Albums

‘Pelican’ is a fine debut from Katy Hooper which covers a lot of ground in an unfussy and self-assured way which suggests she has all the ingredients necessary to secure a long and successful career. We’re looking forward to a full-length album before too long.

At this stage in their musical careers Nettlesmith may harbour no ambitions beyond a healthy local date sheet and shifting some copies of the CD at gigs. On the evidence here, they may need to revise that upwards.

Show of Hands’ outstanding reputation has built up over more than two decades, an album of this quality will ensure that it continues to grow…music to please the ear and engage the brain.

Strange Country is an achingly beautiful album from the young duo Kacy & Clayton on which they pay homage to their inspirations from bygone days, in an authentic and timeless manner recalling the spirit of all the great British male-female folk duos of the golden late 60s-early 70s era.

Good Day Señor shows Conor O’Sullivan to be a songwriter and arranger of formidable talent. This accomplished debut is likely to be only the beginning of a highly promising solo phase in his career.

The Unthanks’ Scala performance highlights their uncanny ability to challenge preconceptions and continually drive back the boundaries of the traditional folk music genre, exploring deep into its jazzy, orchestral and progressive corners. Here’s to many more decades of unpredictable awesomeness.

James Hoffman, originally from Portland, Oregon, now based on Ontario, releases ‘Fault Lines’, an elegant album dealing with themes of loss from which can come positive personal growth. An elegant album that will suck you in.

Grass-Tops Recording re-issue Robbie Basho’s ‘Rainbow Thunder’ – ‘a collection of songs expressing the feelings and textures of the West in its Prime, and of the Native American Peoples who lived there.’

German based band Fleadh spread their wings with a UK release. With distinctive songs that echo the approach of Irish contemporary song writers and arrangements that provide a more solid link to the Irish tradition, it’s easy to see why they enjoy such popularity in Germany. The same is sure to follow in the UK.

Neko Case brings her powerful stage presence to Union Chapel with a voice that barely needs amplification. Now entering the fourth act of her career, Case has emerged as a lyrical force of nature and whatever may come next, her greatness is assured.

A body of work that stands as a testament to the powers one of the most underrated singers to come out of the British folk scene, and if there is any justice it will attract a whole new generation of admirers.

Jake Aaron’s self-titled debut adopts a speak-sing delivery whilst accompanying himself on acoustic classical guitar an instrument he is more than adept at as he demonstrates on the one instrumental.