Albums

While musically reflective, the words on Gemini II, the latest album from Johanna Warren, are everything. These songs are snapshots of conversations, conversations between two people, between two sides of the same person or just conversations that should have been had but were not.

Improvisation and invention meet the listener at every turn of ‘Well Met’. Knight and Spiers have created a musical document that should inspire future generations of musicians to engage with Britain’s folk dancing heritage, and the beautiful, mysterious tunes that can be found within that heritage. 

The Orphan King is Ed Romanoff’s belated follow-up to his self-titled 2012 debut, he’s linked with Simone Felice as producer who also provides the drums alongside an impressive roster of musicians.

Bennett Wilson Poole is as pure a slab of joyous Americana as you could wish to hear – Assured, cohesive and above all, a thoroughly accomplished musical delight of the highest quality. Destined to be a landmark release in the annals of the genre.

John Forrester may not have the wider recognition as some of his peers and contemporaries, but, as this insightful and open album proves, he’s no less a talent.

If you have a long drive through the wilds ahead of you; or a long journey where you can lose yourself, or even just want to unwind at night after a hard day, this EP would be a worthy travelling companion.

There is a power and a steadfastness to these songs that can look back but also look forward. However there is also a great ability to illustrate and above all, this is an album about landscape, images painted for us by the words of Stuart Forester…

Johnny heads up the A3 to Petersfield for a sold-out evening of prime Americana at a new venue Americana at The Studio. Featuring The Savannahs, The Goat Roper Rodeo Band and The Jigantics, word of mouth alone should ensure a rosy future for the venue.

Lord of the Desert is 3hattrio’s most adventurous and eclectic work yet, “pure peyote delirium enveloped in a haze of banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle lines and bass drum dancing around like the indigenous desert animal spirits”…long may they reign.

Musically, The Two Worlds is mesmeric…retaining the carefully atmospheric, dreamlike ambience of its predecessors. Centred around Brigid’s trademark clangorous, heavy-sustain piano tone (or reverberant guitar and organ) for a backdrop, all detail is couched in a languid analogue sound that oozes authenticity.

Legendary singer, songwriter, activist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Baez releases her first new studio album in a decade. Whistle Down the Wind is a totally engaging listen from start to finish and one that invites repeated visits.

On Gem Andrews latest album she uses dark country to tackle themes of mental illness, poverty, community and destitution. A strong album – this is a  magnetic North, indeed.