Tag Archives: folk

Album review: DAMIEN O’KANE – Avenging & Bright

Posted on December 19, 2017 by jason

Pure Records [Release date 08.12.17] Damien O’Kane’s album ‘Areas Of High Traffic’, released last year, was nominated for ‘Album Of The Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Based on this new album that is hardly surprising as in the main he takes … Continue reading →

Album review: JON BODEN – Afterglow

Posted on December 11, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 06.10.17] ‘Afterglow’ follows on from Jon Boden’s 2009 post-apocalyptic concept album ‘Songs From The Floodplain’. Whereas that album was largely rural in its setting, ‘Afterglow’ takes the listener into the chaos of a ruined city’s street carnival, as two star-crossed lovers try to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, Bellowhead, concept, folk, Hudson Records, indie, Jon Boden, melodic, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE – Medicine Songs

Posted on December 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

True North Records [Release date 07.11.17] A new album from the now 76 year old Buffy, and guess what? Yes, lurking there amidst a collection of old, new, and borrowed, (and Blue) material are career defining numbers like ‘Soldier Blue’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Buffy Sainte-Marie, folk, Medicine Songs, protest, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

EP review: DANDELION CHARM – Riding The Flood

Posted on November 16, 2017 by jason

www.dandelioncharm.com/ Riding The Flood is a new five-track EP from Newhaven-based duo Dandelion Charm, who comprise of John and Clare Fowler. Clare Flowler says that ‘the themes we deal with in our songs are not frivolous ones. They are all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Clare Fowler, Dandelion Charm, EP, folk, John Fowler, melodic, review, Riding The Flood | Leave a comment

Album review: BARENAKED LADIES – Fake Nudes

Posted on November 14, 2017 by jason

UMC [Release date 17.11.17] Barenaked Ladies, a band you have to be careful when Googling particularly with this latest album title… Barenaked Ladies have deservedly won many awards in their native Canada – 8 Juno awards to date – for their harmony filled pop songs, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barenaked Ladies, Fake Nudes, folk, indie, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 2017

Posted on November 10, 2017 by jason

A first for me a gig in walking distance of my home! Cornerstones is a cosy, modern theatre. It was a sold out show to see former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden play a solo gig in support of his recently … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 9 November 2017, Afterglow, Bellowhead, Cornerstones, Didcot, folk, gig, Jon Boden, review, singer songwriter, Solo | Leave a comment

EP review: INDIA ELECTRIC CO. – Seven Sisters

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

www.indiaelectricco.com [Release date 17.11.17] The talented duo that is the India Electric Co. are back with their second EP in a trilogy loosely based on contrasting town and country. Cole Stacey provides his haunting vocals, along with percussion, whilst Joseph O’Keefe adds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cole Stacey, EP, folk, India Electric Co., Joseph O'Keefe, review, Seven Sisters, traditional | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DANTE FOX, CHEAP TRICK, KATE RUSBY, LOTS HOLLOWAY

Posted on November 1, 2017 by jason

DANTE FOX Six String Revolver AOR Heaven [Release date 24.11.17] This album sees Dante Fox re-record ten songs from their first two albums ‘Under Suspicion’ (1996) and ‘The Fire Within’ (1999) – five songs from each album. Joining the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Angels & Men, AOR, carols, Cheap Trick, Christmas Christmas, Dante Fox, folk, Kate Rusby, Lots Holloway, melodic, review, rock, Roy Wood, Six String Revolver | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE STRAWBS – Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

Posted on October 30, 2017 by jason

As a kid in the 70s I do recall frequent radio plays of the Strawbs novelty hit ‘Part Of The Union’ in what was that fractious decade for industrial relations. And as an adult and Sandy Denny fanatic, the latter’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, Dave Cousins, folk, gig, London, October 29 2017, progressive, review, rock, The Ferryman's Curse, The Strawbs, Under the Bridge | Leave a comment

Album review: STRAWBS – The Ferryman’s Curse

Posted on October 28, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 03.11.17] What do we know about Strawbs? Well, their origins go back to the mid-1960s, they’ve covered folk, prog and pop stylings and are perhaps best remembered for the song ‘Part Of The Union’ which was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dave Bainbridge, Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, folk, Iona, prog, progressive, review, rock, Strawbs, The Ferryman's Curse | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GREGORY PORTER, DYED IN BLUE, KIRSTY MERRYN, JOE HENRY

Posted on October 25, 2017 by jason

GREGORY PORTER Nat King Cole & Me Decca/Blue Note [Release date 27.10.17] Gregory Porter has shot to fame from his jazz background to become a major name in the jazz and soul world. On his latest release he pays homage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Dyed In Blue, folk, Gregory Porter, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, jazz, Joe Henry, Kirsty Merryn, melodic, Moment Of Leaving, Nat King Cole, Patrick Grehan, review, rock, Show Of Hands, soul, Thrum, You & I | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PILGRIMS’ WAY, RICHARD THOMPSON

Posted on October 17, 2017 by jason

PILGRIMS’ WAY Stand & Deliver [Release date 20.10.1] Pilgrims’ Way are a four piece folk band, although they take folk as their starting point and add in pop, West End showmanship and more into their musical pot. This album as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Acoustic Rarities, Adam Ant, album, Fairport Convention, folk, Pilgrims' Way, review, Richard Thompson, songwriter, Stand & Deliver | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER – The Wife Of Urban Law

Posted on October 2, 2017 by jason

[Release date 31.10.17] Folk rock icon, fiddle supremo and former Steeleye Span-er, Peter Knight, along with the rest of his trio Gigspanner have been busy lately. This is their second new album of the year. First, in the summer came … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, folk, Gigspanner, melodic, Peter Knight, review, Steeleye Span, The Wife Of Urban Law | Leave a comment

Album review: SAM KELLY & THE LOST BOYS – Pretty Peggy

Posted on September 29, 2017 by jason

Navigator Records [Release date 06.10.17] Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys have already picked up rave reviews from the likes of Mark Radcliffe and Mike Harding, plus awards, including winning BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Emerging Act’. All this and Sam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cara Dillon, folk, Michael McGoldrick, Pretty Peggy, review, Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys, traditional music | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – Sky Trails

Posted on September 26, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 29.09.17] Who would have thought that after a 20 year gap, septuagenarian David Crosby would return to cut three of his best albums in the last few years? For all its Californian whimsy and introspection, ‘Sky Trails’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Becca Stevens, Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby, folk, funk, Greg Leisz, James Raymond, jazz, Jeff Pevar, Joni Mitchell, Mai Agan, Michael McDonald, review, rock, Sky Trails, songwriter, Steeely Dan, Steve Tavaglione | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FRIGG, PALE HONEY, HELL IN THE CLUB, CATHEDRALE

Posted on September 20, 2017 by jason

FRIGG Frost On Fiddles Frigg [Release date 06.10.17] Frigg (be careful how you spell that on a Google search!) hail from Finland and feature the talents of four fiddle players, plus a guitarist, bassist and cittern/mandolin players. All instrumentals and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Cathedrale, Devotion, fiddles, folk, Frigg, Frost On Fiddles, Hell In The Club, John Young. Jon Camp, melodic, Pale Honey, progressive, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JANIS IAN – The Essential 2.0

Posted on September 17, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sony Legacy [Release date 22.09.17] This 2 CD collection neatly brings together, for the first time, some of Ian’s best (?) works spanning her whole career from 1967 to date on the Columbia, Verve And Rude Girl labels. All too … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, compilation, folk, Greatest Hits, Janis Ian, review, rock, singer songwriter, The Essential 2.0 | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS Festival – Devon, 18-20 August 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Dance Before, During and After the Storm Between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th August 2017 the bizarre, the wonderful and the contradictions of the norm gathered in the grounds of Escot Park to embrace the eclectic bohemian eccentricity that is … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged 18-20 August, Alison Moyet, Beautiful Days Festival, Devon, Escot Park, festival, folk, gig, Hayseed Dixie, Levellers, New Model Army, Ottery St Mary, pop, review, rock, Sisters Of Mercy | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BLUE ROSE CODE, AUTOBAHN

Posted on September 4, 2017 by jason

BLUE ROSE CODE The Water Of Leith Navigator Records [Release date 27.10.17] Blue Rose Code is in fact singer songwriter Ross Wilson and he has already gained an impressive set of fans including actors Denis Lawson and Ewan McGregor, along … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, Autobahn, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Blue Rose Code, electronic. punk, folk, indie, Quick Play, reviews, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL, 27-30 July 2017

Posted on August 30, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sometimes I think the term ‘Folk Festival’ puts some people off but if they look under the skin they might see something very special. A glancing look through this year’s programme of events showed a whole array of arts and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, Special Events | Tagged Americana, Cambridge, Cambridge Folk Festival, Cherry Hinton Hall, country, folk, Frank Turner, gig, Hayseed Dixie, Indigo Girls, Jake Bugg, July 2017, Loudon Wainwright III, review, roots, Shirley Collins, The Eskies | Leave a comment

Album review: BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – To The Moon and Back

Posted on August 21, 2017 by jason

David Randall chatted to Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore in October 2015 for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio. The hour special gives background to the formation of the band along with selected tracks from their 20 year-history. Minstrel Hall Music … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged best of, Blackmore's Night, Candice Night, Deep Purple, folk, interview, medieval, Rainbow, review, Ritchie Blackmore, rock, To The Moon and Back | Leave a comment

Album review: THE YOUNG ‘UNS – Strangers

Posted on August 17, 2017 by jason

Hereteu Records [Release date 29.09.17] Teeside three piece the Young ‘Uns – Sean Cooney, David Eagle and Michael Hughes – have won the BBC Folk Awards Best Group in 2015 and 2016, along with picking up numerous plaudits from the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged acapella, album, BBC Folk Awards, folk, review, social history, Strangers, the Young 'Uns, vocal harmonies | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BRUCE COCKBURN, A BLUE FLAME, MORNING STAR

Posted on August 16, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

BRUCE COCKBURN Bone On Bone True North Records [Release date 15.09.17] Sounds like a name I ought to know, but maybe I’m thinking about ‘Rooster’. But, in reality, Canadian singer songwriter Bruce Cockburn sounds more like a cross between Mark … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A New Flame, album, Americana, blues rock, Bone On Bone, folk, Morning Star, pop, review, Richard Stone, rock, roots, When Your Whole World Turns To Dust | Leave a comment

Quick plays: MARTIN SIMPSON, RIVERDOGS, HIRSH GARDNER

Posted on August 9, 2017 by jason

MARTIN SIMPSON Trails & Tribulations Topic Records [Release date 01.09.17] Trails & Tribulations’ is Martin Simpson’s twentieth album in a career spanning over 40 years. As he says the album “is a collection of songs about nature, about travels and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, AOR, California, Def Leppard, Dio, Escape Music, folk, Frontiers, Hirsh Gardner, Martin Simpson, melodic rock, New England, Quick Play, reviews, Riverdogs, rock, songwriter, Vivian Campbell | Leave a comment

Single review: SHARON LAZIBYRD – Don’t Worry

Posted on July 31, 2017 by jason

[Release date 01.09.17] The third single by Sharon Lazibyrd from her upcoming album due later this year. The song features Sharon Lazibyrd on vocals, ukulele, viola and cowbell and she is joined by Damon Bridge (accordion), Kate Bridge (backing vocals), … Continue reading →