Let me just say that I find Simon Thoumire's excellent Hands Up For Trad website and his Foot Stompin' podcast most valuable sources for a fanboy like me to spot new and exciting music. It was on one of the more recents podcasts I came across the name of Andrew Waite. Didn't ring no bells … Continue reading Album Review / Andrew Waite: Tyde
Category: Reviews
Album Review / Claire Hastings: Those Who Roam
Let's be honest about it: traditional songs from the Celtic and Nordic area tend to be... well, not all that complicated, musically. At least we who live in these areas and are familiar with their musical grammar can learn to hum or sing these tunes pretty quickly. So when artists take on this tradition and … Continue reading Album Review / Claire Hastings: Those Who Roam
Album Review / Flook: Ancora
Wow. Just wow. After a recording break of 14 years (!!!), Flook are back - and they sound as if they last played together just a few days ago. They continue to amaze as they shine on this new album; for all the dazzling talents of its members, Flook are a remarkable unit as a … Continue reading Album Review / Flook: Ancora
Album Review / Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening: Hollowbone
The year has reached only April and excellent albums keep poppin' up - brilliant! Even given the high quality of new Celtic and British folk/trad music, this one will climb very, very high on my year's best list, I'm sure. I have previously checked out Kathryn Tickell's solo work (she was previously a member of … Continue reading Album Review / Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening: Hollowbone
Album Review / Innes Watson’s Guitar Colloquium
500 Days of Summer. Yep, the movie. That's what flashed in my head by the third track of Scottish folk music string instrument wiz Innes Watson's brand new album where Mr Watson really lets his guitar self go all the way. A strange association? Not so much, really. Many of the carefully constructed and, of … Continue reading Album Review / Innes Watson’s Guitar Colloquium
Retro Review / Catriona McKay: Starfish (2007)
Starfish is a small wonder. The animal, of course, is one of nature's miracles, and there's a magical quality to harpist Catriona McKay's solo album, too, released 12 years ago. It's one of those albums where a true master decisively shows both the instrument's powers and her own artistic strength: her custom Starfish Scottish harp … Continue reading Retro Review / Catriona McKay: Starfish (2007)
Album Review / Gary Innes: Imminent
Gary Innes' third album continues his excellent work as a solo artist. As a the accordion guy in Mànran, his role is irreplaceable and on his own, he is simply fab. Imminent is, in my ears, a worthy successor and equal to ERA, his 2017 outing. The concept of the previous album is pretty much … Continue reading Album Review / Gary Innes: Imminent
Retro Review / Alasdair Fraser: Dawn Dance (1995)
When I began to get interested in Celtic trad and folk, I might have stayed a longer time in the doorstep, peeking curiously in but not really entering the house had it not been for two artists: Capercaillie and Alasdair Fraser. Capercaillie's Celtic crossover was a virtual key to this music to someone who adores … Continue reading Retro Review / Alasdair Fraser: Dawn Dance (1995)
Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Canterach were a Scottish trad band featuring players who had been and who were to become top level musicians in the field; this is, as far as I know, the band's only album - a shame, because it's so delightful and one of my enduring favorites. It’s basically Scottish trad but with many upgrades, so … Continue reading Retro Review / Canterach (2001)
Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
Corcra is Irish folk singer / singer-songwriter Gráinne Holland's third album. It both continues the natural evolution of its very good predecessors and brings in some new elements as well. Her songs have always been excellent: the ballads beautiful without being sappy or too ethereal, the ones with her band full-bodied without being too pop. … Continue reading Album Review / Gráinne Holland: Corcra
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