Albums

This And The Memory Of This offers a gallery of emotional contact where the dark edges of life, the shadows and the just glimpsed, play on our aural emotions. Stick In The Wheel continue to explore those limits, which may be further than you at first thought.

On the beautiful ‘Mirror Moon’, there are many layers to peel away to get to the heart of Malcolm Jack’s uncontrived, cerebral poetry…underlining his locally revered reputation as a latter-day cosmic bard.

On Goes West, the idea of William Tyler staying with the acoustic has helped produce his most focused album yet. Modern Country was a seriously tough act to follow, but it seems a move to California has very much agreed with this guitarist.

The Outside Track weave wonderful music that entertains, fascinates and rewards. Rise Up is a magnificent album that puts them firmly back in the spotlight, as one of the most accomplished bands on the international folk scene.

Part One of our Best Folk Albums of 2018 includes Brigid Mae Power, Anna & Elizabeth, Aidan O’Rourke, Eamon O’Leary, Buck Curran, Cath & Phil Tyler, Dom Flemons, Kitty Macfarlane, Mike Vass, Toby Hay, Duncan Chisholm and more.

The Maritime Suite charts a fascinating voyage, and Fellside are to be congratulated on a splendid package. This release serves to further confirm and cement Peter Bellamy’s elevated stature and status.

Supported by the likes of Eliza Carthy, Martin Simpson & Sam Carter, Steve Turner returns with his eighth solo album ‘Late Cut’. This is music that exists in a timeless realm, as is the case with all great music recorded with love, mastery and sincerity. An album of immense distinction.

With very few exceptions, the songs on ‘Where the White Roses Grow’ paint a picture of Yorkshire life: from the hardened drinkers to the workers sacrificed in the building of a railway tunnel, and the growing band of Robin Hood followers reclaiming the man in green for South Yorkshire.

John Kirkpatrick’s Carolling and Crumpets is an excellent antidote to the perpetual Wizzard and Slade drummed into shoppers ears this time of year. There are no airs, no graces, just a man and his instrument, a few stories and a set of good songs.

The Golden Angle is an admirable work with great potential, and David Benedict has truly proven himself among leaders of a generation of musicians guiding bluegrass into new pastures.

This is an impressive album, blending the traditional folk of artists like Denny, Jansch, and the Thompsons, with more contemporary sounds from alt-folk artists like Ryley Walker. We strongly recommend giving it a listen.

We were in Perth on Saturday, for the annual The MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards. It certainly has been another great year – as Hands up for Trad Creative Director Simon Thoumire said “There is so much vitality in the scene right now and it is only getting stronger. Roll on 2019.”