Albums

For her sixth studio album, Tift Merritt lays her cards on the tables from the outset with themes from childbirth to divorce. Joined by Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam for three numbers, ‘Stitch of the World’ proves to be a strong album.

Following the release of his sold out third album Dragon Tails, Phil Riley returns with Neil Mercer for Lost Legions, an album steeped in the sound of that much loved late 60s/early 70s folk sound.

So Much To Defend wears its heart on its sleeve. Wood’s delivery is unhurried and deliberate, his lyrics are unashamedly earnest, and his concerns are moral and humane. He has created a wise, soulful set of songs that should see him consolidate his place at the top table of British songwriters.

Furnace, the sophomore solo album from newgrass outfit Trampled By Turtles frontman Dave Simonett, offers a collection of deeply personal and open-nerved songs couched in memorable, infectious melodies, delivered with an aching tenor and echoes of 60s country-rock.

Geoff Lakeman steps into the limelight at 69 to release his debut solo album. Featuring a host of special guests including the Lakeman brothers, Cara Dillon, Kathryn Roberts and nearby neighbour Nic Jones.

On the first weekend of this year’s Celtic Connections, Scottish fiddle quartet Rant introduced 4/4, A Project for Projection, in which the band work with a group of twelve young fiddlers from across Central Scotland to create a performance with a full-on fiddle sound.

On ‘A Burdensome Year,’ Benjamin William Pike’s songs offer instant musical and lyrical appeal. The positive messages that shine through on the album offer a strong sense of hope, and a belief in the therapeutic power of creative expression.

For their latest album, husband and wife Americana duo The Grahams bring along some friends including Alvin Youngblood Hart, The Milk Carton Kids, John Fullbright, The Norman Sisters and both Cody and Luther Dickinson and many more. UK Tour February – March 2017.

This month sees the releases of ‘Endless,’ the first widely available solo guitar album from Richard Osborn, a first-generation American Primitive guitarist who studied with Robbie Basho in the late 60’s.

Another Day comes from a musician who has been writing and performing songs of the highest quality for the best part of 50 years featuring some of finest work to date.

Hannah Ashcroft is a singer/songwriter now based in Manchester. Her debut EP, The Quiet Kind, displays the confidence of a seasoned traveller who has learnt her craft on the road. Definitely a name to watch for…let’s hope an album is to follow soon.

Workin’s Too Hard is a warmly inclusive and rather special record, with a feeling of back porch intimacy. The distinctive and memorable music and songwriting will leave you wanting more. We hope they get together again soon.