Neil McFadyen
Neil McFadyen
Lives with his wife and kids in the shadow of the small and perfectly formed Ochil Hills, near Stirling. Earns his crust as a map geek. Stays sane by listening, reading, writing, walking and having his horizons widened.
The Cunningham family (Brian, Irene, Ashline, Michael and Lorraine) of Sean Nós dancers from Connemara in County Galway have performed with many of Ireland’s greats; Sharon Shannon, De Dannan, Altan, The Chieftains to name just a few. Recently they’ve been wowing audiences in Ireland with their own show, Fuaim Chonamara (Connemara Sound). This energetic show combining the ancient Sean Nós dance forms with more modern step dancing was presented at …
Given his work with Flook, Shona Kipling and, more recently, his partner Kate Rusby, I expected Damien O’Kane’s debut solo album to be a collection of perfectly executed banjo tunes with the occasional song. Oh how I love to be educated. I was wrong; very, very wrong. In Summer Hill Damien has given us something rather special. Something with astute instrumentation, thoughtful arrangements and contributing musicians of the highest calibre. …
Andy Cutting is much in demand and has been for some time, even more so since he won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year award in 2008. At last, though, he’s found time to put together a CD in his own name. This first release on Lane Records from Derby is available to order online and goes on general release in August. Melodeon player and self-confessed former …
This release by Mr McFall’s Chamber on the classical label, Delphian, is the result of a long planned collaboration between Martyn Bennett and Robert McFall that was never realised during tragically short life of one of Scotland’s most admired and accomplished musicians. What may be one of the most innovative albums of the year gets off to a surprising start with Martyn Bennett’s Cuillin, Part 2. It’s a challenging start …
It’s forty years since Carole King and James Taylor performed together for the first time. In 2007 they re-visited the Troubadour in Los Angeles to celebrate its 50th anniversary and re-live their youthful partnership, along with the same musicians that joined them in 1970. This joyful reunion is released as a CD/DVD combination on 31st May.
Next week sees the start of a unique collaboration between two cities on either side of the Irish Sea. In the Stirling & Galway Sessions 2010 a group of 30 musicians, singers, dancers and exhibitors from Conamara, Galway, off-shore islands and the neighbouring counties of Mayo and Clare, will travel to Stirling for the first leg of the festival, opening on June 6th (the Stirling Sessions run from 6th to …
Don’t let the title worry you. Karine and the lads of Lau aren’t engaging in a bit of WWF Smackdown aggro. The latest in the impressive history of collaboration between the various members of Lau and Karine Polwart is an enthralling five-track EP, the first in a series of three such releases planned by Lau. Four of the five tracks on this releases are cover versions, more details on those …
Rebekah Findlay’s independantly released debut album, Northern Skies, is a mix of self-penned and traditional songs that showcase a multi-talented artist. The opening track, Far From Home, suggests we’re in for a mellow journey with a gentle but confident guitar providing lovely rich tones, alongside light, airy vocals. It’s soon clear, though, that Rebekah is not shy about adding some power to her voice and you begin to get a …
Joseph Topping, from Wirral, is a multi-instrumentalist / singer / songwriter and by all accounts likes to keep himself busy. As well as gaining a reputation for his own work, he’s also known to use his considerable talent as part of The John Wright Band, Ashley Hutchings, The Rainbow Chasers and Elbow Jane. Ghosts In The Shadows is his third solo album and first for Fellside Recordings. In this mixed …
Lizzie Nunnery, from Maghull in Merseyside, has two EP releases under her belt and a string of successful live appearances. Her debut album Company Of Ghosts, released on Fellside Records, provides even more evidence of her performing and song writing prowess. I’m always glad to hear a regional accent in a singing voice and Lizzie’s is an asset from the first line, as is her distinctive vocal style. In the …