Albums

Whether it’s a full choir or just a man and his guitar, the passion of Lessons of War cannot be denied. Matt McGinn’s collection of songs deserves to be heard again and again, until we finally learn the lesson and begin to find new ways to resolve the problems that confront us.

That Julie Fowlis, Éamon Doorley, Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre are on a bill alongside Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn says a lot about the riches that this winter Festival has to offer. A wondrous evening in the charming surroundings of Glasgow City Halls.

Passing In The Night, Thunder and Rain’s third and latest release, would, for me, epitomise the best of the current Americana scene, music of the highest calibre, guaranteed to brighten up your life.

Whether it proves to be a one-off project or they hopefully remain in the collective saddle to ride together again, for now, this understated affair works a quiet magic.

There are many delights to be found throughout Pill Pilots, which boasts great songs treated with love and respect by a pair of the finest players currently performing. Recommended indeed.

With Early Bright, Seamus Egan has produced a master class in capturing the attention by playing to his strengths as a writer and performer, while never overplaying his hand.

A witty, insightful and musically infectious album with songs that more than stand comparison with his early greats, at 76 Allen proves you’re never too old to lead from the front.

An impressive opus in its soundscape scope, one that requires full immersion as it unfolds, you really should show ‘Love’ some considerable affection.

El Dorado finds Marcus King shifting from his high octane blues-rock to a more country soul style, marrying rowdy electric guitar with keening pedal steel…Roll it and turn it on up.

Della Mae say that ‘Headlight’ is their contribution to keep up the tradition of trail-blazing women and “leave the world a better place than when we found it”.  It’ll certainly brighten yours.

Infused with the soul of the great Irish writers and such visionary boho barroom bards as Waits, Morrison, Burroughs or Bukowski, Keenan’s album is surely unlike any other album you’ll hear this year, the breathtaking arrival of a luminous talent.

The Unconquerable past is an album that grows on you the more you listen,  the message is clear,  while the past may seem to be unconquerable, that’s no reason to give up the fight.