January 2011

Cape Breton Sound Comes to the UK

Cape Breton Sound Comes to the UK – Free Events

by Alex 31 January 2011 Folk Music News

Today saw the first UK event of Cape breton Sound, a celebration of the music of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Three shows are scheduled from today until Wed 3rd Feb in Manchester, Cardiff and London, and they’re absolutely FREE!

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Tony Reidy - Hayshed Days

Album Review: Tony Reidy – Hayshed Days

by Alex 31 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

Tony Reidy’s latest release, Hayshed Days, shines even brighter than his last. He is again in the company of fellow musician Seamie O’Dowd creating a contemporary sounding album through which he weaves his memories. Ten out of Ten!

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Thumbnail image for katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts release new video

katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts release new video

by Alex 30 January 2011 Video

Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts have released their official video for ‘Fleetwood Fair’ which is taken from their 2010 album, Up from the Deep which was self-produced, mixed by Andy Bell and mastered by Megson’s Stu Hanna.

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Full Line Up for Bristol Folk Festival Announced

Full Line Up for Bristol Folk Festival Announced

by Alex 28 January 2011 Folk Music News

Bristol Folk Festival has taken the wraps off its full artist line up for the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend, revealing a strong programme of top acts from across the UK Folk scene: Show of Hands, Seth Lakeman, Bellowhead, Dervish, Rachel McShane, Bella Hardy, Fay Hield and more!

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Reg Meuross - All This Longing

Album Review: Reg Meuross – All This Longing

by Alex 26 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

On All this Longing, Reg Meuross brings to life the commonplace and the extraordinary in his poignant tales whose level of detail I’m always amazed by. The image of a typewritter on the album is a perfect symbol of his masterful storytelling.

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Thumbnail image for Album of the Week: Tom McElvogue and Paddy Kerr – The Long Hard Road

Album of the Week: Tom McElvogue and Paddy Kerr – The Long Hard Road

by Alex 26 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

The Long Hard Road is Tom McElvogue’s debut album and our album of the week! Tom’s attention to detail and perfectionism has resulted in a perfectly recorded legacy for the future which will finally introduce him to Irish music lovers worldwide!

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Emily Smith - Traiveller's Joy

Album Review: Emily Smith – Traiveller’s Joy (plus new video)

by Alex 25 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

Emily Smith’s latest album release, Traiveller’s Joy, continues to mark the ascent of this young Scottish artist on the UK folk scene. The album’s focus is on the rich song heritage left by the Scottish travelling community. Her refreshing re-interpretations as well as new self-penned songs make this a milestone album in her singing career.

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Thumbnail image for Live Review: Justin Townes Earle & James Walbourne, Belfast

Live Review: Justin Townes Earle & James Walbourne, Belfast

by Scott Edgar 25 January 2011 Live Reviews

At 6’5 Justin Townes Earle is physically as big as his talent and hype hint at. His attitude is brash Nashville no messing but delivered with a hint of New York City suave. It’s impossible not to listen and to find yourself forming little relationships with the protagonists of the pieces.

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Lizzie Nunnery  - In Session @ Folk Radio UK

Lizzie Nunnery – In Session @ Folk Radio UK

by Alex 24 January 2011 Features

With the release of her debut album Company of Ghosts in spring 2010, Lizzie’s reputation as a captivating new voice in British folk has continued to grow. It is with great pleasure that we present Lizzie in session at Folk Radio UK

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Ashley Hutchings Rainbow Chasers Tour

Ashley Hutchings Rainbow Chasers Tour

by Alex 22 January 2011 Folk Music News

Ashley Hutchings, founder member of Fairport Convention, brings his new band, The Rainbow Chasers, to Square Chapel Centre for the Arts on Sunday 30 January.

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Thumbnail image for The Apple Store celebrates Celtic Connections

The Apple Store celebrates Celtic Connections

by Alex 19 January 2011 Folk Music News

Celtic Connections is delighted to be working with the Apple Store on Buchanan Street, Glasgow to feature a series of live in-store performances by festival artists throughout January. The artists will give short taster performances ahead of their Celtic Connections gigs.

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Lifetime Achievement Award for Donovan at BBC Folk Awards

Folk news: Lifetime Achievement Award for Donovan at BBC Folk Awards

by Alex 18 January 2011 Folk Music News

Donovan will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at BBC Radio 2′s Folk Awards 2011 on Monday 7 February, as well performing an acoustic version of one of his classic songs.

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Video Special: Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2010 Highlights

Video Special: Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2010 Highlights

by Alex 18 January 2011 Folk Music News

The following videos are from the Shrewsbury Folk Festival 2010 which featured a host of names I’m sure many of you are familar with including Bellowhead, Dervish and Andy Irvine, Genticorum, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Boo Hewerdine and Heidi Talbot to name just a few.

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Thumbnail image for Mànran – Help Get Their Gaelic Song in the UK Top 40

Mànran – Help Get Their Gaelic Song in the UK Top 40

by Alex 17 January 2011 Folk Music News

Help Mànran to become the first band in the 21st century to take a Gaelic song into the official UK top 40. Download it today from itunes!

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The Outside Track

Album Review: The Outside Track – Curious Things Given Wings

by Alex 17 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

There is no doubt that The Outside Track’s latest release has proven that they are not only fine exponents of their musical traditions but that they are fine musicians who can enthuse and bring those traditions to a wider audience!

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Malcom Holcombe - To Drink the Rain

Album Review: Malcolm Holcombe – To Drink the Rain

by Alex 14 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

Malcolm Holcombe’s latest album, To Drink the Drain, transports you back to the likes of Townes Van Zandt. His voice has been drenched and intoxicated by an eventful and self-destructive life but his courage has saved him. He’s back and he’ll be touring the UK in March!

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Chepstow Wassail & Mari Lwyd

Chepstow Wassail & Mari Lwyd – Saturday, 15th January

by Alex 14 January 2011 Folk Music News

This Saturday, 15th January, sees the return to Chepstow of the annual Wassail & Mari Lwyd. This unique annual event is arranged by that hellrasing border morris side known as The Widders.

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Thumbnail image for Album Review: Kevin Welch – A Patch of Blue Sky

Album Review: Kevin Welch – A Patch of Blue Sky

by Alex 13 January 2011 Folk Music Reviews

Kevin Welch proves again on his long awaited solo album, A Patch of Blue Sky, that he still has that great gift of songwriting that first set him off on his career way back in 1978 writing for the likes of Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt.

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