As you all probably know, Jenn Butterworth has been the go-to guitar player in the (mostly) Scottish trad and folk scene for years now, and a visible fixture in Celtic Connections, playing with almost everyone (not to mention an epic on-the-fly guitar string change on stage during a tune). But as a headlining artist, no … Continue reading “Her By Design”: Jenn Butterworth takes center stage and shines brightly
Tag: neofolk
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
Ímar: Awakening (2023)
The pan-Celtic supergroup released their third album a year ago but only now I finally got to listening to it. The big revelation this time was that there was no revelation: Ímar are just as brilliant on Awakening as they have been on their previous albums, and their style is pretty much unchanged since the … Continue reading Ímar: Awakening (2023)
Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
...and so it is (almost) Xmas - but the horrific war not too far from our doorstep has been going on for almost two years now - maybe not enough people want it to be over? Let's just say that with that nightmare, and a few other tragedies around the world, I'm finding it extraordinarily … Continue reading Can’t help it: the silent jingle faithful snow season is here, and so is the music
Finnish folk music special: it’s not what it once was…
I am writing this on December 6, 2023, the 106th independence day of my country. This year, and the last, our independence has felt more important to than ever in my soon 58 years on this earth, due to the horrifying actions of our gigantic neighbor to the east of us. Having said that, I … Continue reading Finnish folk music special: it’s not what it once was…
In touch with nature: “Riverwoods” by Salt House
This is one of my "better late" reviews, as I was unable to listen to much music when this was released in the spring. I have enjoyed the previous Salt House releases but hear ye now: Riverwoods is simply amazing. Not because it's grand or crushingly impressive - it's because it's there. The album's info … Continue reading In touch with nature: “Riverwoods” by Salt House
The countries may be low but the music is up: a quick note on Naragonia and Omnia
During all the decades I lived with various rock music genres, very, very few artists and bands I paid any attention to came from the Netherlands and, even less, Belgium. In the prog front, I knew Focus, of course, and some friends were nuts about the Nits, the Dutch alt-rock band. But that was about … Continue reading The countries may be low but the music is up: a quick note on Naragonia and Omnia
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)
Celtic Connections 2023: Peatbog Faeries, with Mec Lir
It was obvious all along that on Friday night, Feb 3, the Old Fruitmarket would be dancing and yelling wildly. With two major Celtic party teams on stage, any other possibility was out of the question. As the headline act, the current lineup of Peatbog Faeries took the stage in dramatic backlighting and instantly revved … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Peatbog Faeries, with Mec Lir
Celtic Connections 2023: Malin Lewis
Sunday 29th of Celtic Connections saw something extraordinary happen. The piper-composer-innovator Malin Lewis (see also Malin Makes Music on the internet and social media) was included in this year’s New Voices series and it’s no overstatement to say that they blew the roof off the Strathclyde Suite. Malin’s work for this event was a dizzying … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Malin Lewis
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