Tag Archives: folk

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

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, Interviews/Rising Stars | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Quick plays: SONS OF THE SEA, JOSH TAERK, INGER LORRE, ADRIAN NATION, BIRDS OF CHICAGO

SONS OF THE SEA S/t Avow! Records [Released 03.03.14] www.menbran.net Sons of the Sea is a collaboration between producer Brendan O’Brien (Incubus/Pearl Jam/RATM/Springsteen) and Brandon Boyd of Incubus (not a band I have heard anything by although my daughter informs … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

News: FIRST NAMES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 50th CAMBRIDGE FOLK FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL HONOURED WITH THE GOOD TRADITION AWARD AT THE BBC RADIO 2 FOLK AWARDS 31 July & 1, 2, 3 August 2014 The legendary Van Morrison will make his debut at Cambridge Folk Festival this year, as headliner for its … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, Festivals & Large Events, NEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Quick plays: AMELIA WHITE, EDDI READER, THE O’s, THE SWEET LOWDOWN

Amelia White - Old Postcard

AMELIA WHITE Old Postard [Release date 10.03.14] East Nashville-based singer and songwriter Amelia White wasn’t encouraged by her parents to pursue her musical dream.  But their disapproval lit a fire as she listened to Neil Young, Beatles, Stones, and Muddy … Continue reading

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE LEVELLERS – Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh,18 December 2013

The Levellers - Leamington Assembly, 28 June 2013

When it comes to The Levellers I’m afraid I would consider myself a lapsed fan. For many years I bought the albums and attended gigs whenever possible but my attention did drift for a long period through no fault of … Continue reading

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment