Albums

The Coven, comprised of O’Hooley and Tidow, Grace Petrie and Lady Maisery, brought warmth, wit and wonder to Greystones on a Friday night in a cold damp Sheffield to celebrate International Women’s Day

Having been through turbulent times, Palomino marks the triumphant return of Treetop Flyers. Just like the distinctive colouring of the horse that the album takes its title from, this one definitely stands out in the show ring.

A definitive musical portrait of one of the finest voices Scotland has produced, whether that be in folk, pop or any other genre.

The River is a delightful and long-anticipated solo debut by Hamish Napier. One that paints portraits of the River Spey’s endless moods and mysteries. Not only that, he paints those portraits with such care and depth of emotion it’s impossible to avoid the irresistible pull of the current.

Fuel is a thoroughly delightful album, and a perfect example of patient and careful growth resulting in a blossoming of creativity. The pace and vitality engage the senses, the vocal performances are captivating and those arrangements, with their wide range of influences, are delightfully detailed but never overdone.

Written in Rouen and recorded in Minneapolis, Rachel tells us that the songs on her EP are a key; a direction; a red-blooded essential for living – be it bravery, belief in one’s path or the bonds of family and blood.

The highly revered alt-country Portland outfit ‘Richmond Fontaine’ is back with more hard luck stories – it will, however, be their swansong providing ‘an end piece for all the characters who inhabited the world of Richmond Fontaine over the years.’

The Silent Majority is an album which firmly establishes the reputations of Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar as one of the best duos on the British folk circuit today and if there’s any justice in this world, it will sell by the wagonload to existing fans and newcomers alike.

Questio Io…where to start? In Glasgow would be best probably, among the thriving live folk and jazz clubs the city, its inhabitants and its visitors foster. Scottish Folk / Jazz fusion – a beguiling album!

Jeffrey Lewis’ ‘Manhattan’ is one of his best, and confirms its author as one of the most intelligent, funny and interesting American songwriters in any genre.

Mount Moriah’s third full-length album ‘How to Dance’ takes further steps down the Alt Country road, but with a new found confidence and direction. You don’t need to know the steps to these dances of the soul, just let the music guide your heart.

The Big Eyes Family Players have an uncanny ability to exist outside of the boundaries of musical eras, one that makes their blueprint such a sonically successful one. OH! finds them at the very top of their game and is perhaps their finest album to date.