Albums

A Handmade Life is the latest offering from Jill Freeman on which she explores the Jungian psychology buried in fairy tales; extraordinary in conception, creation and performance she has produced an album full of superb music.

British guitarist Andy Cartwright’s latest exploration is work on the edge of what might be defined as acoustic guitar and anyone pushing the boundaries of the genre this well has to be applauded.

A self-assured and stylish collection of very listenable contemporary folk-roots songs, Fine Line has all the necessary ingredients to become a big crossover success without compromising the band’s musical vision.

Hero & The Sage is a hugely impressive debut from Vancouver-born, LA-based singer-songwriter Tara Beier – a new arrival on the Americana scene that deserves a wider audience.

Gypsy Blues is a firecracker of an album and a testament to Blue Moon Marquee’s damn hard work – who are currently on another (40-date) North American tour, it would seem they have no intention of easing up any time soon.

Eyeland is like nothing else you are likely to hear, unless you have direct access to the future, but beneath the impressive and immersive layers of meaning and narrative, beneath the squall, the surprise and the silence, exists a spirited set of songs that are clearly the work of one of the best and most confident bands in America.

With a vocal ability as clear and expressive as a young Andy Irvine, Jarlath has assembled an impressive crew of some of Scotland’s top musical talent and pushed the creative boat out in an album that brings those songs storming into the 21st century.

Boo Hewerdine’s sterling work on behalf of other musicians can often go unnoticed by the paying public, but his collaborators know the full worth of his input. Born gives a great glimpse of his fine talents and paves the way for an album in October

Lovers and Leavers marks the welcome return of Hayes Carll which finds him in a new space, the songs sparer, the mood reflective. The playing recalling the perfection achieved on Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger and Guy Clark’s debut album.

While ‘South, West, North, East’ works on its own terms, the quality is such that you really would be doing yourself a disservice were you not to seek out the original EPs and the full 20 tracks.

Rob shares with us, through words and photos, a great evening of entertainment from Megson and band (John Parker and Cliff Ward) at Cambridge Junction. An evening delivered with sincerity, humour and talent.

Symphonic re-workings can be bloated and bombastic affairs but in sympathetic hands and with complementary rather than competitive arrangements, they can be quite magnificent. This is one such.