Kim Lowings and the Greenwood – Wild & Wicked Youth – A Review
FANCOURT MUSIC Album Release: 8 September 2017 I continue to wade through folk CD reviews as there are many. The next artist I would like to talk about is Kim Lowings and the Greenwood and their release “Wild & Wicked Youth.” Let me just say to start and paint a picture; Kim Lowings has a […]
Martin Carthy at Village Folk, Chellaston, Derbyshire – April 2017
Village Folk – http://www.villagefolk.org/ In my past posts about Village Folk I have alluded to the venue (The Lawns Hotel) in Chellaston being very much like a fortress. On reconsideration, it may in fact be more like a castle. Whatever your mythological leanings and interests one thing for certain is that within English music Martin Carthy is […]
Hebden Folk Roots Festival – 2017: 12-14 May
HEBDEN FOLK ROOTS FESTIVAL HEBDEN BRIDGE 12-14 MAY 2017 https://www.hebdenfolkroots.org/ How are things going with everyone? Things are going splendidly well here in Sheffield. The sun hasn’t fully retreated, life is certainly stirring and festival season is well and truly kicking off. I wanted to write something to make you aware of a festival, this weekend […]
Roving Crows – “Bury Me Naked” Album Review
It was a few years ago I saw the Roving Crows now. I remember in Bromsgrove. Not far from Ledbury (their home turf) andalso not far from where I spent my youngest years (in Kidderminster); it was an interesting experience when I was relatively new to folk. It was not just an introduction to the […]
Geoff Lakeman – After All The Years – A Review
Observational and considered, Lakeman collects a squad of influencing folk artists that bring his rich imagination and celebratory character to life Released 3rd February 2017 Geoff Lakeman, in a rather circular and interesting path has recorded his debut solo entitled “After All These Years.” What I mean of course is that Geoff is known to […]
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 […]
Steamchicken @ The Bury Met – 11 Mar – Album Launch
Steamchicken is a universally fun and energetic band boasting shamelessly soulful vocals and a catchy, booming brass-line. Chocks away! Somewhere between a smoky jazz outfit and a blues brass extravaganza, “Steamchicken” are a group who set out to entertain, and do so in spades. Much like the wise, old traveller from a Western or the […]
Kate Dimbleby- Songbirds
Dimbleby successfully reflects a range of feelings and emotions in a decent and also unconventional album that has captured her mind’s eye. Introduction Armed without folk instruments as such but with the creative sense of the oldest instrument there is, the voice, Kate Dimbleby explores a musical sound that is more akin to a hawk flying through […]
Daria Kulesh “Long Lost Home” – An Album Review
An album of resistance to oppression in armed and peaceful forms. Articulate and personal, it is peppered with tragedy but is in essence celebratory of family and the personalities whose stories are within. Sound Recording: Jason Emberton, Jonny Dyer Additional Recording: Timur Dzeytov Produced: Jason Emberton, Jonny Dyer, Daria Kulesh Introduction Daria Kulesh […]
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 […]