Maria Wallace

Eli West’s A Tapered Point of Stone is a fresh, subtle and captivating collection. With a terrific acoustic backing band and a number of special guests, this is an album that grows on the listener with repeated spins.

+1 is a stunningly eclectic and talent-packed collection that accurately reflects Mike Barnett’s range and gifts as a fiddle player and composer, while generously spotlighting the talents of his musical collaborators.

Sweet Old Religion communicates genuine warmth and feel-good grooves, delivered with beautifully crafted musicianship and singing – a textbook illustration of Pharis and Jason’s delightfully handmade, homegrown music.

Maria catches Sierra Hull live at Celtic Connections…There can be no doubt that Sierra Hull is a genuine rising star, and it will be fascinating to see what direction this hugely creative, charming and assured young talent will decide to take next.

Colorado five-piece, The Railsplitters, returns to the UK this month. The 3-week tour kicks off in Carlisle on 25th January and will include their debut appearance at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival.

Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards are a class act and a musical force of nature. California Calling is an atmospheric album packed with gems, a splendid showcase for a close-knit group of creative musicians in their prime.

On That Other Green Shore showcases an accomplished, experienced band at the peak of their powers, with musicianship of the very highest order. Plenty here to please both bluegrass traditionalists and lovers of modern American folk music.

Toronto mandolin maestro Andrew Collins and his trio partners have recorded an album which defies categorisation but which draws on a myriad of classical and folk influences – full of beauty, quirks and top notch musicianship.

Where the River Meets the Road is an impressive and affectionate showcase for the songwriting talents of all these West Virginians (including Tim O’Brien himself) alongside his own considerable gifts as a talented musician and interpreter of songs.

Jenn Butterworth and Laura-Beth Salter showcase their perfectly blended voices and tasteful and harmonious arrangements of the guitar and mandolin on their latest album Bound.

Despite being a highly accomplished solo performer, in my opinion, Molsky always sounds even better when complemented by other great musicians, and this band is a worthy match for him. Let’s hope Molsky’s Mountain Drifters make a little trip over the Pond soon!

Cahalen Morrison & Eli West kick off their UK tour this week, the Seattle-based duo draw on influences from bluegrass, old-time and folk to create a special blend of their own. Definitely worth catching.