Albums

Folk Radio’s Thomas Blake shares his Top 10 albums of 2019 including Richard Dawson, Bill Callahan, Brìghde Chaimbeul, C Joynes, House And Land, Alex Rex and more.

Tommy Sands has made his Sargent Pepper, his Pet Sounds, an album that smashes down the boundaries of traditional Irish Folk music and embraces every culture that exists in Ireland today, and them some! A stunning album.

It’s that time again where we look back at the past year to share with you what an incredible journey it has been. Here are our Top 100 Albums of the year for 2019 as well as the Best Live Albums, Reissues and Compilations.

303 is intelligent, finely nuanced music full of fresh ideas along with signature Three Cane Whale sounds which really does invite and reward repeated listens. The little shades and dashes of sound throughout inject the whole album with a sense of life and nature.

This is a set of songs, all written by Samantha, that come from the heart and are great observations on life, whether that be hers or others; we can instantly relate to them and know that they reflect how we feel.

As a photographer, Knox’s pictures tend to be of a world without people, the landscape of a still Chicago late at night. Reflecting those same qualities in his music, I Had A Wonderful Time, creates an impressionistic landscape that enthrals and mystifies.

Through the course of nine songs in just over thirty minutes, Kelly Steward Illustrates a world that isn’t always perfect, but during that time the music and her incredible voice leave you transfixed.

A superb debut from the astoundingly multi-talented Lady Maisery trio and the unique, trusty Aldridge-Goldsmith partnership – celebrating “the power, beauty and vitality of song”.

David Weir heads to Liverpool’s iconic 81 Renshaw venue for an evening of country soul from Treetop Flyers and a solo performance by Andy Cabic (aka Vetiver), one that is mellow, measured and quietly affecting.

Having taken a four-year break from her own material, Catherine MacLellan returns with an album containing life-affirming philosophical sentiment, compassion, understanding and wisdom.

In 1971, despondent about the state of America, torn apart by hatred, suffering, and injustice under the divisive policies of Richard Nixon, Marvin Gaye created his greatest work, an album for and about those times. Second Sight is May Erlewine’s  ‘What’s Goin’ On’.

While Chapman’s Pool may at first appear to be a sparse and spartan affair, don’t be fooled, it is a memorable debut which, dynamically, is often sweeping and expansive.  A wonderful EP that you should all seek out.