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.