This week’s Folk Show features music from two of our latest Featured Albums of the Month: Iona Fyfe’s ‘Dark Turn of Mind’ (reviewed here) and Claire Hastings’s ‘Those Who Roam’ (reviewed here) as well as new music from Abigail Lapell, Lucy Kitt, Kaia Kater, Howe Gelb, Lau, Buffalo Blood, Mdou Moctar, Baton Bleu, John Blek, Afro Celt Sound System and more.
Music Played
Abigail Lapell – Gonna Be Leaving
From Getaway, due out February 1, 2019, via Coax Records / Outside by Toronto vocalist, guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Abigail Lapell. She rewrites the narrative of her past in a new album that says farewell to transience, both emotional and physical. More here: https://www.abigaillapell.com/
Aisha Burns – If I
From Argonauta (out now) is a collection of songs about Burns’ struggle with the grief of losing her mother, while also navigating a new relationship, and ultimately trying to figure out what the new normal is for her life. The follow up to her 2013 debut, Life in the Midwater, the self-produced new album sees Burns continuing the vulnerable and honest thread of her lingering feelings of darkness — and depression — while also maintaining hope for the future. “Argonauta is the child of a strange chasm in my life, the space where both unfathomable, debilitating loss and new love and hope reside,” says Burns. “In an attempt to process this romantic love, the loss of my mother who lived her life as my confidant and dearest friend, and the hope of someday gaining acceptance of life’s ever-shifting cycles, these songs emerged. I had to write this record to give voice to the depression, anxiety and uncertainty I endured while grieving.” Writing Argonauta served as a relief valve for Burns; now the eight sumptuous, haunting songs — led by her captivating, densely layered vocals — extend a similar balm for listeners. More here http://aishaburns.com/
Lucy Kitt – Stand By
Essex-based singer-songwriter Lucy Kitt who is set to release her debut full-length album, Stand By, on Wineberry Records (through SRD) on March 22nd. A beautifully crafted self-penned gem, the album draws influence from the golden age of songwriting emanating from Laurel Canyon in the late 60’s early 70’s. Stand By was recorded at London’s Soup Studios and features contributions from Sam Beer, Dave Holmes and Pat Kenneally. The album will be available on CD, vinyl and digital. More here http://lucykitt.co.uk/
Iona Fyfe – Swing and Turn
From Dark Turn of Mind… “Dark Turn of Mind takes her repertoire another step forward, to wider shores and a wider sphere of influence. There’s been no temptation to alter her voice, that’s still as authentically Scottish, and still as clear and expressive, as it ever was. Iona’s approach to song delights in the most charming flourishes, covers an impressive vocal range, and proves her as capable of delivering a burst of power as she is of bringing a tear to the eye. This release will delight existing fans, and bring her music to an even wider audience. If you thought you’d heard the best of Iona Fyfe, think again; there’s every indication that Dark Turn of Mind begins a new, captivating chapter.” Read the full review.
Kaia Kater – Meridian Ground
From Kaia Kater’s recently released Grenades which we reviewed here. “Impressionistic rather than explicit, thoughts and emotions are woven through the musical fabric as much as the lyrics, it marks a huge leap on her musical and personal journey, and sharing it is a privilege.” More here https://www.kaiakater.com/
Howe Gelb – A Thousand Kisses Deep Feat. M. Ward
The new single from Howe Gelb (Fire Records) featuring M Ward. Taken from his forthcoming album Gathered. More here: https://howegelbmusic.bandcamp.com/album/gathered
Lau – Dark Secret
From Midnight and Closedown, produced by John Parish, released February 8th 2019 on Reveal Records. Midnight and Closedown is Lau’s first new music since 2015’s The Bell That Never Rang. Producer John Parish, widely celebrated for his recordings and collaborations with P.J Harvey, Eels, Sparklehorse, This Is The Kit, Aldous Harding, Rokia Traore, M. Ward, Giant Sand and many more, has captured the essence of Lau’s songwriting: tender, bewitching and mournful, uplifting, experimental and political. These are new sounds still rooted in the traditional music that brought together the UK’s three finest folk artists. We’ll be bringing you more on this release very soon. More here http://www.lau-music.co.uk/
Afro Celt Sound System – The Migration Medley: Night Crossings, Pt. 1
The first of two tracks from Afro Celts latest album Flight which we reiewed here.
Claire Hastings – Ten Thousand Miles
From Those Who Roam, the latest offering from Scots singer/song writer Claire Hastings. “Each individual element of this album is worthy of praise in its own right. Guitar, fiddle, accordion and piano provide pace or pathos in exactly the right measure, Inge Thomson’s production delivers an inventive finish, and, of course, Claire’s clear and inviting vocal shines throughout. This is far more than a vehicle for that fine voice, though. It’s a collection where new work stands side-by-side with traditional songs that, while immediately familiar, are still capable of inspiring a new and imaginative approach. Those Who Roam is a shining example of the enduring appeal of traditional songs, and of Claire Hastings’ exceptional talent for delivering them.” Read our full review here.
Buffalo Blood – Ten Killer Ferry Lake
From their self-titled album (Eel Pie Records, 15 Feb 2019), Buffalo Blood is a US/UK music collective made up of Dean Owens, Neilson Hubbard, Joshua Britt and Audrey Spillman. Collectively they were inspired to decamp from their cosy studio spaces in Nashville TN and Leith (Scotland), following the Trail of Tears over 1300 miles to spend 2 weeks living and recording way out in the New Mexico desert at the stunning La Plaza Blanca, Echo Canyon, and around Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu (also the setting for much of the hit TV series Breaking Bad), to create the music – songs of displacement, immigration, refugees and the power of the human spirit – for Buffalo Blood.
Also produced by Neilson Hubbard, the world premiere live performance of Buffalo Blood (including film footage from the location) and album launch is at Celtic Connections, Glasgow on 25 Jan 2019. More here http://www.buffaloblood.com/
Jake Book – The Lark in the Morning
From Blacksmiths and Ploughboys, released in 2014 on Kentuck’s Historic Records. More via Bandcamp.
Mdou Moctar – Kamane Tarhanin
The lead single from Tuareg guitarist and songwriter Mdou Moctar’s new album – his first recorded in a proper studio – Ilana (The Creator), out 29th Mar on Sahel Sounds.
Mdou Moctar immediately stands out as one of the most innovative artists in contemporary Saharan music. His unconventional interpretations of Tuareg guitar and have pushed him to the forefront of a crowded scene. Back home, he’s celebrated for his original compositions and verbose poetry, an original creator in a genre defined by cover bands. In the exterior, where Saharan rock has become one of the continents biggest musical exports, he’s earned a name for himself with his guitar moves. Mdou shreds with a relentless and frenetic energy that utterly sets him apart. Pre-Order via Bandcamp.
Majid Bekkas – Mrhaba (Cervo Edit)
From Soundani Manayou / Mrhaba (Cervo Edits), released in June 2017, the first release on the Bananna Hill label which begins in Morocco, with multi-instrumentalist Majid Bakkas reworked for the dancefloor by co-founder Cervo (Taken from the incredible 2001 album ‘African Gnaoua Blues’ on Igloo Records. More: https://bananahill.bandcamp.com/album/soundani-manayou-mrhaba-cervo-edits
Bâton Bleu – Yourgo
The opening track from Weird and Wonderful Tales (released Nov. 2018), Bâton Bleu (Blue Stick) are an inventive duo from Rennes, France who combine the harmonic vocals of Maria Laurent with the growling vocals of Gautier Degandt. Between them, they play a range of unusual instruments including the Mongolian luth and kalimba. Together, they create a unique sound that is both modern and primitive, neo folk that is influenced by music from the USA to Central Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean. More here https://www.facebook.com/batonbleu/
Rag House – Glimmers
From Instamatic, their 2018 debut album. Rag House are singer-songwriters and musicians based in St Albans in the UK – inspired by everything from folk to post-rock – They are an experimental ukulele group producing original, atmospheric soundscapes.
Formed by three members of the same family, their unique sound is based around Stephen Wragg’s imaginative fretwork, Rachel Sharman’s soaring, elegant vocals and her warm harmonium. Add in Andy Sharman’s rhythmic beats and bass and you have a group that seeks to go beyond the standard ukulele concept. More here https://www.musicglue.com/raghouse/
Jess Williamson – Wild Rain
From Cosmic Wink, the third album from LA-based artist Jess Williamson. In 2016, after living in Austin on and off for a decade, she left her home state of Texas for California. Deeply inspired by the move to Los Angeles and the bliss of new love, she rented a back house from an actor friend who was away on a movie and started writing the songs that eventually became Cosmic Wink. As she wrote, her beloved dog Frankie began going gray with old age.
All three of these seemingly dissimilar streams intersected to give Cosmic Wink a unified sound and feel. The openness of LA — and confronting the downbeat nature of her older songs while performing to hushed European crowds — challenged her supposition that “heartache, depression, and sadness” were “the only way to make interesting music,” as she puts it.
“You’re asking a lot if you expect an audience to be completely silent during your set and listen to every word. I started thinking about performing as something that could be fun, and having a good time playing with a band live, making songs that could be relatable to all kinds of people. I want my mom and her friends to like this album as much as someone with super obscure taste — and I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive.” More here http://www.jesswilliamson.com
John Blek – The Blackwater
From Thistle and Thorn, the fourth solo studio album in as many years from John Blek. It was recorded between Clonakilty, Co. Cork and Louisville, Kentucky during the early part of 2018. It features numerous collaborations with long-time musical partners Brian Casey and Davie Ryan as well as the addition of the ethereal voice of Joan Shelley and melodious fingerstyle folk guitar of Nathan Salsburg.
This is John’s most complete and ambitious work to date.It is due for release on the 1st of February 2019 through John’s own imprint WARR. To be followed by a 5th of April release through K & F Records in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Available on CD, download and heavy weight gatefold vinyl. Find out more here https://johnblek.com/
Afro Celt Sound System – Night Crossings Pt. 2
See above.