Albums

Even more so than its predecessor, Shelter is a series of teasingly enigmatic meditations leaving a distinct feeling that for all Olivia’s emotional candour there’s a persistent – albeit attractive – unknowability giving an added depth to her increasingly masterful songwriting.

Dave McNally reviews the latest offering from top-flight Irish traditional band Lúnasa who are currently touring with Natalie Merchant. Along the way, band member Ed Boyd fills in some background about the album which features Natalie along with Tim O’Brien, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Eric Bibb. A fitting, celebratory, must-listen album.

Cornish folk-rock band Hanterhir re-enforce the notion that Cornwall has a ‘culture distinct from anywhere else in Britain’ by delivering a concept album based around the tale of Cadan, who tries to drown himself in a lake on Carn Marth, an ancient hill in West Cornwall.

“The Giant Who Ate Himself” is a new collection from Massachusetts based acoustic instrumentalist Glenn Jones that feels very much like the final part of a trilogy that began in 2013. Treasures pop up throughout to bring a smile to the face. Another faultless and hugely enjoyable set from a master storyteller still peaking.

After fitting out his boat as a combined living space and recording studio, Mike Vass invited various friends aboard to record some music – and the delightful result is his latest album – Notes From The Boat. Warm, engaging melodies and sparkling performances combine with Mike’s peerless skills as an arranger for a truly delightful album.

In Enter The Stream, Prana Crafter, the musical alter-ego of William Sol, has created an album that is deeply intuitive, interpretive and built to last. It cocks a snook – albeit a very abstract snook – at the idea of throwaway music for mass consumption, instead attempting to create lasting compositions that take the rhythms of the natural world as a blueprint.

When a musician is at the top of their game, as Rab so clearly is here, the results can be compelling; Welcome to Anniversaryville is an album of pure delight and marks Noakes out as a continuing force for musical good in a sometimes all too cynical and depressing world. 

Lisa Knapp’s Branch of May sequel ‘The Summer Draws Near’ is available via digitally for the first time. Opting for a more pared-back approach her voice is brought to the fore highlighting her ability to balance the skills of singer and storyteller – We look forward to more tales from the May Queen.

Claude Martin was a young and talented fiddle player who had been performing traditional old-time fiddle music in the Washington DC area for over 20 years. This album both serves as a showcase for a gifted musician and a memorial for a young life taken far too soon.

Jason McNiff’s been gathering increasing acclaim since he made his debut and it’s long overdue for that to be matched by greater  commercial success. With the label behind him, Joy and Independence might just be the one to crack the ceiling.

Cherry-picked from two decades of output, this is a varied collection of consistently high quality. Listeners hankering for an echo of that sly Mr Fox (genuinely weird and wonderful) will find delight in the 70s composition, Fiddler’s Cross.

There’s a quiet, easy charm about Alden Patterson & Dashwood’s distinctive little musical niche, yet its very simplicity of execution is deceptive, for it can conceal an inventiveness and sense of challenge that I find every bit as beguiling.