Danish folk music's super duo of Andreas Tophøj (fiddle) and Rune Barslund (accordion) released Trails and Traces in 2020 but I just discovered it. Really, there's so much good music and so many great albums released in the Celtic, British and Nordic folk music scene that I like to highlight also older releases - there's … Continue reading Tophøj & Barslund’s “Trails and Traces” brings hygge to days leading to winter
Category: Artists – R
Rob Harbron & Emma Reid: Flock & Fly (2016)
Oh summer! How I long for it now, in March, when the Finnish winter refuses to exit... That's what I thought when listening to Flock & Fly, this music played by concertina and fiddle, with British and Swedish tunes mostly trad (I think), no extra frills and unnecessary fuss. The music paints in my mind … Continue reading Rob Harbron & Emma Reid: Flock & Fly (2016)
Ryan Molloy: Tempered (2021)
I think that anyone who is not enamored with Celtic music would run screaming already at the site of this album's cover. The magnificent close-up of Uillean pipes, and the text "traditional music on Uillean pipes and piano". That would be a great shame and their loss, though, because Irish composer and pianist Ryan Molloy's … Continue reading Ryan Molloy: Tempered (2021)
Ryan Young: Just a Second (2023)
I have witnessed Ryan Young playing live only once, in Celtic Connections 2023. It was an astonishing performance, a rare combination of technical skill, fiery spirit and presence, and total commitment to the music. I compared it to Jeff Beck's guitar playing and found out that some others felt exactly the same.So it came a … Continue reading Ryan Young: Just a Second (2023)
Edey & Ainslie’s “Diad” is a joyful dialogue
Ross Ainslie, as you probably know already, is an astonishing musician and composer (and the nicest of people, too), and you may also know the merry hyperactivity and virtuoso guitar and melodeon playing of Tim Edey. They have played together quite a bit lately and I'm happy that some of their simply amazing live stuff … Continue reading Edey & Ainslie’s “Diad” is a joyful dialogue
RURA: Dusk Moon
Dusk Moon was released in March 2023; this review was written eight months later due to many long periods of non-activity in this blog in 2023, caused by personal circumstances. It was all of five years between In Praise of Home and Dusk Moon. During that period, RURA released a live album and a tribute … Continue reading RURA: Dusk Moon
Réalta: Thing of the Earth
It's been all of seven years since Ireland's Réalta released their second album, the very good Clear Skies, in 2016. I enjoyed that one a lot and later on, as the years passed, wondered if that would be all from this fine band. Thankfully, it was not, and even the lineup is still almost the … Continue reading Réalta: Thing of the Earth
Harp + Guitar = all you need: Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy’s “Élan”
Yet another "better late" review; this album was released three months before this writing. I believe "élan" is French for spirit, zest, joy; it's one of those words that defy an exact translation. But, luckily, music needs to translating, human or machine, as it itself can open the essence of the word. When harpist Rachel … Continue reading Harp + Guitar = all you need: Rachel Hair & Ron Jappy’s “Élan”
Ruth Keggin & Rachel Hair: Lossan
This is a review of a fairly recent but not brand new album. This album was released in 07/2022. I have often noted how there is inner strength and power in the quiter Celtic music. Lossan features, for the most part, just two women: a voice and a Celtic harp and little else - it's … Continue reading Ruth Keggin & Rachel Hair: Lossan
Headbangers Ball at FolkNotes: Blackbeard’s Tea Party & Ritva Nero
Something different for a change… 🤘 There is a metal subgenre called Folk Metal where folk melodies spice up the metal attack, or sometimes function as a launching pad for the riffs and melodies. However, the two great albums I checked out this week I’d like to label Metal Folk: tunes very much in the … Continue reading Headbangers Ball at FolkNotes: Blackbeard’s Tea Party & Ritva Nero
FolkNotes 