Johnny Whalley

Johnny reports back on this year’s Fairport Cropredy Convention which featured many highlights including the Treetop Flyers, Cara Dillon, Benjamin Folke Thomas and more.

FRUK looks behind the making of ‘Centenary: Words and Music of the Great War’ featuring both music and WWI poems read by actor Jim Carter that he and his wife Imelda Staunton.

Johnny heads to Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens to catch the Show of Hands Summer Family Concert with guests Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin, Sheelanagig and more.

Johnny reviews Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin’s new album Live in Calstock. As an added bonus he also catches up with them at Steve Knightley’s Family Day at Abbotsbury to talk about their music.

The Canadian folk and roots music world is thriving “but nothing prepared me for the eclectic mix of sounds on this second album from West My Friend”.

Using their Irish American roots The Greenbeans create a sound that is immediately engaging with lyrics and instrumentation that repay closer listening.

Johnny heads to The Square Tower, Portsmouth to catch the Will Pound Band perform a mix of the traditional and the adventurous plus news of a new Will Pound venture.

Natalie Merchant’s new album is filled with exquisitely crafted original songs. The product of a mature, thoughtful songwriter who’s come a long way.

Seth Lakeman’s ‘Word of Mouth’ is the clearest and sincerest acknowledgement of the links to the people and places that allowed his career to flourish.

Johnny Whalley catches The Jigantics in Wimborne for a multi-talented rousing night of upbeat music. Make sure you check out their album ‘Daisy Roots’.

Phil Beer assembles his band for a fine tour who we caught at Salisbury Art Centre for another great performance. We also take a peek at Phil’s Folk Boat project.

The Brightest Path is Patsy Reid’s first album released under her own name since 2008. With a core band featuring the likes of Fraser Fifield this has definitely been worth the wait.

Scottish / Scandanavian duo Marit Fält and Rona Wilkie release an entertaining, fascinating and inspirational debut in the form of Turas…produced by Mary Ann Kennedy & husband, Nick Turner.

Tuneship is as fine a collection of modern Celtic music as I’ve encountered in a long time…benefitting from the freedom of expression that is such a hallmark of today’s blossoming Scottish music scene.

Brebach’s latest album Ùrlar brings together varied aspects of the Scots tradition with contemporary compositions, executed by five musicians at the top of their game, both individually and collectively.

Caz Forbes and Ste Moncrieff release their first studio produced album. The Green Lady highlights their skills and imagination to tease out the subtleties of meaning and melody from songs both familiar and not so well known.

Arlet’s debut album ‘Clearing’ features folk, jazz and classical chamber music performed on an eclectic range of instruments…it will take you to places you hadn’t realise existed.

Folk Radio UK catches up with Québecois band Le Vent du nord at Wickham Festival. They talk about audience appreciation, Québecois traditional music and more.