Albums

The Bournemouth EP is the latest offering from the fresh-faced, mountain-air voiced Norwich singer-songwriter Jess Morgan, one which proves yet again what a dazzling talent she is.

For her latest project Juno winner Keri Latimer has teamed up with husband Devin Latimer as Leaf Rapids, named after a town in north west Manitoba. Lucky Star is a countrified flavoured album with a pleasing breadth of variety to please the ear.

Black Feather Wooden Chair is both gentle and bright, built on a solid bed-rock of talent. One that wraps and envelopes the listener into the quirky world of Salwa Azar, from start to finish it leaves you wanting more.

Often tribute albums can be overly reverent or lacking in musical coherence. Remembering Mountains successfully avoids both of these pitfalls. In fact, the only disappointing thing about these songs is that we will never get to hear Karen Dalton singing them herself.

In Spinning Yarns, Norah Rendell not only shares with us her hypnotic, lilting voice and her skilled arrangements of the songs she’s collected; but also sharing (through fascinating sleeve notes) the stories of those songs and the people who sang them. This album is a must for anyone with a love of traditional song.

Simon heads to The Islington for a stunning headline show from Bhi Bhiman. His ‘Rhythm and Reason’ is a terrific album and the really good news is that he’s even better live. “As we head home a succession of tunes replay in my head as Bhi’s poignant redemption songs have sticking power and above all offer the positive spin on the émigré story. Stick that in your pint pot and …

In Tom Paley’s 84th year, the smallest of flames nurtured by 2012 album ‘Roll On Roll On’ now has a chance to spread and establish itself via Paley & Son, a second outing on the Hornbeam label. He is joined by fiddle playing son Ben and special guests Cerys Matthews, BJ Cole and harmonica player Rob Mason.This will remain a mark of the Paley family’s love of roots music for …

The songs here may have been gathering dust, but, brought out into the light, they have produced a hugely listenable and enjoyable album, a  perfect soulful accompaniment to summer and further evidence of Robins’ fabulous voice and huge talent.

There’s no doubt that Emily Portman has, with a little help from her friends, created and curated a dazzling display of writing and musicianship, but the real success of Coracle lies in the balancing of many seemingly disparate aspects to create an intensely luminous collection of songs whose articulate lyrics, virtuoso performances and intricate arrangements never overshadow the very real humanity which is at the heart of it all.

It’s a delight to see an artist revel in live performance. Laughs and angst; traditional and modern; children’s games and cake – this is how you launch an album. Splendid.

For the final part of her live review of Orkney Folk Festival 2015 Alice took in some great performances from Claire Hastings, Hannah Rarity, Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, New Rope String Band, Dallahan and more. Not forgetting the Orkney v’s the Rest of the World’ folkie-football match.

In the Tribute to William Hannah, Luke Daniels – best known for his Irish melodeon playing – channels energies in a different direction; exploring the overlooked legacy of William Hannah, a celebrated melodeon player and band leader of the 1920’s.