On Tuesday 9 January the Official Charts Company in partnership with English Folk Expo revealed the Top 40 best-selling and most streamed folk albums released in the December reporting period in the UK by UK and Irish artists. The chart is first announced to the public at 7pm GMT as part of the Official Folk Albums Chart Show presented by Folk On Foot via their YouTube channel.
There are six new releases in the December chart, including a new no. 1.
Straight in at no. 1 is Light Years (Pure) by BBC Folk Award winner and Mercury Prize nominee Kate Rusby. She released this, her seventh Christmas and twenty-second overall album, on December 1st, coinciding with her fiftieth birthday. With over thirty years in music, she reflects on the enduring pleasure and privilege of her journey, expressing gratitude for a continued passion for music-making.
No. 6 is Glad Christmas Comes (Hudson) by Eliza Carthy and Jon Boden. The album was recorded in Sheffield earlier this year, it features songs with Emily Portman (The Furrow Collective) & Tim van Eyken (War Horse), Morris dancing from Ewan Wardrop, Brass from Yorkshire’s own Backstage Brass and was produced by long-time collaborator Andy Bell.
Lankum take no 15 with their latest release, Live In Dublin (Rough Trade). Recorded during three sold-out nights at Vicar Street, the album showcases Lankum’s diverse catalogue, including the official release of the track ‘The Rocky Road To Dublin’ following their fourth studio album False Lankum.
In at no 23 is Beflean – An Alternative History 2002-23 (Managed Decline) by Jim Moray. Featuring acoustic renditions recorded at Abbey Road Studios, capturing a rich, authentic sound through iconic microphones, the album revisits well-loved classics and introduces new versions of cherished songs from a two-decade span.
We Know By The Moon (Hudson) by Furrow Collective takes no. 24. Produced by Andy Bell, the album merges Glasgow and Sheffield influences, complemented by enchanting illustrations from May Farrell. The record showcases the band’s diverse musical talents, and its stories traverse Gaelic laments, Robert Burns, Schubert influences, and more.
No 36 is Spell Songs latest release, Gifts Of Light (Hudson); a live album documenting their captivating performances during the 2022 Spring tour at Birmingham Symphony Hall and the Natural History Museum in 2021. The live recordings features enchanting tracks, and captures the powerful impact of their concerts, marked by standing ovations, emotional moments, and smiles.
The full Top 40 list can be viewed HERE
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