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).


DAVE McGRAW and MANDY FER Maritime Reviewed

Following solo releases, the pair made their duo debut two years back with Seed Of A Pine, a collection of acoustic folk, country and blues ...

VICKI SWAN & JONNY DYER – A Sound Of Christmas Past (WetFoot Music)

Christmas is still three months away, but the shops are already stocked up with the usual festive trappings. Now, here’s the first of the year’s ...

STEEL THREADS – Live EP (own label)

After two studio albums folk-rock duo Steel Threads release a seven-track live EP, a record that they believe best represents their real sound. Four of ...

POLICE DOG HOGAN – Westward Ho! (Union Music Store UMS007)

Westward Ho! is the third album by Police Dog Hogan – or “the band that I’m in” if you’re a regular reader of Tim Dowling’s ...

SALLY BARKER – Maid In England (Hypertension HYP 14305)

I’m not sure that, after a career spanning some 28 years, during which time she’s released six solo albums, two with The Poozies and been ...

RED SKY JULY: new album & single

RED SKY JULY - Shadowbirds Album release September 15th 2014 ‘Losing You’ – single release Sept 22nd Red Sky July return with Shadowbirds, the follow ...

ANGE HARDY – The Lament Of the Black Sheep (Story Records)

Her second album in as many years after returning to the folk scene following time off to raise two kids, Hardy expands the sparse voice ...

NAOMI BEDFORD – A History of Insolence: Songs of Freedom, Dissent & Strife (Dusty Willow)

For those who are unaware, Bedford is the personal and professional partner of Paul Simmonds from The Men they Couldn’t Hang, so it’s not too ...

A Newbie Cropredy Review (2014)

Fairport's Cropredy Convention 2014 I had heard of the Cropredy Festival before, and had even heard of Fairport Convention, but as I had grown up ...

The Chris Leslie Interview Cropredy 2014

Many of our readers will know Chris as; the key songwriter in the current line-up of Fairport Convention, a top notch multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and all round ...

ERJA LYYTINEN – The Sky Is Crying (Tuohi THC 001 CD)

A female Finnish slide guitar player isn’t the sort of musician you come across every day, particularly one who makes music like this. The Sky ...

MARK NEVIN – Beautiful Guitars (Raresongs Recordings MARKNCD004)

We’ve all done it, or know someone who has: gazed longingly in the window or gone inside for a closer look; maybe even asked to ...

MARTIN BARRE ANNOUNCES STUDIO ALBUM FEATURING TULL CLASSICS

Responding to fans’ demand, legendary guitarist Martin Barre has announced the release of Order of Play. The album, due out on September 29th, is the ...

THE ELIZABETHAN SESSION out now

Featuring Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Bella Hardy, Jim Moray, John Smith, Hannah James, Rachel Newton & Emily Askew This 14 track CD showcases the multi-artist ...

A Sailor’s life published

Finally, the biography of John Short – Yankee Jack, the shantyman from Watchet in Somerset – is finished!  It is being published on 23rd September ...

Bouree & Ian Anderson’s tribute to Glenn Cornick at Weyfest

This video is dedicated to the memory of Glenn Cornick who sadly left us recently on August 28th at age 67. Glen was a major ...

Cropredy 2014 Photo Gallery

Bringing you right up to date with some of the 2014 photos from Fairport's Cropredy Convention. Click the photo below to view the album ...

Tim Benton announces debut album

SCENES FROM A WELL-SPENT YOUTH Re-discovering the songs of 1965-75 Featuring songs written or made famous by Dusty Springfield, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Bob ...

POLICE DOG HOGAN ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM

POLICE DOG HOGAN Westward Ho! Union Music Store - October 6th Listen to their new track 'Thunderheads': With 8 members in the full line-up and ...

TOM MORIARTY – new single: ‘Me And The Sun’

London singer songwriter Tom Moriarty has released a new single, ‘Me And The Sun’ as a prelude to his new album, The Road. The album ...

BIG COUNTRY – STEELTOWN – 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Produced by Steve Lillywhite at Abba’s Polar Studios in Stockholm, the album was Number 1 in many international territories and spawned 3 hit singles in ...

Girl From Golden – the official video

When I heard from my friend, Darryl Purpose that he was releasing new material by one of my favourite singer-songwriters, the greatly missed Dave Carter (August 13, ...

Steve Bonham announces new album

Songsmith – a bold new album of powerful and highly individual songs. “Totally of its time” was how the first comeback album from Steve Bonham, ...

TERRY EMM – new album: Starlight

Released 20th October on Azez Records Acclaimed UK alt-folk singer songwriter Terry Emm will release his highly anticipated third album Starlight on October 20th on ...

DANIEL NESTLERODE – LIVE AT BODMIN FOLK CLUB – FRIDAY 15TH AUGUST 2014

The BCA Rooms in Mount Folly is not an easy place to find especially when you arrive early and unsure as to which door in ...

THE ELIZABETHAN SESSION – The Elizabethan Session (Quercus Records QUERCUS001)

“There is an assumption common in some quarters that history is all about the past”, says Dr Ian Mortimer in his sleeve note. “In reality, ...

POLLY PAULUSMA – The Small Feat of My Reverie (Wild Sound)

Two years ago, having taken flight from One Little Indian following sophomore album Fingers & Thumbs to launch her own label, Paulusma released her third ...

VENA PORTAE – Vena Portae (Humble Soul)

Although likely to be tagged as Emily Barker’s side project to Red Clay Halo, the trio was actually put together in 2011 by British songwriter ...

What A Week

So, we’ve come to the end of a fantastic celebration of 60 years of the folk, dance and song festivals in Sidmouth. What a week! ...

EWAN McLENNAN – new album

Artist: Ewan McLennan Stories Still Untold Label: Fellside Records Release Date: 29th September 2014 Autumn 2014 sees the release of Ewan McLennan’s 3rd album, Stories ...

JAMES KEELAGHAN – new album

JAMES KEELAGHAN – Celebrating 25 Years Of Performing History contains eighteen studio versions of James' most beloved songs, while on the accompanying DVD we find ...

BRYONY GRIFFITH – Nightshade (Selwyn Music SYNMCD0008)

Bryony Griffith’s first solo album exudes a great sense of freedom. Shorn of the melodeon which gave Lady Diamond, her duo album with Will Hampson, ...

The Elizabethan Session

“I hear tell of London, Buildings seven houses high, The perfume of the ladies, All the ways a man can die. And the Woman King, ...

A GOLDEN YEAR AS THE CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES IN STYLE

The Cambridge Folk Festival celebrated in style this weekend with a line-up and atmosphere that truly befitted its 50th anniversary year. The event, which had ...

Larkin Poe announce debut album

Kin     RH Music      25th August 2014 They say madness runs in the family. They say the same about creativity and passion. That's good news ...

ADAM COHEN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM ‘WE GO HOME’

RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 15TH VIA COOKING VINYL "I thought I'd learned my lesson on the last record. A pretty towering lesson.That what’s most important to ...

DAVE HADFIELD – ‘All The Wrong Notes’ (Scratching Shed Publishing ISBN 9780957559363)

Sub-titled Adventures In Unpopular Music, Dave Hadfield’s book gives us the nod that he’s really rather pleased that folk music doesn’t get the stadium touring, ...

The Willows’ new album, Amidst Fiery Skies, released October 6, 2014

Rising Cambridge five piece’s striking second album sets alight Anglo-American melting pot Outstanding young Cambridge band The Willows will release a striking follow up to ...

KATHRYN TICKELL & THE SIDE: new album

'Kathryn Tickell & The Side' Release Date: 29th September 2014 Label: Resilient Records RES006 (Proper Distribution) Kathryn Tickell & The Side features Kathryn Tickell on ...

PETUNIA – Inside Of You (own label)

Who is Petunia, what is he? As William Shakespeare didn’t actually say. Originally from Quebec he’s now based in Vancouver and he’s been described as ...

JOHN FULLBRIGHT – Songs (Blue Dirt Records)

The Oklahoma native made his recording debut in 2009 with a live album, three years later his first studio outing, From The Ground Up, earned ...

BROKEN BOAT – Small Defeats (Self-Released)

A Hertfordshire-based acoustic trio comprising songwriter Daniel Bahrami and multi-instrumentalists Brendan Kearney and Jess Hart (who also did the embroidery for the sleeve design) with ...

DAVE COUSINS – Exorcising Ghosts

EXORCISING GHOSTS, THE EXPLOSIVE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY THE STRAWBS FRONTMAN, DAVE COUSINS TO BE RELEASED THIS SEPTEMBER Exorcising Ghosts — the long-awaited and eagerly-anticipated autobiography by ...

GREG RUSSELL & CIARAN ALGAR – The Call (Fellside FECD262)

In the three years since they came together as a duo, young folkies Russell and Algar haven’t done too badly. Their 2012 debut, .The Queen’s ...

JON ALLEN – Deep River (Monologue)

Born in Winchester, a graduate of LIPA and now based in London, Allen is firmly rooted in 60s and 70s folk and soul, his music ...

KRIS DELMHORST – Blood Test (SIGNATURE SOUNDS SIG 2065)

Kris Delmhorst is a new name to me and, considering that Blood Test is her seventh solo album, that may indicate a lack of application ...

STARK – Stories From The Ground (OWN LABEL)

How to describe Stark? A power trio with a banjo, perhaps? They have in Jamie Francis a lead singer with power and range who also ...

ZOE MUTH – World Of Strangers (SIGNATURE SOUNDS SIG2064)

I’m not really the genre expert here. I mean where does country become Americana and Americana morph into acoustic rock? However, I do know what ...

ADAM HOLMES – Heirs & Graces (GROGAR RECORDS GR1AH)

Heirs & Graces is the debut album from Edinburgh singer-songwriter Adam Holmes and his band The Embers. Of course, The Embers includes Kris Drever and ...

Towersey Festival: 50 Years In The Making

New book celebrates half-century of much-loved Oxfordshire festival The celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Towersey Festival continue with the publication of a new book ...

SKERRYVORE: new album, single and tour

Inspired by sun-filled summers spent on Tiree that were the springboard for the band forming, Chasing The Sun is the fifth and arguably most mature ...

Jenny Lysandser: debut EP and album

Hailing from Stockholm, where between traveling and playing Jenny is studying Chinese philosophy, her music has an eerie other worldliness to it, her songs like the ...

Emily Barker – New album and single

Vena Portae Debut Album Out August 18th Vena Portae are comprised of BAFTA award-winning singer songwriter Emily Barker, songwriter and performer Dom Coyote, and Swedish ...

SHARON CORR ANNOUNCES NEW SOLO ALBUM

Prior to the September release of her new solo album ‘The Same Sun’, Sharon Corr announces a UK tour. Starting in Inverness on September 14th, ...

RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics (Beeswing BSW14)

Whenever I hear Richard Thompson in solo concert I miss those long guitar solos. Of course, whenever I hear him with a band I miss ...

Tim Grimm and the King of the Folksingers video

We are well folking hacked off as we missed this first time round and Tim Grimm was up up and away by the 4th of July having ...

Malcolm Holcombe’s Pitiful Blues is released on the 4 August

Born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Malcolm Holcombe is recognized as a folk/Americana performer of international stature, and an uncommonly ...

Ward Thomas share the official video for ‘Push For The Stride’

With the sounds of Country music permeating in the UK after the success of the hit television series Nashville, people both within and outside the ...

Sam Brookes – This Is The Place

Single was released 24th June 2014 Taken from his new album KAIROS Sam Brookes has become part of the burgeoning acoustic music scene, gigging around ...

JON ALLEN – New album

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Jon Allen released his new album Deep River on 7th July, 2014 on Monologue Records. The album, the third of Allen’s career, followed ...

Mark Ripp – Quiet Again (own label MR30004-2)

Sometimes an album turns up that is such a delight that you need to share the news. Quiet Again is one such. Mark is from ...

FIRST ALBUM IN A DECADE FROM THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN

After 40 years and more performing, adventuring and recording, the indomitable force that is Arthur Brown has, in a cross generational collaboration with co-producers/musicians Sam ...

Tom & Barbara Brown announce new album

Artist’s website: http://www.umbermusic.co.uk/tandb/tandbframe.htm ...

Dai Jeffries Interviews Graeme Taylor from Home Service

Our very own Dai Jeffries caught up with Graeme Taylor last month to talk about his pivotal role in Home Service, the bands history, his accident ...

RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics

ACOUSTIC CLASSICS Newly recorded acoustic versions of his landmark songs Beeswing/Proper, released July 14 Acoustic Classics is a collection of newly recorded, timeless Richard Thompson ...

First Charge Of The Light Brigade – debut album announced

First Charge Of The Light Brigade Release Date: 1 September 2014 First Charge Of The Light Brigade's self-titled debut album is predominantly the work of ...

THE MAE TRIO – Housewarming (Self released)

Having already made a sizeable impression on Australia’s acoustic music scene, Melbourne-based trio Anita Hillman and sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby are now venturing into ...

Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra – new album

TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER Label - Tea Pad Recordings   Cat. No. - TP-003  Release Date - July 7 2014 The UK’s finest purveyors of Western ...

The Askew Sisters: new album

Sister duo Emily and Hazel Askew released their long awaited new album In The Air Or The Earth on 5th May. Fresh from their work with ...

David Gray: Announces New Album & Streams Track

David Gray is just about to release his new album Mutineers on June 30 through iht Records via Kobalt Label Services. This release will be Gray’s tenth studio album and his first in four years ...

The Armistice Pals

Everyone remembers the charity version of ‘Perfect Day’ with its myriad of voices from the pop and rock world. Let’s hope everyone will also remember ...

Songs For The Voiceless – Album

~ Some of the UK’s finest folk artists release CD for WW1 centenary ~ Featuring Jon Boden, Bella Hardy, Josienne Clarke, Gilmore & Roberts, The ...

JESS MORGAN – Langa Langa (Amateur Boxer)

A swiftish follow-up to last year’s Aye Me, the Norwich singer-songwriter’s third album continues to draw on both English and Americana influences, her storytelling as ...

Mary Gauthier – Trouble and Love (Proper PRPCD123P)

Gauthier’s seventh studio album, her first in four years, finds her stepping outside of the major label model to take control of the business on ...

TWELFTH DAY – The Devil Makes Three (Orange Feather Records OFR003)

Hailing from, respectively, Orkney and Peebles, Catriona Price and Esther Swift have been making waves on the Scottish folk scene since releasing their debut album ...

FUCHSIA II – From Psychedelia … To A Distant Place (Sound Practices 01)

Do you remember Fuchsia? They came from my alma mater, following in the footsteps of Principal Edward’s Magic Theatre and did the right things – ...

MARK CHADWICK – Moment (On The Fiddle OTFCD020)

Mark Chadwick’s second solo album won’t disappoint fans but it may surprise one or two. It’s simple, direct and confessional and I enjoyed it from ...

JASON MRAZ announces album YES! out 14th July

Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Jason Mraz has announced details of his much-anticipated new album. YES! will be released via Atlantic Records on the 14th July. One of ...

WHISKEY MOONFACE: New album – One Blinding Dusky Dusk

Whiskey Moonface are Ewan Bleach on clarinet, Jim Ydstie on double bass lead by the stunning vocals of accordionist and song-writer Louisa Jones. One Blinding ...

MISHAPED PEARLS – Thamesis

Pigeon hole Mishaped Pearls at your peril. The dynamic rising seven piece from London prove with this third album release how seamlessly they can segue ...

MOULETTES – New album

CONSTELLATIONS The New Album, 2nd June 2014 The Moulettes return with their third studio album, and their first for the Navigator Records, ‘Constellations’ on June ...

MELODY WALKER & JACOB GROOPMAN – We Made It Home (Maker/Mender MM002)

I have to admit to being somewhat ambivalent about this, the duo debut by singer Walker and bluegrass picker Groopman, the pair also both members ...

SETH LAKEMAN – New video

West country folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman unearthed hidden histories and unsung everyday heroes to commemorate in song from in and around his ...

BLAIR DUNLOP – House of Jacks (Rooksmere Records, RRCD112P)

Son of Ashley Hutchings he may be, but 'Something’s Gonna Give Way', the riff driven opening track on his sophomore album, firmly suggests the influences ...

BARRY OLLMAN – What’ll It Be? (Self Released)

Chances are you’ll never have heard of Barry Ollman. Not unless, that is, you happen to be a music collector. His father a Midwest correspondent ...

Eleanor McEvoy – Stuff (Moscodisc, MOSCCD4111)

Put together in response to fan requests for hard to find material, this is a vault scouring collection of material that embraces alternative mixes, B-sides ...

CARRIE ELKIN & DANNY SCHMIDT – For Keeps (Red House, RHR 278)

Already well established individually, Elkin and Schmidt bring their personal and professional lives together, their October wedding preceded by their debut duo album. The writing ...

THE CELIA BRYCE BAND – Links (Vermillion Red Records VRR 006)

If your taste runs to intelligent folk-rock with a whole heap of country and a dash of Newcastle look no further. The Celia Bryce Band ...

MEGSON – In A Box (EDJ Records EDJ019)

Two years on from their ‘children’s album’, When I Was A Lad, Teesside husband and wife duo, Stu and Debbie Hanna, get back to what ...

Loudon Wainwright III returns with new album ‘Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet)’

Haven’t Got the Blues (Yet)--or HGTB(Y), for short—is the 26th album in the long and illustrious career of Loudon Wainwright III. It follows his acclaimed ...

THE BEVVY SISTERS – Plan B (Interrupto Music IM004)

Acclaimed by the likes of Lau, Eliza Carthy and Dick Gaughan, Heather Macleod, Gina Rae, Cera Impala and honorary sister David Donnelly have been making ...

HADDO – New album

BORDERLANDS RELEASED: Monday, May 19, 2014 WILL AND NICKY POUND BRIDGE THE BORDER WITH VIBRANT ANGLO-SCOTS SECOND ALBUM Hot on the heels of his 2014 ...

DAN CLEWS – Tourist In My Own Backyard (Self Released)

As one-time Dexys member Andy Leek will tell you, being hailed as a future star by George Martin can come back to bite you. In ...

RAINBOW CHASERS – Chimes At Midnight (Talking Elephant TECD255)

Rainbow Chasers are a band that promised much and delivered relatively little – sad but true. The band that Ashley Hutchings put together in 2004 ...

THE TWO SISTERS – Songs & Chansons (Acoustics CDACS 064)

Many artists attempt this sort of melange of styles and sources but few do it with the panache of Hilary James and Simon Mayor. The ...

Moulettes – Constellations (Navigator NAVIGATOR090)

This third outing for the Moulettes is a perfect showcase for their pleasing pop/rock-folk fusion style. Full of intricately layered songs laced with intelligent lyrics, ...

BEN ROGERS – Lost Stories: Volume One (own label)

The driving beat of an acoustic guitar; a howling harmonica and a whiskey-wrecked voice introduce Ben Rogers’ self-produced debut album. Ben is from Vancouver but ...

THE GRAND SLAMBOVIANS – The Brasenose, Cropredy (6th May 2014)

They seem to have settled on The Grand Slambovians now so no more Gandalf Murphy, no more Slambovian Circus Of Dreams for now at least ...

Folking welcomes in the May 2014 at Butser Ancient Farm

To celebrate the May (or Beltane) this year, folking took ourselves down to Butser Ancient Farm which nestles into the rolling hills of the South Downs National ...

DAN AMOR – new album and streamed single

Out May 12th on Recordiau Cae Gwyn Records STREAM LEAD SINGLE 'SISTER ANNE' HERE Rolling out of the mountains and valleys of North Wales comes ...

CENTENARY: WORDS & MUSIC OF THE GREAT WAR

MUSIC PLAYED BY SHOW OF HANDS POETRY READ BY JIM CARTER AND IMELDA STAUNTON UK album release June 30th 2014 / ‘Lads In Their Hundreds’ ...

PETE COE AND ALICE JONES – The Search For Five Finger Frank (Backshift BASH CD 61)

If you haven't seen Pete Coe on stage recently (why not?) the title may require some explanation. “Frank” refers to Frank Kidson, something of a ...

MUCH ANTICIPATED ALBUM FROM DAMIAN HELLIWELL’S PROJECT ‘METTA’

RELEASE DATE: Monday, 9th June, 2014 Having released an EP in January, the much anticipated self-titled album, Damian Helliwell’s “Metta”, will be released on the ...

WINTER WILSON – Cutting Free (Self Released)

Well known on the folk circuit, but never having crossed over into the mainstream contemporary acoustic scene, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson have been working ...

Fate The Juggler – One Eye Open (Red Admiral)

One Eye Open begins with what sounds like a reed organ but could be a flute and some electronics. It’s very sixties but as the ...

Ryley Walker’s debut album ‘All Kinds Of You’

"With the charming swagger of jazz-folk troubadour Tim Buckley and the resonant, full picking style of Bert Jansch, 'The West Wind' comes from Walker's first ...

A Small Quiet English Town

Sidmouth FolkWeek (1st – 8th August 2014) celebrating its 60th year and your festival in style MAJOR DOCUMENTARY FILM ON SIDMOUTH FOLKWEEK SEEKS PERSONAL ARCHIVES ...

The Ree-Vahs! – new album: Geordieland

When Tommy o' Loan arrived in Stanley from Northern Ireland after the first world war he did two things. The first was to drop his ...

OLLIE VEE – Lonesome Girl (Dang Snapit)

Taking their name from the Buddy Holly song should point you in the general direction of this Southern Ontario rockabilly trio’s unashamedly retro sound. Add ...

3 BOXES – ‘Strings Attached’ ALBUM

From Richard Thompson, Pink Floyd and The Shadows comes a trio, all featured in Guitar Player's ‘1,000 Great Guitarists’ with each contributing their unique ‘box’ ...

Sarah Morgan Memorial Concert

I know it isn’t done to review an event like this and I have no intention of doing so. But I do feel that a ...

Christoph Bruhn’s Weekends on the Frontier

CD / digital download - 10th May 2014   I first discovered the music of Christoph Bruhn through the original release of this album. So ...

MARY JANE – New Album: Solstice

Talking Elephant - TECD244 MARY JANE is a Hampshire based band who play lively acoustic & electric folk-rock. Their music is individualistic & varied, with ...

SIÔN RUSSELL JONES – Lost No More (Sarj)

Fifty years ago Siôn Russell Jones would have been an instant star with an album like this. It doesn’t work like that of course, we’ve ...

THE REDLANDS PALOMINO COMPANY – Broken Carelessly (Clubhouse Records CRUK0016CD)

In late 2011, not long after the release of their 2011 sort of ‘comeback’, Don’t Fade, drummer Don Tilbury announced he was relocating to Copenhagen ...

ELIZA GILKYSON – The Nocturne Diaries (Red House RHR-264)

As the title suggests, while may be some harsher musical moments (notably the gutsy ringing guitar driven ‘The Red Rose And The Thorn’), this is ...

BIRDS OF CHICAGO – Live From Space (Self Released)

With only one previous album to your name, it may seem a little premature to follow up with a live recording. However, this is a ...

BEVERLEY MARTYN – The Phoenix and the Turtle (Les Cousins LC018)

Her second solo album and first release in 16 years, finds the 66 year old  in perhaps not surprisingly reflective frame of mind as,  working ...

Bonnie Dobson & Her Boys – new album: Take Me For A Walk In The Morning Dew

Hornbeam Recordings: June 2014 Record Store Day 7 inch Single, April 18th featuring ‘Come Dancing’/’Dancing Version’ Bonnie Dobson is one of the great voices of ...

ROBERT FRANCIS & THE NIGHT TIDE – HEAVEN

ALBUM RELEASE DATE 28th APRIL 2014 Born in Los Angeles in 1988, Robert Francis is the son of a classical music producer. He was given his ...

JOHN ILLSLEY – Testing The Water

Testing The Water Album release June 16th 2014 on Creek Records, distributed by Absolute via Universal Multiple Brit & Grammy award winner John Illsley returns ...

A Blues-rock Benefit for Walter Trout at Shepherds Bush Empire

The international Rock blues community comes together on Sunday the 4th of May to present a special benefit show in London for the blues-rock legend ...

Patsy Matheson: Domino Girls

‘Domino Girls’, the new album from Patsy Matheson, is her best and most ambitious work yet. Featuring contributions from Belinda O’Hooley (O'Hooley & Tidow, Rachel ...

WARD THOMAS – Debut EP: Footnotes

Ward Thomas are a Country / Americana duo from Hampshire, comprised of 19-year old twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas.  Their new first UK ...

THE SWEET LOWDOWN – MAY

The Sweet Lowdown can take you anywhere you want to go, from a sunny front porch to the outer reaches of the universe. Blending original ...

The Battle Of Clontarf

On April 23, the 1000th anniversary of one of the most important dates in Norse-Irish history will pass. On this day in 1014 the largest ...

CARLENE CARTER – Carter Girl (Rounder)

As the daughter of June Carter and 50s country star Carl Smith and the step-daugher of Johnny Cash, even making reference to her musical heritage ...

IAN ANDERSON LAUNCHES LYRIC VIDEO & FREE DOWNLOAD FOR ‘ENTER THE UNIVITED’

Ahead of the release of legendary prog (progressive Rock) pioneer Ian Anderson’s new album Homo Erraticus, due to be released on 11th April in Germany, the 14th ...

NEEDTOBREATHE

 NEW ALBUM RIVERS IN THE WASTELAND OUT APRIL 14 Folking have recently been given the word on South Carolina-based trio NEEDTOBREATHE who have just announced ...

Bella Hardy Thirty for 30

May 24th 2014 is the 73rd birthday of Bob Dylan, and the 195th birthday of Queen Victoria. It's also acclaimed folk songstress Bella Hardy's 30th ...

BARBARA DICKSON & RAB NOAKES – Reunited EP released on 14th April

To accompany their 2014 tour Barbara Dickson and Rab Noakes have combined their voices to record an EP. Barbara and Rab have known one another ...

ROB LINCOLN – 5 Cents A Song (own label)

It used to be true that every pop star or group needed a gimmick. If they didn’t have one the press would take something and ...

PAUL HANDYSIDE – Wayward Son (Malady Music MALCD004)

Paul Handyside is formerly of indie pop band Hurrah! and later of alt-country outfit Bronze. Wayward Son, his second solo album, combines these influences and, ...

BEAU – Fly The Bluebird (Cherry Red)

Anyone with an interest in the British music scene of the late 60s may remember Beau, the first artist to release a record on John ...

THE O’CAROLAN FAMILY – A Language Within (Self Released)

Let me say from the outset, I’m more of a song than an instrumental man and instrumental trad folk isn’t at the top of list ...

3 BOXES – Strings Attached (Gregsongs CGCD1401)

The men behind the three boxes are former members of Plainsong: Andy Roberts, Clive Gregson and Mark Griffiths. All are experienced composers, players and singers ...

PAUL McCLURE – Smiling From The Floor Up (Clubhouse CRUK0019CD)

At first hearing Paul McClure hails from somewhere between New York and Texas. Then you hear certain inflections that are decidedly English in the midst ...

JACQUELYN HYNES- Silver And Wood (Hobgoblin Records HOBCD1015)

Although credited solely to Jacquelyn, Silver And Wood is very much an ensemble record, featuring nine other musicians, principally J Eoin, Eoin O’Neill and Quentin ...

THE YOUNG ‘UNS – Never Forget (Heretue Records YNGS10)

Never Forget begins and ends with contrasting views of the EDL march on the Bull Lane mosque following the murder of Lee Rigby. I caution ...

BARB JUNGR- Hard Rain (Krystalyn Records KLCD1P)

I’m a sucker for covers albums particularly when Bob Dylan is involved. Some are good, some are dreadful but they all have something to recommend ...

Glenn Tilbrook – Happy Ending

Not one to rest on his multitude of laurels, Glenn Tilbrook is back, ducking and diving, bobbing and weaving, with his fifth non Squeeze album ...

Kim Churchill prepares to launch his new studio album to coincide with a return visit to the UK

Having completed a string of European dates as the hand-picked support act on Billy Bragg’s epic Tooth and Nail tour, and headlining his own show at London’s Borderline, ...

New Release from Merrymouth – ‘Wenlock Hill’ out May 5th

Wenlock Hill is the new release from Merrymouth, the three piece folk-orientated band formed by Ocean Colour Scene’s frontman Simon Fowler along with long time ...

PETER LACEY – Last Leaf (Pink Hedgehog SMILE49)

Peter Lacey is a former session musician who embarked on a solo career relatively late. Last Leaf is his fifth album and prompts the inevitable ...

LAURIE LEWIS

For fiddler, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Laurie Lewis, the traditions of bluegrass and folk aren’t so much tools in her hands, but burning sources of ...

ROBERT SARAZIN BLAKE

So much of the American dream lies along an open road. Woody Guthrie lived this, Jack Kerouac and John Steinbeck wrote about this, and Bellingham, ...

HOUSE OF HATS – This Love (Own Label)

Hailing from Brighton, the acoustic quartet have been likened to both Fleetwood Mac and CS&N and while that may be an overworked comparison frequently thrown ...

ROBBY HECHT – Robby Hecht (Old Man Henry Records)

A UK tour from late June with David Berkeley and Peter Bradley Adams should bring overdue wider recognition for Hecht, an East Tennessee born singer-songwriter ...

OYSTERBAND – DIAMONDS ON THE WATER (Navigator Records 087)

The long awaited album from Oysterband is now here and being given rave reviews by those who hear it!  Including me!  It's seven years since ...

JOHN GORKA – The Bright Side of Down (Red House Records)

It’s been a while since I last crossed paths with a John Gorka album, but, listening to this, his twelfth, I’m pleased to find a ...

CAHALEN MORRISON & ELI WEST the musician’s musicians…

It means something that the word about Americana roots duo Cahalen Morrison & Eli West spread first among musicians. Their debut album was passed around ...

Barb Jungr – new album and making of video

The UK’s finest interpreter of song, Barb Jungr returns to the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen with the release of Hard Rain. Oft ...

NAOMI WACHIRA – debut album and video

Art is born from tension. And this tension is something that Seattle folk singer and songwriter Naomi Wachira feels every day as an African living ...

Beverley Martyn: NEW ALBUM ANNOUNCED + TRACK STREAM

Beverley Martyn started her musical career at just 16 with the jug band The Levee Breakers and recorded her first single "Babe I'm Leaving You" ...

KRISTA DETOR: FLAT EARTH DIARY

FLAT EARTH DIARY is Krista Detor’s fifth solo release and her first album in four years, featuring none other than genius bassist, Victor Wooten. FLAT ...

THE BLUSHIN’ ROULETTES – Old Mill Sessions (Self Released)

Based out of their new home in western North Carolina, Angie Heimann and Cas Sochacki are souls of the land, years spent living on his ...

BOHO DANCER: ‘Gemini’ Special Edition Album Reissue

Out in May on Slow Shark Records Danish trio Boho Dancer are to announce the release of a special extended version of their acclaimed debut ...

Daisy Chapman – Music To Make The Angels Jealous

‘Jealous Angels’ is the second single taken from Shameless Winter, the enchanting album by Daisy Chapman. Due for release on Monday 24th March 2014, the ...

TWIN FORKS European tour postponement

It is with regret that TWIN FORKS have announced the postponement of their forthcoming European tour, which included 6 UK shows. An extended run of ...

STARK: Blues with a banjo

Stark brings together three highly creative musicians – lead singer and guitarist Jamie Francis, drummer Evan Carson and bassist Josh Franklin. Together, they are pushing ...

Will Varley: ‘Weddings And Wars’ video release

A 4-minute, 8-bit history of the universe from the acclaimed singer-songwriter out now Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Will Varley has released something you might not necessarily ...

Rock collective The Deadmen reveal single stream and debut EP

2014 marks the start of an exciting period for emerging Washington DC Folk-Rock collective The Deadmen. Riding high on a swell of attention in their ...

The Farewell Drifters – new album: Tomorrow Forever

The Farewell Drifters bring a unique Brian Wilson-like sensibility to the folk-rock movement, with intricately arranged harmonies and atmospheric, string-swathed studio shading that is newly ...

Blockbuster FolkWeek 60th Anniversary Acts Announced!

Diamond anniversary plans continue to fall into place for Sidmouth FolkWeek’s 60th festival (1st – 8th August 2014) as the line-up comes to fruition, featuring ...

SAM BROOKES

Sam Brookes has become part of the burgeoning acoustic music scene, gigging around the UK on his own and with his contemporaries to an ever-increasing ...

PETER MULVEY – new album: Silver Ladder

Silver Ladder is an auditory shot in the arm from veteran touring songwriter Peter Mulvey. Produced by the indomitable Chuck Prophet, it is a lean, ...

JUSTIN CURRIE SET TO RELEASE LOWER REACHES ON COMPASS RECORDS

Justin Currie, the lead singer and songwriter of Scottish pop-rock band Del Amitri, is set to release Lower Reaches on Compass Records on April 15th.  The new album is the follow-up to Currie's ...

Simone Felice reveals new track ‘Running Through My Head’

Taken from the forthcoming new album Strangers, set for release through Team Love Records in the UK on March 24th, songwriter Simone Felice follows up ...

James Vincent McMorrow – video

James Vincent McMorrow has premiered a new live video for ‘Glacier’, taken from his acclaimed second album Post Tropical. A limited edition 10” vinyl has also ...

CELTIC WOMAN Emerald: Musical Gems CD / Emerald: Musical Gems – Live In Concert DVD

Since its inception in 2004, Celtic Woman has emerged as both a spectacular commercial success and a genuine cultural phenomenon.  The group's uplifting mix of ...

Judith Owen – ‘Ebb & Flow’ album released 7th April 2014

That Judith Owen's new album Ebb & Flow evokes the spirit of the halcyon days of the great 1970s troubadours is not accidental. In a ...

Paper Aeroplanes announce Circus EP and new video

Still riding high after the release of 2013’s Little Letters full length, as well as a continually sold-out touring schedule, Paper Aeroplanes return with the ...

Nashville Star Suzy Bogguss: New Album – Lucky

Suzy Bogguss didn’t set out to craft a Merle Haggard tribute record. Some might call that serendipity; she just calls it “lucky”.  An accomplished artist ...

DAR WILLIAMS – In The Times Of Gods

That most mercurial and consistently impressive of singer songwriters DAR WILLIAMS returns to the UK to play ten shows in March 2014. Her latest album, ...

ADRIAN NATION – new album: Live At Crossroads

Guitarist, singer, writer of songs, are just some of things that go to make up the man Adrian Nation. Guitar builder, rugby player, carpenter, martial ...

Prince opens his UK tour dates with a cover of Jo Hamilton’s ‘Liathach’.

Back in January 2013 several mysterious comments started cropping up on the video to Liathach saying '3rdEyeGirl sent me here'. Four months later we've just discovered that ...

HEATH COMMON – The Dream Of Miss Dee

Heath Common was lost. Somewhere west of Notting Hill, somewhere south of '69. Heath Common was lost but now he's found and the Renaissance can ...

NANCY CASSIDY – Memphis (Twitter Twatter Music TTMCD107)

Although she’s had the most success (at least in the States) with her albums for children and young families (you may not know the name, ...

THE ACCIDENTALS – Bitter Sweet (Self Released)

Not to be confused with the New York a capella choir (or indeed several others) of the same music terminology name, Katie Larson and Savannah ...

Johnny Coppin – Borderland (Red Sky Records RSKCD120)

Johnny Coppin’s latest album, Borderland, is a collection of songs from England, Ireland Wales and the US. Johnny also has an impressive list of guests ...

MERRY HELL PREMIERE NEW ‘LOVING THE SKIN YOU’RE IN’ VIDEO

Merry Hell have released a new video and download single to tie in with their forthcoming spring tour. ‘Loving The Skin You’re In’ is taken ...

PETE MORTON – The Frappin’ And Ramblin’ Pete Morton (Fellside FECD261)

We don’t hear anywhere near enough of Pete Morton here in the south. It’s as though Yorkshire knows when it has a good thing and ...

Canadian Trio, The Once

From their beginnings as three actors who also loved to sing together, The Once has embraced a different vision of Newfoundland music. Their sounds do ...

THAD BECKMAN

The dust-filled wind sweeps steadily down and across the flat, arid plains of Woody Guthrie's America. Beginning many hundreds of miles from Portland, Oregon it ...

FAY HIELD & The Hurricane Party

Fay Hield is a singer who seems to have been born knowing how to carry a tune but with the rarer gift of knowing how to go straight to ...

Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention Releases Origins

When Paul Johnson and Darren Beech of Folking interviewed Chris Leslie at the 2008 Cropredy festival, Fairport Convention’s main songwriter and multi-instrumentalist joked that the ...

New Album from JOHNNY COPPIN – Borderland

Label – Red Sky Records RSKCD120 Release date – 7th April 2014 Borderland is a new collection of songs from England, Ireland, Wales, and the ...

WILL POUND ON BREAKFAST TV

HARMONICA WIZARD & BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS“MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR” NOMINEE WILL POUND TO APPEAR ON BBC BREAKFAST TV Recognised as one of the ...

Summat’s Brewin’: O’Hooley & Tidow’s new video

Summat's Brewin' (Oh Good Ale) Official Video... O'Hooley and Tidow have produced this video to accompany a track from their brilliant new album, The Hum, ...

DOUG PAISLEY – STRONG FEELINGS

Doug Paisley released his much-anticipated new album Strong Feelings in the UK on January 20, 2014 (no Quarter Records). With the kind of understatement that’s ...

Messenger announce their new track Somniloquist ahead of new album

London progressive psychedelicists Messenger have announced a stream of Somniloquist, the first track to be showcased from their forthcoming debut album Illusory Blues (Svart Records, ...

New Video from Lisa Knapp + BBC Folk Awards

Lisa Knapp first emerged in 2007 with a remarkable debut album, 'Wild And Undaunted' and quickly established herself as a highly distinctive, creative artist, merging ...

TWIN FORKS – Twin Forks (Dine Alone Records)

Bright, brash and breezy – Twin Forks’ eponymous debut album takes alt-country-folk-pop-rock and gives it a swift kick in the derrière and if that isn’t ...

ALISTER ATKIN AND THE GHOST LINE CARNIVAL – To Evangeline (own label)

You may know Alister Atkin as a maker of fine guitars and you may have heard his debut album, In Time, recorded with Brendan Power ...

THE JIGANTICS – Daisy Roots (Rawtone Records RTR20070)

This debut offering by the Jigantics is a delightful selection of folk and country music, with a smattering of blues and hint of Cajun. From ...

HARP AND A MONKEY – All Life Is Here (MoonrakerUK)

I wasn’t sure what to expect from my first hearing of Harp And A Monkey. Their publicity material is entirely accurate but the bare facts ...

The Oysterband Offers ‘Diamonds on the Water’

The Oysterband is the coolest 40-something around. Any doubters need only listen to Diamonds on the Water, due to be released Feb. 17. It'd be ...

Electro-folk-storytellers Harp And A Monkey release new album (All Life Is Here) on March 24

Songs about cuckolded molecatchers, a lone English oak tree that grows at Gallipoli, care in the community and medieval pilgrims, it can only mean one ...

THE MEN WITH STRONG ARMS –Sunshine Street (Own Label)

Comprising Jonlondon, Andrew McCabe and Paul Gunter, the Hove trio is relatively big in Brighton and around the South East.  However, the chances of them ...

THE APRIL MAZE – The April Maze (Own Label A-MAZE 005)

An Anglo-Australian husband wife duo comprising Todd Mahew on guitar and banjo and Sivan Agarn on cello and guitar, it’s a fair bet that no ...