michael tanner

Italian avant-garde percussionist and composer Lino Capra Vaccina releases new album described as a masterpiece. It features a number of contributions including English Dark Folk pioneers Michael Tanner and Alison Cotton.

For Winter Solstice, Michael Tanner treats us to a collection of hymns, carols, folk standards and field-recordings from the past 800 years. Whether it’s the pointed, bird-like quality of Jean Ritchie’s bare-branch voice or the hollow, reverent filigree of Dolly Collins portative organ, something about their use of minimalism perfectly captures the stark landscape, stripped of colour and commotion.

Eight years after their debut we are finally treated to a follow-up from Rusalnaia – Sharron Kraus and Gillian Chadwick… one of the most stunning albums I have heard all year, and one whose power remains long after the songs have faded.

‘Time Takes Away’ charts the breakdown of the musical community in Philadelphia that had nurtured Sharron Kraus and Gillian Chadwick, as well as exploring themes relating to the passage of time, breakdowns of old relationships and new beginnings.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers and listeners. Here’s a folkie treat with a Winter Solstice Mix from Michael Tanner featuring Bob Copper, Shirley Collins, Jean Ritchie, Waterson:Carthy and more.

To Run The Easting Down is both beautiful and immersive. The fact that it was made by two artists on opposite sides of the Atlantic is testament to the power of collaboration, and a sign that such collaboration has a bright future.

For those that missed Shirley Collins’ 80th Birthday celebration ‘All in the Downs’, a day-long event that was held at the Southbank Centre, Fledg’ling Records have copies of the Limited Edition special souvenir programme available.

This tribute provides a space in which some of the musicians who rightly look up to Molina’s work can express their gratitude to him and to his family. It also gives fans another perspective on the music of one of the best and most quietly influential songwriters to have ever tried his hand at the game. Jason Molina may never have known it, but he is not alone.

The latest offering from United Bible Studies comes via ‘A Year in the Country’. It’s an album that’s inseparable from its landscapes, full of natural grandeur and musical inventiveness.

We have a special première and Song of the Day from Plinth from the upcoming Shirley Collins compilation. Plus we talk to Michael Tanner about his love for the musical pioneer and folk legend.

Our Song of the Day is a beautiful unreleased improv from what would’ve been the second album from The A. Lords, a side project of Nicholas Palmer and Michael Tanner.

A brilliant guest mix this week from Salad Sound System: A wintry mix exploring the dubbier side of recent folk work, plus voices from the past, seventies folk in minor and more.