A happy surprise: “Moment in Time” by The Gothard Sisters

I've never been much taken with the Gothard Sisters, the talented Celtic trio from the American Pacific Northwest. They started their musical careers very young indeed and now, as they have released their 17th (!!!) full length album, they are still young. Amazing. But there was always been something about their music that kept me … Continue reading A happy surprise: “Moment in Time” by The Gothard Sisters

Gwilym Bowen Rhys: Aden – impressive music from Wales, in Welsh

I how zero idea how Aden got on my list of albums to check out but there it was. Someone may have pointed it out to me. Or maybe I had read a positive review. Doesn't really matter, since this, my first encounter with Gwilym Bowen Rhys, was very positive. I now know that Aden … Continue reading Gwilym Bowen Rhys: Aden – impressive music from Wales, in Welsh

Looking for unfiltered English folk? Go to Granny’s Attic!

Over the past decade or so, Granny's Attic have risen to the very top of English folk music, and deservedly so. The trio of Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, George Sansome and Lewis Wood are masters in their craft and they are among the finest musicians keeping the tradition fresh and vital. What I particularly appreciate about their … Continue reading Looking for unfiltered English folk? Go to Granny’s Attic!

Genticorum: Au coeur de l’aube

The magnificent Quebec trio of Yann Falquet, Pascal Gemme and Nicholas Williams (who replaced Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand a while back) have come up with an album that rocketed into the #1 position in my Genticorum albums ranking.Not only does Au coeur de l'aube (At dawn) have beautiful cover art, the music itself is warm and … Continue reading Genticorum: Au coeur de l’aube

Graham Mackenzie: The Dawning

It's been quite a few years since Highland fiddler Graham Mackenzie's debut album Crossing Borders - that was actually way back in 2016, amazing how time just disappears. It was a very, very good outing by a massively talented young musician and I remember listening to it and wondering where all this new talent in … Continue reading Graham Mackenzie: The Dawning

Gillebrìde Macmillan: Sèimh – The State of Calm

Confession: this is really not a review, for reasons that will become evident.When I fell madly in love with Celtic music in 2016 and began to frantically search for more and more Irish and Scottish artists on streaming platforms (they are not so good for the artists but a blessing for the newly converted), I … Continue reading Gillebrìde Macmillan: Sèimh – The State of Calm

Celtic Connections 2023: Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones, with Gillebrìde MacMillan

The Mackintosh church is probably the most beautiful of all Celtic Connections venues. The late 1800’s designs by the famed architect Rennie James Mackintosh are like music themselves - what better place for a Celtic music gig? As the evening’s first act, Gaelic singer Gillebrìde MacMillan performed songs from his new album, “Sèimh: A State … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Rachel Walker & Aaron Jones, with Gillebrìde MacMillan

Gjermund Larsen and the beauty of the Nordic fiddle

If you don’t know Gjermund Larsen, you perhaps should. A master fiddler from Norway, with a sound and style that’s easy to love. Since I was at his excellent gig this summer, I have returned to his albums and recalled why I instantly liked his music the first time I heard it. Gjermund has a … Continue reading Gjermund Larsen and the beauty of the Nordic fiddle

A Somewhat Belated Album Review / Gráinne Brady: Newcomer

(Since I’m not a music professional, I sometimes - quite often, really - miss a noteworthy release and wake up to it much later. This is one of those cases. The text below is written almost six months after the album’s release) Glasgow-based Irish composer-fiddler Gráinne Brady’s exceptional debut album The Road Across The Hills … Continue reading A Somewhat Belated Album Review / Gráinne Brady: Newcomer

Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Ceol na Sióg

I initially discovered Gráinne Holland not through an album but a gig. Her live set at Celtic Connections 2019 was a total wow, and she came across as just a wonderful person as well. She was then promoting her third album, Corcra, her first with original material. It was as good as her gig, very … Continue reading Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Ceol na Sióg