David Pratt

Royal Traveller not only confirms Missy Raines’ renowned instrumental status but also announces another first, as she debuts as a songwriter, over 11 tracks on which she is joined by a star-studded cast.

Thickets create fascinatingly original music, and Four Last Words is a real tonic providing a welcome contrast to much of the anodyne outpourings to be heard on mainstream media – intelligent, beguiling, haunting…seek it out.

Celebrating two decades of inspiring, original, ‘Interceltic’ world music, Twenty is an ideal introduction to Mabon, whilst long-time fans will fully appreciate the release as a successful document, capturing the essence of one of the most entertaining live acts around.

Young Waters’ debut offers strong vocals, sweet-toned harmonies, stirring instrumentation with melodies and rhythms that alternate from intricate to exhilarating, and all stations in between. In short – innovative, enthralling and enchanting.

The opportunity presented here to experience the stripped back songs in all of their raw glory is an aural delight. This collection proves that less can indeed sometimes be more, and with Distant Days, Steve Tilston, one of our most revered songsmiths, has confirmed his reputation as a jewel in the folk and acoustic-world crown.

When a musician is at the top of their game, as Rab so clearly is here, the results can be compelling; Welcome to Anniversaryville is an album of pure delight and marks Noakes out as a continuing force for musical good in a sometimes all too cynical and depressing world. 

With Pretty Warnings, Lucy Ward has surpassed all previous recordings to release a sublime, mesmerising and exquisite album. A gorgeous, atmospheric offering of the highest calibre.

If it’s her aspiration of seeking perfection in song-writing and performing, then Love Come Down takes Thea Hopkins one step closer to this goal – the pinnacle of her recorded output so far.

Kindness, A Rebel finds River Whyless taking a new and refreshing direction from their debut and confirms that the Asheville, North Carolina quartet are an increasingly musical force to be reckoned with.

World Music Network/ Riverboat Records are to be applauded for their continued championing of world music, and this excellent 25th Anniversary release should appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners.

An Introduction To Martin Simpson more than adequately showcases both his undoubted skills as one of the world’s finest acoustic, finger-style and slide guitarists but also his transformation into one of the folk world’s undoubted national treasures.

On the evidence of this recording, The Jellyman’s Daughter, have plotted a careful course and are set fair for the greater horizons that undoubtedly lie ahead. 

One of the greatest strengths of this album is the sheer breadth and diversity of the music on offer, such is the eclectic nature of Fran’s song-writing. For those looking for originality and an alternative to the bland offerings of ‘mainstream’ singer-songwriters, then Wood For The Trees blows in like a breath of fresh air on a balmy spring day.

A shift to more introspective material merely confirms not only his latent talent but also that, with Notes From An Island, his journey as one of our foremost singer-songwriters continues to be in the ascendancy. His most accomplished album so far.

The Nelson Brothers are undeniably very fine songwriters and musicians – Migrant Tales leads the listener on a thoroughly enjoyable and evocative musical trip, it would be foolish not to get on board and share in their journey.

Featuring the likes of Michael McGoldrick, Donald Shaw, Adam Holmes and John Smith and more, ‘Love Is The Bridge Between Two Hearts’ is the first duo EP/Album from Heidi Talbot and John McCusker – They have created something which sounds fresh and beautiful.

Dom Flemons pays tribute to the music, culture, and the complex history of the golden era of the Wild West’s and sheds light on the role that African-American, Native American and Mexican men and women pioneers played in westward expansion. An enduring testament to the Black cowboys and what they represent.

This was as good as live music gets.  Analogies with the likes of CSN&Y, The Byrds, The Traveling Wilburys, The Jayhawks, et al. are/will be inevitable, but don’t be fooled, tonight we witnessed original, euphoric, exhilarating British Americana music of the highest standard, played with unbridled enjoyment by musicians so obviously empathetic to each other.