It's a rare occasion when you can honestly say that you've been there when something really, really good was beginning. Me and my wife were lucky enough to be in the audience of Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections 2023 when Tern played their first ever public gig on January 30. The usually amateur … Continue reading Tern’s “Flyway”: a debut album for the books!
Category: Reviews
Brief notes from Celtic Connections 2025
First, apologies for not keeping to my promise of writing here more often in 2025. It's been a bit rough first weeks of the year, with some health issues (again) and, frankly, the state of the world causing me some chronic stress and tiredness as well. And as we are psycho-somatic beings with everything affecting … Continue reading Brief notes from Celtic Connections 2025
Launching 2025 with a ukulele album? Why not?
It's a brand new year and I'm hoping to be much more active in with this blog than I was in 2024. However, it's the same day job and certain old and some new health issues keep popping up, so it's better not to promise anything else than "I will try". That'll have to do, … Continue reading Launching 2025 with a ukulele album? Why not?
Tophøj & Barslund’s “Trails and Traces” brings hygge to days leading to winter
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
Into the woods: Kate Young’s “Umbelliferæ” is a unique journey in the wild
"Apiaceae or Umbelliferae is a family of mostly aromatic flowering plants named after the type genus Apium and commonly known as the celery, carrot or parsley family, or simply as umbellifers." - Wikipedia You know the feeling when a movie or a book or a work of music you know nothing about comes your way, and it's a revelation. I knew nothing about Kate … Continue reading Into the woods: Kate Young’s “Umbelliferæ” is a unique journey in the wild
Amy Laurenson’s wonderful “Strands” leaves me exhilarated and emotional
"I believe the phrase 'joie de vivre' was waiting for its moment. It has arrived." Those words are from a supporter of this album on Bandcamp. I quote them here because that is exactly how I feel about this music. And it's not just that the music is brilliant. There's more to it than that. … Continue reading Amy Laurenson’s wonderful “Strands” leaves me exhilarated and emotional
Laura Jane Wilkie’s “Vent” is an essential work
With all her former and current impressive work with Scotland's A-level folk musos, it's almost incredible Vent is fiddler/composer Laura Jane Wilkie's first solo release. Then again, if you immerse yourself in a project as she has done here, things will take their time to happen... Vent is not just another very good Celtic or … Continue reading Laura Jane Wilkie’s “Vent” is an essential work
Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
Of all the brilliant Scottish pipes and flutes masters, Fraser Fifield may be the most eager ti explore the various possibilities of his instruments. His previous deep dives into both world music and the inner life of bagpipes are now followed by the 2023-24 trilogy of trio albums, focusing very much, but not only, on … Continue reading Fraser Fifield’s trilogy of trios: a remarkable achievement!
The Fretless: Glasswing
I admit it. Me and The Fretless haven't quite met, and I have honestly tried. And I'm a bit mystified about it... Let me make this clear: I have nothing but the highest respect for the Canadian modern folk string quartet. They are excellent musicians and they have deserved their nearly iconic reputation and the … Continue reading The Fretless: Glasswing
Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
I was delighted to witness Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O'Leary perform at the Edinburgh TradFest 2022. It was an intimate and lively set and I well remember the warm atmosphere and the brilliant musicianship of these Irish masters. And now they have released an absolutely magical album. I believe this is the first time they … Continue reading Kennedy & O’Leary’s “Hydra” is not a beast, it’s a beauty
FolkNotes 