Tag Archives: folk

Album review: CLAUDIA BRUCKEN – Where Else

Claudia Brucken - Where Else

Cherry Red [Release date 06.10.14] For many, Claudia Brücken will be synonymous with 80′s German synth pop band Propaganda – one of the first bands to be signed to Trevor Horn’s ZTT label and their 1985 debut A Secret Wish. … Continue reading

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Gig review: CROPREDY, 7-9 August 2014 featuring STEVE HACKETT, MARILLION & FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Cropredy - 7 August 2014

It’s that time of year again when the time village of Cropredy opens its fields in preparation for the little party that Fairport Convention throws every year. Some 38 years ago they decided to have a shindig with 750 people … Continue reading

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Album review: THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG – The Defiant

The Men They Couldn

www.tmtch.net [Released 22.09.14] The Men They Couldn’t Hang (TMTCH) return with their first new album since 2009 and one that marks the band’s 30th anniversary (they were on hiatus between 1991 and 1996 though!). Amazing to think that thirty years have … Continue reading

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Gig review: CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL – 31 July-3 August 2014

Cambridge Folk Festival 2014

So I cast my mind back to 1994 and the very first Cambridge Folk Festival that I attended and remember the feeling of walking on-site and just thinking this is going to be very special, that was the 30th and … Continue reading

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Interview: Rising Stars – THE YOUNG FOLK

The Young Folk

The Young Folk consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar), Tony McCaughlin (bass/mandolin/vocals), Paul Butler (keyboards/vocals) and Karl Hand (drums/vocals).  With the current popularity of folk music, particularly that in the more alternative/popular end of things like Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes … Continue reading

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Album review: DAVE McGRAW & MANDY FER – Maritime

Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer - Maritime

www.daveandmandymusic.com [Release date 09.14] The gentle folk/Americana debut self-release by songwriters Dave McGraw & Mandy Fer – Seed Of A Pine (2012) – was a rather fine, if somewhat understated example of the genre.  Deploying the ‘less is more principle’ … Continue reading

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Album review: OTIS GIBBS – Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth

OTIS GIBBS – Souvenirs of A Misspent Youth

Wanamaker Recording Company [Release date 17.02.14] Otis Gibbs is a socio-politico story teller who infuses his blue collar characters with enough real urban grit for you to care about their trials and tribulations. He’s also recalls autobiographical stories and his … Continue reading

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Quick plays: POLLY BARRETT, CATHERINE MACLELLAN, JANE KRAMER

Polly Barrett - Probably Me

POLLY BARRETT Probably Me [Release date 22.09.14] We had the release of Irish singer songwriter Polly Barrett’s 2011 debut Mr Bookshop down as the folk/pop album Andrea Corr should have made if she wanted to sustain her popular profile. Barrett … Continue reading

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Album review: RICHARD THOMPSON – Acoustic Classics

Richard Thompson - Acoustic Classics

Beeswing/Proper Records [Release date 21.07.14] Amazingly this is the first acoustic release (excluding live recordings) in over thirty years. This collection of his most famous songs newly recorded in acoustic form provides the perfect accompaniment to his solo acoustic shows. … Continue reading

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Album review: ELVENKING – The Pagan Manifesto

Elvenking - The Pagan Manifesto

AFM Records – Out Now. Even though they have been earning their chops performing Folk infused Power Metal for the last seventeen years, the members of Italian sextet Elvenking do not really perform the style of music that I would … Continue reading

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Quick plays: THE REE-VAHS!, TARJA, CROWN OF GLORY, AVALON STEEL, SEVEN THORNS

The Ree-Vahs! - Geordieland

THE REE-VAHS! – Geordieland www.theree-vahs.co.uk [Released 09.06.14] The Ree-Vahs! Hail from County Durham and carry on the tradition of North Durham singing, although it’s not that heavily accented and you can listen to the lyrics easily enough. Andy Loan has … Continue reading

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Album review: THE YOUNG FOLK – The Little Battle

The Young Folk - The Little Battle

Pixie Pace Records [Released 08.09.14] Having witnessed an excellent gig by the band earlier this year in London I was looking forward to hearing their debut release. The band consists of Anthony Furey (vocals/guitar), Tony McCaughlin (bass/mandolin/vocals), Paul Butler (keyboards/vocals) … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE YOUNG FOLK – Surya, King’s Cross, London,15 May 2014

It’s amazing the gig venues you keep discovering in London as I had never heard of the Surya before and it has a whole host of gigs put on by the promoters Glasswerks. A dinky little venue with a bar … Continue reading

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Singles and EP reviews: THE YOUNG FOLK, AMY SIMPSON, UNISONIC

THE YOUNG FOLK – Way Home Pixie Pace Records [Released 26.05.14] www.theyoungfolk.com Dublin based alt-folk band The Young Folk release their debut UK single and feature Anthony Furey (son of George from the legendary the Fureys & Davy Arthur). This … Continue reading

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Album review: ELVENKING – The Pagan Manifesto

Elvenking - The Pagan Manifesto

AFM Records [Release date 12.05.14] Hmm…folk power metal…well I do like Steeleye Span and I do like power metal so let’s see how Elvenking mix the two shall we! Elvenking were formed back in 1997 in Northern Italy and The … Continue reading

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Album review: MATT ANDERSEN – Weightless

Matt Andersen - Weightless

True North [Release date 14.04.14] Produced by former Blasters sax player and Los Lobos producer Steve Berlin, ‘Weightless’ puts the emphasis squarely on songs, catchy hooks and a subtle sonic landscape that nestles Matt Andersen’s emotive baritone vocal. Released by … Continue reading

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Album review: ULTAN CONLON – Songs Of Love So Cruel

ULTAN CONLON – Songs Of Love So Cruel

Darksideout [Release date 09.06.14] The fact that the ‘Songs Of Love So Cruel’ dominates the CD sleeve tells you all you need to know about Ultan Conlon’s mindset, on an album full of enduring relationship and love songs. He treads … Continue reading

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Quick plays: BLAIR DUNLOP, LITTLE FEAT, PHIL VINCENT, NEIL INNES & FATSO

Little Feat - Live in Holland 1976

BLAIR DUNLOP – House Of Jacks www.blairdunlop.com [Released 26.05.14] Blair Dunlop has had a good start to his musical career winning the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013 and earning rave reviews for his debut … Continue reading

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Gig review: BELLOWHEAD – Royal Albert Hall, London, 20 April 2014

Amazing to think Bellowhead have been going for ten years now as they chose the regal surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate their tenth birthday and bless them they invited all of their fans along. It was a … Continue reading

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Album review: HAT FITZ & CARA ROBINSON – Do Tell

HAT FITZ & CARA ROBINSON – Do Tell

Manhaton [Release date 12.05.14] Formerly just Hat Fitz and Cara, Irish singer Cara Robinson now gets a full name check alongside her Australian partner Hat Fitz on ‘Do Tell’, an album of well crafted songs brought to life by a … Continue reading

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Gig review: JOHN ILLSLEY – East End Arms, Lymington, East End, 8 April 2014

JOHN ILLSLEY – East End Arms, Lymington, East End, 8 April 2014

It was back in 1982 after the break up of Steely Dan that Donald Fagen unveiled his signature sound on the ‘The Night Fly’ album and confirmed his creative input into Steely Dan. And while former Dire Straits bass player … Continue reading

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Album review: HER NAME IS CALLA – Navigator

Her Name Is Calla - Navigator

Function [Release date 05.05.14] ‘Navigator’ by Her Name Is Calla, is a cerebral and emotional work of substance. You may need patience and understanding to get inside Tom Morris’ songs and his vocal enunciations with electronic edges, but you will … Continue reading

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Upcoming: New Releases – Albums/DVDs (2016)

Compiled by Jason Ritchie Updated 31/10/2016 2016 November 4th GRAHAM BONNET ‘The Book’ Frontiers BON JOVI ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ FM ‘Indiscreet 30′ (re-recorded with 7 bonus songs) Frontiers THE FRAY ‘Through the Years: The Best Of’ Epic … Continue reading

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Album review: FAIRPORT CONVENTION – Moat On The Ledge

Fairport Convention - Moat On The Ledge

Eagle Rock [Released 24.03.14] Another good value 3-in-1 CD box set from Eagle Records that gathers together two live albums from Fairport Convention (who have had a lot of live albums released through the years!) and the band’s ‘XXXV’ studio … Continue reading

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Album review: PATSY MATHESON – Domino Girls

Patsy Matheson - Domino Girls

Tomorrow Music/Proper Music www.pastsymatheson.co.uk [Released 31.03.14] Two years on from the excellent ‘Stories Of Angels & Guitars’ Patsy Matheson is back with a new album and a departure in that she uses a lot more guest musicians, along with a … Continue reading

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