Billy Rough

Variations Live is simultaneously harmonious, vital, timeless, and invigoratingly fresh, featuring three masters at work and clearly relishing the joy and companionship of playing together. For players and listeners, it genuinely doesn’t get much better than this.

Working river: Songs and music of the Thames is a fine collection of some of the songs and tunes that captures the history of one of the most vibrant and historic rivers in the world.

Now More Than Ever demonstrates that the Cape Breton tradition is in very safe hands with McNally and her band: a delightful, enticing and thoroughly exhilarating release.

An entrancing and memorable interpretation of a fine collection of classic folk songs from LAU. As an EP it is a perfect selection of a rich and beguiling set of tunes.

The vivacity and sheer exuberance of Diamond in the Rough is hard to resist. Slip on your dancing shoes on, jump in and embrace the vigour; you won’t be disappointed.

It’s impossible not to fall a little bit in love with Hemet. Beautifully listenable and rich in some rather gorgeous melodies and emotive arrangements, it is an adept and utterly mesmerizing debut from Niamh Regan.

With the release of his new album ‘Vana’, we catch up with Ross Ainslie to discuss his new album, personal wellbeing, collaborations over Zoom and the perils of solo improvisation.

Sam Amidon’s self-titled release is a dreamy listen and despite its ‘folktronica’ vibe, a curiously ageless recording. A handsome and entirely seductive album.

Vana sees Ross Ainslie at his most musically vigorous, experimental, and confident. A more introspective release – a journey album – linger in it and you’ll be much rewarded.

Beautifully produced, Rachel Newton’s “To The Awe” is a striking, pertinent, and entirely enthralling album. A powerful testament to the experiences of women through the ages.

Ewan MacPherson’s ‘Norther’ is a curious and utterly beguiling beast. Released in 2008, it’s a self-assured and impressively produced debut that takes you back to the roots revival of the mid-2000s.

Kris Drever’s ‘Where The World Is Thin’ is a charming album. Confident and mature in its content, and beautifully performed. A fine treat as the nights draw in.

There has never been a force of nature quite like the exhilarating juggernaut of bombastic, swaggering, buffed, multi-coloured big band folk that is Bellowhead and it is unlikely there ever will be again. Pandemonium presents highlights from Bellowhead’s incredible career.

Read our live review of The Shee at Findhorn, on their recordings the girls pride themselves on capturing an authentic live sound and after hearing them in the flesh that’s certainly true!

The Shee are known for their mix of folk, bluegrass and trad delivered with affecting vocals and lush instrumentals, ‘Murmurations’, their third release, delivers once again this fine balance.

The Whisky River Boat Band: Four guys and a girl, laden with guitars, fiddles, banjos and a double bass on “a canoe powered musical odyssey down the River Spey!

Marry Waterson and Oliver Knight’s ‘The Days that Shaped Me’ is the result of nearly four years musical collaboration but is ultimately the result of a lifetime of experience. Read our review and hear excerpts below.

Ewan Robertson, part-time fire fighter and guitarist/vocalist with rising Scottish folk band Breabach, has delivered a debut solo album which demonstrates his fine playing and eclectic mix of musical interests.