Let us turn to Reg Meuross and his new album and project “12 Silk Handkerchiefs”. Constructed and composed alongside Brian W Lavery (who is the author of “The Headscarf Revolutionaries: Lillian Bilocca and the Hull Triple-Trawler Disaster); the album is a remembrance of the great Hull fishing tragedies of 1968 (of which there were three […]
Category: Historical
Geoff Lakeman at Village Folk – 17th March 2018
There is procrastination and procrastination. I mean I have thought about painting the walls in my office a beautiful forest green for weeks (and haven’t managed yet) but sometimes people put off really big things, things that matter. In the world of music there are bands who take their sweet time between album releases. For example Daft […]
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman – Personae (2018) Album Review
“Sharp, witty and accomplished there is a class to Roberts & Lakeman’s new album that cannot be measured on any known scientific apparatus” Album: Personae Producer: Sean Lakeman Tracks: 10 Iscream Music Records (2018) Released 9th March 2018 Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman are indeed a famous duo. Maybe the best known in folk circles […]
The Twisted Twenty (Debut Album) Review
THE TWISTED TWENTY From: Penny Fiddle Records Tracks: 8 With: Holly Harman (baroque violin, vocals), Alexis Bennett (baroque violin, guitar, bodhran, electronics), James O’Toole, David Rabinovici (baroque violin), Ewan Macdonald (Cittern), Lucia Capellaro (baroque cello), Carina Cosgrave (baroque double bass Producer: Sam Proctor Zesty yet focused, the Twisted Twenty’s Debut is a fantastic window […]
Hannah Martin & Phillip Henry – Music in the Dark – Derby Gaol 11th May 2017
As part of their “Out of the Ordinary Tour”, Hannah Martin and Phillip Henry are bringing their particular brand of folk to the unusual, historical and downright spooky buildings of the UK. At this leg of the tour I have managed to catch them as they arrive at Derby Gaol; a working, historical museum. From the […]
Isembard’s Wheel “Common Ground” Album Launch @ Shakespeare’s – 1-04-17 Sheffield
Isembard’s Wheel sit between modern indie folk and more traditional folk fare that should properly interest the industry both as a great live band and one with crossover appeal. Introduction The Shakespeares Pub in Sheffield is hosting some great artists; some new and some established. I don’t want to gush too much, the pub gets […]
Harp and a Monkey @ Village Folk – 25th February
Once again I was released from the steel gates of Sheffield and able to descend the long-winding roads to Derbyshire. There I went to see the latest artist “Harp and a Monkey” to perform for a throng of rapt Derbyshire people at the “Village Folk” session in the The Lawns Hotel, Chellaston. Continuing to draw crowds […]
The Transports – 2017 – 27th Jan – Buxton Opera House
A hallmark example of a revival done well, “The Transports” brings stalwarts of the folk world to tell affecting stories through song and history. Introduction Peter Bellamy’s folk ballad opera about migration, “The Transports” is back. Having it’s 40th Anniversary it does not so much ask the crowd to continue dancing, but rather teaches a […]
Lorcán Mac Mathúna – Visionaries 1916 (album review)
Folk music that tackles some stirring source material that should not be forgotten. There is a roving central passion that brings both a delightful sense of joy and personal isolation to the works within. The album dwells very much in the topic it is exploring. The year 2016 will be seen as a year of upheaval […]