Albums

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.

With a wealth of songs, stories and experience to bring to his performance, Rab Noakes in concert is an event that every lover of acoustic music should make the most of.

On ‘North’ Blazin’ Fiddles manage to combine everything there is to enjoy in Scottish fiddle music. Most of all, though, there’s that infectious, enlivening and irresistible euphoria that comes about from a passion for the music and a longing to share it.

He packed in his job, bought a banjo and headed from Norway to Ireland with his trusty Vespa. For Kyrre Slind life feels like one big adventure, it was a great pleasure to share in some of them with this interview. His latest album ‘Open Airs’ is out now!

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.