"A stark, honest recording." That's how the core quality of RANT’s third outing is described on RANT's Bandcamp site. It may be a slightly surprising choice of words for music that's very controlled, touching on modern classical in some places, played by a quartet of Scotland's finest (Bethany Reid, Anna Massie, Jenna Reid and Lauren … Continue reading Album Review / RANT: The Portage
Tag: folk music
Quick Take album reviews: The Askew Sisters, MacDonald&Gamauf
The Askew Sisters continue their ”low-key but very intense” forays into the more shady forests of English folk. Enclosure is worthy of its name: a cosmos of it own, inhabited by songs mostly about various injustices, the minimal-yet-strangely-rich arrangements and the strong vocal performances by the sisters. As on their earlier albums, the overall mood … Continue reading Quick Take album reviews: The Askew Sisters, MacDonald&Gamauf
My interview with Dowally
One day in the springtime of the current year I was on my evening walk with Dowally's 2nd album, Somewhere, in my headphones. I had liked it and its predecessor even before, but now it sounded particularly nice in the beautiful light of May in the Nordic region. So I thought what the heck, this … Continue reading My interview with Dowally
Quick Take Album Reviews: “Allt”, Fàrsan, Còig, Mary Ann Kennedy
This is a quick look at some albums I've listened to lately and wish to note for their quality even if I have nothing too insightful or clever to say about them 🙂 - The stellar Fowlis-Conway-Dooley-McIntyre ensemble released Allt almost a year ago already but only now it's really been on power play here. … Continue reading Quick Take Album Reviews: “Allt”, Fàrsan, Còig, Mary Ann Kennedy
Album Review / Kate Rusby: Philosophers, Poets and Kings
To my ears, Kate Rusby's fabulous career took yet another upward turn with her previous ”regular” outing, Life In A Paper Boat; the winter/Christmas album Angels and Men came after that one and was excellent too but seasonal music is a genre unto itself, at least to me. And I find very little to complain … Continue reading Album Review / Kate Rusby: Philosophers, Poets and Kings
Album Review / Andrew Waite: Tyde
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
Album Review / Eabhal: This Is How The Ladies Dance
I noticed Eabhal back in 2016 when I happened to hear their debut EP. It was a solid showing of potential in the field of Scottish trad, far from a beginner's first unsteady efforts. It took a while for a full album to appear but here it is, and well worth checking out. A casual … Continue reading Album Review / Eabhal: This Is How The Ladies Dance
On electronics in folk, adding drums as an afterthought and the art of arrangements: My interview with Tannara’s Becca and Owen
Tannara's Strands stands out as one of the brightest and most ambitious albums in the current Celtic folk scene. After listening to it repeatedly, a few things about it intrigued me so much I gathered up my courage and asked for an interview. I was delighted when Becca Skeoch and Owen Sinclair graciously took the … Continue reading On electronics in folk, adding drums as an afterthought and the art of arrangements: My interview with Tannara’s Becca and Owen
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
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
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