Featured Albums of the Month

Gwyneth Glyn’s ‘Tro’ is less an album and more a journey: to the quiet, longed-for corners of Wales, but also across the world, taking in West Africa and the Asian subcontinent. And it is an inward journey, an exploration of love and its many meanings and guises. As a whole, it is a poetic and deeply moving experience.

Bone On Bone is a powerful declaration from a mature observer of human nature. It’s gutsy and incisive with Bruce Cockburn delving into his musical roots and his personal concerns and ladled with beaucoups of blues and folk.  On the strength of this, he well deserves his induction into The Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

Unfinished Business isn’t a title that hints at unfulfilled musical ambitions. Rather, it confirms that, on turning 70, Paul Brady still has plenty more to offer. Everything about Unfinished Business tells us that he is likely to remain, for some time yet, at the very peak of his powers.

Folk Hotel is ultimately another reason to celebrate Tom Russell and his ongoing quest to keep alive the culture and traditions of American dreamers. The album is an excellent collection of songs played in his inimitable style and a fine tribute to his heroes.

With David Ramirez’s ‘We’re Not Going Anywhere’ it’s his songwriting which shines the brightest. He’s an acute observer of the fractured state of the nation, its lost souls and lost ideals but even as he sees discord he is hopeful for the future.

Since their formation, Leveret have been one of the most enviably talented groups of folk musicians on the circuit, but with the sheer creativity shown on Inventions they have moved up another gear.

Martin Simpson’s ‘Trails and Tribulations’ is a classy, elegant and very confident set that doffs its cap to some top-drawer contributions from some of the country’s very best musician’s and that also benefits from an engineer and producer in mean form.

Rather than collaborate on self-written material, Moorer and Lynne have come together to share the music that’s been the backdrop to their lives. In sharing with their audience the songs that each has held dear, they bring their music to new levels that an even wider audience can enjoy. Not Dark Yet was well worth the wait.

On Stu Larsen’s Resolute, the ten songs float finely from the speakers, his voice an intimate postcard from abroad while the arrangements are nimble and sure footed, an attractive blend of confessional singer/songwriter and pop balladeer.

It’s tempting to say that we can expect great things from Ryan Young in the future. His quiet success to date and open, exploratory style is evidence of an impressive, budding talent. That future has already begun to open up, though. Ryan Young’s debut is a remarkable and fascinating album that no fan of traditional fiddle should miss.

The Gigspanner Big Band are a unique musical proposition; they are taking folk music down new and enthralling paths. They are also one of the most exciting live bands you are likely to see this year (or any year, for that matter), and this recording documents their energy, skill and hard work brilliantly.

On Richard Thompson’s Acoustic Classics II, songs from many years, albums and moods, hang together and work alongside one another. It not only displays the journey of the singer but, importantly, flows more coherently than a straight forward ‘best of’ set. One to treasure.