Posts by author:

Neil

Folk Against Fascism Vol 1

Thumbnail image for Folk Against Fascism Vol 1 by Neil

Music has been used to spread messages; political, romantic, historical, for hundreds, probably thousands of years. It’s an effective medium and the musical traditions we’re so proud of owe their very existence to this fact. The trouble is, of course, that almost any message is open to interpretation. This CD, and the Folk Against Fascism [...]

Read the full article →

Southern Fried Festival 2010

Thumbnail image for Southern Fried Festival 2010 by Neil

Seasick Steve heads a posse of top acts for the third annual Southern Fried Festival of American Roots Music in Perth, Scotland. The festival takes place in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and a variety of other venues nearby. All the roots music bases from blues and country to rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, soul and [...]

2 comments Read the full article →

Jenna Reid / Cormac Cannon @ Stirling & Galway Sessions

Jenna Reid / Cormac Cannon @ Stirling / Galway Sessions by Neil

An intimate setting in Stirling’s Tollbooth theatre was the location for a double bill featuring Cormac Cannon, a Uilleann piper from Galway and a performance of Jenna and Bethany Reid’s The Shetland Bus Cormac Cannon is one of a talented group of young Uilleann pipers in Ireland today. Learning music from an early age, his [...]

Read the full article →

Duncan Chisholm – Canaich

Thumbnail image for Duncan Chisholm – Canaich by Neil

Duncan Chisholm has released Canaich, the second instalment in his Strathglass triology, on Copperfish Records. This follows on from Farrar, the award winning first album in the trilogy, inspired by the highland landscapes populated by his ancestors. In 1988 Duncan Chisholm was a founder member of Wolfstone; within two years the band had become a [...]

Read the full article →

Fuaim Chonamara @ Stirling/Galway Sessions

Fuaim Chonamara by Neil

The Cunningham family (Brian, Irene, Ashline, Michael and Lorraine) of Sean Nós dancers from Connemara in County Galway have performed with many of Ireland’s greats; Sharon Shannon, De Dannan, Altan, The Chieftains to name just a few. Recently they’ve been wowing audiences in Ireland with their own show, Fuaim Chonamara (Connemara Sound). This energetic show [...]

Read the full article →

Damien O’kane – Summer Hill

Damien O'kane - Summer Hill by Neil

Given his work with Flook, Shona Kipling and, more recently, his partner Kate Rusby, I expected Damien O’Kane’s debut solo album to be a collection of perfectly executed banjo tunes with the occasional song. Oh how I love to be educated. I was wrong; very, very wrong. In Summer Hill Damien has given us something [...]

Read the full article →

Andy Cutting – Andy Cutting

Thumbnail image for Andy Cutting – Andy Cutting by Neil

Andy Cutting is much in demand, and has been for some time, even more so since he won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year award in 2008. At last, though, he’s found time to put together a CD in his own name. This first release on Lane Records from Derby is available [...]

Read the full article →

Mr McFall’s Chamber – Birds & Beasts

Mr McFall's Chamber / Fraser Fifield and Guests - Birds & Beasts by Neil

This release by Mr McFall’s Chamber on the classical label, Delphian, is the result of a long planned collaboration between Martyn Bennett and Robert McFall that was never realised during tragically short life of one of Scotland’s most admired and accomplished musicians. What may be one of the most innovative albums of the year gets [...]

Read the full article →

Carole King & James Taylor

Carol King & James Taylor - Live At The Troubador by Neil

It’s forty years since Carole King and James Taylor performed together for the first time. In 2007 they re-visited the Troubadour in Los Angeles to celebrate its 50th anniversary and re-live their youthful partnership, along with the same musicians that joined them in 1970. This joyful reunion is released as a CD/DVD combination on 31st [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Stirling & Galway Sessions 2010

Thumbnail image for Stirling & Galway Sessions 2010 by Neil

Next week sees the start of a unique collaboration between two cities on either side of the Irish Sea. In the Stirling & Galway Sessions 2010 a group of 30 musicians, singers, dancers and exhibitors from Conamara, Galway, off-shore islands and the neighbouring counties of Mayo and Clare, will travel to Stirling for the first [...]

Read the full article →

Lau vs Karine Polwart – Evergreen

Lau vs Karine Polwart by Neil

Don’t let the title worry you. Karine and the lads of Lau aren’t engaging in a bit of WWF Smackdown aggro. The latest in the impressive history of collaboration between the various members of Lau and Karine Polwart is an enthralling five-track EP, the first in a series of three such releases planned by Lau. [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Rebekah Findlay – Northern Skies

Rebekah Findlay - Northern Skies by Neil

Rebekah Findlay’s independantly released debut album, Northern Skies, is a mix of self-penned and traditional songs that showcase a multi-talented artist. The opening track, Far From Home, suggests we’re in for a mellow journey with a gentle but confident guitar providing lovely rich tones, alongside light, airy vocals. It’s soon clear, though, that Rebekah is [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Joseph Topping

Joseph Topping - Ghosts In The Shadows by Neil

Joseph Topping, from Wirral, is a multi-instrumentalist / singer / songwriter and by all accounts likes to keep himself busy. As well as gaining a reputation for his own work, he’s also known to use his considerable talent as part of  The John Wright Band, Ashley Hutchings, The Rainbow Chasers and Elbow Jane. Ghosts In [...]

Read the full article →

Lizzie Nunnery – Company Of Ghosts

Thumbnail image for Lizzie Nunnery – Company Of Ghosts by Neil

Lizzie Nunnery, from Maghull in Merseyside,  has two EP releases under her belt and a string of successful live appearances. Her debut album Company Of Ghosts, released on Fellside Records, provides even more evidence of her performing and song writing prowess. I’m always glad to hear a regional accent in a singing voice and Lizzie’s [...]

Read the full article →