Albums

Dreamer’s Circus have proven they will refuse, gleefully, to be restricted by genre or by tradition. Their approach is all-embracing and their technical ability simply outstanding. Their music is completely accessible and, at the same time, remarkable in its complexity. ‘Second Movement’ carries the listener from calm contemplation to a euphoric exuberance – a journey to be relished.

Danny Schmidt’s work is characterised by a beauty in the simplicity of its expression, a quietly compelling demeanour that draws the listener in immediately. Owls is everything a contemporary troubadour singer-songwriter album should be.

Nothing More is a most valuable set, not least in that it brings together under one roof a host of recordings that together could be argued to represent the best, the bulk of the collected Fotheringay, and impeccably presented in the house style of earlier Island/Universal hardcover box-sets including a new authoritative essay by Mick Houghton, along with a copious selection of rare and previously unseen photographs.

Eliza Carthy and Tim Eriksen finally found the means to combine their extraordinary talents and a couple of UK tours created the opportunity to open the Bottle in celebration. This is a great record, as accomplished and surprising as you might expect from two of the folk world’s most complete musical artists.

With a win at the famous Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Trout Steak Revival place their best foot forward with their new album Brighter Every Day…it’s certainly looking that way.

The Escape as an album already comes highly recommended and as the centre piece of a live gig it proved to be irresistible. UFQ have done it again, ensuring their live shows continue to provide top notch entertainment that really has to be experienced.

The Mariannes are still considered to be something of a secret in their native Ireland. On the strength of this all-too-brief collection any attempt by the Dublin-based urban alt-folk sextet to expand their horizons beyond the Emerald Isle’s shores would be very welcome.

In their previous two albums Edinburgh-based duo Blueflint received plaudits for their unique form of Edinburgh bluegrass. Stories From Home sees the band develop their sound to incorporate elements of alt-folk and indie pop. The combination is truly special.

With new album Emerald, Dar Williams really does live up to her tag as one of America’s best singer songwriters and with tour dates imminent there’s cause for double celebration. Emerald also includes several notable guest appearances to further enhance its credentials. It channels the heartfelt, the honest, the vital and and the poetic into one electrifying whole.

Named after his late grandfather, who played in a marching band and on whose guitar he learned to play, Marching Donald is one Ryan Davies and this is his second self-released album. One that demonstrates an increasing mastery of his craft and a greater confidence in his own abilities. One to watch for.

With Despite the Dark, Rura have not only produced an album of its time for Scotland, but one with the musical breadth and strength to ensure it will appeal to a far wider audience. This is a band growing in stature and confidence, brimming with originality and innovation.

True to type, you can always expect Duke Garwood to do things his way, and do them masterfully – as James finds out when he catches his performance at St. Pancras Old Church.