Albums

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.

A simple, but deeply touching and, ultimately, optimistic contemplation of life, recollected in quiet moments…this is a superb and sublime album from a voice that deserves to be shouted from the highest rooftops. Long may her heart burn this bright.

Plu have created something very special with this understated gem of a record; it’s a compelling album from start to finish, which reaffirms their richly deserved place in the forefront of the vibrant and flourishing Welsh folk music scene.

On Browser Faraone and his Nordic sidekicks come at a venerable genre from an entirely different angle, and give it a welcome shake-up, while never sacrificing deft songcraft and dextrous lyricism.

My Bubba are a Scandinavian folk duo of Guðbjörg Tómasdóttir and My Larsdotter. They both sing, sometimes taking turns singing lead, often harmonizing. The result is lovely, a quiet explosion of smouldering beauty.

Banjo playing Americana duo The Lowest Pair that we introduced back in 2014 make a double album UK release…Music for sunshine and mint juleps, the albums, like the duo, make a fine pair.

Donald shares his experience of this year’s Orkney Folk Festival – a masterclass of organisation featuring the likes of Rura, The Unthanks, Adam Holmes, Julie Fowlis and more.

From the Outside is one for the Bert Jansch fans – fifteen songs delivered solo without any of the over-production and superfluous accompaniment that typified many 1980s albums by folk artists.