The folking.com music archive for album reviews and news

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).

All recent review and features posts below (where available) can be ordered below through our UK or US Storefront 

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Physical link for the UK Store is: https://folking.com/folking-store/

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CYRIL TAWNEY – In Port (Talking Elephant Records TECD 187)

The mere mention of the name Cyril Tawney brings pleasure to many Shanty singers around the world. Therefore this re-release of his “In Port” album ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – Transatlantic Sessions 5: Volume One (Whirlie Records Whirlie CD25)

The great thing about receiving the latest Transatlantic Sessions CD is that you know all is right with world. In company with twenty-six of the ...
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Bonnie Raitt – Slipstream – Released April 2nd on Proper Records

With the release of her nineteenth album, Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt is starting anew. The album marks her return to studio recording after seven years; it's ...
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Counting Crows Announce New Album ‘Underwater Sunshine’ (COOKCD561) To Be Released April 9th

Multi-platinum American rock band, Counting Crows have announced they will be releasing their first new album in over 4 years on 9th April 2012. Underwater ...
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TAAB 2 – WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GERALD BOSTOCK?

Ian Anderson’s follow up to 1972’s classic prog rock album offers some answers Prog Rock? Prog Rock? In 2012? Are you serious? Well, yes actually ...
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PAUL BRADY – DANCER IN THE FIRE: A PAUL BRADY ANTHOLOGY

‘Dancer In The Fire’ is a rich and diverse double CD of Paul Brady’s favourite recordings, personally chosen by the artist and serving as a companion to ...
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MOULETTES – new album ‘The Bear’s Revenge’ release date May 2012

Described as a turbo-charged roots ensemble for the 21st century, Moulettes are an entrancing combination of strings and celestial harmonies; woodwind and weirdness; rhythm and ...
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KAREN RYAN – The Coast Road (Clo Iar-Chonnacht CICD 188)

This is the kind of recording that harks back to the old days of “Paddy In The Smoke” and Danny ‘Concrete Fingers’ Meehan playing at ...
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The boys are back in town… Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley…

Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley have been bringing their unique sound to audiences across Europe and America since the early 1990s, when a chance meeting ...
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Kris Drever with Éamonn Coyne & Megan Henderson (EP, Reveal Records)

This EP serves as a brief reminder of the sheer power of storytelling that is harnessed by Kris Drever’s remarkable and characteristic voice. Bereft of ...
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RURA – Break It Up (Greentrax Recordings CDTRAX364)

I don’t know what it is…maybe it’s the water…Highland Spring naturally (!) that they’re drinking inScotland but the skirl of the pipes is causing many ‘folk’ ...
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ROUGH ISLAND BAND – Where To? (Own Label)

There may be no indigenous music as such from the Isles of Scilly but that doesn’t stop members of the local community of St Agnes ...
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SARAH McQUAID – The Plum Tree And The Rose (Waterbug Records WBG104)

Much like her heroine Bess Of Hardwick (“Hardwick’s Lofty Towers”) Sarah McQuaid has the intelligence and tenacity to cultivate her lyrics so that the legacy of her ...
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THE ALBION BAND – Vice Of The People (Powered Flight Music POWFCD02)

The stark acapella ‘calling-on song’ “A Quarter Hour Of Fame” takes a knowing pop at the industry known as ‘pop’ for, if Simon Cowell were ...
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Older Than My Old Man Now – Loudon Wainwright III

As his new album's title relates, Loudon Wainwright III is Older Than My Old Man Now -- his old man, of course, being the late Loudon Wainwright, ...
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RACHAEL McSHANE – No Man’s Fool (Navigator Records NAVIGATOR27)

Better known as the only female member of Bellowhead the cellist and singer Rachael McShane will certainly turn a few heads with this excellent recording ...
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Much-loved Canadian folk roots combo Po’ Girl

The beauty and mystery of Po’ Girl's music - a sound that has beguiled fans the world over - springs from the mesmerizing bond shared by ...
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WHOLE WIDE WORLD… CRAIG & WILLOUGHBY featuring RIGHTEOUS BROTHER BILL MEDLEY

Craig & Willoughby's new single, WHOLE WIDE WORLD is now available online via Amazon, iTunes, etc. It features Cathryn's mentor, Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers, ...
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DUNCAN McCRONE – Colourblind (Circular Records CR1039)

This CD had remained on my ‘to do’ list for quite a while so I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise to Duncan for ...
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Texan fiddler-singer-songwriter Amanda Shires released new album ‘Carrying Lightning’

Texan fiddler-singer-songwriter Amanda Shires announces her first headline tour of the UK & Ireland in April & May, including shows at this year’s prestigious Kilkenny Roots Festival, accompanied ...
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Cowboy Junkies – The Wilderness

You remember the Cowboy Junkies, right? Well, they are just about to release The Wilderness, Volume 4 of The Nomad Series on March 26, 2012, ...
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RACHEL HAIR TRIO – No More Wings (March Hair Records MHRCD003)

One of my earliest experiences of performance harp was by ‘Harpo’ Marx in the film “A Day At The Races” and again in a film ...
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Sean Taylor LOVE AGAINST DEATH

Peace against War. Hope against Hate. Unity against Division. Freedom against Fear. Love against Death. The album was born and brought up in Kilburn, England, ...
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KYLE CAREY – Monongah (Self-Released)

A bit like President Obama I feel that Ms Carey is a ‘nice’ person. It’s not that I know her personally of course but judging ...
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THE WEBB SISTERS – Savages (PRPCD079)

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!”…so said Sir Walter Scott. And indeed, the web that sisters Charley and ...
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ALLAN YN Y FAN – Pwnco (Steam Pie Records SPCD10165)

Medieval…that’s how I’d describe the music of the Welsh band Allan Yn Y Fan on hearing the first track “Death In Ennis/The Audient” of their ...
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TALIS KIMBERLEY – The Hearth And The Hive – OWN LABEL

Folk is a minority interest music and at its fringe is filk, that undefined and undefinable genre to which Talis Kimberley can be said to ...
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JON AIRDRIE & THE SHELLEYS – Something’s Cooking – OWN LABEL

Jon Airdrie’s previous album with The Shelleys was a download set designed, I presume, to raise funds for the next project. If so he spent ...
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Babajack ROOSTER – KROSSBORDER REKORDS KBR20121

“Chooglin’” was the term that Creedence Clearwater Revival coined for their sound and if you can imagine an acoustic choogle, that how BabaJack sound. It’s ...
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Cathy Jordan – All The Way Home

Musician and vocalist Cathy Jordan, long time member of multi-award winning traditional Irish band Dervish, will launch her debut solo album on 2nd April 2012.  Cathy’s ...
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The new debut album from Dan Raza

Dan has already established a considerable reputation on the UK singer songwriter and folk roots scene. His distinctive approach has won him many fans and ...
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Tomos Lewis – Debut EP Four Songs out March 19th

This four-track EP showcases Tomos Lewis’ exceptional vocals, fiery guitar skills and sweetly sensitive hook-filled tunes. It is an EP to sway, dream, smile and ...
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Steve McQueen by Mike Marlin Released Today plus UK Tour with the Stranglers…

Mike Marlin ripped through 2011 being chosen as HMV ‘Next Big Thing’, releasing his debut album Nearly Man, touring the UK twice, singing disco with dwarves, ...
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Jack McNeill & Charlie Heys TWO FINE DAYS

"The Birmingham-based, Young Folk Awards-nominated duo's free-spirited music sounds centuries old. It's not, and their fresh guitar and violin set-up adds a rare sparkle to ...
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ALTAN – The Poison Glen (Compass Records 4571)

There’s something reassuring about coming across a lyric or melody that you’re used to hearing even if it’s not in your native tongue. Such is ...
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Gráinne Holland – Teanga na nGael

West Belfast's Gráinne Holland bursts on to the scene with this impressive debut recording, boasting confident, avant-garde interpretations of largely traditional Gaelic songs, with a full-bodied voice that ...
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Sam Sallon

Sam Sallon, an up and coming acoustic singer/songwriter from North London, who is creating quite a buzz on the acoustic music scene. Sam has a ...
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Babajack ROOSTER

BabaJack is an acoustic blues/ folk band from Malvern that is fast becoming an established band on the Folk and Blues Festival circuits in the ...
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Bap Kennedy THE SAILORS REVENGE

For nearly any singer/songwriter on the planet, the idea of collaborating with Mark Knopfler would be the stuff of fantasy. But for Bap Kennedy, it ...
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DAVID GIBB and ELLY LUCAS – Old Chairs To Mend (Hairpin Records 002)

David Gibb and Elly Lucas are an exciting young duo who play a mixture of original and re‐worked traditional folk material. They hail from Derbyshire ...
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LITHA – Dancing Of The Light (ARCD 3045)

A few years ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the 2Duos outstanding debut CD. Since then they’ve changed their name to Litha but whatever ...
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Ledfoot Gothic Blues Volume One

LEDFOOT a.k.a. Tim Scott McConnell was born in a trailer-park in Florida 1958. At the age of 15 he started to play biker bars around ...
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Sarah McQuaid The Sun Goes On Rising

The Sun Goes On Rising is the first single from The Plum Tree and the Rose, the forthcoming third album by Sarah McQuaid, featuring two tracks ...
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THE HUT PEOPLE – Picnic (Fellside Recordings FECD248)

So, here it is a welcome return to my favourite drum and squeezebox duo. Mind you, to my knowledge I don’t think there are any ...
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KEITH KENDRICK & SYLVIA NEEDHAM – Well Dressed (Wild Goose Records WGS 387CD)

I count myself very lucky to work on occasions with Keith Kendrick & Sylvia Needham as members of the music ‘crew’ providing entertainment onboard HMS ...
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KATE RUSBY – While Mortals Sleep (Pure Records PRCD34)

Only 292 days to Christmas... Avoiding the cliché of echoing the ending of each line of “Cranbrook” (“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night”) set ...
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JIM MORAY – Skulk (NIBL013)

Perhaps its Moray’s numerous tales of brushes with death on previous recordings that inspired him to use the collective noun for foxes ‘Skulk’ as the ...
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MAIREAD NI MHAONAIGH – Imeall (Moon1)

I first met the beautiful Irish chanteuse Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh in 1978 when she performed at St Mary’s Church Hall in Hastings (rather uncharitably re-christened ...
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MAIREAD NI MHAONAIGH – Imeall (Moon1)

I first met the beautiful Irish chanteuse Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh in 1978 when she performed at St Mary’s Church Hall in Hastings (rather uncharitably re-christened ...
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SPIRO – Kaleidophonica (REAL WORLD CDRW188)

With this new album Spiro have moved their music to the next stage. Rather than beginning with traditional themes and taking them to strange places, ...
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WEST OF EDEN – Safe Crossing (West Of Music WOMCD7)

A welcome return of the Swedish based sextuplet West Of Eden for this, their seventh album. On hearing the first bars of the opening track ...
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Local band – The Roving Crows WINNERS of 2 International Music Awards

Gloucestershire based ‘The Roving Crows’ have gained well-deserved international recognition by taking home 2 titles at the Irish Music Awards in Missouri on 28th January; ...
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OONAGH DERBY – Harmony Street (KTM Records KTM001)

In a way Oonah Derby’s story reflects Irish chanteuse Mary Black’s transformation as singer for General Humbert to her more elevated position as a conveyer ...
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The Proposition KING SNAKE DEVIL SHAKE… Debut album

“The Proposition combine authentic old-timey Americana with a roughly hewn, melody rich acoustic roots.” R2 Some of the most exciting discoveries in ‘pop’ of recent years ...
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HANNAH JAMES & SAM SWEENEY – State And Ancientry – ROOTBEAT RECORDS RBRCD13

So much has happened to Hannah and Sam since they released Catches & Glees that I’m almost surprised to find them still working together. Sam has ...
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KAREN TWEED – Essentially Invisible To The Eye – MAY MORNING ADVENTURES MMA6327002

“A novel, an autobiography, a casserole and as close to a self portrait as I am able to create”: Karen Tweed’s own words on the ...
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IONA – Another Realm (Open Sky Records OPENSKY 16)

I’ll only mention it once (and believe me, it’s a compliment) that when Clannad released their album “Robin Of Sherwood” in 1984 they were to ...
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A new Albion Band album… The Vice of The People

Alongside Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, The Albion Band are one of the “Big Three” of English Folk Rock, fusing traditional British songs and tunes with contemporary ...
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ACOUSTIC STRAWBS – Rock Plaza, Sevenoaks 04.02.12

Our friends’ at Brandywine Music are putting on some tremendous acts at venues across Kent and Sussex and tonight was no exception. OK, so it might not perhaps ...
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TREACHEROUS ORCHESTRA – Origins (Navigator Records NAVIGATOR062)

Now, that’s more like it…an album that is driven by pure energy! Rather than hide behind the word ‘art’ as some form of defence the ...
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Nanci Griffith – Intersection

Twenty albums now, and none before like this. “It’s emotional for me, and it’s personal, and it makes my heart pound, thinking I’m going to be ...
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Phil Beer Box Set Revisited

I wanted to remind you all of the fantastic body of work Phil released in 2010, which was known commonly as “Box Set 1”. The ...
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Celtic Skies featuring Andrea Corr & Damien Dempsey…

Celtic Skies is a collection of popular Irish and Scottish traditional songs recorded in a new, contemporary style. The album features various established Celtic  artists ...
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BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012 Winners Announced

Lifetime Achievement Awards for Don McLean and The Dubliners Four Awards for June Tabor & Oysterband Good Tradition Awards for Ian Campbell and Bill Leader ...
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GREN BARTLEY – Songs To Scythe Back The Overgrown (FELLSIDE FECD247)

When Tom Kitching and Gren Bartley went their separate ways after a successful partnership there was a feeling of inevitability about the directions they took ...
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BELLOWHEAD – The Orchard Theatre, Dartford 28.01.12

Dartford is an unforgiving one-way nightmare – let my mate Les Elvin tell you about it sometime. Arriving at The Orchard Theatre just as Bellowhead were ...
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BRAM TAYLOR – Jokers And Rogues (Fellside Recordings FECD246)

With the current trend from younger artists trying to be cool by writing ultra-clever lyrics with instrumental arrangements to match isn’t it refreshing to hear ...
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GILBERT O’SULLIVAN ‘A SINGER AND HIS SONGS – ‘THE VERY BEST OF GILBERT O’SULLIVAN’

Gilbert O’Sullivan, one of the country’s most revered singers, songwriters and musicians, celebrates an amazing forty-five year recording career with the release of ‘A Singer ...
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FAR, FAR FROM YPRES – ONE OF THE EMOTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2012

A stage show featuring songs, music, poetry and images of WW1, and inspired by a double CD published by Greentrax Recordings, ‘Far, Far From Ypres’, ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – Big River Big Songs (Mawson-Wareham Music MWMDVD78)

Perhaps this tremendous DVD should be re-titled “Big Hearts, Big Soul” such is the impact it’s had on me! It goes without saying that Geordie-land ...
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Karen Tweed – Essentially Invisible to the Eye

ESSENTIALLY INVISIBLE TO THE EYE is Karen Tweed’s latest recording and, in being entirely solo, is a departure from her extensive collaborative work which has ...
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SEEKER LOVER KEEPER

Seeker Lover Keeper is the arresting meeting-of-minds of three of the finest female songwriters working today. Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby are all ...
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KATIE MELUA ALBUM NEWS

‘Secret Symphony’, the brand new album by Katie Melua, will be released on March 5th, 2012. Katie Melua takes the stage in front of the Secret ...
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One for Facebark!

Musician, Composer,Producer, Presenter and Raconteur Phil Cunningham has often brought a smile to our faces here at Folking.com. His legendary tale about Fergie MacDonald which we filmed ...
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Steve Tilston – The Reckoning

The Reckoning has been nominated for Best original Song in this years BBC Folk Awards 2012. This eagerly awaited album is quintessential Steve Tilston featuring insightful lyrics reflecting an affinity ...
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BREABACH – Bann (Breabach Records BRE002CD)

This album reminds me of the first time I encountered The Tannahill Weavers in 1978 having just recruited the wild excesses of piper Alan MacLeod ...
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Two more blues/R & B legends gone….

On Friday January 20th Etta James died at the age of 73, from complications from leukaemia. She was also suffering with dementia and hepatitis C. The ...
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Folking.com comes to Twitter!

Today Folking.com launched its new "folking tweet for you!" service for all of you people out there who would like to follow us on the ...
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MIRANDA SYKES & REX PRESTON – HANDS ON MUSIC HMCD035

Miranda and Rex play together in other Celtic bluegrass projects. Miranda is, of course, well known as the third member of Show Of Hands and ...
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Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012 give Lifetime Achievement Awards to…

Folk legends Don McLean and The Dubliners will both be given Lifetime Achievement Awards at BBC Radio 2's Folk Awards 2012, to be broadcast live ...
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O’HOOLEY & TIDOW – The Fragile – NO MASTERS NMCD39

After their stunning debut, Silent June, expectations were high for Belinda and Heidi’s second album and they haven’t let us down. Facebook fans have followed ...
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Michael MacLennan – Wolves

Michael MacLennan is a Scottish pianist, singer and songwriter. Brought up in the small village of Nethy Bridge in the Scottish highlands, he began playing the ...
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ANI DIFRANCO RETURNS WITH HER FIRST NEW ALBUM IN MORE THAN THREE YEARS…

Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ani DiFranco has announced the upcoming release of her eagerly awaited new album. ¿Which Side Are You On? arrives via the Grammy-winning artist’s own Righteous Babe ...
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Rebecca De Winter – And Other Tales

Rebecca De Winter’s sound fuses the alternative pop soul of Ryan Adams with the pure piano balladry of Ben Folds and the narrative delivery of ...
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Introducing Marc O’Reilly…

‘My Friend Marx’ is the debut album from Irish folk-blues artist Marc O’Reilly. Its release has been greeted with much acclaim in his native Ireland ...
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SUZY BOGGUSS – American Folk Songbook CD and Songbook (Loyal Dutchess Records LDR 1006)

When I took my first faltering steps into the world of ‘folk’ music my music teacher presented me with a book of American folk songs ...
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The Henry Girls – December Moon

The Henry Girls are fast becoming one of the most talked about folk/roots acts to come out of the North West of Ireland in the ...
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Award-Winning Songsmith Susan Greenbaum Announces This Life

Susan Greenbaum committed the first sin of musicians: She quit her day job. After working as a corporate executive in Fortune 500 companies, she traded ...
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Some exciting news about RENAISSANCE…

RENAISSANCE: DREAMS & OMENS / TUSCANY / LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN – LIVE IN JAPAN 2011. This set provides a glorious glimpse ...
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Wailin’ Jenny – Ruth Moody’s debut solo album

Ruth Moody’s debut solo album The Garden was released January 16 on Red House Records The Garden is the first full-length solo album from Ruth Moody ...
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LE VENT DU NORD – Symphonique (TRCD 3029)

Now, here’s a band that, although ‘folk’ based aren’t too worried to put a slightly commercial twist to their performance. Incorporating a bit of jazz ...
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Butlins’ 2011 Great British Folk Festival – Review by Peterborough & South Lincs Folk Diary…

You have to admit that, when you take the money into account, Butlins' 2011 Great British Folk Festival was good value. We enjoyed Bob Fox, ...
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PATSY MATHESON – STORIES OF ANGELS AND GUITARS TRCD2

The new album from former Waking the Witch member Patsy Matheson, has taken the music world by storm, not yet released but already greatly applauded by industry ...
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BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST – The West End Centre, Aldershot – 15th December 2011

There are some people who don’t get Belshazzar’s Feast. One on-line reviewer wrote: “they humorously shamble their way through a mix of traditional and original ...
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CHARLIE DORE – Cheapskate Lullabyes (Black Ink Music BICD6)

I suppose it must be at least 20 years since I saw a live performance (I believe it was The Hope & Anchor in Islington) ...
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Martyn Joseph – Live at the Brook

Martyn Joseph captured live on DVD at his folking best playing solo in front of an enthusiastic audience at The Brook in Southampton in November ...
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Bellowhead – Hedonism Live

Released in October 2010, the 'Hedonism' album has quickly become one of the best selling folk releases of modern times. After a packed summer of ...
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ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND – A Sound In The Frosty Air (Rooksmere Records RRCD104)

I've just had to slag off a certain ‘folk’(???) band for daring to ruin our traditional songs by taking liberties with the arrangements and smothering the ...
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Christy Moore – Folk Tale (Sony Music Ireland)

It's quite possible that there couldn't be a more fitting title for this album, and not just because it's the title of one of the ...
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MOONSHEE – Moonshee (Park Records PRKCD114)

I suppose the mark of any good CD is when you can play it to your mates (even those not remotely interested in ‘folk’) whilst ...
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VARIOUS ARTISTS – A Treasury Of Shanties And Songs Of The Sea (Proper Records)

Now don’t get me wrong, I suppose like many of the general public I've come to be seduced by the qualities of a good old shanty and ...
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JD SOUTHER: YOU’RE ONLY LONELY

The great JD Souther is one of the elite bunch of singer-songwriters based in the fertile Los Angeles community of the late 60’s and early 70’s ...
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DRIVE BY TRUCKERS: UGLY BUILDINGS, WHORES & POLITICIANS – GREATEST HITS 1998 – 2009

Not just whistling Dixie: The Drive-By Truckers career with the New West Records label is righteously celebrated by way of Ugly Buildings, Whores & Politicians Greatest Hits ...
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BILL WYMAN’S RHYTHM KINGS: LIVE COMMUNICATIONS

Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings have, since the redoubtable Bill convened the combo in the early 1990s, carved themselves an awesome reputation as one of the most reliable, ...
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Jerry Leger – TRAVELING GREY

What possesses a young person to pick up an acoustic guitar and write a song? One reason is certainly the eternal desire to find the ...
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The Woodbine and Ivy Band

The Woodbine & Ivy Band is a group of Manchester musicians who came together to arrange and perform traditional songs whilst channeling the hazy spirit ...
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Gavin Adam Wood – SOULS APART

Gavin Adam Wood is an up and coming singer-songwriter who was born in Leek on the edge of the Peak District, bought his first guitar at ...
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TOM MORIARTY – Fire In The Doll’s House – DRIFTWOOD RECORDS DRIFTW00

I wonder how many artists get to record their debut album at Abbey Road these days. Not many, I suspect, which says a lot for ...
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MACMASTER/HAY – Love And Reason (MDM Records MDMC001)

We in the ‘folk’ world are blessed with inventive musicians and although, it must be said that the coupling of vocals, harp and drums (or ...
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STEELEYE SPAN – Now We Are Six Again (Park Records PRKCD113)

Who said you can’t re-live your youth? Well, I certainly have by going back to 1974. Was it really that long ago that Steeleye first ...
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Tales from the Barrel House – Seth Lakeman folking album review

Seth Lakeman’s hotly anticipated new album – Tales from the Barrel House has now arrived on the streets and it’s HOT! All 10 tracks are ...
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Mary Black – Stories From the Steeples (3ú Records / Blix Street Records)

This is the first studio recording from Mary Black in six years, and it's a collection that demonstrates an artist in full command of her ...
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PECSAETAN MORRIS – At One With The Bells – Seville House Records SEVCD02

There are always new ways making records. We've had ‘sequester a bunch of songwriters in a lonely house and give them a week to write a complete ...
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TIM READMAN & JENNIE BICE – Out Of The Green – Big City BC021

An album of British traditional and modern songs by a Canadian artist is an intriguing prospect. Even more intriguing is Tim Readman’s track record which ...
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MAGGIE HOLLAND – The Music Institute, Guildford – 18th November 2011

The return of Maggie Holland to this area always brings the old lags – sorry, distinguished members of the local folk scene, past and present ...
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PETER GABRIEL – New Blood (Real World Records)

Watching Peter Gabriel’s stunning performance with the New Blood Orchestra on Jools Holland’s Later the other evening proved inspirational. OK, so the luxury of being ...
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Seth Lakeman Announces New Album ‘Tales from the Barrel House’

Celebrated folk singer-songwriter and virtuoso fiddler Seth Lakeman has just released details of his forthcoming sixth album 'Tales From The Barrel House'. Nominated for the Mercury Prize in ...
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CHRIS RICKETTS BAND – The Cellars At Eastney – 1st November 2011

The Cellars At Eastney would be a decent pub if it wasn’t for the music. Or, to put it another way, it would be a ...
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New Country Rehab

Take one of Canada's hottest country fiddle players, a guitarist that's a cross between Tom Morello and Kevin Breit, a percussionist that plays saw blades ...
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THE CARRIVICK SISTERS – FROM THE FIELDS

The Carrivick Sisters are twins Laura and Charlotte Carrivick from South Devon. Both are skilled multi-instrumentalists and between them they play a variety of bluegrass-associated instruments - guitar, ...
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Seattle singer-songwriter, Anna Coogan … new album ‘The Wasted Ocean’

Beautifully crafted and oddly unsettling, Anna Coogan’s new release The Wasted Ocean places her incomparable voice front and centre. Driving banjos, soaring guitars, and swelling strings ...
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PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER – Doors At Eight (Own Label GSCD002)

I must admit that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this gem of a recording from Steeleye Span’s virtuosic violin player Peter Knight ...
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THEA GILMORE – Don’t Stop Singing – ISLAND/MIGHTY VILLAGE

I’m always a little wary about the posthumous raking over of an artist’s work. Sandy Denny has been well served by compilations and archive tapes ...
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THE ONCE – Row Upon Row Of The People They Know (Borealis Records BCD212)

Not many Internationally established Canadian folk artists immediately spring to mind with the possible exceptions of Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Loreena McKennitt and Stan Rogers ...
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Eliza Carthy releases ‘Monkey’ 7th November…

Eliza Carthy will release her new single ‘Monkey’ through HemHem Records on 7th November. The single is taken from her current album ‘Neptune’, which was ...
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KATE DOUBLEDAY – Pied Flycatcher – COPPER RECORDS CRCD003

Following two full-length albums, Kate’s new EP features three songs: delicate pastoral acoustic gems which embody her closeness to nature and her home in Wales ...
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BRYONY GRIFFITH AND WILL HAMPSON – Lady Diamond (SELWYN MUSIC SYNMCD0007)

Bryony Griffith and Will Hampson have been working together for nearly twenty years, most recently in The Demon Barbers. I take this on trust since ...
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JOHN DOYLE – Shadow And Light (Compass Records 4562)

John Doyle may, at first hearing appear an earnest, thought provoking artist but at least he cannot be accused of being dull. By that I ...
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THE BAD SHEPHERDS – By Hook Or By Crook (Monsoon Music)

At first the idea of ‘folk’ with a punk attitude didn’t appeal to me more than likely due to my ‘traditional’ prejudices but when I ...
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CHLOE & SILAS – Spring Hill (One Tree Hill Records OTHRCDSI – 01)

Every now and then I receive an album of which I have no expectations but pleasantly surprises and “Spring Hill” by Chloe Hall (vocal and ...
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PHIL ODGERS – Sunday Morning Coming Down – Vinyl Stac Records VSREP001

Phil Odgers, better known to his friends as Swill, has developed an interesting solo career alongside The Men They Couldn’t Hang. With Paul Simmonds there ...
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Cheyenne Brown – Parallel Latitudes

Alaskan harpist Cheyenne Brown’s beautifully packaged new album “Parallel Latitudes” is a project which aims to highlight connections between music of her homeland, her adopted ...
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LORCÁN MAC MATHÚNA – Northern Lights – Darkness And Light – Own Label LMMO11001

Lorcán Mac Mathúna is best known in Ireland as a Sean-Nós singer. He’s also a man of great imagination and Darkness And Light (Dubh Agus ...
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Graham Robins – THE SHIPPING NEWS

THE SHIPPING NEWS is the brand new album release on The Global Sessions Label by singer songwriter Graham Robins emphasising his love of soul, blues, ...
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The Sunshine Delay – KEEP IT TOGETHER

Since 2001, The Sunshine Delay have been winning admirers throughout the UK and the USA for their classy original songs, cohesive musicianship and a style ...
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Bert Jansch…R.I.P

I was very sad to learn today that Bert Jansch  has died of lung cancer. I was lucky enough to catch the man back-stage at the ...
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Kevin Henderson – “Fin Da Laand Ageen”

Kevin Henderson comes from the Shetland Islands, an island with one of the richest fiddle traditions in the world. He is in hot demand as he ...
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THEA GILMORE – Don’t Stop Singing

The prolific and ever-talented Thea Gilmore has announced details of a unique new collaborative album, ‘Don’t Stop Singing’. Released on November 7 via Island Records & Mighty Village, the record brings together Gilmore’s songwriting ...
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DAMIEN BARBER & MIKE WILSON – The Old Songs – DBS Records DBS004

The Old Songs is the second album from Damien and Mike and follows the pattern of their debut, Under The Influence, drawing material from, in ...
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Luke Ritchie – The Water’s Edge – Album released 21st November

Two years in the making, Luke Ritchie's debut album 'The Water's Edge' is testament to the amazing journey this singer-songwriter has been on. In Autumn 2009, ...
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Les Barker’s Guide Cats for the Blind Vol. 5 ‘Herding Cats’

The Guide Cats for the Blind album series was produced to raise funds for a project run by the British Computer Association of the Blind (BCAB) ...
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STUART CASSELL has left the RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS

Founder and frontman of The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the phenomenon of Bagrock, bagpipe rock-star Stuart Cassells (32) has left the band. After nearly 10 ...
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ROY HARPER – Songs Of Love And Loss – SALVO SALVOCDC222

Roy Harper is seventy and living in semi-retirement as far as making new music is concerned. He has, however, been preparing to make his complete ...
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DAN DONNELLY – COUNTRY AND NORTHERN

The long-awaited album from Belfast born singer/songwriter Dan Donnelly is upon us, after a fabulous taster of an EP released a while before his full ...
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MERRY HELL – Blink…And You Miss It

Once upon a time a band emerged from Wigan. They were raucous post-punk folk-rockers who named themselves after a make of pram – Tansads. They ...
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CHRIS RICKETTS – Port Of Escape – ACOUSTIC FUSION RECORDS AF01

Shanties seem to be coming back into fashion, which some of us regard as a good thing, and Chris Ricketts’ debut solo album is thus ...
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PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER – The Electric Theatre, Guildford – 15 September 2011

Gigspanner are a band for whom improvisation is as important as composition. In theory, no two performances will be the same even with the same ...
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ELBOW JANE – THE BOLDEST BLOOD

Now established as one of the finest live acoustic acts in the UK, Elbow Jane have just released their second CD with Fellside Records entitled ...
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Paul Johnson interviews PJ Wright – (Harvey!) at Cropredy 2011

The incomparable Mr. Paul Johnson's interview with PJ Wright at Cropredy 2011. Paul talks to PJ about: Dylan Project, PJ and Peggy tour news, the weather, the ...
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The Waterboys – An Appointment with Mr. Yeats

‘An Appointment with Mr Yeats’ sees the words of W B Yeats, one of Ireland’s greatest literary sons, merged with the music of The Waterboys, ...
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Kristy Gallacher – ‘Fending off the Frost’

Kristy Gallacher is a singer/songwriter from Coventry. I was impressed with her new video of a song called 'Fending off the Frost' and thought I ...
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David Ferrard releases ‘Journeyman’ on 03.10.2011

Scottish-American singer-songwriter and folk musician, David Ferrard, releases Journeyman, an album of finely-crafted original songs marked by a strong social conscience. Ferrard takes the listener on ...
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JANIS IAN – ‘Best of Janis Ian’ CD/DVD

JANIS IAN, one of America’s most durable, thoughtful of singer-songwriters, makes a very rare visit to these shores in October 2011 for an extensive UK tour (details below). The tour ...
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RADICAL FACE – ‘The Family Tree: The Roots’

After four years milling over the concept and fifteen months recording alone in the tool shed behind his mother's house in Jacksonville Florida, Ben Cooper, AKA ...
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Harp and a Monkey – The Soldier’s Song…

From the forthcoming album on Folk Police Recordings due out in September 2011. Memorably described as Elbow for seafarers and ramblers, the harp 'n' banjo driven ...
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Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson – Check it out! Amped up old time blues with a Celtic twist…

Already firmly established on the Australian festival circuit, Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson have arrived in the UK and Europe to entertain audiences with their ...
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ROY HARPER – ‘SONGS OF LOVE AND LOSS’

Few survivors from the golden age of British folk-rock have kept their reputations intact. Of the generation of troubadours who came of age in the folk ...
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JUNE TABOR & OYSTERBAND – Ragged Kingdom (Topic Records TSCD585)

No one could ever accuse the ‘oysters’ of not opening up and here, fitting tighter than a pair of latex gloves on a surgeon’s hands ...
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HOME SERVICE – Live 1986 (Fledg’ling Records FLED3085)

This recording should be a required purchase by every music consumer who considers themselves tuned in. My formative years of the folk-rock scene in the UK were ...
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Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts

BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nominees Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts combine relentless rhythmic guitar, driving mandolin and trademark harmonies on their new single 'No ...
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SPAGHETTI WESTERN ORCHESTRA – Classic Ennio Morricone ‘Live’

You just know you have to get a copy of a CD with the title “Classic Ennio Morricone Live” especially if, like me you enjoy ...
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GEORGE WILSON – Who’s The Fool Now (Own Label)

I’ve been privileged to know many fine singers and musicians and some have become good mates. One of these happens to be George Wilson whose ...
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VIN GARBUTT – Teesside Troubadour (Pancrack TV PAN4DVD)

For those not in the know, Vin Garbutt is the kind of bloke that you would like as your best mate. He could talk the ...
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CHRIS STOUT’S BRAZILIAN THEORY – Live In Concert (Chris Stout Music CSMUSCD001)

OK so I might, on listening to the opening strains of this album have been a bit too prepared to write Chris Stout’s Brazilian Theory ...
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A Crooked Mile – by Society

Following on from their hugely successful release SONGS FROM THE BRICKHOUSE, Society are back in 2011 with A CROOKED MILE. This stunning new release is ...
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PETE SCOTT – Why Sing Goodbye Songs

If considering the proposition that the world would be a very different place if Yuri Gagarin had been allowed to play his banjo in space ...
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JAYWALKERS – 16 Miles

The sawing phrase that opens ‘Lonesome Fiddle Blues’ grabs your attention from the moment the disc hits the player and you’re right to suspect that ...
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RETURN OF THE CROPREDY EXILE – By Dai Jeffries

Whisper this, but I hadn’t been to for twenty years. I had felt it was getting too big for my personal comfort – when I ...
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TIM EDEY & BRENDAN POWER – Wriggle And Writhe (Gnatbite Records GB 010)

For those that have not seen them before, Tim and Brendan are two of the nicest blokes on the UK ‘folk’ circuit. They are also without ...
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Ady Johnson – TELL THE WORRY DOLLS

Having fronted Colchester’s organ driven rock ‘n’ roll band FuzzFace for some years, Ady Johnson now embarks on a solo acoustic project with the launch ...
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PEATBOG FAERIES – “DUST”

Label: Peatbog Records Format: 6 page Digipak & Download Catalogue number: CDBOG006 Bar code: 5060131890296 Distribution: Proper Music Distribution & Highlander Music Date Released: 8th ...
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REG MEUROSS – The Dreamed And The Drowned (Own Label)

I must have been in a stupor (not drunk…just a stupor) for not having been more aware of Reg Meuross most of my ‘folk’ music ...
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LUCY PRINGLE & CHRIS WRIGHT – The Speaking Heart (Mondegreen Music MONDCD01)

An album that beguiles from the moment go with “Rose Song” utilising Chris Wright’s finger-picked twelve-string guitar tuned to open C acting as a perfect ...
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STRAWBS – Acoustic Gold (Witchwood Media WMCD 2052)

As the blurb says, The Strawbs have created a unique niche for their progressive folk-rock sound but, stripped bare it is the ‘acoustic’ element that ...
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Brothers Reid – TOP OF THE OLD ROAD

Artist – Brothers Reid Title – TOP OF THE OLD ROADLabel – Fat Hippy Records FH57 REID2Release Date – August 15th 2011“…virtually impossible for anyone ...
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GEORGE STEVENS – 3 Tunes

Three tunes, two camels and a bouzouki are just some the ingredients of George Stevens’ debut EP. His featured instruments are bouzouki and border pipes ...
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CYRIL TAWNEY: A MAYFLOWER GARLAND

"A collection of folk songs from Devon and Cornwall offered as a tribute on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower". The 1970 ...
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JOHN HIATT – DIRTY JEANS AND MUDSLIDE HYMNS

Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns, the new album from acclaimed musician and songwriter John Hiatt, will be released August 8th2011 on New West Records. This is Hiatt’s twentieth solo album ...
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JACKIE OATES – Saturnine (ECC Records ECC 004)

In these times of austerity, to make your way in the world, even if it is just the ‘folk’ world you have to diversify and ...
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Whalebone – Three Fires – TWO WILD WOMEN RECORDS TWW278

If you’re looking for something new and different, how about an acoustic trio from Shropshire who cover Guns’N’Roses and Led Zeppelin? whalebone have evolved over ...
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SEAN SIEGFRIED – Backwoods

Sean’s debut album contains six solo acoustic guitar compositions in a very English style. The opener, ‘Sam’s Brewery’, is satisfyingly chunky as is ‘Compelled’. Both ...
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Martyn Joseph Solo Show – Hitchin Folk Club – 12 June 2011 – Review

How do I articulate adequately the magnificence that was Martyn Joseph at Hitchin,well in a nutshell, it was a vintage show to top them all ! ( until ...
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BOB FOX – Dorking Folk Club, Dorking (08.06.11)

The nice thing about arriving at Dorking Folk Club is that you are automatically made welcome by host and organiser Neil McRitchie and the friendly ...
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Will Scott – KEYSTONE CROSSING

Will Scott is known for his bluesy voice, distinctive guitar-playing and heartfelt song writing. Blending blues and Americana with a dash of rock and outlaw ...
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MARLA FIBISH & JIMMY CROWLEY – The Morning Star (MFM001)

Towards the end of the 1990’s the Celtic mandolin family seemed to explode on the ‘folk’ scene and one of the finest exponents in this ...
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Rosie Nimmo – HOME

With comparisons to Billie Holliday, Alison Kraus, Patti Smith and Dory Previn, Rosie Nimmo has a voice of clarity and depth. Rosie has been singing jazz ...
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Folking.com’s favourite Radio 2 moment…

The Radio 2 Folk Awards are chosen and voted for by a panel of professionals (broadcasters, promoters, festival organisers and record companies) who all work ...
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IARLA O’ LIONAIRD – Foxlight (Real World Records)

Ignorant peasant that I am, I hold my hands up and declare that I have never understood the Gaelic language or, more than likely never ...
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HILARY JAMES – English Sketches – Acoustics Records CDACS 059

“Pastoral” is the word that first comes to mind when discussing Hilary James’ new album. In fact, ‘A Song & Jig For Good Measure’ which ...
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RICHARD DIGANCE – Letter From Afghanistan (Own Label)

Along with John Foreman and Dave Sealey, Richard Digance is one of the folk music scenes few masters in the art of the Music Hall ...
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BATTLEFIELD BAND – Line-Up (Temple Records COMD2104)

The drama of an opening chord sequence to grab the listener’s attention was never an issue with the Battlefield Band. Starting with the driving rhythm ...
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Walter Strauss PLANET SOLITAIRE

2011 will see US guitarist and songwriter Walter Strauss releasing PLANET SOLITAIRE, a collection of ambitious solo recordings inspired by a diverse world of influences. There are ...
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PAUL LIDDELL – MILESTONES AND MOTORWAYS

Paul Liddell is a tireless working musician/singer/songwriter/recording artist hailing from North East of England. He tours continually around the UK and I was reminded of ...
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Are there any women here? Bearded Theory 2011 review

In the quest to experience something new every year, it was the turn of The Bearded Theory to fulfil this self-indulgence. Situated in the picturesque ...
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CORNCROW – SWEET NIGHTINGALE

Cornish duo Steve Hunt and Kim Guy together with their guests - celebrated award winner Jackie Oates, Jason Steel and Gareth Young have put together ...
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FAIRPORT ACOUSTIC CONVENTION – Fairfield Halls, Croydon (11.05.11)

Taking their seats for this performance at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls the legendary Fairport Convention (Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Chris Leslie, Ric Sanders and Gerry Conway) ...
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Des Horsfall’s Kuschty Rye – THE GOOD GENTLEMAN’S TONIC

Honouring the legend of the late great Ronnie Lane, in the only way he knew how, roots-rocker Des Horsfall and his band Kuschty Rye embarked on a ...
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I love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow

In 1974 Tom T. Hall, American country balladeer, released an album called “Songs of Fox Hollow”. The songs had evolved from a summer spent with ...
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Marybeth D’Amico – Releases THE LIGHT INSIDE

Artist – Marybeth D’Amico Title – THE LIGHT INSIDE Label – LongMan Records LongMan 057CD Distribution- Proper Distribution Release date-June 13 2011 "Very good indeed...just wonderful." ...
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The Lorelei – Due to release their stunning new album… "FACES" May 16

The Lorelei formed in 1990 in a garage in Dyce with Jonny and Beefy being original members along with Martin Watson, the original singer. Over the ...
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