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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. Featuring 300 photographs, stories from festival-goers and interviews with many individuals who’ve shaped the much-loved annual event, Towersey Festival: 50 Years In The Making traces ...
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 the more intimate moments. Rarely does he mix the styles and the Electric tour was something of an exception. Even less often does he record ...
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 Toronto and has worked with The Bel-Vistas and The Confessors over the last twenty years but this is a return to basics. It started out ...
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 overseas waters with the international release of their debut album. Produced by Shooglenifty’s Luke Plumb (himself from Tasmania), who also contributes mandolin, straddling folk and ...
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 her own terms. As such, she declares that taking back and reclaiming her power is an underlying theme to both the album and her life, ...
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 sharp and as engaging as ever, her distinctive claw-hammer guitar technique (perfectly illustrated on the poignant, summery crooning ‘Freckles In The Sun’ and the bubbling ...
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 back in 2010. Twinning their high pitched vocals, with Price on fiddle and Swift on harp and clarsach, they’re an impressive pair of musicians with ...
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 – signed to Pegasus, a hip label which was about to lose Steeleye Span to Chrysalis, made a well-received but poorly selling debut album and started ...
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 the off. The sound is pared-down a little, based on acoustic guitar with Tom White’s piano and Ben Paley’s fiddle over the engine room of ...
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 of progressive bluegrass outfit, Front Country. He’s the cause of my reservations. Although clearly a dab hand on the banjo, mandolin and guitar, he has ...
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 of Seth Lakeman and, more pointedly, especially in the third person narrative murder ballad lyrics about school bullying revenge, Richard Thompson. In tender musical contrast, ...
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 for Billboard from 49-75, Ollman grew up immersed in music, not to mention gathering an impressive collection of autographs. This was the spark of what ...
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 and collaborations that embrace both previously issued and new recordings. As if to make a point, she opens the sequencing with the blues-soul 'The Thought ...
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 evenly shared with five tracks each, alternating on lead vocals (though not always on their own material) while the other provides harmonies, the songs inevitably ...
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 is a multi-instrumental trio led by the award-winning “young adult” author who, naturally enough, is responsible for all the band’s lyrics. The big sound of ...
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 might be termed grown up concerns, addressing birth, death, love and the passing of time with their customary mix of self-penned and traditional as well ...
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 waves on the Scottish acoustic music scene for a while, but now, with the release of their sophomore album (the first with the current line ...
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 1988, Martin declared that Leek had three potential number 1’s in his songbook and agreed to produce his debut album. Despite receiving critical acclaim it ...
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 made two studio albums, the second, Fortune Never Sleeps, being particularly good, and released a Best Of set, a move that might be considered a ...
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 titular sisters are Hilary and Janet Giraudo but Simon must be mentioned sooner rather than later simply because he’s the whole of the orchestra with ...
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, sumptuous melodies and catchy riffs. From the first to the last, this album grabs your attention and never lets up. The opening song, ‘Glorious Years’ ...
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 his sound and his songs come from mythical America and if misanthropy is your bag you’re going to love his Lost Stories, however many volumes ...
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. A few things have changed but their gigs remain poised tantalisingly on the brink of chaos with set-lists attending in an advisory capacity and requests ...
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 Park in Hampshire, England. Beltain (as the organisers spelt it - still trying to find out the differences between the two variations if anyone knows) is ...
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 19th century renaissance man from Leeds: publisher, artist, historian, antiquary and collector of folk songs and tunes. His first volume of songs was published in ...
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 together since the 90s, initially as half of folk rock outfit Ragtrade. This is the sixth album, but the first as a full time, professional ...
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 song, ‘Blasphemy’, begins it’s suddenly bang up to date and it’s in that tension that part of the appeal of the album lies This is ...
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 in a dash of the Dwight Yoakam cowboy look and an album sleeve that positively screams Chris Isaak, and you almost don’t even need to ...
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 all heard too much music not to spot the influences but this is still a fine album. Lost No More is brilliantly produced by Gordon ...
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 with his family. So, in early February, the quintet, co-fronted by husband and wife team Alex and Hannah Elton-Wall with David Rothon on pedal steel, ...
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 an album borne from the thoughts and musings that both sooth and trouble our thoughts during the hours of darkness. Produced by her multi-instrumentalist son, ...
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 bit different. For a start, of the 17 tracks, only four of the songs appear on the debut, so, to all intents and purposes, it’s ...
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 feels like unnecessarily stating the obvious. However, recorded with a core band of Blake Mills and Greg Leisz on guitar, Don Was (who also produces) ...
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 make it into one – The Beatles’ haircuts, Orbison’s shades, whatever. Rob Lincoln will be the first to tell you that what he’s done isn’t ...
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, you might argue, places him somewhere outside our remit. However, he is a fine songwriter and there is a banjo. Two musicians, David Porthouse 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 Peel’s Dandelion label. Issued in July 1969, ‘1917 Revolution’, a song about the Russian uprising, echoed the English protest folk also being produced by the ...
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 which is why this album is rather puzzling. You see, Strings Attached is a set of guitar instrumentals written by the players and produced by ...
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 of a style that suggests pre-electric Dylan, maybe around Another Side Of. There’s little to be gained from guesswork, however, we need the facts. Paul ...
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 Cooper. A blind listening would suggest a young Irish band with J Eoin and Allison Sleator taking lead vocals alongside Jacquelyn but you’d be quite ...
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 you not to listen to ‘A Lovely Cup Of Tea’ before you have appreciated ‘The Biscuits Of Bull Lane’. Listening first in the car I ...
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 them. Add Leonard Cohen to the mix and I begin to salivate. Barb Jungr has the ability to take a well-known song and make it ...
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 questions: Why haven’t I heard of him before? What is wrong with the music business when genuine talent can stay under the radar for so ...
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 at any act whose DNA includes close harmonies and a touch of West Coast folk rock, it actually stands up in this case, the latter ...
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 who’s overcome bipolar disorder to record what are, with the release of his latest, three outstanding albums. Blessed with a honeyed and soulful voice that ...
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 we had a new album full of new material and it is well worth the wait. It has been #2 on the iTunes album chart ...
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 seamless transition from my memories. Indeed, if anything he’s now so seasoned that he makes everything feel effortless, delivering a sound that’s as comfortable as ...
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, but she wrote 'Chicken Lips And Lizard Hips', better known through Springsteen’s live sets), the Californian also has a respected career as a folk singer ...
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 Buist are a pair of Michigan high school multi-instrumentalists (cello, violin, piano, ukulele and glockenspiel all loom large) who share lead (both have an engagingly ...
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 singing and playing on the album - Karen Tweed, Paul Burgess, Mike Silver, Geoff March, John Neilson, Kevin Harcourt and David Pickering Pick who all ...
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 won’t let him escape although if this set is any guide he’ll be the last man to be seduced by the bright lights and the ...
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 festival site Oxfordshire is the center of the universe. As the saying goes, many a truth is said in jest. So it may well be ...
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 a recognised genre, tough, I just invented it. Twin Forks comprise singer/guitarist Chris Carrabba, drummer Ben Homola, Suzie Zeldin on mandolin and bassman Jonathan Clark ...
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 and Tim Edey. If not, don’t feel bad. Neither had I until recently and I’m supposed to know about these things. Alister and his band ...
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 the moment the danceable ‘Swimming Song’ kicks off, you know this band has got style. This opener is one of four foot-stomping songs that provide ...
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 fail to paint a true picture of the band. All Life Is Here is their second album. Coming from Manchester they have the down-to-earth quality ...
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 translating that to a more national following are slim. That’s got nothing to do with their music or abilities, both of which have the maturity ...
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 one outside of the Antipodes, or indeed Melbourne, would have heard of them until a couple of years ago when their sophomore album, Two, registered ...
LUKE JACKSON – Fumes And Faith (Pipe PRCD024)
The impact of Luke Jackson’s debut album, More Than Boys, was so great that he was nominated in both the young and senior categories at the 2012 Radio 2 Folk Awards. He didn’t win but that is still quite a feat …and quite an act to follow. So how does ...
FIONA HUNTER – Fiona Hunter (Rusty Squash Horn Records RSH004CD)
I had a clever introduction about another young singer falling into good company to make her debut but, of course, as lead vocalist with Malinky for ten years, Fiona Hunter has put in the miles already. However this is her solo debut and the company is indeed good. There’s former ...
CLUTCHING AT STRAWS – Come What May (Straws Music B00HCLMHZQ)
Hailing from Robert Plant’s stomping ground, Kinver, this mini album is the first release from the fledgling contemporary folk rock quartet comprising James Wheeler (guitar, violin, mandolin), James Baskett (cello, bass), Thomas Simm (piano, guitar, ukulele) and Jake Mahal (percussion). I can assure you, it won’t be the last. This ...
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