Barrule
The unique sound of traditional Manx music was once the Celtic world’s best kept secret – until the arrival of Barrule, an exciting new trio taking the Isle of Man’s music to new shores.
Named after the famous Manx summit where the ancient Celtic God Manannan stalked his mighty fortress, Barrule fuses three distinct musical forces – gifted 20 year-old fiddle-player Tomas Callister, accordion wizard Jamie Smith (of Mabon) and versatile accompanist Adam Rhodes (also of Mabon) on bouzouki; coming together to create a powerful and wholly distinctive sound.
Barrule's eponymous debut album showcases a diverse collection of traditional and contemporary Manx music that evokes an atmosphere reflecting the diverse natural beauty of the island; from rousing marches, jigs and reels, to sorrowful slow airs and beautiful songs sung in both English and the Manx Gaelic language.
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Martyn Wyndham-Read - Starlit Skies
Martyn Wyndham-Read has been involved with folk music for fifty years. He continues to tour worldwide singing songs that he has picked up along the way. Starlit Skies, his most recent recording, contains a selection of both old and new songs from various sources (Eric Bogle, Liz Weston, Stephen Gee, Graeme Miles) along with some traditional material and some from his own pen.
“Over the years of my being involved in the beauty of Folk Music, I still experience the thrill and exhilaration of hearing these songs for the first time and then to singing them. I hope that you, the important listener, enjoy the songs and music as much as I have enjoyed singing and playing them in the presence of these musicians of such high calibre.”
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Stewart Hardy - Hawthorn's Sweeter Shade
This album encompasses over 300 years of English fiddling presented beautifully and imaginatively on fiddles and viola (sometimes solo, sometimes tracked) by Stewart himself. The spread of historical sources promises and delivers mouth-watering variety, which is further enhanced with more recent compositions.
The appeal of this album is wide, and the following extract from Di MacGillivray represents a typical response…
“Just a wee note to tell you how much we are enjoying your Hawthorn CD. I love the acoustic purity of it, allowing your musicianship and the integrity of the tunes to shine through. I personally especially love your fiddling in James Hill’s Bottle Bank, it so reminds me of the bowing of the East Country fiddlers in their old traditional Scottish fiddle Strathspeys… The late great Hector MacAndrew would be glowing to hear a tune played that way”.
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Micheal Healy with Steve Cooney - Pleckin' About
Nineteen year old Micheal from Castlebar, Co Mayo, has produced a fantastic tenor banjo album which is perfectly backed by that magician, Steve Cooney, on guitar. The album showcases Micheal's talents as a composer, having penned many of the tracks himself, and he also plays mandolin on some tunes. His siblings, Sinead, Darragh and Grainne add piano, harp, accordion and bodhran.
His playing is crisp and clean, with a bright and lively tone, and the arrangements allow the other musicians to complement his work with just the right degree of backing. Although he doesn’t shy away from rattling out the high-speed dexterity when called for, he is also able to show the necessary restraint where this is beneficial to the sense of the tune.
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Broom Bezzums - Winterman
Broom Bezzums are a unique, powerful live acoustic duo comprising the talents and striking stage presence of Andrew Cadie and Mark Bloomer, and was formed in Germany in 2006.
Since then, they have established themselves as one of the most prominent bands in the folk scene there. The release of their third CD, Wine From A Mug, attracted much attention, with radio play and interviews on many of the country's biggest stations.
Their latest album, Winterman, is a full scale production featuring the usual Bezzums instrumentation and also reflecting the band’s growing use of percussion at live gigs. Occasional 3rd Bezzum Katie Doherty adds her vocals to many of the songs and there is a pipes duet featuring Northumbrian pipes guru Andy May.
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Sisters Unlimited - No Change Of Heart
Sisters Unlimited (Sandra Kerr, Janet Russell, Rosie Davis and Peta Webb) are four women with powerful voices who have performed together with the “wit and wisdom of womankind” for over 25 years. Well known as individual performers, their singing and music draw on the living traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and America, while the material here - a hard-hitting collection of songs of political commitment - is largely contemporary.
“From the moment the four voices in harmony burst into the opening line of No Change There (the jointly-written title track, a powerful indictment of the greed of bankers, politicians and multinational companies), the listener is engaged and treated to a varied musical miscellany. The balance between group and individual singing, accompanied and a cappella, the humorous and the poignant is hard to fault.” Folk London
“The whole album is fun and thought-provoking and there are songs in there that everyone really needs to hear.” Mardles
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Danny & Aki - Music From The Irish, American & Nordic Traditions
Danny Diamond and Aki are a Dublin-based fiddle-accordion duo. Their repertoire is a fresh mixture of music from Irish, American and Nordic traditions. Danny’s open-tuned fiddle and Aki’s modified button accordion together create a unique drone-rich, sparsely ornamented style that brings out the elegant simplicity and timeless beauty of these traditional melodies. The sound is firmly rooted in the tradition, yet their interpretations make the music distinctively their own.
Their music is raw and powerful. Polyphonic sounds on both fiddle and box - the double-stopping of Donegal and Nordic fiddle traditions, the harmonic possibilities of the accordion - allow very full and intense duo arrangements.
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Sarah McQuaid - The Plum Tree & The Rose
Sarah McQuaid is a gifted and captivating performer whose warm, haunting alto is beautifully set off by her “sparkling guitar” (Sing Out!). The Plum Tree And The Rose is her third solo album and has been rapturously received by the folk press, including this very publication:
“There’s no getting around it, Ms McQuaid gets better with every album! Hers is truly a world class talent.” — Clive Pownceby, Living Tradition
“This finely-crafted disc expertly cradles Sarah’s elegantly poised, tenderly expressive singing voice and delicate guitar in quietly monumental arrangements .... Impeccable..” — fRoots
“Sarah’s albums are always a lavish affair, but this feels like her most complete to date, with class stamped all over it.” — David Kushar, Spiral Earth
“A great songwriter and traditional singer, and a wonderful guitarist.” — Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
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Arthur Johnstone & The Stars Band - Doon Through The Years
Recently described by Rab Noakes as “Scotland’s greatest political folk-singer”, Arthur Johnstone has almost five decades of experience at the forefront of the Scottish folk scene.
This CD, recorded live in Glasgow for May Day 2011, is the definitive Arthur Johnstone concert performance, with superb support from Brian Miller (guitar,mandolin), Charlie Soane (fiddle and mandolin), Gavin Livingstone (keyboards, guitars and banjo) and Alan Matthews (bass).
There are old songs, new songs, funny songs, sad songs, even an Arthur Johnstone song; climaxing with a rousing finale to an invigorating evening of top quality Scottish folk song.
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Litha - Dancing Of The Light
Formerly known as the 2Duos, Litha are four renowned and award winning musicians - two from Scotland and two from Germany.
Aaron Jones and Gudrun Walther provide the quartet with two outstanding lead voices with backing vocals from Claire Mann and Jürgen Treyz adding impressive four-part harmonies to the mix. The two men are the backbone of the rhythm and harmony as Jürgen’s varied and virtuoso guitar combines excellently with Aaron's punchy and rhythmical bouzouki. Whether it’s furious Irish reels on the fiddles, a haunting air on the flute or a waltz on the diatonic accordion, the melody is provided by the girls of Litha.
This highly original musical combination has discovered the common ground and kinship between two great traditions and blended them into a new and exciting sound!
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Anthony Robb - The Primitives
A classic album of tunes on single octave Northumbrian Pipes.
“The Primitives is that rare thing; an honest, intimate and personal statement from a musician with something profound to say. The message is not the usual "listen to me", but instead "listen to this". Anthony gives absolute primacy to the instrument and the music he has so carefully chosen to reveal its unique sound. And what a fabulous voice these "primitive" pipes have - sweet, yet suffused with a raw, earthy energy. Anthony is known as someone who thinks a great deal about his music and feels it even more. This work confirms him as a master of his craft - a piper steeped in the traditions of the North East of England, possessing the confidence and respect to allow the music to speak for itself.” - Stewart Hardy.
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Grainne Holland - Teanga Na nGael
Gráinne Holland, from West Belfast is fresh talent in the Irish traditional music circuit with amazing vocal strength and beauty. A pioneer in forging new territory for Gaelic song, Gráinne’s exquisite lyrical charms refresh and revitalise the Gaelic verses of old.
Gráinne brings a new dimension to Gaelic song, adding sultry tones and jazz colours to the traditional nuances of her native singing tradition. Produced and arranged by renowned producer and musician Donal O’Connor, Teanga na nGael is a collection of songs in Irish and Scots Gaelic with progressive arrangements and accompaniment from the leading instrumentalists of our time. The result is innovative, captivating, authentic and stunningly beautiful.
"Gráinne's voice soars and swoops and glides like a swallow in the sublime Irish summer sky, it’s an album of tender beauty and soul sung passion." Damien Dempsey
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Albireo - Northern Cross
Since forming in 2001, Albireo have become firm favourites in the Greater Manchester area. The band comprise Tom Kitching, fiddle, mandolin; Howard Jones, melodeon, Anglo concertina, hammered dulcimer, recorder; Steve Hodgskiss, piano, English concertina; Peter Crowther, bass, keyboard; and Sean Bechhofer, guitar. Their sound very clearly retains its English roots, whilst being fresh, gutsy and attention-grabbing.
The CD comprises 14 instrumental tracks, most are English, Scottish, Irish or American, but some come from further afield and there are some self-penned compositions as well. The emphasis is on folk dance tunes, but they also throw in in-between tune sets and songs too.
Reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes and waltzes are all represented and are sure to set your feet tapping. And if you'd like to get up for a set, the tracks are all arranged at appropriate lengths and speeds for dancing to.
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Triptych - Triptych
Triptych are a vivacious three-part ensemble featuring fiddler Laura Risk, guitarist / percussionist / vocalist Paddy League, and dancer Kieran Jordan. This remarkable trio deliver elegant and soulful renderings of traditional music, song and step dance, from Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian traditions.
They have a tasteful yet gutsy sound, a pleasantly understated approach, with a contemporary acoustic style.
This is their long-awaited debut album, and the CD showcases the fluid, improvisational energy of the trio. Stripping away the layers of larger groups to reveal the music underneath, Triptych show that less can be more than enough.
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David Kosky & Damien O'Kane - The Mystery Inch
Damien is a creative and exciting musician and singer. His banjo playing in particular has led him to being regarded as one of the finest Irish players on the scene today. He is probably best known for his work with Shona Kipling and Flook, but has also recently been a full-time member of Kate Rusby’s band. David is another regular face on the UK and Ireland trad Irish scene, and is in demand both for his cross genre playing abilities and his impeccable guitar skills.
With Damien on tenor banjo, tenor guitar and guitar, and David on guitars, tenor guitar and tenor banjo, and guest musicians John-Joe Kelly on bodhran, Danny Cameron on button box and Carmel O'Dea on fiddle, this is a tremendously skilled and really fun album - give it a whirl. It’s instruMENTAL!
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Nick Dow - My Love You've Won To Keep
This album is a welcome return to the folk scene for Nick Dow, a singer of mainly traditional songs. He’s been busy with his business of signwriting and building and restoring Gypsy wagons, as well as presenting a blues radio programme in Lancashire. It’s his first recording for 15 years, and the quality of his singing is absolutely top notch! He has a warm, mellow, lived-in voice that invites comparison with Cyril Tawney and Dave Burland.
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Lucy Pringle & Chris Wright - The Speaking Heart
Lucy Pringle and Chris Wright began performing as a duo in 2008, brought together by a common love of traditional and contemporary Scottish songs, but it sounds like they have been singing together for years; their work is so intuitive. The Speaking Heart is their first CD together, in which both show a great skill for expressing and communicating the emotion in their songs.
The accompaniment is mostly by Chris, on guitar, banjo, cittern, mouth-organ, piano and shruti-box. The arrangements are simple yet extremely effective, and allow the beauty of the songs to shine through. Simple, elegant, honest - this is a masterclass in Scottish song from start to finish.
“Great instrumentation, great voices – absolutely fabulous songs.” Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
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Fling - A Ditch Near Cree
Fling are a four piece band from Holland playing tunes and songs from Ireland, along with some original material of the same style. Their respect and love of the Irish tradition is evident in their handling of the traditional material, and has an obvious influence in their own compositions.
Evertjan 't Hart, Siard de Jong and Annemarie de Bie are Dutch, and Philip Masure is from Belgium. Between them play Uilleann pipes, whistles, flute, fiddle, bouzouki, bodhran and guitar, creating an impressive wall of sound, with Annemarie providing stunning, often haunting vocals. Comparisons to the likes of Planxty and the Bothy Band have been made and not without good reason.
A Ditch Near Cree is Fling’s fourth release and on this evidence they are just getting better and better.
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The Liam Robinson Dance Band - Welcome Here Again
Liam Robinson is an acclaimed musician and singer from Lincolnshire, who works passionately to promote the traditional music, song and dance of that area. Equally at home on the melodeon, concertina or singing, you will find Liam performing solo, or with his dance band, or calling for many other UK based dance bands.
Welcome Here Again features 14 tracks, all with their roots firmly in the Lincolnshire folk dance scene. There is a “no-nonsense” approach to the music here, with the emphasis firmly on dancing.
Liam is joined by Tim Walker, Nina Zagorski, Frances Kelly and Nils Koster, and together they have produced an album of first class traditional dance music and song, which deserves to be widely heard.
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Adam McCulloch - In These Times
Adam is one of the finest singers to emerge from the Scottish folk scene in recent years. Son of well-loved traditional singer Gordeanna McCulloch, Adam has a strong, compelling voice and is an accomplished guitar player. His pedigree shows in his handling of the traditional material, showing a rare depth of knowledge and understanding of the songs, and his songwriting skills are evident in the one non-traditional track on this fine album.
The content here will be well known to lovers of traditional song, with such favourites as The Rigs O’ Rye, The Carlton Weaver and The Overgate.
Adam is joined by Paul McKenna (backing vocals), John Weatherby (banjo), Ruairidh MacMillan (fiddles) and Kris Koren (mandolin) and together they have provided just the right balance of accompaniment for this quality debut.
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Adrian McAuliffe & Cathal Flood - Between The Strings
Adrian and Cathal, both natives of Co Cork, have to come together to produce an excellent album of traditional Irish music on tenor banjo and guitar. Having played together since 2008, they have a natural, honest playing style that is full of vibrancy, drive and swing.
Guest musicians on the album are Aileen Dillane on piano and DJ Curtin on box, two great musicians from Co Limerick who add another special dimension to the recording.
Between The Strings is a promising debut album from two outstanding artists who deserve to be more widely known, and who we are sure will be regular features on the traditional music scene for quite some time.
“You wouldn’t find better swing in a driving range!!”
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Colin Farrell - On The Move
First solo release from Colin Farrell '' fiddle, low whistle player''. This album gives a great sense of his musical heritage and his ability as an accomplished composer. On The Move consists of original compositions all written in a style that would feel very comfortable to any fan of celtic music. Colin's compositional skills are well showcased here and his accompanist tastefully chosen.
Flutist Michael McGoldrick piano Donald Shaw and bass player Ewan Vernal (capercaillie) Bodhran player John Joe Kelly (flook) guitarist Tony Byrne (Julie Fowlis band) Mike Galvin; acoustic guitar (DeDannan) / Paddy Kerr; bouzouki, bodhran / Jonny Hulme; 5 string banjo / Alan Doherty; wooden flute, low whistle / Peter Brown; button accordion / Pavinder Bharat; tabla / Neil Yates; trumpet / Adele Farrell; button accordion / Shane Farrell; mandolin /Andy Seward; double bass
Recommended to lovers of traditional music with a contemporary feel.
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The Duncan McFarlane Acoustic Band - Marked Out In Pegs
Duncan’s one of the most consistent and genuinely talented performers around. This, his Acoustic Band’s first studio CD, delivers typically robust and lively (yet often interestingly subtle) arrangements of several traditional songs, complemented by a clutch of own-compositions that embrace a gutsy retelling of a North York Moors legend, a tender tribute-cum-reminiscence of Duncan’s Scottish grandfather, some generous life-philosophy and a pair of delicate items dedicated to his daughter, Kiera.
Such is the charismatic nature of Duncan’s personality as a singer and guitarist that it’s tempting to underestimate the excellent contributions of his band, Anne Brivonese (fiddle), Steve Fairholme (melodeon) and Gerry McNeice (double-bass) but the brilliantly supportive simpatico that flows between them all gives rise to an enviably tight group dynamic that oozes dedication, graft and keen musicianship; The high feelgood factor makes this disc a strategic triumph for all concerned - David Kidman
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Windy Gyle Band - Force 6
Windy Gyle Band sprang from the 2007 album Windy Gyle featuring Anthony Robb and friends. Anthony learned most of his music from the traditional players of north Northumberland, notably Will Atkinson and Willy Taylor. Force 6 is a celebration of this measured but energetic Northumbrian style displayed throughout the varied blends of smallpipes, fiddles, guitar, harp and mouthie.
The six band members, Alice Burn, Paul Knox, Nikki Williamson, Heather Robb, Ged Lawson and Anthony Robb, encompass teens to 60s, with each decade represented. This gives rise to a mix of tradition and energy, which perfectly matches the style of the area. They are joined on this joyous album by Folk graduate Ruth Ball (fiddle), Emily Hoile (clarsach) who, with Alice, was a finalist in the 2008 Young Folk Awards, and Jimmy Little (mouthie) one of the last purely “by ear” musicians in north Northumberland.
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The Flying Toads - In Stitches
The Flying Toads are an exciting multi-instrumental band playing inventive arrangements of Irish music that “sparkle with the energy of an early Planxty" (Pete Fyfe). Their name came about as a spoonerism of the Irish hornpipe "The Flowing Tide"!
In Stitches was recorded by Alistair Russell (ex Battlefield Band) with the aim of producing a studio album with all the energy of a live performance. The Toads have focused on arrangements that explore the best blending of sounds and dynamics, as well as choosing tunes and songs that are great to listen to.
"If you’re looking for a good solid Irish traditional album executed with respect and unpretentious musicianship, then the Flying Toads deserve to be discovered by your CD player." - David Kidman.
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Jim Malcolm - Sparkling Flash
This, his ninth solo album to date, shows celebrated Scottish singer Jim Malcolm at his best. With a mix of self-penned songs and some traditional favourites, this is a CD imbued with passion and friendship, history and harmony. Malcolm’s versatility is much in evidence as he plays expressive guitar in DADGAD tuning with virtuoso harmonica, and lyrically his songs range from a suitably macho Bonny Ship The Diamond, through the witty, almost whimsical, jazz-tinged American Accent, through to his trademark, smooth best on the lovely Broom O The Cowdenknowes.
Add to that a stellar cast of guest musicians, including members of Old Blind Dogs with whom Jim played for many years, and you have a fine album from one of Scotland’s finest talents. Don’t miss it!
“Jim Malcolm will just melt you in your seat.” - The Scotsman
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Shauna Mullin - Wishing Tree
All Ireland singing champion and award winner (Newcomer of the Year, LiveIreland, 2008) Shauna Mullin who hails from Co. Donegal joined the David Munnelly Band in 2007 as lead singer, and has been singing with them professionally and touring with them extensively for the past three years.
Wishing Tree is Shauna’s long awaited debut album as a solo artist and features a captivating and exciting variety of songs, ranging from deep and powerful traditional songs in the Irish language to livelier, highly arranged, up tempo songs in the English language.
Wishing Tree aims to take the listener on a musical journey whilst aptly portraying the power, skill and talent of this young singer who is slowly but surely making her own indelible mark on the Irish traditional music scene.
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Niamh Ni Charra - Happy Out
Súgach Sámh / Happy Out, is the latest album from Killarney musician Niamh Ní Charra, and showcases her impressive talent and versatility with a wide-ranging selection of tunes on fiddle and concertina, as well as songs in Irish and English. Following on from her award-winning debut recording, Ón Dá Thaobh / From Both Sides, this new album displays a developed sense of musical confidence and maturity.
She has numerous awards under her belt for both her fiddle and concertina playing, has performed over 2500 shows with Riverdance, and tours extensively both with her own band and as part of the Carlos Nunez band.
Strongly influenced by the wealth of local Sliabh Luachra musicians in her local area, and yet encompassing many of the influences she has encountered on her travels, Happy Out is sure to be on everyone’s top ten album list this year!
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Stevie Dunne - About Time
Stevie Dunne is a pivotal figure in the vibrant Belfast music scene. Equally at ease on the banjo or guitar, his playing is energetic yet subtle, with a distinct regard for the tradition. About Time is his long awaited debut album, and it does not disappoint. It portrays Stevie’s artistry on tenor banjo, tenor guitar and accompanying guitars, and also demonstrates his capacity for composing, arranging, recording and producing. Banjo albums don’t come much better than this!
“Stevie clearly knows his instruments and their capabilities well; the tenor banjo may be regarded his primary instrument, and he coaxes some ingenious subtleties from its strings, but he also proves more than a dab hand at self-accompaniment on various acoustic guitars.” David Kidman
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Lissa Schneckenburger - Dance
Lissa is a skillful, dynamic fiddler from Vermont, who captures the driving rhythm and carefree joy of dance tunes old and new. Each piece is taken from New England's folk music tradition, and has a specific dance that goes with it. The selections range in tone from the sublime to the raucous, with something for every folk music fan.
The tracks are graced with a wide range of accompanying instruments including guitar, double bass, percussion, harmony fiddle, piano accordion, tenor banjo, and horns. "These tunes have been played for hundreds of years, and by countless generations." Lissa says, "I love the feeling of connecting with the past as we put a fresh take on these timeless melodies. We had so much fun playing around with different sounds and arrangements, and thinking about how these old dance tunes might speak to us, as a new generation of musicians."
“World class fiddler …. far from just offering one dance tune after another, simple settings allow the true beauty of the music to shine through." -- Sing Out
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Sinsheen - Lift
Sinsheen is a singing duo consisting of Christine Kydd and Barbara Dymock- each a fine singer in her own right, now working together. They have built a reputation among roots music lovers for originality, virtuosity, rich harmonies and the livest of live performances.
Combining power, passion and pedigree, these dynamic veterans of the Scottish music world contrast stark harmony vocals with light instrumental and percussive backing. Together they explore and innovate, gracefully twisting the tradition and colluding with the contemporary.
The songs of Sinsheen are a voice for the irreverent everywhere, with a brash sense of humour, but a healthy respect for the roots of traditional Scottish music. Songs vary from self-penned via trad to the odd genre-swapping version of a dyed-in-the-wool Scottish favourite. Expect fun and seriousness in equal measure, a performance extraordinarily varied and rich, songs about work, struggle, love, getting the bairn tae sleep, politics, the blues, and dreams.
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Dana & Susan Robinson - Big Mystery
Dana and Susan Robinson’s new album Big Mystery sings of the enduring beauty and prolific life force that exists all around us. From the whimsical springtime-in-the-north setting of the title track, to the Afro-Celtic strains of “Waiting For Gordon” these songs are postcards from the magical and forgotten places they travel.
Simply conceived, and recorded by Chris Rosser in Asheville, North Carolina, Big Mystery highlights Dana and Susan’s sound as a duo. Their trademark, guitar, banjo, and fiddle sound stands out clearly while flourishes of percussion, bass, piano and dotar from Asheville’s world music trio Free Planet Radio are interspersed throughout.
"Many songwriters have been heralded as modern day Woody Guthries or keepers of the American rural spirit, but that mantle might be better entrusted to musicians like Dana Robinson who embody both the heart and the soul of folk music." - Dirty Linen
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Diarmaid & Donncha Moynihan - The Lights Of Ranzanico
Diarmaid and Donncha Moynihan are widely acknowledged as two of Ireland’s finest musicians. Diarmaid is one of Ireland’s foremost uilleann pipers and composers. Donncha is a superb accompanist on guitar and bouzouki. Together they founded Calico, an extraordinary traditional band, who were one of the most influential ensembles to come out of Ireland. Their music has been recorded by many leading lights in the world folk music scene including Lunasa, Michael McGoldrick, Kathryn Tickell, Anxo Lorenzo, Flook, Grada, Kris Drever and Cherish the Ladies.
Their long awaited new album, The Lights of Ranzanico, is a collection of beautiful original tunes fused with Irish and European melodies. It once again demonstrates their creative vision and extraordinary lyrical approach to music which has influenced many artists since they arrived on the Irish music scene. The album features thrilling collaborations with Galician gaita maestro Anxo Lorenzo, British jazz drumming legend Nic France, Brazilian trumpet player Tonynho dos Santos and accordionist Christy Leahy.
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Alan Reid & Rob Van Sante - The Rise And Fall O' Charlie
Alan Reid, one of the founder members of Battlefield Band and an invaluable factor in their success and longevity, does much of the bands singing and songwriting, particularly on contemporary Scottish themes. His latest project ‘The Rise and Fall o' Charlie’ gives a chronological account in song of one of Scotland's most romanticised characters - Charles Edward Stewart - who nearly changed the course of British history.
"Alan Reid and Rob van Sante revisit the myth of the man who would be king in this nicely programmed set, combining the full-blown romance of traditional songs with a more sober revisionist look at history in Reid's own songs...." The Scotsman
"Whatever ones' feelings about the Jacobite cause there can be no disagreement about the quality of every track on this album..." The Scots Magazine
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Geraldine Bradley - From The Rising Spring
Geraldine Bradley is quickly becoming recognized as one of the Ireland’s foremost interpreters of Traditional Song in both the English and Irish languages. Her debut album From The Rising Spring - Cloch Fhuaráin has received critical acclaim since its initial launch at the Ennis Trad Fest and has earned her distinguished reviews in the Irish Times, The Journal of Music in Ireland, Irish Music Magazine, to name but a few .
Geraldine comes from an extended family of traditional musicians from South Armagh, amongst them the renowned fiddler, Paul Bradley. She learned songs from her family and from their extensive collection of recordings of The Johnstons, Tommy Makem, Na Filí, Gerry Hicks . In Rann na Feirste, Donegal, she was taught by Sean Nos Singer Húidí Phaidí Húidí (Aodh ó Duibheannaigh) and sought out the singer Néilli Ni Dhomhnaill to listen to her singing in her home. This album, however does not confine Geraldine to the traditional genre alone, displaying a much wider scope of influences and Geraldine’s ability to interpret a range of material from Ireland, Scotland and North America. The result is a well-blended mix of her own recreation of these traditions exploring subjects from heartbreak to humour.
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Dave Swarbrick & Alistair Hulett - Saturday Johnny & Jimmy The Rat
This 1996 release combines a mixture of Alistair’s political songs and some traditional material, with accompaniment from the legendary Dave Swarbrick. Though his death was untimely, Alistair has left us with a wonderful legacy in the form of his writing, his recordings and the widespread influence he had through his activism on behalf of many very worthy social causes.
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Alistair Hulett & Dave Swarbrick - Red Clydeside
A CD of 9 original compositions by Alistair, telling the story of Glasgow’s working class resistance to the Declaration of War in 1914, including the story of the movement’s leader – John Maclean – who was twice sentenced to imprisonment, and twice released early due to enormous public protest. Again joined here by Dave Swarbrick.
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Marianne Green (with Andy Irvine) - Dear Irish Boy
Marianne Green’s debut album with Andy Irvine, “Dear Irish Boy”, presents traditional Irish songs from Ulster and especially from Co. Down. Of the 12 tracks on the album, two are written and composed by Marianne Green herself and one by her collaborator and producer, Martin O'Hare. As well as songs in English there are two songs in Gaelic, also from the northern tradition. Co-producing and playing on the album is Andy Irvine, who is an icon in Irish music. He is particularly known to be one of the most innovative forces encapsulating the essence of tradition while adding new time signatures and chords.
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Caladh Nua - Happy Days
Founded early in 2009, like many of the great Irish traditional bands Caladh Nua simply formed as a result of great musicians crossing paths, realising a special connection and then wanting to share it with the world audience. The ensemble comprises of five musicians from three beautiful regions in Ireland, counties Carlow, Waterford and Kilkenny. The tasteful musical arrangements of Caladh Nua include traditional Irish dance music and traditional songs alongside some more recently composed pieces giving a perfect balance between innovation and preservation of Ireland’s wonderful music and song tradition.
Eoin O'Meachair (banjo, mandolin, whistles and vocals); Paddy Tutty (fiddle); Lisa Butler (vocals & fiddle); Derek Morrissey (button accordion); Colm O'Caoimh (guitar, bouzouki & vocals)
“ …Solid traditional music with plenty of flair and lots of musical imagination.” Irish Music Magazine
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Mairearad Green - Passing Places - Live at Celtic Connections (CD and DVD)
A musical and filmic journey through the spectacular scenery and cultural riches of the Wester Ross Coigach peninsula.
Mairearad Green is fast gaining a reputation as one of Scotland’s most talented young composers. Mairearad was commissioned by Celtic Connections New Voices series to compose this work, which is accompanied by stunning visuals of Mairearad’s hometown, Achiltibuie in Wester Ross.
This is a CD and DVD. The CD is a live recording of the first ever performance of ‘Passing Places’ at the Celtic Connections Festival, 2009. Musicians include Mairearad Green with Anna Massie, Hamish Napier, Donald Hay, Duncan Lyall, Peter Tickell, Adam Sutherland and Adam Bulley.
“ … Passing Paces had it all, memorable tunes and exquisite playing, capped off with a wonderfully executed visual backdrop synced perfectly to the music.” Barry Gordon, The Scotsman
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Mairearad Green & Anna Massie - Mairearad & Anna
Renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, Mairearad also plays Scottish Border Pipes. In great demand as a performer and composer, Mairearad can often be seen on stage with Anna Massie, Box Club, The Poozies and The Unusual Suspects and she has also toured with Karine Polwart and Eddi Reader.
Anna Massie is an exceptionally talented instrumentalist, she excels in playing the fiddle, mandolin and tenor banjo. Though perhaps most impressive is her guitar playing - equally at home either accompanying in her unique rhythmic style or flatpicking tunes. As well as fronting The Anna Massie Band is in great demand for session and recording work. On ‘Mairearad & Anna’ they explore tunes together as a duo using their full range of instruments.
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Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll - Beneath the Black Tree
Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll are highly respected musicians, composers and workshop leaders from North Devon. Their passion for English traditional music and the violin has led to the development of their unique style. Becki's melodic, emotive violin and viola blend with Nick's driving fiddle chords and powerful vocals to create a rich, captivating sound.
'Beneath the Black Tree' is a beautifully crafted album of tunes and songs from the English fiddle tradition, infused with atmosphere and passion. Combining traditional and self-written material, the album also features the percussion skills of Keith Angel and double bass from Andy Seward.
“ …passionate musicality and distinctive presence.” The Living Tradition
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Pur - The Lassies' Reply
The Songs of Robert Burns in both Gaelic and Scots, released to coincide with the 250th Anniversary of Burns’ birth and designed to demonstrate that the two cultures can co-exist and complement each other.
The duo Pur are two of Scotland’s best known and brightest young traditional musicians, Scots singer and fiddler, Shona Donaldson and Gaelic singer Katie MacKenzie. Katie is a graduate in Gaelic Song of the RSAMD. Brought up in Dingwall she has played the fiddle, clarsach and sung since a small child. Shona, from Tarland, was a finalist in the Young Trad Musician of the Year in 2005 and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, 2006. She studied at the RSAMD and plays fiddle as well as being a singer of Scots songs.
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Various Artists - The Complete Songs of Robert Tannahill, Vol 2
Dr Fred Freeman who produced the highly acclaimed ‘Complete Songs of Robert Burns’, a twelve volume set on Linn Records has now turned his attention in this bicentenary year, to the works of Robert Tannahill in a 5 volume set.
Featuring an all star cast of singers including Emily Smith, Lucy Pringle and Jim Malcolm alongside Nick Keir (The McCalmans), Brian O hEadhra (Anam), Steve Byrne (Malinky) and Marieke McBean (Rallion) with modern folk arrangements by many well known musicians including Aaron Jones (Old Blind Dogs), Mark Duff (ex Capercaillie), Angus Lyon (Box Club), Frank McLaughlin (Mick West Band), John Martin (Tannahill Weavers), Stevie Lawrence, Wendy Weatherby and Chris Agnew.
Vol 1 was received with great critical acclaim. “ …The arrangements are superb, seemingly perfect natural frames for the words. …the singers are superb.” Sing Out!
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Olov Johansson & Catriona McKay - Foogy
Catriona McKay and Olov Johansson’s album of traditional and new music presents the unique and dynamic sound of the Scottish Harp and the Swedish nyckelharpa. Olov is a founder member of Vasen, Sweden’s top traditional group, and Catriona is a member of Shetland band, Fiddlers’ Bid. Catriona and Olov first met in Stockholm at a concert shared by Fiddlers’ Bid and Vasen.
“ … It’s hard to find the boundary between Scottish and Swedish, but is sounds so insanely good that your only thought is that it must not stop.” Smalandsposten.
“ …The two instruments complement each other beautifully throughout this album, producing a full and rich sound which is as ancient as the tradition with the freshness of today's young virtuoso musicians.” Alex Monaghan – The Living Tradition
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