January 2011

Cape Breton Sound Comes to the UK – Free Events

by Alex 31 January 2011 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!

The winners of this year’s TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards

by Alex 31 January 2011 Uncategorized

The annual TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards are a big highlight of the Irish tradtional music year. The results this year include Grammy award nominee tunesmith Liz Carroll for Traditional Composer of the Year as well as Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, flutist and singer with Danú, for Traditional Singer of the Year and the Gradam TG4 Traditional Musician of the Year goes to Noel Hill!

Album Review: Tony Reidy – Hayshed Days

by Alex 31 January 2011 Uncategorized

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!

Ceòl Cholasa 2011

by Alex 31 January 2011 Uncategorized

Ceòl Cholasa is a fledgling festival that takes place every September on the small Hebridean Island of Colonsay which measures only 8 miles by 3 and has a population of 120 islanders. This year’s lineup includes: Lau, Nick Keir and Stephen Quigg and The Poozies.

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.

Full Line Up for Bristol Folk Festival Announced

by Alex 28 January 2011 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!

Album Review: Lumiere (Pauline Scanlon and Éilís Kennedy)

by Alex 27 January 2011 Uncategorized

Pauline Scanlon and Éilís Kennedy have joined forces to form a mighty Irish duo by the name of Lumiere. Both hail from the same Kerry town of Dingle and bring their own individual rich qualities to make this an unforgettable album.

Album Review: Reg Meuross – All This Longing

by Alex 26 January 2011 Uncategorized

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.

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

by Alex 26 January 2011 Uncategorized

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!

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

by Alex 25 January 2011 Uncategorized

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.

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.