Album Review / The Elephant Sessions: What Makes You

The third album from the premier merchants of Celtic Funk continues the band's admirable evolution. From the more Trad-rooted debut The Elusive Highland Beauty to the tight'n'snappy funk of All We Have Is Now, the road has now led to a cooler approach where the funk is very controlled, less is more and electronics and … Continue reading Album Review / The Elephant Sessions: What Makes You →

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 →

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) →

Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown

I remember hearing Lau for the first time. It was almost trad but not quite; there was always an element that didn't belong in the trad paradigm. It was full of energy and exciting and the playing was blindingly good. At the time I didn't know the lineup; a bit later I did and went … Continue reading Album Review / Lau: Midnight And Closedown →