As we wind down towards what has been another excellent year for music, here are my Top 10 picks in alphabetical order.
Jack Blount – The New Faith
A remarkable album from Jake Blount, which somehow managed to merge historical narratives with contemporary concerns, all wrapped up in soulful gospel sounds, raps, and more traditional folk. An example of what could be and a poignant reverence for the past. Thought-provoking and a thoroughly stimulating listen too.
Bush Gothic – Beyond the Pale
Such a fun album! Feisty, playful, and thoroughly exhilarating. The talented, self-proclaimed ‘darker, stranger Australian folk’ trio delivered an atmospheric, fresh, and genuinely exciting take on a selection of traditional folk songs.
Breabach – Fàs (review pending)
With their latest release, Fàs, and fresh from their ‘Scottish Folk Band of the Year’ win at the Scots Trad Music Awards, 2022 marked another great year for folk champions Breabach. Their latest album, a beautiful blend of tradition and more contemporary tunes and melodies, has once again firmly established the band as the go-to stewards of Scots folk tradition.
Peter Knight and John Spiers – Both in a Tune
One of the most exciting and stimulating pairings in recent years, Knight and Spiers continue to deliver rousing, inspiring, and undeniably mesmerising takes on traditional tunes, allowing new experiments and new journeys for old favourites. The joy of listening to two friends is captivating. What treats from a squeezebox and a fiddle. A riveting, enchanting, and breathtaking listen.
Buy the album via the websites of Peter Knight or John Spiers
Fern Maddie – Ghost Story
An exciting and authentic new voice from Central Vermont, Maddie curated a beautifully atmospheric and very personal collection of songs on her evocative debut. Simply but very confidently delivered, Maddie’s voice accompanied by a solo guitar is folk perfection at its purest.
Angeline Morrison – The Sorrow Songs
What a year for Angeline Morrison. The Sorrow Songs, produced by Eliza Carthy, is a genuinely affecting debut release from the Cornish singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. What a collection of songs from Morrison an important exploration of British folk music and Black British history. Poignant, moving and gorgeously arranged, this is an instant classic. Add in Morrison’s stunning voice, and you have a palpably potent and hauntingly evocative release.
Emily Portman and Rob Harbron – Time Was Away
What’s not to love about the soft lilting voice of Emily Portman and the subtle, melodic, always-inspiring concertina of Rob Harbron? A gorgeously reflective, restful, and thoroughly beguiling set of tunes and songs. Beautifully tender and wonderfully atmospheric, a soothing treat for the ears.
Sam Sweeney – Escape That
Sweeney is one of the most exciting, energetic, and downright nicest musicians on the folk scene today. Escape That is an absolutely thrilling and masterfully played set of tunes highlighting the fiddler’s talent for playful arrangements and downright superb musicianship. A joyful, electrifying listen.
Tarren – Revel
Another piece of folk joy from the trio that makes up Tarren. Confident approaches to some familiar tunes, including hornpipes and polkas, but always served up with a freshness and cleverness that is at the heart of the group’s sound. A fresh and invigorating interpretation of tradition.
The Trials of Cato – Gog Magog
This is so much fun! The new release from the Welsh/English folk trio managed to bend boundaries in traditional and more popular music sounds with clever use of synth, traditional instruments, and some pop melodies. It’s hard not to smile when listening to this album. An instant favourite with Polly Bolton’s atmospheric vocals and skilled mandolin proving an exciting addition.