Glenn Kimpton

Dilyn Afon is an essential masterpiece in traditional music collection and interpretation, performed to an exemplary level…It is a journey piece of pure and utterly beautiful music and singing…I implore you all to buy it.

There are many delights to be found throughout Pill Pilots, which boasts great songs treated with love and respect by a pair of the finest players currently performing. Recommended indeed.

Glenn Kimpton looks back at 2019 and shares his top 10 albums of the year including Jake Xerxes Fussell, Rant, Sarah Louise, Rob Harbron, J.R. Bohannon, Bill MacKay and Katinka Kleijn, Charles Rumback & Ryley Walker, Bill Callahan & more.

Buck Curran and Tompkins Square have done a fine job here, both in paying tribute to the late great Jack Rose and bringing in a number of superb players. Fantastic stuff and a real testament to the quality of current material available to those who seek it.

303 is intelligent, finely nuanced music full of fresh ideas along with signature Three Cane Whale sounds which really does invite and reward repeated listens. The little shades and dashes of sound throughout inject the whole album with a sense of life and nature.

Having just released and toured a fascinating new album from the commission of a beautiful new instrument, it was time to meet with Rhyader’s finest to discuss his Fylde and New Music for the 12 String Guitar.

The Portage, the latest album from Scotland’s Rant is something truly special. At points haunting, at others carefree and light, this is powerful and evocative music that is invigorating, bewitching and beautiful.

Illustrating the creativity flowing between these two performers, Little Common Twist is a very skilfully played and arranged piece of work which balances its many flavours like an accomplished chef.

Dusk could soon be considered one of the more important contemporary instrumental acoustic guitar recordings, and J. R. Bohannon a key player in the genre.

Curated by Ryley Walker, Imaginational Anthem Vol 9 crams its forty-four minutes with enough musical styles and new artists to satisfy anybody. Study the sleeve notes, seek out the players and have a load of fun with another ace compilation.

Stir displays the creativity and versatility of Bill MacKay and Katinka Kleijn, who use just the cello and guitar to form such an artistically and emotionally broad-reaching canvas.

We talk to Martin Simpson about his new album “Rooted”. He may now be on his 21st solo album and in his fifth decade as a professional musician, but his creative output, vision and musicianship has never been finer. Plus we have a special “Rooted” giveaway.