Albums

A welcome return from folk singer Richard Grainger with ‘Hard Road to Prospect Hill’, an album which embraces a generous helping of new original songs. Well worth the wait!

As the torch passes from one generation to the next Stourbridge-based outfit Kim Lowings & The Greenwood demonstrate that British folk music continues to remain in very good hands.

Another fully recommendable Veteran product featuring Northumberland traditional musicians Willie Taylor, Will Atkinson & Joe Hutton with performances of such rugged beauty and life-affirming, invigorating yet intimate spontaneity.

Chris Cleverley has infused Apparitions with thought-provoking, searching and often poignant songs of introspection, fleshed out with his own intricate playing and full band arrangements to produce an entirely satisfying and impressive debut.

Shirley Collins celebrates her 80th Birthday in style at Cecil Sharp House including a tribute concert with guests including Eliza Carthy, Billy Bragg, Jackie Oates , Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker, Martin Wyndham Read, The Askew Sisters and more. Read our live review here.

With Ulaid, John McSherry, Dónal O’Connor & Seán Óg Graham have made a distinguished release. One that, from the start, offers a freshness, an open-air quality about the scheme of things, with playing that seems to deliberately take a step back. It’s a joy to listen to.

Scaoil Amach an Pocaide is a live album by two masters of their craft, recorded all of eight years ago. Genuinely exciting and tremendously exhilarating playing – par excellence. One of those live gigs that you just want to go on for ever.

The Self Help Group take the lives of others and, in their telling or adaptation, bring insightful, poignant and compassionate observations that touch on what it means to be human, enfolding these in melodies that draw on the very best of classic West Coast Americana.

Black Sheep Bones is an impressive album in many ways, full of engaging songs, inventive arrangements and thoughtful lyrics. It’s a testimony to that fundamental driving force which inspires the unsigned independent musician, namely, doing what he loves best: making music.

Even though Dàimh have described the material chosen for this album as tunes they’ve been playing for years, that’s belied by the freshness and vitality of the way they’ve approached them. It’s one you don’t want to miss!

On Open Airs Kyrre Slind exhibits a gift for composition, a proficiency as an instrumentalist and a capacity for translating the joy he finds in nature into music. All woven together in a treasure trove of musical delights.

Martyn Joseph’s latest offering is a superb contribution to his art and activism, a safe haven from the bluster and banality that often passes for the music world’s social commentary. Seek asylum within.