This is one of my "rummaging the vault" pieces where I either discover or return to an older release. Shine was (I presume it's "was" rather than "is" but please correct me if I'm wrong) a trio of three remarkable Scottish musicians: Corrina Hewat, Alyth McCormack and Mary Macmaster. As a band, they were 3 … Continue reading Shine: Sugarcane (2001)
Lissa Schneckenburger: Falling Forward
I have enjoyed the American fiddler-singer-composer's recent albums a lot. Her career arc has been one of steady development, from the fairly uneven first outings to over 20 years ago to the masterful musician she has been for a quite a few years already. Falling Forward is her first full-length album since 2019's Thunder In … Continue reading Lissa Schneckenburger: Falling Forward
Jenny Sturgeon’s “The Living Mountain”: a meditation
The Living Mountain, an album inspired by Nan Shepherd's iconic nature book, was released to rave reviews in October of 2020. At the time, I was mentally trying to adjust to the then raging global covid surge and the insecurity and uncertainty it caused - it's a blessing I could not foresee then that only … Continue reading Jenny Sturgeon’s “The Living Mountain”: a meditation
Emily Portman & Rob Harbron: Time Was Away
I have absolutely adored Emily Portman's previous albums, Hatchling (2012) and Coracle (2015). They presented a very original artist whose outwardly fragile voice contains immense strength and whose music integrates traditional British folk elements into a unique, dreamlike soundscape, with lyrics to match. I totally loved them both and I am very happy to say … Continue reading Emily Portman & Rob Harbron: Time Was Away
Skáld: Huldufólk (or, actually, some thoughts inspired by it)
…and now for something different - at least for this blog… Over the past year, I have developed a taste for what’s called Dark Folk, Pagan Folk or Nordic Neofolk. But I really don’t care about all the labels; I’m referring to new music based on actual old folk music from different areas of Northern … Continue reading Skáld: Huldufólk (or, actually, some thoughts inspired by it)
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
An (almost) epic Irish double feature: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Seo Linn
As dedicated and committed as Ireland is to her traditional music, Irish folk and trad musicians do move with the times. It’s been a great couple of days listening to two very different albums by Irish artists with their own vision. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s Róisín ReImagined was released a few … Continue reading An (almost) epic Irish double feature: Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Seo Linn
Double Irish: The London Lasses, Seo Linn
A quick one this time. Just so happened over the weekend that two Irish albums - one brand new, the other almost six years old - floated into my headphones. Both are much fun so I bundled them up here. I had never heard of The London Lasses but as their new album is called … Continue reading Double Irish: The London Lasses, Seo Linn
Paul Anderson: Iona
Anyone who has listened to the Scottish master fiddlers of our time is familiar with Paul Anderson and his fiddle sound and style: rich, robust and yet tender and ”singing”. Anderson and Duncan Chisholm are not far removed from each other in this respect, so perhaps it’s no wonder both men have recently - very … Continue reading Paul Anderson: Iona
The Bow Tides: Sailing On
This is the debut album by the Irish-American quintet of three fiddles, bass and guitar, formed in 2020 practically by accident. But the musicians are anything but spring chickens: the band history on their website mentions Gaelic Storm, Grammys, music academies and what have you - not beginner stuff, this. Which explains why Sailing On … Continue reading The Bow Tides: Sailing On
