Danny Neill

Eilen Jewell’s ‘Gypsy’ is one of those rare things, an album containing a perfect dozen songs without a single dud track. If all were right and just in the world, she would one day take her place amongst the country music legends.

The first live review coverage of Cambridge Folk Festival is in – featuring Ben Caplan, The Rails, Ralph McTell, Graham Nash, Tunng, Chloe Foy, Lisa O’Neill, Lucinda Williams, Nick Mulvey, Richard Thompson, Crooked Weather, Daoiri Farrell’s All-Star Celtic Session and more.

Canadian folk duo Mama’s Broke deliver a strong debut with ‘Count the Wicked, a journey through rural early 20th century Americana that’s fizzing with melodic ideas and tales to tell. Debut albums as strong as this should not be ignored.

Curve of Earth is an amazing album of emotional depth, scolding honesty amidst self-reflection but above all, a sharp focus on the basic truth that where there’s life there’s hope. Ohtis scoops up buckets of hope as it sails doggedly through these real-life troubled waters.

Ida Mae have finally earned the right to make the music they were meant to. This is the kind of debut collection that goes all out to prove itself; it has done just that and then some. Ida Mae are definitely here to stay.

This could be one of the most versatile and open collections The Waterboys have ever given us. They are literally capable of going in absolutely any direction from here.

‘Midnight Man’ may not have become one of Davy Graham’s celebrated long players, but its music stands the test of time and that’s all that matters. Until now it has been one of his most elusive releases too, so go and check it out on this lush new re-release.

Six years on from his death at the age of 74, this first posthumous release of new material is J J Cale proving that, as the title suggests, his music will indeed stick around. Watch the new animated video for Go Downtown.

Danny Neill revisits Davy Graham’s 1969 ‘Hat’ album which has been reissued and remastered, along with liner notes by David Fricke, via the Bread and Wine label, available on CD and Vinyl.

For me, ‘Union’ is the album where this incarnation of Son Volt have finally found their true voice and most authentic sound. This is the most musically rewarding album they have ever delivered.

June Tabor launched her solo career with ‘Airs And Graces’, a record that remains one of the most essential folk music records of the 1970s and beyond. This Topic Records Deluxe CD re-issue features perfect sound and an abundance of treasures found within.

His delicious caressing of the lyrics reminds me of Mike Scott at his most incisive; I can also hear the soulfulness of Ray LaMontagne at times too. Sean Taylor has recorded an album on a par with the strongest work by either of those high-ranking acts and has also written one of the premier topical song albums of our time.