This set of videos of Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh has featured before on Folk Radio UK on our old site back in 2009. Caoimhín is one of my favourite fiddle players so I’m going to indulge myself…

The latest Folk Radio UK mix is titled ‘The Tradition’ and includes A.L. Lloyd singing alongside Jackie Oates (Walking with Ghosts project) as well as a mix of new and old from the likes of Alasadair Roberts, Mike Waterson, Martin Carthy, Hedy West, Jason Steel, Elle Osborne, Lucy Ward, Dougie Maclean and more.

Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin are bringing a fresh new sound to folk music with their debut album Singing the Bones. Every track on the album is exceptional in its own way and it’s both refreshing and a joy to hear such original interpretation of folk music from two young and very talented artists.

The following video of James Irwin and his band was shot by ASTW in the woods of Oka, Quebec… James writes twice a day—songs, poems and stories, first thing in the morning and late in the afternoon, always with a coffee.

I have just heard that Mike Waterson passed away in the early hours of this morning at 3.00 a.m. Our love and thoughts go out to his family. Mike’s singing voice is well known to anyone who has followed The Watersons through their history which began during the 1960’s English folk song revival.

Martin Simpson is to release a new album on September 5th through Topic Records titled purpose + grace. Jon Boden, B J Cole, Dick Gaughan, Fay Hield, Will Pound, June Tabor and Richard Thompson will be joining Martin along with his regular band of Andy Cutting, Andy Seward and Keith Angel.

The BBC Young Folk Award Finalist Lucy Ward has released her debut album this month titled ‘Adelphi Has to Fly’. The album features tradtional and self-penned songs and her voice shines through the whole album. An exceptional debut!

Marissa Nadler’s fifth self-titled album, and the first released on her own label Box of Cedar, is an evocative, layered aural world…a step ahead in many ways, deftly balancing the mystery of her musical world, so often described as dream-folk, with a weighted frankness.

We’ve been adding a lot of new music to Folk Radio UK recently so here is yesterday’s playlist to give you a flavour of the sounds we’ve been playing.

Gerry Diver’s fascinating ‘The Speech Project’ has received Arts Council England funding for Gerry to take his work on a tour of England in March 2012. The project features exclusive spoken word contributions from Christy Moore, Paddy Moloney, Martin Hayes and Danny Meehan.

Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three return to the UK this month with an established fan base and a new album titled ‘Middle of Everywhere’ which has soared to the Number 3 position on the Euro Americana Chart for June, the boys look set to make a big impact!

Bella Hardy’s latest release, Songs Lost and Stolen, finds her exploring new territory where self-penned originals replace her usual traditional folk canon. With some exceptional production from Mattie Foulds and a plethora of leading light musicians this album rockets Bella Hardy to new heights!