Albums

Six years on from Abigail Lapell’s debut, Hide nor Hair is a calming 10-song collection of fine-spun folk songs, as much about mood as it is about storytelling. A departure from her earlier efforts, she possesses a persuasive voice, bearing echoes of many of the greats.

It takes quite a performer to move a packed auditorium from a hand clapping, foot-stomping frenzy to a rapt, silent hush on the turn of a sixpence. Tommy Emmanuel, though, with his mix of guitar and people skills, is the very man for the job. An outright charmer.

Raphael Doyle, a founding member of Café Society, returns to record a definitive album with the support of Tom Robinson, his son and Gerry Diver. A truly excellent piece of work from a man who finally found the self-confidence to believe in himself and the music he makes. We are all the richer for it.

Hamish Napier and Adam Sutherland’s brought their off-the-cuff musical musings, Nae Plans, to a packed and enthusiastic house. Together with Jenn Butterworth, Laura-Beth Salter and Steve Foreman they also brought a flavour of those famous late night sessions to an early-evening Glasgow audience.

Last year, Robert Vincent became the first recipient of the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award for the UK Americana Music Association. On the evidence here, he’ll be needing more room in the trophy cabinet.

Derek Gripper walked onto the Celtic Connections stage with a cheery nod, acknowledging the welcome from the audience, took a seat, relaxed with one ankle resting on the other knee, and proceeded to play the most beautiful, enchanting guitar music you will ever hear.

Glasgow-based trio Wildings (Jennifer Austin, Sarah Hayes and Fiona MacAskill) charmed the Celtic Connections audience from the outset and was a testament to the creative relationship enjoyed by this trio.

Flood & Burn is Sean Taylor’s eighth album in just over ten years, and he continues to get better and better. It is a highly accomplished and well-rounded addition to what is already a hugely impressive body of work, and Taylor has quietly become one of our most valuable and unique songwriters.

The cast of The Transports – The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr, Rachael McShane, Greg Russell and Matthew Crampton left a lasting impression with an Exter audience long after the stage lights had dimmed. One of the best stage performances I’ve seen in a long time.

Joined by special guests, including Chris Wood, fiddle player Catriona Price and harpist Esther Swift, better known as Twelfth Day, gave a remarkable performance at Celtic Connections. True originals who sound like nothing you’ve ever heard.

Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall witnessed over 60 musicians, who have been inspired by and shared Angus R Grant’s vision, spend an energetic, soulful, exuberant and, at times, emotional four hours celebrating his music, his humour, his unmitigated love of a good tune, and of a good time.

The Wide Afternoon is the third album from London-based singer and songwriter Jack Harris. Whilst previously compared to the likes of Jackson C Frank, Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson and Martyn Joseph, this is very much his own voice. A sublime album by a sublime artist.