December 2010

Lorcan Mac Mathuna Talks: Sean-Nós

Lorcan Mac Mathuna talks about Sean nós, a traditional unaccompanied style of singing in Irish that, in recent times, existed only in the furthest reaches of Ireland’s landscape.

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Album Review: The Scoville Units

by Alex 28 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

The Scoville Units are a new and exciting powerhouse of a band that are made up of prominent musicians from the British Folk and acoustice music scene that combine their individual talents and influences from American, Celtic and English traditional music to create a uniquely inspiring sound.

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Early Transatlanitc Session: John Martyn with Kathy Mattea

Video: Early Transatlantic Session: John Martyn with Kathy Mattea

by Alex 27 December 2010 Video

Watch John Martyn performing with Kathy Mattea along with Danny Thompson on bass and Jerry Douglas on dobro! A classic moment in the Transatlantic Sessions!

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Album Review: Andy Irvine – Abocurragh

by Alex 27 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Andy Irvine makes a welcome return after a decade with his new solo release, Abocurragh. Andy has maintained his magic and makes a cracking album with a string of renowned musicians in support.

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Album Review: Niamh Ni Charra – Happy Out

by Alex 25 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Niamh Ni Charra’s latest release, Sugach Samh / Happy out, sets a new standard in Irish tradtional music. She displays confidence and adds a new spectrum to her music with the inclusion of song. 10/10

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My Top Picks: Folk Music related Books

by Alex 24 December 2010 Art and Culture

I‘ve got three books on my top list that come highly recommended. The first one I intend to get completely lost in with ale and mincepies over Christmas: Seasons They Change: The Story of Acid and Psychedelic Folk Here’s a bit on each: Seasons They Change: The Story of Acid and Psychedelic Folk Greg Weeks [...]

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Samling – At the frontier of Nu-Nordic

by Alex 23 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Samling combine Scandinavian music with traditions from the British Isles. What makes them unique is the inclusion of Gaelic into the mix. Their sound is both unusual and captivating!

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Interview: Jeannie Paske creator of Obsolete World

by Alex 21 December 2010 Art and Culture

I recently came across the artwork of Jeannie Paske and an ongoing series she has called Obsolete World. I found the images both magical, fun and sad as well as exposing the fragility of life. I got the chance to talk with Jeannie recently about her work and to ask about what inspired her creations.

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Album Review: Admiral Fallow – Boots Met My Face

by Davy 20 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Admiral Fallow’s latest release, Boots Met My Face is heartfelt, honest & pure as the Scottish snow, it will take approximately sixty seconds for you to stop what you’re doing, pay attention & state “I think I’m going to love this record”

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Frukie Session #5 – birdengine

by Alex 20 December 2010 Features

For our fifth frukie session we have Lawry Joseph Tilbury, better known as birdengine who has just released his first full length album the crooked mile. birdengine will also be touring in February.

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Po’ Girl

by Alex 19 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Hailing originally from Canada , Po’ Girl weave a blend of musical influences, sweetness, grit & soul into their fresh and original sound. The interplay between Allison Russell, Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger, and Mikey “Lightning” August is truly something to behold.

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Live Review: Angus and Julia Stone @ Royal Festival Hall, London

by Melanie McGovern 18 December 2010 Live Reviews

The Midsummer Nights Dream stage set up at the Royal Festival Hall, complete with lamps, foliage, a tree strung with fairy lights and a starry backdrop marked the occasion as magical before Australian siblings Angus and Julia Stone, and their Transatlantic band, even set foot on stage.

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Watch: Marcus Foster – SOFAR Session

by Alex 15 December 2010 Video

Watch Marcus Foster performing an intimate session for Songs from a Room. I’m sure this will be popular!

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Sam Amidon – Fiddle or Banjo?

by Alex 15 December 2010 Video

I actually planned to write this as an intro to the video below taken at Cafe Oto recently. I’ve a fascination for Sam and his music so I naturally delved deeper and thought I’d share a bit more about him.

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Fay Hield – Looking Glass

by Alex 14 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Topic Records took the folk world by surprise with their signing of Fay Hield to their label with the release of her debut album Looking Glass. Their first new artist in ten years. I can see why they did!

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Kathryn Tickell – The Best of…

by Alex 14 December 2010 Folk Music Reviews

Kathryn Tickell’s music is sewn into the very fabric of the Northumbrian landscape just as her tutors, the sherpherd musicans of outlying farms near her home, were. Her lastest album pays a great homage to the vastness of perception and interpretation in her work.

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Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches Project

by Alex 11 December 2010 Art and Culture

Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches is a great collaborative project which was set up to preserve, digitise, catalogue and make available online several thousand hours of Gaelic and Scots recordings.

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MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2010 – The Results

by Alex 10 December 2010 Folk Music News

The Winners of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2010 were announced at the Perth Royal Concert Hall where a great night was had by all! Some great results with representation from across Scotland!

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