Albums

Tony Reidy’s latest release, Hayshed Days, shines even brighter than his last. He is again in the company of fellow musician Seamie O’Dowd creating a contemporary sounding album through which he weaves his memories. Ten out of Ten!

On All this Longing, Reg Meuross brings to life the commonplace and the extraordinary in his poignant tales whose level of detail I’m always amazed by. The image of a typewritter on the album is a perfect symbol of his masterful storytelling.

The Long Hard Road is Tom McElvogue’s debut album and our album of the week! Tom’s attention to detail and perfectionism has resulted in a perfectly recorded legacy for the future which will finally introduce him to Irish music lovers worldwide!

Emily Smith’s latest album release, Traiveller’s Joy, continues to mark the ascent of this young Scottish artist on the UK folk scene. The album’s focus is on the rich song heritage left by the Scottish travelling community. Her refreshing re-interpretations as well as new self-penned songs make this a milestone album in her singing career.

At 6’5 Justin Townes Earle is physically as big as his talent and hype hint at. His attitude is brash Nashville no messing but delivered with a hint of New York City suave. It’s impossible not to listen and to find yourself forming little relationships with the protagonists of the pieces.

There is no doubt that The Outside Track’s latest release has proven that they are not only fine exponents of their musical traditions but that they are fine musicians who can enthuse and bring those traditions to a wider audience!

Malcolm Holcombe’s latest album, To Drink the Drain, transports you back to the likes of Townes Van Zandt. His voice has been drenched and intoxicated by an eventful and self-destructive life but his courage has saved him. He’s back and he’ll be touring the UK in March!

Kevin Welch proves again on his long awaited solo album, A Patch of Blue Sky, that he still has that great gift of songwriting that first set him off on his career way back in 1978 writing for the likes of Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt.

What an end to a great year for Bella Union, their issue of John Grant’s Queen of Denmark debut successfully found itself in most magazine and national newspapers’ ‘Albums of 2010’ features, and he too headlined the last uniting of label artists at Union Chapel in the summer.

Canu rhydd is a superb new album from fernhill. They are one of most amazing and beautiful sounding folk bands I’ve ever heard. With the spell-binding and beautiful voice of Julie Murphy and the bands unique sound it doesn’t get any better.

Abigail Washburn’s latest release titled City of Refuge is a new transformation in her sound that caught me by complete surprise turning out to be one of the most beautiful albums I’ve heard in a long time.

Andy Irvine makes a welcome return after a decade with his new solo release, Abocurragh. Andy has maintained his magic and makes a cracking album with a string of renowned musicians in support.