Neil McFadyen

Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton have yet again proven themselves to be not only masters of Scottish traditional music but at the very forefront of the movement that continues to breathe new life into that music, inspiring the next generation. Symbiosis was beguiling, Symbiosis II is utterly hypnotic.

Throughout, Faeland exhibit a soft, measured assurance in the performances and a rich, inviting warmth in the production. All My Swim is a debut that does far more than impress, it delights.

Lucia Comnes opens Held In The Arms with a hearty welcome, closes it with a warm embrace and all the way through delivers assured, beautifully crafted, American folk. Although there are songs here that have emerged from shadow, it’s still a journey into the light – and that light is a warm, welcoming glow.

New albums from Beth Nielsen Chapman seem few and far between, but when they do arrive they’re solid gold. Hearts Of Glass is no exception. Her decision to bring in Sam Ashworth as producer has fostered a new setting for her music, one that offers her engaging lyrics room to breathe.

We talk to American singer songwriter Mary Gauthier, our featured Artist of the Month, about her latest album, Rifles And Rosary Beads. A work that brings new songs to her audience, from a quite remarkable source.

There’s far more to Undersong than the time Salt House spent recording on the tiny Hebridean island of Berensay, with seasoned producer Andy Bell. Undersong is a highly accomplished album of wonderful music, that singles Salt House out as a trio of exceptional talent.

Rifles And Rosary Beads is a small selection of exceptional songs from a unique, and valuable project. In fact, remarkable really doesn’t cover it. When Mary Gauthier writes, records, performs, you expect remarkable; that’s what her music is. Rifles And Rosary Beads goes far beyond this.

As Greg Lawson said on the night – this was one man’s music, and it took this immense event to bring that music back to the stage. This week is the 13th anniversary of Martyn Bennett’s passing, and the music he was making 20 years ago continues to inspire today’s musicians.

One week ahead of the highly anticipated Bothy Culture & Beyond, the return of The GRIT Orchestra to Celtic Connections, The Martyn Bennett Trust has uncovered a promo video that was shot 20 years ago for Tongues of Kali.

The most arresting and impressive aspects of Sanctuary are not the message and the direction the music is coming from – it’s the music itself. The writing and musicianship shine in what is easily Ross Ainslie’s most impressive album so far.

We caught up with Kate Rusby while on her Christmas tour, she reflects on what’s behind these special celebrations, the family and friends who take part, and her approach to the music itself. We also talk about her glittering, fun-filled new album Angels and Men and share her new video.

Variety and excellence are key themes in Neil McFadyen’s Top 10 Folk Albums of 2017 including Jiggy, Julie Fowlis, Calan, Twelfth Day, Alaw, Ross Couper and Tom Oakes, Naomi Bedford  & Paul Simmonds and more.