Glenn Kimpton

Michael Chapman’s ‘True North’ is a raw and honest album from a musician well aware of the legacy behind him and his place on that timeline. It is lean, unpretentious, wonderfully played and so very listenable throughout.

North Carolina guitarist Sarah Louise has become a master of manipulation for her new album. She speaks to us about learning a technical language to create a healing sound and of the timbres melodies and harmonies that became the result.

With a new album and UK tour coming soon, William Tyler met us to discuss all things Goes West, from the composing to the gorgeous old Martin box that stands at its centre.

Nighttime Birds pushes the concept of solo guitar music into a new realm. Even with just that in mind, this album is a triumph, but adding the fact that the music itself is so utterly beautiful, patient and often thrilling, further demonstrates the talent and unique artistic vision of Sarah Louise.

Glenn Kimpton shares his Top 10 Albums of 2018 including releases from Glenn Jones, Daniel Bachman, Sarah Louise, Toby Hay, John Prine, Marisa Anderson, Jim Ghedi, Nathan Bowles, John Hulbert and Colter Wall.

On Goes West, the idea of William Tyler staying with the acoustic has helped produce his most focused album yet. Modern Country was a seriously tough act to follow, but it seems a move to California has very much agreed with this guitarist.

Hummingbird sees John Smith finally releasing his ‘folk’ album, and it’s his sparest and strongest set yet. Glenn Kimpton talks to John about the song choices and putting your own stamp on a traditional song: “I wanted to sing these songs the way that I hear them.”

Leapfrog comes from a set of tapes recorded in 1998 and found by John Hulburt’s sister and is now available as a digital release via Tompkins Square. A perfect introduction to John Hulburt before you dip into the more expansive Opus III.

Nathan Bowles’s finest album yet, a confident recording skilfully crafted and well balanced and containing some of his most challenging and thought-provoking playing.

This beautiful, spiritual journey of an album finds Phillip Henry fully living up to the accolades that have and will continue to be thrown his way. True North is a passion project and a lesson in minimalism and focus through music…unique and utterly spellbinding throughout.

Hummingbird is Smith’s most impressive album yet. A work of mature and subtle beauty, celebrating songs that are still being sang and ones that will carry on being sang; this album should be heard by everyone.

Before their recent solo releases, Toby Hay and Jim Ghedi camped in a house in Leeds for a couple of days to put to tape an intriguing set of ten tracks. Hawksworth Grove is a lovely album; calming, rousing and beautifully played throughout.