David Kidman

Dàibhidh’s all-encompassing philosophy is that “traditional music is for everyone”. As he demonstrates on this fine debut, it’s truly a rich and engrossing world into which he hopes that others will readily fall through listening to this album.

Return to Y’hup serves as a loving homage and sincere tribute, and compellingly illustrates why the estimable Mr. Cutler was ahead of his time. It also achieves its aim of re-affirming Ivor Cutler’s status as a “national treasure”.

Fidil’s Decade is a welcome return from the Donegal fiddle trio and an exceptional album stacked high with spellbinding playing. It represents another artistic triumph for the honourable Raelach imprint which is beautifully packaged as well.

Fields Of Frost is an artefact of characteristic dark beauty, its bright glistening atmosphere of comfort within joy…ever looking both back and forward, cherishing and nurturing the promise of the coming spring and rejuvenation.

Celebrating their 45th Anniversary, there’s plenty of vitality on this new release. It’s uplifting, jolly fun all the way, tempered with an easy musicality that doesn’t patronise, and splendidly well recorded.

Framed is a fascinating, moving and extremely well-researched insight into a little-known chapter in the history of the peace movement in the UK, the continuing relevance of which in today’s political climate cannot be denied.

David Kidman shares his Top Ten Albums of 2019 including releases from Belinda Kempster & Fran Foote, Bird in the Belly, Green Ribbons, Jon Boden, Lankum, Josienne Clarke, Kathryn Tickell and more.

A superb debut from the astoundingly multi-talented Lady Maisery trio and the unique, trusty Aldridge-Goldsmith partnership – celebrating “the power, beauty and vitality of song”.

The occasional almost wilful unpredictability of Provincials’ music, much in spite of its consistencies of conviction and execution, is but one of its many attractions, tellingly complementing Seb and Polly’s unique combined creative forces.

So summing up, the long and the short of this review is a hearty, unqualified recommendation for this impeccably packaged disc – a seriously uplifting set from Andy Irvine and his chums. Bravo and encore!

Intense and committed, soulful, exciting and playful, with an energy level that’s quite literally unstoppable, so that after close on 57 minutes you still feel this album could go on for all time; I sure want it to!

Songs from the Bardo offers the listener a continuous soundscape of free-association that transcends time – a profound and subtly moving spiritual experience…listen without distraction and enlightenment will surely follow.