Ian Stephenson

The finest CD of English fiddling I have heard and I enjoyed ALL aspects of it. An outstanding and major contribution to English fiddle playing that it should be heard throughout the land and considered the high water mark of England’s music.

Water of Tyne is the first CD release from Magnetic North East CIC, a community interest company promoting the music, arts, culture and heritage of the North East of England. Brought together by Kathryn Tickell the album includes guest appearances from the likes of The Unthanks, Hannah Rickard, Bob Fox and Mike Tickell. A truly lovely collection.

The Andy May Trio are on the road touring again. With their abundant enthusiasm, a mutual empathy bordering on instinct and, above all, a collective passion for the music they play; it’s as a single, cohesive unit that they shine so don’t miss them!

Ian Stephenson, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, has been announced as the new Folkestra Director, he takes over from founding director Kathryn Tickell.

With their abundant enthusiasm, a mutual empathy bordering on instinct and, above all, a collective passion for the music they play; it’s as a single, cohesive unit that the Andy May Trio shines brightest and About Time is the superb result.

Our Song of the Day is from Galway based singer songwriter Niamh Regan who some of you may know as a member of the Irish band Juhn Echo who we’ve previously featured on Folk Radio. Listen to her performing The Sweetest Drop.

Songs for the Voiceless is both a beautifully realised piece of art and a timely lesson in history featuring Jon Boden, Bella Hardy, The Young’Uns and more.

The band Kan which includes members Aidan O’Rourke and Brian Finnegan have sadly announced they are to stop playing for the forseeable future. We have a special tune of the day from them.

Sadly this is the final India Tour Blog entry from Kan who spent their final day in Calcutta which had its fair share of sparks and I don’t mean the fireworks for Diwali.

KAN head to Calcutta for Day 5 of their India Tour blog, they have an interesting discussion on folk music and meet Tanmoy Bose who toured for many years as Ravi Shankar’s percussionist!

KAN get to do some sightseeing around Bangalore on Day 4 of their tour culminating in a great gig at a jazz venue called Windmills Craftworks…which, much to their appreciation is air-conditioned!

In part three of their Tour Blog KAN head for the cooler leafier climes of Bangalore, hometown of their ‘guardian angel’ Dipti. Ian meets up with Raghu Dixhit and they find time to relax.