Albums

This tribute album serves as a welcome reminder of the great Ted Hawkins, bringing together a diverse collection of artists to record a selection of Hawkins’ own songs including Shinyribs, Mary Gauthier, James McMurtry and more.

With ‘Polonia’, Katy Carr has created a record which is epic in every sense; its scope is immense and the themes covered within its apparently simple concept are as deep as they are wide-ranging. It’s a rare treat to come across a record which is so consistently entertaining as it is informative.

Recorded in Tasmania over three months in 1974 and released to critical acclaim and minimal sales this reissue offers a welcome chance to hear an album which many of us, I’m sure, would otherwise have remained unaware. In addition we also have a song premiere of ‘Mad Mike’.

There’s something very special about any Archie Fisher album, and even more so when each successive disc is such a long time in coming. This, his seventh solo album, is delivered through a gentle expressiveness that through its very understatement is even more telling.

With her new album Kate Rubsy takes her own, beloved, Christmas traditions; adds some of that unique Rusby magic and provides her audience with a large helping of genuinely warm, heartfelt Christmas cheer.

Ethan Johns returns with his third album and a stellar guest cast including BJ Cole, Jeremy Stacey, Gillian Welch and onetime Flying Burrito Brother and Eagle Bernie Leadon.

Alasdair Roberts is responsible for some of the most boundary-pushing folk music of the last twenty years, a trend that continues on this latest collaboration with Brad Gallagher, Bill Lowman, one that’s full of warmth and unassuming experimentation.

A very welcome return from the soft-voiced Leeds-born singer-songwriter Pete Greenwood with Beauceron, one on which he again tips the hat to 60s American folk music influences as well as homegrown guitar pickers Davy Graham and Bert Jansch….this is pretty special.

Curlicue is an exhaustingly foot-tapping, head-nodding collection of captivating tunes. A magnificent debut from Freya Rae and Louis Bingham whose playing matches the decorative curls and swirls depicted in the album title.

‘Best Day’ is the third album from Mairearad and Anna and firmly establishes them as one of Scotland’s most talented mutli-instrumental duos – one listen and you’ll be hooked!

On Utica Huw M explores some of the connections between Welsh and American folk songs with the combination of soulful gospel harmonies in the context of traditional and contemporary Welsh folk music – it’s a unique sounding album, one that could make an impressive live show too.

Two Wolves is a superb album, one of the year’s best, with each of its songs brimming with nuance and depth. Although covering some deeply personal subjects, Marry’s skills as a singer, lyricist and, above all, a story-teller bring a very human touch, enabling the songs to maintain their focus and intensity without overwhelming the listener.