Albums

Featuring a number of guest musicians, on Cardinal in the Snow, love and loss, life and death, determination and defiance, all ripple through the songs of My Girl The River, come and immerse yourself in their waters.

A new benchmark in Lucinda Williams’ 40 years career, when it comes down to saving arseholes or good souls, the album is very clear on how the scales should be balanced.

Daphne’s Flight return with a terrific example of sisters doing it for themselves in their own ways and on their own terms, an arrival well worth breaking out the greeting banners for.

Will Pound is to be congratulated on not only capturing the essence of the traditional music of 27 countries but also producing an album that is as entertaining as it is instructive. He also demonstrates that what we hold in common is so much more than what divides us.

The seriously riveting concert performances here represent jewel-like chamber-vocal “diversions” from the repertoire-highway – these are byways stacked with abundantly vital and yet quietly spectacular interpretations that are to be much treasured.

Subtly nuanced, The Perfect Plan suggests The Lowest Pair are a duo offering a blend of music and musings to deliver respite from today’s current journey into uncharted territories. They are the antidote for what ails you.

With excellent musicianship and song writing throughout, John Doyle delivers just about everything one could have hoped for on The Path of Stones, mixing songs and tunes into a heady cocktail that leaves you with a warm, self-satisfied glow.

Wise beyond her years, Maya Rae sounds like a veteran at just 18; produced by Steve Dawson and backed by a crack cast of musicians including Birds of Chicago and kai Welch, don’t let this album pass you by.

A simple yet haunting album of emotional and musical depth that underscores both Kirsty Merryn’s consummate musical craftsmanship and her articulacy of the heart.

While it took B.Knox a  while to stop just writing songs for himself and to have the confidence that others might want to listen to what he had to say, Heartbreak & Landscape is ample evidence of why they will.

The Ledger is a traditional folk song album par-excellence and a work of great distinction. Recommended to anyone who appreciates top-quality music delivered by very fine musicians.

Good Times Older is a winner on many fronts but it also gives us some idea of just how gifted Jack Sharp is as a singer and interpreter of song. We can only hope that his foray into the world of traditional music continues.