Albums

At its most persuasive, Pipes succeeds in involving the receptive listener in a freshly perceived melding of tradition and ambience through an ageless environmental presentation of time-honoured piping technique; the closing pibroch, A Lament For Hope, is probably its most pure and perfect distillation.

It’s often the case that emergent young folk singers start out mining traditional folk roots before sewing their own crop, in reversing the cycle and visiting them directly here…she proves herself very much in command of rather than in thrall to them.

The quality of the musicianship and the sensitive and sympathetic reading of the songs on The Unfinished Violin means that it should rightfully be considered one of the best folk albums of 2018. It’s context and story also suggests it has a good chance of being considered one of the most important too.

Iowa-born Nathan Bell follows up last years’ Love>Fear (48 Hours in Traitorland) with what he refers to as the unexpected fourth in his Family Man trilogy. A writer of songs both deeply personal and universal, long may he continue to toll.

Magic Ship finds Amelia Meath, Alexandra Sauser-Monnig and Molly Sarlé reuniting as Mountain Man. Beguilingly simple, at times childlike at others worldly-wise, Magic Ship is a bewitching album; you should book your passage forthwith.

Steve Ashley will no doubt once again find his status as a truly quintessential British singer-songwriter heartily endorsed with this latest collection of original songs. All delivered with a potent combination of lyrical poetry, delicious wit and darkly puckish humour.

Tablelands is the third and final EP in India Electric Co.’s trilogy of songs contrasting the city and the country and our search for greener pastures in its themes of displacement and unification. An outstanding trilogy that serves to emphasise the duo’s status on the folk landscape.

On Farran, Mairearad Green & Anna Massie highlight their tight-knit musical telepathy, and relaxed ease of expression, a simply wonderful album from two fine and versatile musicians setting their own course with the clearest sense of direction.

Recorded in the comparative solitude of Wester Ross, Rachel Newton’s ‘West’ never sounds sparse or minimalist, it’s almost as if the setting has helped pour more of herself into this album than ever before. It is a significant accomplishment; a rich, deeply moving, and immensely enjoyable album.

Hannah Rarity’s early promise comes to fruit in this superb album. With her crystal clear voice, sparkling production and thoroughly engaging arrangements, Neath the Gloaming Star is a must-have album for anyone with a love for Scots traditional and contemporary song.

On Poor Stuart, Ben Somers, a saxophone and double bass player with an impressive list of collaborators offers a vast array of musical excursions and highlights on a hugely promising, first solo effort.

The mark of a successful cover is to take the original and, rather than treat it over reverentially, ruffle up its hair, give it a new wardrobe and make it your own. William Elliott Whitmore has full possession here.