGUST

It's that time of year again – when many of the farm fields of Cropredy in Oxfordshire get transformed in to a festival city!.. and ...

GENTLEMEN SOLDIERS – Gentleman Soldiers (probably own label)

It’s twenty-eight years since The Pogues ceased trading as a full-time band but they are certainly not forgotten – principally because of one man and ...

BANTER – Heroes (Mrs Casey Records MCFCD4202)

The album so named as it pays tribute to their musical heroes, this is the fourth from the acoustic four piece of keyboardist singer Nina ...

BEN GLOVER – And The Sun Breaks Through The Sky (Goldrush Records)

Glover is neither the first nor the last Irish troubadour to find the comfy shoes of a downhome Americana fit him very well. Very well ...

ANNIE DRESSNER – I Thought It Would Be Easier (Dharma Records DHARMACD54)

We last encountered Annie Dressner via her 2020 album, Coffee At The Corner Bar. Now we have I Thought It Would Be Easier – great ...

PHOEBE REES – Bring In The Light: Si Kahn’s Songs Of Courage And Resistance (Strictly Country Records SCR-91)

For those who need bringing up to speed, Si Kahn is an American singer-songwriter, civil rights activist and founder of Grassroots Leadership while Rees is ...

RENAISSANCE – Tuscany (Esoteric ECLEC32870)

Originally founded in 1969 with the line-up comprising Keith Relf and Jim McCarty from The Yardbirds, along with John Hawken, Louis Cennamo and Relf's sister ...

Copperplate podcast 292 presented by Alan O’Leary

folking.com brings you the latest podcast from that aficionado of Irish music, the one and only Mr. Alan O’Leary with his regular monthly instalment of ...

NAVARO – Songs From The Darkwood (digital download)

Here at folking we’ve followed Navaro’s career since Beth Navaro’s 2007 solo album. I even ventured into the wilds of St Albans to hear them ...

BEAU – The Last Confessions Of A Saboteur (Cherry Red BEAULC1)

Incredibly, on The Last Confessions Of A Saboteur, his 18th album for the label (released digitally), Trevor Midgley is in as sharp a satirical form ...

TOM JENKINS – Meadow Parts 1 & 2 (Xtra Mile Recording)

Tom Jenkins’ Meadow Parts 1 & 2 sing with the honest melodies of Tom’s own sheep farming experience, stone barn walls, a cold west Wales ...

HEATHER LITTLE – By Now (Need To Know Music NTK2401HL)

While her songs have spawned hits for others, Miranda Lambert and Sunny Sweeney among them, the Texas-born musician has rarely ventured into her own spotlight, ...

Shrewsbury Folk Festival announces final names

One of the UK’s most successful female rock, blues and jazz singers leads the list of final artists just announced for this year’s Shrewsbury Folk ...

PHIL ODGERS & JOHN KETTLE – Far Rockaway (Vinyl Star Records VSRCD015)

Greenwich Village in the 1960s was a focus of art, literature and music but many names are now fading from memory; Fred Neill, Dave van ...

THE ROLLING FOLK – East Of Elsewhere (Drop In The Drink)

This the first in a series of podcast reviews presented by Paul Johnson from his studio. He begins with the debut album from The Rolling ...

MATTIAS LIES – Rösten Från Det Karelska Näset/The Voice From The Karelian Isthmus

The Voice From The Karelian Isthmus is a collaboration across time between two Swedish Finns. This is the seventh album by Finnish singer-songwriter Mattias Lies, ...

The Official Folk Album chart – March 2024

On Tuesday 9 April the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

MARTIN SIMPSON – Skydancers (Topic TXCD613)

A seemingly moveable feast, Hen Harrier Day (which draws awareness to the illegal hunting of these birds, named for their former habit of preying on ...

THE STRANGE ENCOUNTERS – All In The Mind (Ports of Call Music)

Or Kreutzmüller and Armstrong, that too probably enough to evoke blank looks, unless you live in Germany, that is, where the band/duo have been a ...

THE LEGENDARY TEN SECONDS – Folk Rocktronica (own label)

The brainchild of Ian Churchward, a Torquay-based musician whose fairly prolific output revolves around songs with a historical basis, encompassing ones about Devon and Cornwall, ...

LOUISE BICHAN – The Lost Summer (Adhyâropa Records AR00058)

Orkney born, now resident in the USA, Louise Bichan releases her second album, The Lost Summer, some eight years after her debut. Louise is a ...

DAVE LOWRY – Songs Of A Devon Man (WildGoose Studios WGS443CD)

Dave Lowry's Songs Of A Devon Man is a CD project that has taken several years to come to fruition, a delay partly due to ...

JULIE ABBÉ – Out Of The Ashes (ANIS002)

Julie Abbé releases her second album, Out Of The Ashes on April 5th. Abbé is French by birth, she moved to England in her twenties ...

PIERS LEWIN & JOHN PATRICK ELLIOTT – Lost Songs Of Scilly (Carbon Moon Records)

Lost Songs Of Scilly is something of a misnomer because all the music here is newly minted. The reason is that, uniquely in the British ...

Oysterband extend their Long Long Goodbye

Today, Oysterband extend their A Long Long Goodbye tour with the announcement of a further series of headline shows this November. While recognised as one ...

WILL PAGE – Still Standing (Union Music Label UML024)

Well, here’s a splendid solo debut album from the young singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/Noble Jacks frontman from Sussex. Still Standing has nothing to do with Elton John (fortunately) ...

GOOD HABITS –Quarter-Life (own label)

Good Habits’ new album, Quarter-Life, dances like a melodic scarecrow, amid a fresh field of ancient autumnal wheat. The first song, ‘All That She Wanted’, ...

SINGLES BAR 100 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

From Kent hails singer/songwriter/guitarist/banjo player SAM BROTHERS and his new EP, The Folksinger. The title and the name of the opening song, ‘Seasons’ should flash ...

PETE MORTON – Fair Freedom (Further 004)

Pete Morton has just released Fair Freedom and is currently touring the album. I guess most readers of folking.com will have come across Pete Morton, ...

DAWN LANDES – The Liberated Woman’s Songbook (own label)

Released in the wake of Women’s History Month, in tandem with producer Josh Kaufman, Landes has interpreted and expanded songs from The Liberated Woman’s Songbook, ...

Pete Morton announces new album and launch tour dates

Fair Freedom is Pete Morton’s first album since the highly acclaimed A Golden Thread back in 2020. All ten tracks are originals but feature two ...

Ray Cooper announces his fifth solo album

Even For A Shadow is the fifth solo album by ex-Oysterband cellist Ray Cooper and features duets with Emma Härdelin (Garmarna, Triakel), Sunniva Bondesson (Baskery) ...

The Mark Harrison Band announces more dates

We're out there ploughing our singular furrow, and people keep coming up at gigs to say how nice it is for them to experience such ...

THE BREWER’S DAUGHTER – Made Undone (own label)

It’s been a while since I last heard from The Brewer’s Daughter, or Rhiannon Crutchley as her mum and dad call her. She’s back now ...

TWM MORYS & GWYNETH GLYN – Tocyn Unfford I Lawenydd (Recordiau Sain – SAINSCD2851)

For non-Welsh speakers, Tocyn Unfford I Lawenydd translates as ‘One Way Ticket to Happiness.’ As its name suggests, the title track is about a train ...

MORGAN HARPER-JONES – Up To The Glass (Play It Again Sam)

Hailing from Rochdale and describing herself as a 70-year-old woman trapped in the body of a 25-year-old musician who loves knitting, afternoon-tea, baking and listening ...

Dan Whitehouse tours his glass trilogy this year

Over the past two years, acclaimed Black Country singer-songwriter Dan Whitehouse has been in a transparently reflective mood with three albums all themed around the ...

YANN FALQUET –Les secrets du ciel (own label)

Yann Falquet’s Les secrets du ciel is a French-Canadian Quebecois folk album that sings with melody, drama, and introspection. Just so you know, he is ...

The Ciderhouse Rebellion announce three new albums

In their customary unconventional style, The Ciderhouse Rebellion (fiddle player Adam Summerhayes and accordionist Murray Grainger) have announced details of their forthcoming releases: a folk triptych comprising wholly contrasting albums along with accompanying books, featuring ...

GARY CAIN – Outside The Lines (Bluestown Music)

Outside The Lines is the third album from blues (well, mostly blues) virtuoso Gary Cain. Cain was born in Canada but is now based in ...

SUE DECKER – Keeping Time (own label)

From British Columbia, Decker’s been described as the love child of Ry Cooder and Lucinda Williams, from which you’ll gather her music embraces blues, soul ...

Edinburgh Tradfest announces its 2024 programme

Edinburgh Tradfest has launched its 2024 programme of traditional music, storytelling, film, workshops, talks, ceilidhs, and special events taking place at various venues across the city, thanks ...

RICHARD TRETHEWEY – Two Halves (own label RT002CD/LP)

Two Halves was originally conceived as a vinyl release, with one side inspired by the river estuaries of his native Cornwall and the other by ...

COWBOIS RHOS BOTWNNOG – Mynd Ȃ’r Tŷ Am Dro (Sbigyn Ymborth SY037)

I first encountered Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog via their first album which I rather liked. That was back in the noughties but since then nothing came ...

BILL DODDS – Closer (own label)

Following in the footsteps of Norman Paterson, Dodds, a retired railway driver and keen cyclist (he’s one of the few to have cycled round the ...

Govan Music Festival begins today

The forward-thinking Govan Music Festival opens in Glasgow today as it gears up for four days of progressive performances and inclusive cultural participation at venues across the ...

Underneath The Stars Festival announces first guests

The first names have been revealed for the 10th year celebration of Yorkshire’s award winning boutique festival, Underneath The Stars festival, which returns Friday 2nd ...

Session A9 announce their new album

“Scottish Supergroup” Session A9 are previous winners of “Best Live Act” at MG Alba’s Scottish Traditional Music Awards. They are now delighted to be releasing ...

DIANE BIRCH – Flying On Abraham (Topanga Creed Records)

Musician and singer-songwriter, Diane Birch is set to release her fifth project, Flying On Abraham next month. The collection marks Birch’s first new release in ...

SAM LEE – songdreaming (Cooking Vinyl)

Sam Lee’s songdreaming deepens the coloured hues, with big cinema drama, into the old photos of countless Ten Man Mop British folk albums. Perhaps, this ...

Jim Causley and Miranda Sykes present Ghosts, Werewolves And Countryfolk – the Songs and Stories Of Sabine Baring-Gould

Unlikely as it may seem, the same person who wrote ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ also wrote a study of werewolf myths and numerous bestselling ghost and ...

LAUFORD CRIPPS – Live At BGFM Nantyglo (Steam Pie Records SPCD 10205)

Wynford Jones, Laurence Eddy and Geoff Cripps began making music together in the 1970s, forming folk-rock band The Chartists and staying together until 1991. Geoff ...

Official Folk Album chart – February 2024

On Tuesday 5 March the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo reveal the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

ANDY SMYTHE – Poetry In Exile (Dreaming Element Records – DER09)

Andy Smythe has a new album out on March 1st, 2024, entitled Poetry In Exile and is a fantastic up-tempo Britpop journey of an album! ...

THE SCHMOOZENBERGS – Mouse (Schmusic Records, SCHCD02)

Mouse is the third album in a career spanning over a decade for Bristol-based The Schmoozenbergs, and their first new release since 2019’s Awaken. Starting ...

Annie Dressner announces new album and UK tour

Reflecting on love, friendships and memories, singer-songwriter Annie Dressner bears her soul on her upcoming new album I Thought It Would Be Easier, out 5th April via ...

GRACE PETRIE – Build Something Better (The Robot Needs Home Collective TRNHC013)

I do like Grace Petrie best when she’s sticking it to the man. Or, to put it rather more delicately, pointing up the inequalities and ...

The Hello Darlins announce their second album

Having established themselves as one of the biggest breakthrough artists on the international Americana scene with their debut album Go By Feel, Canadian folk/country/roots collective ...

Sam Lee announces his new album

Sam Lee will release his fourth studio album, songdreaming, on 15th March. songdreaming represents the latest stage in the development of Sam Lee’s music, from ...

Yann Falquet announces his debut solo album

The debut album by Genticorum’s Yann Falquet, Les Secrets Du Ciel (The Secrets Of The Sky), produced by Quinn Bachand, revisits obscure traditional songs to ...

SINGLES BAR 99 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

Having digitally self-released four on ‘Part One’ last year, LITTLE LORE now offers up the remainder of the Seven Stories (three digitally on ‘Part Two’ ...

PETE COOPER AND RICHARD BOLTON – Burning Bright (Wild Goose Records – WGS445CD)

I do like an album on which the tracks all have interesting stories behind them, and Burning Bright by Pete Cooper and Richard Bolton, is ...

Urban Folk Quartet announce their fourth studio album

Urban Folk Quartet's much-anticipated fourth studio album, True Story, is released on Friday 22 March 2024, via SAE Records. Featuring the recent singles ‘Solsbury Hill’, ...

MAY ERLEWINE – The Real Thing (10 Good Songs 007)

Working on the premise that people power can bring changes on a global scale, belatedly getting a European release almost a year after America, the ...

BUSTER SLEDGE – Nice Time On Earth Today (HCD7406)

Buster Sledge (great name) released Nice Time On Earth Today at the beginning of February. It’s their fourth album, but their first official release in ...

ALEX CUMMING – Homecoming (own label)

A traditional singer, accordionist, pianist and dance caller from Somerset now based in Vermont, while he’s recorded as part of Celtic trio Bellwether, a cappella ...

FRONTIER RUCKUS – On The Northline (Loose Music)

Frontier Ruckus’ new album, On The Northline, sings with its Midwest Americana Great Lakes big waved melodies. The very first song, ‘Swore I Had A ...

AMIGO THE DEVIL – Yours Until The War Is Over (Liars Club/Regime Music Group)

Baptised in the same waters as Tom Waits and Nick Cave, if you’ve not encountered him before this is the musical nom de plume of ...

Anna Anise and boci announce spring tour

boci Genres: alt folk, prog folk, singer-songwriter, alt pop boci is an innovative violinist and songwriter creating astral alt-folk that centres around themes of grief, ...

The Keith James Songbook – A long awaited concert tour

A unique voice within the fabric of music in the UK Mature, insightful and intriguing - emotionally giving and honest Spanning the past 50 years, ...

KEITH JAMES – Word Paintings (Hurdy Gurdy)

Keith James – poet, songwriter, singer, composer and arranger and a fine guitarist. It is perhaps unfair that these achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by ...

Charlie Dore continues her spring tour

Charlie Dore cheerfully admits she still has the touring habit - in spades, as she continues her Spring Tour throughout March, taking in venues both ...

MAT GREEN & ANDY TURNER – Time For A Stottycake (WildGoose Records WGS444CD)

Mat Green and Andy Turner are, among their other accomplishments, founder members of the popular band Magpie Lane. Mat has also marked fifty years playing ...

MA POLAINE’S GREAT DECLINE – Molecules (OHM Records – MPGD07)

Americana is a single word that encompasses so much. It’s not really a genre, but a collection of genres, covering the various traditions and influences ...

SERIOUS SAM BARRETT – A Drop Of The Morning Dew (Crow Lane Records CL001)

Serious Sam Barrett is a songwriter and an interpreter of traditional songs and he does both with great aplomb. This set of eighteen songs, A Drop ...

Seasick Steve announces new album, single and live dates

Seasick Steve is today announcing details of his forthcoming album A Trip A Stumble A Fall Down On Your Knees. Due for release on 7th June via ...

Oysterband and June Tabor bid a long, long goodbye

One of the UK’s foremost folk rock bands - Oysterband - are announcing that they are calling time on their live career and will be ...

AND ALSO THE TREES – Mother-Of-Pearl Moon (own label)

Formed in small Worcestershire village in 1979 by Simon and Justin Jones, inspired by the nascent post-punk movement and influenced by the landscape and history ...

BROOKS WILLIAMS – Diamond Days (Red Guitar Blue Music RGBM-2402)

Brooks Williams is one of the great collaborators of the modern scene but for Diamond Days he goes back to basics – just one man, ...

JACK CADE – Bewilderland (COLL057)

Bewilderland is the latest album of Jack Cade’s prolific streak over the past few years.  Maybe it’s because I’m a Northerner, but Cade doesn’t seem ...

LINDA WATKINS – Butterfly In A Box (own label TAL0005)

I slipped Butterfly In A Box into the player for the first time and wondered why I hadn’t heard of Linda Watkins before. This is ...

TRUE FOXES – Howl (own label)

Amie Parsons and Chloe Payne have become ubiquitous on music stations in the South West (and the rest of the UK, apparently) since the release ...

Moseley Folk And Arts Festival lifts the lid on this year’s line-up

Belle And Sebastian, Levellers, Dexys, Flogging Molly and CMAT are just some of the big name headliners announced for this year’s Moseley Folk And Arts ...

THE LONGEST JOHNS – Voyage (own label)

The appetite for shanties remains unabated, Voyage being the ninth album from the Bristolian crew and again with a mix of traditional and original material, ...

THE SALTS – Live In London Town (own label)

The Salts are one of my few local(ish) bands, one that is rising in stature and popularity by the day. Brian Doran leads the band ...

Official Folk Album chart – January 2024

On Tuesday 6 February the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

KATHERINE PRIDDY – The Pendulum Swing (Cooking Vinyl COOKCD910)

Having garnered both lavish critical praise and commercial success for her 2021 debut, The Eternal Rocks Beneath, the Birmingham singer-songwriter returns with what might have ...

MARTIN CARTHY – Martin Carthy (Topic Records TTSLP005)

Like most folk-ish guitarists of my generation (and succeeding generations, directly or indirectly), I owe a great deal to Martin Carthy, not only a fine ...

SCOTT SEAN WHITE – Even Better On The Bad Days (own label)

Based in the wonderfully named town of Poetry, Texas, when I reviewed White’s 2021 debut I said it was a good bet for the album ...

Richard Trethewey announces his second solo album

Two Halves, the new album from Richard Trethewey, was first imagined for vinyl. It presents one side of songs and music inspired by stories from ...

Cambridge Folk Festival 2024 – first artists announced

Robert Plant presents Saving Grace featuring Suzi Dian Transatlantic Sessions exclusive UK Festival appearance Aoife O’Donovan – Capercaillie - Dani Larkin Fantastic Negrito - Flamy ...

TIGER MOTH – Ostracon (Ghosts From The Basement GFTB 7060)

Ostracon is a record for compleat lepidopterists and archaeologists. The first is obvious, the second because an ostracon is a potsherd on which writing has ...

STEREO NAKED – Upside Down (own label)

Launched at their sold out show at Celtic Connections, the title (wittily written so on the sleeve) of the quartet’s follow up to 2022’s Unseen ...

Beans On Toast Band on tour

Yes. English Folk hero, Beans On Toast, will be taking his brand new live band out on tour for the first time this February and ...

DAN PENN – The Inside Track On Bobby Purify (LMCD231)

Dan Penn’s The Inside Track On Bobby Purify is released on February 16th. When the option to review the album came up the Editor said, ...

The Rolling Folk announce their debut album

Virginia Kettle is at the heart of the creative force within Merry Hell and the energies that have driven the band ever upwards, whether this ...

KITEWING – Kitewing (own label)

Kitewing’s self-titled album avoids Joni Mitchell’s warning about “putting all the trees in a tree museum” (more about that later!). That said, this album is ...

The Fisherman’s Friends announce their tenth album

"All roads lead to The Fisherman's Friends!" So said  broadcast legend and long-time fan, Jo Whiley on the BBC's Glastonbury coverage just after the boys ...

SINGLES BAR 98 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

We first encountered CERYS HAFANA back in 2022 when her second album, Edyf, appeared and then when she released ‘The Wife Of Usher’s Well’ as ...

TOPETTE!! – ON – Live At The Jam Jar (TPT006)

Topette!! released ON - Live at the Jam Jar on January 19th. The Jam Jar is in Bristol, “one of those wonderful venues where magic ...

Davie Furey announces new album and Irish tour dates

One of Ireland’s most beloved and respected musicians and songwriters, Davie Furey, is to embark on his first headline tour of Ireland in 5 years.  After a ...

HANNAH WHITE – Sweet Revolution (Last Music Company)

Garnering substantial praise throughout the year for her previous musical works, London-based singer-songwriter, Hannah White concluded her 2023 with a brand new offering of Americana-infused ...

MATTHEW ROBB – History Before It Happens (own label)

UK-born, but based in Germany, musically trading in blues/folk style with a propensity for protest, Robb’s been likened to van Zandt and early Dylan in ...

The Longest Johns announce new album and tour dates

Internationally renowned Bristol-based sea shanty sensations The Longest Johns will release their brand new album Voyage on February 9th 2024. The album is available to ...

Grace Petrie announces new album, single, tour

2024 looks set to be a pretty turbulent year. There’s a general election coming, plus the ever-constant spectres of industrial disputes, climate change and continuing ...

THE WEST COAST FOLK FESTIVAL – Damian Liptrot reports

The West Coast Folk Festival 2024 proved to be a mesmerizing celebration of musical diversity, fostering a sense of community and unity among folk enthusiasts ...

Wickham Festival – first news

Rock Goddess Suzi Quatro is set to headline a star-studded line-up at this year’s Wickham Festival. The American legend will join the Levellers, Seth Lakeman, ...

MATT MITCHELL MUSIC CO – Obvious Euphoria (American Standard Time Records)

Obvious Euphoria is released in the UK on January 26th and is the third full length release by Matt Mitchell Music Co. It was recorded ...

FAREFELD – Game Of Halves (own label)

Having previously traded under individual names as Chris Elliot and Caitlin Jones, the Staffordshire duo have now restyled themselves Farefeld, a conflation of the old ...

Elephant Sessions, Julie Fowlis, Mànran join lineup for The Reeling Festival 2024

The Reeling Festival, Glasgow’s summer celebration of Scottish traditional music has confirmed its full lineup up for 2024 – with some of the biggest names ...

Janice Long Bursary 2024 opens for submissions

Long-running festival announces opening of bursary award in honour of renowned broadcaster. Hello You! supports new and emerging musicians. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 ...

MISERABLE RICH – Overcome (Rags To Riches Records)

John Lennon sang about “sitting in an English garden”, and the new Miserable Rich album, Overcome, waters those Brighton flowers with folk-pop acoustic endlessly enjoyable ...

Crude Apache present Singing The Fishing

Following on from Crude Apache’s sell out show at the Maddermarket, Norwich in 2020 about the Norfolk Broads: At The Turning Of The Tide, the ...

Loreena McKennitt announces new “back to the roots” album

On March 8, 2024, Juno Award-winning Canadian artist Loreena McKennitt, who has sustained international acclaim for over 30 years, will be releasing a new album ...

ELIJAH JAMES AND THE NIGHTMARES – The Hellish Bending Towards the Light (Golden Believers Records)

The story of Elijah James and the Nightmares’ second album, The Hellish Bending Towards The Light, is yet another in which the lockdowns play a ...

Hannah Gillespie announces her first new album for a decade

Paper Heart Angel has been a long time coming for Australian singer/songwriter Hannah Gillespie…10 years in fact since her last release… and it is clear ...

Brooks Williams announces his new solo album

In 2024 Brooks Williams releases his first solo recording in four years. Diamond Days is a love-song to his guitar, and to the songs and ...

GILLIAN FLEETWOOD – Together With Yourself At Sea Level (own label)

Together With Yourself At Sea Level brings together elements of folk, jazz and even rock in one rather astonishing package. Gillian Fleetwood is a Scottish ...

Edinburgh TradFest announces its headline names

Opening this year’s Festival on Friday 3 May, thanks to support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, will be Daniel Docherty and Martyn MacDonald ...

Fairport Convention – WinTour dates

It feels like mere weeks ago that Fairport's Cropredy Convention brought the cream of Folk, Roots, Rock (and Disco!) to the Oxfordshire countryside, topped off ...

Gate To Southwell Festival – first news

There are already great expectations for this summer's Gate To Southwell Festival (July 4th to 7th). The GTSF organisers have confirmed high-quality international headliners such as ...

Andy Sharrocks announces Valentine’s Day gig

Singer-songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Andy Sharrocks & The Incurable Romantics will perform a Valentine’s Day Headline London Show which will see him perform a Free ...

THIS IS THE KIT – Careful Of Your Keepers (Rough Trade)

This Is The Kit’s new album, Careful Of Your Keepers, asks (and while Hamlet’s dilemma is admittedly both a bit more literary and tragic) the ...

Official folk album chart – December 2023

On Tuesday 9 January the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

Finn Collinson announces February tour

East Anglian contemporary folk musician Finn Collinson will be heading out on a nine-date English venue tour in February 2024. Together with his virtuosic band, ...

Here’s news of Glasgow’s Celtic Connections 2024

Preparations are well underway for world-renowned Glasgow festival Celtic Connections, which is set to warm up dark winter nights with its vibrant programme of sensational ...

Malcolm MacWatt announces his new album

Scottish musician Malcolm MacWatt continues his Transatlantic journey with Dark Harvest, the follow up to his highly acclaimed album Settler. As a songwriter, MacWatt mixes ...

HIRONDELLE – Hirondelle (own label)

Hirondelle is a collaborative world folk music project, led by those Northumbrian “troubadours”, the Brothers Gillespie, that survived the Covid pandemic, and now flies freely ...

ALUN PARRY – Speak Easy, Sing Hard (own label)

A trauma therapist in his day job, recorded at his hometown Liverpool’s Prohibition Studio in front of a live audience, Speak Easy, Sing Hard marked ...

CHRISTOPHER CROMPTON – The Darkness And The Dust (own label)

Happy New Year – and what a splendid start to 2024. The Darkness And The Dust is Christopher Crompton’s second album and was released on ...

MARTYN JOSEPH – This Is What I Want To Say (Pipe Records PRCD039)

Martyn Joseph has had a great deal to say over the years and said it very eloquently. This Is What I Want To Say is, ...

BROWN HORSE – Reservoir (Loose Music)

Brown Horse’s Reservoir is a brilliant collection (all the way from Norfolk, England!) of tunes sung by anyone who has “just pulled into Nazareth” and ...

CIARAN RYAN BAND – Occupational Hazards (own label CRB001)

If you’re looking for a chill out album for the New Year, Occupational Hazards from Ciaran Ryan Band won’t fit the bill. But if you ...

AL LEWIS – Fifteen Years (own label ALM040)

So titled because that’s how long it took to come about, the initial impetus for the Welsh singer-songwriter’s album was his decision during lockdown to ...

STEVE LOGAN – Psych Ward (SLOG 027)

First things first: Psych Ward isn’t folk. Apart from the odd track, Logan largely left that behind a few albums ago. It’s pretty damn good though ...

VIDEO WALL 27

We'll wind up the year with a few recently acquired videos and an old classic. This post is a bit of a mixture but we ...

LAUREN COLLIER – Uddevalla (own label CPRCD001)

Uddevalla is a beautiful album and, in its own way, delightfully unconventional. Lauren is a fiddle player and singer, originally from Irvine – just across ...

Rant give us something to look forward to

Scottish chamber-folk quartet Rant have announced the release of their new album Spin, out Friday 9 February 2023. A bold, ambitious and reflective collection of ...

Ciaran Ryan announces first band album

Following the release of Ciaran’s debut solo album Banjaxed in 2019, Occupational Hazards is the first release under the guise Ciaran Ryan Band. Featuring the ...

SINGLES BAR 97 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

Singer/songwriter STEFFAN LEWIS has a new EP, Look For Me In The New Horizon, released this month. The opening track, ‘Nightingale Sing’, characterised by ringing ...

TIM EDEY – A Celtic Christmas Volume 1 (GBR023)

Hot off the press is Tim Edey’s new CD A Celtic Christmas (Volume 1). You’d expect some gloriously played music from Tim Edey and this ...

SHIRLEY COLLINS –Archangel Hill (Domino Recording Company)

Shirley Collins’ Archangel Hill is a beautiful album that’s an arboreal memory with deep roots that fuel regeneration of common folk song foliage. Put simply: ...

NICK HART & TOM MOORE – The Colour Of Amber (Slow Worm Records SWR005CD)

When did you last hear a Viola da Gamba in a folk club? Exactly. The instrument in question is played on The Colour Of Amber ...

The Haar to tour in the spring

The Haar are on tour February and April 2024: A splendid balance of swirling instrumental magic and beautifully sung narratives. Two albums in, and this ...

HARBOTTLE & JONAS with THE CLEAVES – Live @ The Great Hall (own label)

Well, here’s an unexpected early Christmas gift. Recorded in summer 2019 when they led the folk course at The International Summer School in Dartington, they ...

Martin Carthy – his debut album will be reissued next year

In the early 1960s, the approach Martin Carthy took to folk music was nothing short of revolutionary, albeit a relatively quiet revolution befitting his humble ...

YULATRAKTORS – Solstice Wyrd (own label)

I am developing a theory and it is this. The worse the world’s situation gets the more people look to celebrations as an anchorage, particularly ...

Martyn Joseph – new album and tour

What is it that the artist wants to say? Even the singer-songwriter who’s been trying to say the unsayable by singing it and hitching words ...

The Official Folk Album chart

On Tuesday 5 December the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

KEEPING IT LIVE – Merry Hell in Melbourne December 2023

“I miss you like a world cup penalty” – what an image. Only one band could get away with that and make it melodic, vibrant ...

SLOW TOWN CLOCK – Crossing Tides (own label)

Slow Town Clock is the nom de plume of Jamie Leven (no relation), originally from Glasgow but now resident in northern England. Crossing Tides is ...

ALL THE BEES – All The Bees (own label ATB001CD)

For her first album since 2019’s The Deafening Sounds Of Stars with HoboPop Kirsty McGee has joined forces with Gitika Partington, a singer-songwriter, composer and ...

The Albion Christmas Band on tour again!

The Albion Christmas Band are widely regarded as the premier seasonal show, which has been touring for 23 years this year, and attracts sell-out audiences ...

ROBB JOHNSON & THE XMAS IRREGULARS – Murder At The Grange (Irregular Records IRR127)

Murder At The Grange is a show I haven’t seen, although it was premiered last Christmas and will be on the road again very soon ...

Johnny Campbell announces new album

True North is a labour of love from acclaimed singer-songwriter Johnny Campbell, who has spent his career so far exploring the songs and stories of ...

Cambridge Folk Festival tickets now on sale

One of the most celebrated events in the UK summer calendar, Cambridge Folk Festival is delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale for ...

TIM READMAN & ANDY COOKE – The 12 Hits Of Christmas (Big City)

You have to laugh sometimes. Well, I did when I read the somewhat tongue in cheek notes that came with The 12 Hits Of Christmas, ...

KATE RUSBY – Light Years (Pure PRCD50)

As she turns 50, Light Years marks Rusby’s seventh Christmas album, her 22nd in total, and again features a mix of (mostly) originals and her ...

Robb Johnson – Murder At The Grange album release and live dates

The soundtrack from Robb Johnson’s festive entertainment MURDER AT THE GRANGE will be released December 1st, & available as an LP & digital download. Twelve ...

DAVID BENJAMIN BLOWER – Kindness Is Solid Stone Violence Is A Heavy Loan To Pay (own label download)

The Birmingham-based theological agitator and singer-songwriter, takes time off from his Messianic Folklore podcast to release a new album, Kindness Is Solid Stone Violence Is ...

McHALE’S PERMANENT BREW – Lessons From The Darkest Storms… (109 Records)

Where does classic blues-rock intersect with traditional folk music? That’s the question I asked myself when I first listened to Lessons From The Darkest Storms…, ...

Chris Ricketts releases new album

Internationally acclaimed 21st-century shanty singer, Chris Ricketts returns with an album of shanties and self-penned songs called Go To Sea No More. Widely loved this ...

LEWIS BARFOOT – Home (own label – LCB01CD)

Home is the second album from English-Irish singer, songwriter, and musician – as well as a former actor and NHS doctor – Lewis Barfoot. Born ...

SINGLES BAR 96 – A round-up of recent EPs and singles

THE DEADLY WINTERS began work on Ever Onwards four years ago but all sorts of problems beset them. The title of the EP proved apposite ...

Nick Hart and Tom Moore release debut album

After many years of collaborating in various guises, this November will see the release of the highly anticipated first duo album from Nick Hart and ...

ELIZA CARTHY & JON BODEN – Glad Christmas Comes (Hudson HUD045)

Another seasonal collection on traditionals old and new, familiar and obscure, joined by Yorkshire’s Backstage Brass ensemble with Emily Portman and Tim van Eyken on ...

JOHN KIRKPATRICK – Joy & Jubilation (Fledg’ling FLED 3112)

This album has been available for a while but I have an aversion to reviewing Christmas records before the clocks go back. I’ve held out ...

Tim Edey announces Christmas album and tour

Released to coincide with his first Celtic Christmas UK tour, Tim Edey’s new album presents listeners with seasonal music from a range of traditions, performed ...

MARTYN JOSEPH – Live At St. David’s Hall (Pipe PRCD038)

Live At St. David’s Hall is a low key release prior to the new studio album next year, recorded in Cardiff on February 7 this ...

BILL JACKSON – 1965 (Wayside Records)

Banjo, slide guitar, songs that conjure up wide horizons or tough frontier towns: 1965 is pure Americana. Except that Bill Jackson is Australian and although ...

ABIGAIL LAPELL – Lullabies (Outside Music)

Well, here’s something a bit different. Based in Toronto, Lapell’s preceding three albums have all won her Canadian Folk Music Awards. Those were all original ...

Baskery release their fifth album

Baskery is three sisters from Stockholm, known for their energetic live shows and unique sound, created on a six-string banjo, upright bass, acoustic- and electric ...

PRIME MINISTER – 10 (digital release)

You’ll be relieved to know that Prime Minister is not Cruella Braverman’s latest project. It is, in fact, a collaboration between The Village (Phil Matthews) ...

KATIE WHITEHOUSE – Drawing Lines (Want To Know WTK007)

Based in Devon, running an award-winning music management, artist development, booking and promotion agency whose roster includes Reg Meuross, Charlie Dore and Harbottle & Jonas, ...

SMOKE FAIRIES – Carried In Sound (Year Seven Records)

Smoke Fairies’ new album, Carried In Sound, sings with a narcotic lure of velvet history and wine-sipped conversation. There’s a mythical Siren song, a psych ...

A WINTER UNION – Sooner After Solstice: A Transatlantic Folk Christmas (Sungrazing Records SGR201)

Their first album in seven years, Katriona Gilmore, Jamie Roberts, Hannah Sanders, Ben Savage and Jade Rhiannon from The Willows (of which Gilmore and Savage ...

GEORGIA SHACKLETON – Harry’s Seagull (own label)

Georgia has already made her mark with The Shackleton Trio and her debut solo album, Harry’s Seagull, continues her ongoing exploration of East Anglian songs ...

The Trials Of Cato tour UK airing new songs

Award winning band The Trials Of Cato tour UK airing new songs BBC radio 2 folk show album of the year winners The Trials Of ...

DANNY BRITT – All Over The Map (own label)

Based in Austin, Britt’s seventh album, All Over The Map, is succinctly summed up by its title, the genres contained within wandering between jazz, old ...

Jim Moray announces a unique retrospective album

Jim Moray is to release new album Beflean: An Alternative History 2002-2023 on November 24th, 2023, Recorded at iconic Abbey Road Studios, Jim is set ...

The Official Folk Album Chart – October 2023

On Tuesday 7 November the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo reveal the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released ...

SHOW OF HANDS – Roots 2 (Hands On Music HMCD52)

As the title says, Roots 2 is the sequel to their first best of collection, one that marks their final tour as a trio with ...

RÉALTA – Thing Of The Earth (own label)

Belfast band Réalta’s new album, Thing Of The Earth, touches a vinyl stylus into the aged, grooved rings of an old boldly hewn oaken stump ...

HONEY AND THE BEAR – Away Beyond The Fret (own label)

Away Beyond The Fret, the third album from Suffolk-based duo Lucy and Jon Hart, continuing the trend set on the previous releases (Aker, Roke), the ...

Moonrakers announce their final gigs of the year

Dear Friends, Exciting news!  Our music is to be used on the forthcoming second season of the BBC television series Beyond Paradise. We're dead chuffed ...

All The Bees announce their debut album

All The Bees are Kirsty McGee and Gitika Partington, two highly experienced writer-musicians who have who have created an exciting new album of gentle yet ...

THE ROSIE HOOD BAND – A Seed Of Gold (Little Red Recordings LRRCD01)

Following on from her well-received 2017 album debut, joined by Robyn Wallace on melodeon, and Nicola Beazley and Rosie Butler-Hall on fiddles, A Seed Of ...

HOLLY & THE REIVERS – Three Galleys (own label HATR2508)

Holly & The Reivers are a trio from the borderlands around Newcastle. Holly Clarke, Merle Harbron and Bertie Armstrong all enjoy solo careers but came ...

BRYONY GRIFFITH & ALICE JONES – Wesselbobs (Selwyn Music SYNMCD0010)

Getting into the seasonal mood early on, combining  fiddle, harmonium, tenor guitar and body percussion, produced by Joe Rusby the duo, generally on alternative lead ...

KATIE MACFARLANE – An Nighean Sheunta (Viewbank Records VBRCD001)

I’ve said it before but there is something mystical about Gaelic song. I don’t really care what the words mean but the sound is magical ...

TONY WINN – Blue Speck (Freefall FF016D)

Blue Speck, the eighth album by the Suffolk-based singer-songwriter takes a decided environmental course on the opening ‘All We Have’, a spoken track with Helen ...