Fiona Cuthill & Stevie Lawrence - A Cruel Kindness
A new collaboration between two well respected musicians who between them worked with Scottish groups such as Rallion, The Iron Horse, Whirligig Canterach, Abel Ganz, The Wendy Weatherby Band and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers. They have produced a quality album which features many of their own traditional style tunes.
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Elbow Jane - The Boldest Blood
Having picked up plaudits such as "One of the top acoustic acts in the country" (R2), "A thinking man's band that has plenty to say" (Maverick)and "Three fine songwriters...highly skilled instrumental work" (fRoots), Elbow Jane return with their second album for Fellside. Their trademark vibrant sound and soaring harmonies are well to the fore on this set of new songs and given that they've got "two of the best male singers around" (Properganda) what more could you ask for?
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Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick - Walnut Creek
Two icons of the English Folk Revival, Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick have had a huge influence individually, as a duo or as individual members of the seminal Folk Rock bands, Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention. In between they have notched up memorable contributions to an array of different groups and projects. Perhaps, though, they will be most remembered for their duo formed in the 1960s, resurrected in 1989 and which has been an on-going occasional outing ever since. What is remarkable is their intuitive almost telepathic connection on stage. This creates a tension and excitement for the audience and really comes to the fore in a ‘live’ setting. This set of ‘live’ performances garnered from various concerts on three continents from 1989 to 1996 perfectly illustrates this. 2011 sees them celebrating their 70th birthdays.
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Hedy West - Ballads & Songs From The Appalachians
DOUBLE CD FOR THE PRICE OF ONE Hedy West was among the best women singers of the American folksong revival. She came to prominence in the middle 1960s. Writers of the time hailed her as “among the most talented and accomplished of our young folk singers” and also commented “there are very few female singers in the English-speaking world who can equal Hedy West for general level of performance”. She came from Georgia in the USA and much of her repertoire came from her family. She stayed in England for a few years, established herself of the European scene and recorded three LPs for the Topic label. All three are contained here. She sings accompanied by her 5-string banjo. From classic ‘big’ ballads like ‘Little Matty Groves’ to lightweight ditties she displays consummate skill. Although she remained active until her death in 2005 (aged 67) she made her last album in 1980. Her albums have become much sought after and she has developed a cult following.
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A L Lloyd - Bramble Briars & Beams Of The Sun
DOUBLE CD FOR THE PRICE OF ONE A L Lloyd, was one of the architects of the UK Folk Revival in the 1950s. He was a writer, broadcaster, folk song collector, folklorist, artistic director of Topic Records and mentor to many aspiring folk musicians. He was also a noted performer in his own right. In the early 1950s he set about recording English versions of the great Folk Ballads to be found in Francis J Child’s five volume monumental work ‘English & Scottish Popular Ballads’. The complete set of recordings is on this double CD collection. It is handsomely packaged with an extended booklet written by Dr Vic Gammon, former Director of the Folk Music Degree course at Newcastle University, which gives a fascinating insight to the ballads and Lloyd’s singing of them. Despite its seemingly scholarly approach Lloyd’s obvious enjoyment and the relish with which he sings these songs make it a highly listenable set.
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Pilgrims' Way - Roadside Courtesies
Pilgrims’ Way, an arresting new young trio, are stamping their feisty, refreshing take on trad folk firmly on the roots scene. The innovative acoustic hail from the northwest of England are bound together not only by musical roots - but also red hair! The line-up comprises the distinctive, captivating vocals of a new face on the scene, Lucy Wright, who is also a fine Jews’ harp player. Lucy has joined forces with fiddler Tom Kitching, a former BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards finalist. Probably best known as one half of a duo with singer-songwriter/guitarist Gren Bartley, Tom has been described by Living Tradition magazine as “one of the best young fiddlers in Britain” and also plays a mean mandolin. The third “pilgrim” is inventive box player Edwin Beasant -an incorrigible and talented multi-instrumentalist, who also plays guitar and bass and had a stint as drummer. Focusing on “gimmick free folk” and drawing inspiration from some of the most influential bands of the 60s and 70s revival, the resulting sound is edgier than the folk on the village green but firmly rooted in the traditions of England and its cross-currents with Ireland and America.This is their debut album.
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James Findlay - Sport And Play
James Findlay walked away with the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award title on Friday 4th December 2009. Amongst a stunning group of finalists James' amazing voice and distinctive guitar and fiddle style stood out. He is influenced by all genres of music, but his love lies in traditional English folk music and ballads and in a short space of time he has developed a stage presence all of his own. As well as the Young Folk Award James was the winner in the ‘New Roots’ national competition for up-and-coming folk performers in 2008. Judging the Young Folk Awards Bellowhead’s Jon Boden exclaimed, “Bloody hell, what a voice!' was my first thought as he launched into his two songs. He's warmly charismatic with that sparkle of personality that draws a crowd along with him.” This is James’ debut album on a major Folk label.
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422 - Go Forth
It is eleven years since 422 won the 1999 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award. The reasons for winning were obvious with comments like the one from Folk On Tap magazine “their playing is excellent, the arrangements, inventive, the choice of tunes interesting and the whole imbued with the drive and energy of youth”. They went on to make three albums the last one being in 2005. In the meantime individually and collectively they have collected degrees and a raft of other band experiences including the Kathryn Tickell Band, Baltic Crossing, The Hut People, Alistair Anderson’s Steel Skies various ceilidh bands and numerous one-off collaborations. Add to this teaching, tutoring and producing albums for other people. Having concentrated on playing ceilidhs they are back playing concerts. This wealth of experience has been brought to bear on the new album. The mix is as eclectic as before taking its sources from Britain, Europe and beyond. The musicality and skill which underpins their playing is again in evidence; their challenging arrangements bring the music to life. Everything is played with flawless enthusiasm. “This is the sound of musicians who enjoy what they do and it’s easy to get caught up in it” Dirty Linen (USA)
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Various Artists - All Along The Wall
A group of five singer/songwriters and two poets were gathered in a house near to Hadrian's Wall and given the task of writing a cycle of songs and poems connected with the Wall. They laboured for six days and on the seventh they presented the songs in concert. This CD was recorded at that concert. The songwriters were Boo Hewerdine, Jez Lowe, Julie Matthews, Rory McLeod and Ruth Notman. The poets were Kate Fox and Elvis McGonagall. Theye were joined by instrumentalist Kate Bramley on fiddle.
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Ewan McLennan - Rags & Robes
Every now and again Scotland produces a male singer with real class. Archie Fisher, Ian Campbell, Dick Gaughan, Bobby Eaglesham, Rod Paterson spring to mind. Now there’s Ewan McLennan a young folk artist who has been making headlines over the last year, performing festivals, clubs, and concert halls across the country. 'I was completely and utterly bowled over by Ewan's music. One of the most exciting new voices I've heard in years ¬ deep commitment and understanding is the bedrock and there's a sure touch here that runs through the music like iron.’ Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
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Lizzie Nunnery - Company Of Ghosts
Lizzie's approach and highly individual songs raise her above the usual run of songwriters. Lizzie certainly stands out from the crowd and her material is accessible enough to get her noticed on a wider scale.
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Joseph Topping - Ghosts In The Shadows
This is is a mix of traditional and original music. Sometimes bluesy, sometimes trad British and sometimes Americana in feel.
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