Neil McFadyen

Afro Celt Sound System are a band that continue to seek out and explore new musical adventures, with utterly captivating results and Flight is an enthralling, wide-ranging album that brings new rewards with every listen.

As she embarked on a trip to New Zealand for the inaugural New Zealand Irish Fest this month, Lisa O’Neill took time to talk to Folk Radio about her new album, the background, the influences behind it, and the artists that joined her on the journey.

Siobhan Miller’s ‘Mercury’ builds on the strength of its two thoroughly impressive predecessors, in an album of outstanding quality that delights with its music, and enthrals with its song.

Lisa O’Neill’s ‘Heard a Long Gone Song’ is easily one of the greatest surprises I’ve enjoyed for some time; an exceptional album that will make the trad music scene stand up and take notice; if it doesn’t, there’s something far wrong with the trad music scene.

Shooglenifty & Dhun Dhora have realised a beautiful dream and produced an album of exciting, intoxicating, exceptional music. This collaboration takes that Shoogle spark of adventure to new levels.

It’s hard to think of a band that has achieved so much and made such an impact on the trad music scene in their first 3 years, as Glasgow based trio Talisk. ‘Beyond’ is the next thrilling step on that journey as they bring ever more craft and excitement to their music.

Life-long friendship; the rich historical, literary, and musical heritage of the Orkney Islands for inspiration; and a quartet of gifted, imaginative musicians. Fara have all the ingredients for a perfect album, and Times from Times Fall is the proof.

Songs have power, and Karine Polwart has a gift for harnessing that power. Her 2018 return to the studio to record Laws of Motion is a perfect reminder of her talent as a performing singer song writer and a worthy addition to her work; an exceptional album, from an exceptional performer.

After becoming utterly entranced by the CD release of Northern Flyway, it was abundantly clear that the full live production the CD was based on was going to be something special…this multi-dimensional exploration of birdsong, ecology, and folklore casts an even stronger spell.

Always driven to broaden their horizons, each successive album from Breabach has brought something new and innovative to their music, and Frenzy of the Meeting is no exception. Listeners are sure to enjoy the results with an ever increasing sense of wonder.

Recorded in the comparative solitude of Wester Ross, Rachel Newton’s ‘West’ never sounds sparse or minimalist, it’s almost as if the setting has helped pour more of herself into this album than ever before. It is a significant accomplishment; a rich, deeply moving, and immensely enjoyable album.

Hannah Rarity’s early promise comes to fruit in this superb album. With her crystal clear voice, sparkling production and thoroughly engaging arrangements, Neath the Gloaming Star is a must-have album for anyone with a love for Scots traditional and contemporary song.