Albums

In December I attended an unforgettable night at Cecil Sharp House featuring The Carrivick Sisters, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick and a personal highlight of the night: James Yorkston

Bean on Toast is back with a new album ‘Fishing for a Thank You’. He unleashes his quick wit observations in his usual laid back way tackling the madness of the world we live in…with a spotlight on Middle England!

‘To the Horizon, Sir’ is an exceptional album from Lewis born Iain Morrison, a very gifted artist who has a natural aptitude at conveying very deep emotions to the listener which are rich in imagery of the Western Isles.

Samy Ben Redjeb founder of the incredible Analog Africa label has worked his magic on Diablos del Ritmo 1960-1985, a new compilation featuring some incredible Afro-Colombian music.

Crystal Anis, the latest LP from French underground band The Liminanas is probably one of the most overlooked albums of 2012. Their hook laden dreamy pop with big nods to the Velvet underground is irresistible.

We talk to Fionn Regan about his latest album ‘The Bunkhouse Vol. I: Anchor Black Tattoo’ on which he goes back to basics…a guitar, 4-track, a single microphone and all in a remote hidden away studio.

Heidi Talbot heads into collaborative territory on her latest release Angels Without Wings featuring Mark Knopfler, King Creosote, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Karine Polwart, Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) Julie Fowlis and more.

Oes i Oes is a beautiful Welsh album from Cass Meurig and Nial Cain. It is released this month, a thing of great beauty that I could happily listen to it all day and never tire of!

John Carroll’s latest release ‘Let Every Tongue’ is an intriguing release that grabs at your curiosity, plaintive and melancholic arrangements deceive the listener of the album’s great depth.

The twelve tracks that make up Kyle Fosburgh’s latest release ‘The Traveler’s Journey’ are faultless. From American Primitive to pre-war folk blues this acoustic album will leave you with a beatific smile on your face.

Pangea is a stunning debut release from Manchester based Emma Sweeney who has been quietly building an enviable reputation on the folk scene. The album will be launched at Celtic Connections.

Alexander Wolfe’s album Skeleton’s offers intricate guitar work, shimmering soundscapes, intimate, yearning vocals and bruising lyrical vignettes…a cacophonous leap into the sublime…