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 […]
Look Back: Saskia G-M “Gentle Heart” (review)
This is a “Look Back” post, one that brings an older review (from shedancesinthemind.blogspot.com) here to my new website. Since my writing in early 2016, Saskia Griffiths-Moore has continued to grow with a series of concerts and some well-shot covers of some well-known tracks on her Youtube channel here. “Gentle Heart” is seriously an album […]
Steve Pledger’s – “Somewhere Between” Album Review
A self-assured album from Pledger, whose writing has clearly grown in skill. The lyrics are pleasingly concise, yet emotive and manage to capture other people’s viewpoints very well. It always persuades, but sometimes astonishes. Introduction to Album Steve Pledger is back with “Somewhere Between” his second acoustic-offering that continues to move across the themes […]
Merry Hell’s Bloodlines – Album Review
Release Date – 1 November 2016 Merry Hell are certainly putting their hours in. There are a working band with new disc “Bloodlines” coming out within two years since their last album, “The Ghost in Our House” (2015). They are in the middle of an exceptionally busy looking tour schedule too (with dates being filled […]
Show of Hands w/Megan Henwood Live @ Royal Northern College, Manchester
I am happy on this Wednesday in November…. I am in Manchester. Christmas stalls are up, but it is not that seasonal treat that interests me. It is instead the chance to catch a music group, a well-established roots band that is characterised by many years of playing and writing. I am talking of course […]
Lady Maisery – Cycle – (Album Review in Poem Form)
LADY MAISERY- CYCLE (poetic review) A dawn chorus whose stalwart shanties wash an ignorance of history past they approach the day careening in Physis’ circuit, putting a breathy foot to a metal horse. As an earthy watchmaker sets out her table, she is brought an old face. Burrowing into these metal shells and eyeing her […]
EP Post Autumn 2016 #2 Iona Fyfe Band-“East”-” a particular flair and vigour that shows more than a nod to the time and land of the past”
Iona Fyfe Band – East Publisher: Birnam CD ionafyfemusic.com Iona Fyfe (and band’s) “East” EP has been out for a while; since July 1st in actuality. Four months have passed, the leaves now fall and the darkening has already beckoned. When the cold weather truly starts I know several people who will be looking back […]
EP Post Autumn 2016 #1: Steve Grozier (Take My Leave)
Hi all, I have had some interesting things coming through the mailbox in recent weeks (several in some cases). I have finally had a chance to listen to it all and wanted to share the musical endeavours these artists are striving for early on their road to fame. It is always exciting to find something […]
Kate Rusby – Life in a Paper Boat (album review)
Artist: Kate Rusby Pure Records http://www.katerusby.com/ An album of precise and selective instrumentation that concisely builds atmosphere and quality. Kate Rusby continues her good works through effectively combining traditional words and material with modern arrangements with a final product that impresses across the board. Kate Rusby as we know is pretty much a folk music […]
Ani DiFranco – Play God (Video/Track Review)
America’s presidential elections are big news. Whether you adore the red, white or blue in the form of stars and stripes or if you are more a rectangles kind of person; the outcome of the election will undoubtedly have some bearing on your life, and not just if you are a US citizen. Up until […]