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Gig review: BRAVE RIVAL – The Stables, Milton Keynes, 14 March 2026
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Tag Archives: folk
Album review: JULIE DRISCOLL – 1969 (remaster)

Cherry Red [Release date: 28.10.22] From the beginning of her career in the sixties, singer Julie Driscoll had worked with the Brian Auger Trinity. And indeed she fronted that band when she scored two UK Chart hits in 1968, covers … Continue reading
Album review: SAM SWEENEY – Escape That

Hudson Records [Release date 21.10.22] Renowned fiddle player Bellowhead member Sam Sweeney returns with an album that ties together the threads of Sam’s musical loves; combining pop hooks and his pioneering work in the world of traditional dance tunes. Written … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Bellowhead, Escape That, fiddle, folk, instrumental, review, Sam Sweeney, traditional
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Album review: THE MAGPIES – Undertow

Bandcamp [Release date 14.10.22] Second album from the Yorkshire-based trio the Magpies who consist of Bella Gaffney, Holly Brandon and Kate Griffin. They have only been performing since 2018, and bearing in mind the covid pandemic halt on live music … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Eurythmics, folk, review, roots, the Magpies, transatlantic folk, Undertow
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Album review: SIOBHAN MILLER – Bloom

Proper Music [Release date 16.09.22] Siobhan Miller was like many artists releasing a new album just as the covid epidemic started, curtailing any touring plans and coverage for any new music. Now we are back into vaguely normal times again … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Andy M Stewart, Bloom, Eddi Reader, Ewan McColl, folk, Rab Noakes, review, Siobhan Miller, traditional muisc
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Album review: BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN – Crazy Town

Cooking Vinyl [Release date 23.09.22] This is Beth Nielsen Chapman’s thirteenth solo album and her first in ten years, as well as her debut release on Cooking Vinyl. Produced by 5-time Grammy Award winner Ray Kennedy (who’s worked with Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Shania Twain, … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Beth Nielsen Chapman, country, Crazy Town, folk, Graham Gouldman, melodic blues, review
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Album review: JACKIE OATES – Gracious Wings

Bandcamp [Release date 02.09.22] Although this is Jackie Oates first album since 2018 she has been busy not least on the weekly online sessions with John Spiers (Bellowhead), who guests on a couple of songs on the album. For this, … Continue reading
Album review: FARA – Energy Islands

Faramusic [Release date 26.08.22] Fara are from the Orkney’s, where they developed their distinctive sound that blends the three fiddles and vocals of Jeana Leslie, Catriona Price and Kristan Harvey against piano. On this album Fara introduce a new pianist Rory … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Energy Islands, Fara, folk, instrumental, Orkney Islands, review, traditional music
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Album review: STEELEYE SPAN – Live At The Rainbow Theatre 1974

Chrysalis Records [Release date 07.10.22] A vinyl only (double LP in old money!) of a classic concert from Steeleye Span that has never been released in full before. A handful of tracks from the concert have popped up down the … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Reissues
Tagged album, folk, folk rock, Live At The Rainbow Theatre 1974, Maddy Prior, Peter Knight, review, Steeleye Span, Vinyl
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Album review: RUSTY SHACKLE – Under A Bloodshot Moon

Bandcamp [Release date 19.08.22] Welsh indie-roots band Rusty Shackle have not passed across the musical radar of this reviewer until now and I am gald that have finally. Rusty Shackle have been recording and touring around the globe since 2010. … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Ferocious Dog, folk, indie, Mumford & Sons, review, rock, roots, Rusty Shackle, Under A Bloodshot Moon
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Album review: ALISON O’DONNELL – Hark The Voice That Sings For All

Talking Elephant [Release date 22.07.22] Until this album appeared at GRTR! Towers I’d not heard of Alison O’Donnell. Apart from, that is, the actress who plays “Tosh” in the superb “Shetland” TV series. The musical one has plied her trade … Continue reading
Album review: AMY GODDARD – Rise

Bandcamp [Release date 22.07.22] Amy Goddard is a British contemporary folk singer/songwriter with both Celtic and American influences. She is also an artist and luthier (which I had to look up and they are a maker of string instruments). With … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Amy Goddard, folk, review, Rise, singer songwriter
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Album review: BUSH GOTHIC – Beyond the Pale

Website [Release date 29.07.22] Beyond The Pale is the third album from Bush Gothic, an Australian folk three piece consisting of Jenny M Thomas (vocals, fiddle), Chris Lewis (drums) and Dan Witton (double bass & vocals). Bush Gothic are a … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Beyond the Pale, Bush Gothic, folk, Jenny M Thomas, review, tradtional music
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Album review: BELLA HARDY – Love Songs

Noe Records [Release date 08.07.22] Recorded over just three days, ‘Love Songs‘ is Bella Hardy‘s tenth solo album. The album features seven traditional numbers with four self-penned originals, all loosely based on the album title. She is joined by Mike … Continue reading
Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS
Tagged album, Bella Hardy, folk, Love Songs, Mike Vass, review, singer songwriter
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Quick plays: LIPS TURN BLUE, O’KANE & BLOCK, CTP

LIPS TURN BLUE MIG Music [Release date 04.05.22] Lips Turn Blue feature Don Mancuso (a former member of Black Sheep which featured Lou Gramm who guests on this album), keyboardist Eric Bieber, bassist Mike Mullane, drummer Roy Stein and vocalist … Continue reading
Gig review: SPIERS & BODEN – Oxford Playhouse, Sunday 5 June 2022
First time on stage at the Oxford Playhouse for John Spiers and Jon Boden, and also the first time inside this smart theatre for this reviewer. Playing to a home crowd (Spiers and Boden met in Oxford) is always a … Continue reading
Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS
Tagged Bellohwhead, fiddle, folk, gig, instrumental, John Spiers, Jon Boden, melodeon, Oxford Playhouse, review, Sunday 5 June 2022, traditional
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