Albums

Old Adam marks the welcome return of Fay Hield to the studio, reaffirming her status as one of Britain’s leading singers across the spectrum of traditional and contemporary folk music. Fay is also our Artist of the Month for February.

The latest release from American singer-songwriter Steve Forbert isn’t going to repeat the success of ‘Jackrabbit Slim’, but it sure goes a long way to repeating the magic.

London-based Snowpoet’s eponymous debut album is an ethereal, psychedelic, and magical combination of lyrical, nature inspired poetry and modern innovative folk music. One that is bewitching and intriguing and likely to beguile many of those fortunate enough to hear it.

These Mountain Blues is the latest offering from Scottish singer / song-writer Norrie McCulloch recorded in just three days in a 15th century building in Stirling and featuring some of Glasgow’s most respected musicians.

Kathleen MacInnes / Dermot Byrne / Brian Finnegan / Mike Vass joined forces for Celtic Connections to create a live set that showcased the very best in traditional and contemporary folk from both Scotland and Ireland – a rare musical treat.

Recorded aboard the Cayamo cruise ship Buddy Miller is joined by the likes of Fats Kaplan, Lucinda Williams, Richard Thompson, The Lone Bellow, Kris Kristofferson and more.

Having previously traded as Major Chord, this is the first outing for the Melbourne indie folkie Dan Flynn under his own name. With influences from Nick Drake to Fairport Convention it’s a gentle, airy affair that sometimes belies the darker shades of the lyrics.

Dredgermen plied their trade working from a boat that dredged debris such as mud, coal or even corpses from rivers. Occasionally, they might just find something of real value. These lads have.

In what was sure to be one of the most memorable collaborative events of Celtic Connections, kora master Toumani Diabaté and his Symmetric Orchestra teamed up with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra for a special arrangement of his masterpiece of solo kora, The Mande Variations.

Behave the Bravest is an all-encompassing piece of work that draws on Nuala’s significant experience as a writer, performer and collaborator; just as much as it draws on her deeply rooted love of Irish music. It’s set to be her best solo album yet.

Orkney duo Gnoss put on an impressive performance at the Mitchell Theatre for Celtic Connections which also marked the launch of their eponymous debut album which is sure to raise the profile of this promising duo.

Few debuts sound so fully formed, but this one shows an emergent talent whose work possesses a quiet intensity that moves you gently, but surely just as the moon tugs the tide.