Albums

James heads to the Speaker’s House, Palace of Westminster, for the launch of Sweet Liberties featuring BBC Folk Singer of the Year Nancy Kerr and singer-songwriters Martyn Joseph, Sam Carter and Maz O’Connor along with Patsy Reid and Nick Cooke.

Five-piece Birmingham based outfit Boat to Row release their long anticipated debut album, a magnificent collection featuring Mike King’s very distinctive vocals, complemented by the simple but intoxicating melodies and multi-textured arrangements.

Soundtrack to a Ghost Story is an outstanding album, the brainchild of producer Neilson Hubbard in collaboration with Ben Glover and fellow singer-songwriter Joshua Britt, the album and its accompanying documentary are rooted in Civil War history.

Radial is a fascinating showcase for Griselda Sanderson’s nyckelharpa playing – the ideal pick-me-up for jaded musical palettes and well worth seeking out.

Happy Blue, by Miracle Mile frontman Jones is much to do with the past and reminiscence and includes a deeply moving tribute to his father, his life, his struggles and how he shaped his son’s heart.

Dana Sipos’ ‘Roll Up The Night Sky’ is quite magical, slightly, subliminally hypnotic and the imagery can be quite stunning in its own calmly composed yet tenderly skewed way.

What impresses most about ‘Woven’ is Sarah’s skill as an arranger; an interpreter of song, story and music. In taking these snatches and fragments of traditional song, adding her own intricate and fascinating musical themes and merging them into a narrative on the fleeting but complex nature of human existence, she has created an utterly compelling tapestry.

Musically and lyrically Sermon On The Rocks is a stunning piece of work that finds Josh Ritter at the peak of his very considerable powers and is, arguably, his best album to date.

Although in danger of being lost in amongst others who surrender to the sweet tones of folk, October Gold should be commemorated for the honesty in their music and the fragile approach taken when blending styles.

The Lost Boys is an assured and polished debut album which showcases a wide range of Sam’s undoubted talents as a singer/songwriter gifted with a musical maturity beyond his years. It more than justifies his growing reputation as a performer and deserves to bring him and his band to the attention of a much bigger audience.

Step-siblings Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche share with us songs that shaped their childhoods, whilst rather more for grown up ears we suggest you invest in a copy for your next slumber party.

With songwriting like this it is hard to believe that it has taken Osborne so long to begin committing her own material to tape. We can only hope she doesn’t stop there.