Posted
Categories: Reviews
If ever there was a bunch of esoteric individualists it’s Gryphon. They’ve always been endearingly bonkers, even when they were trying to be serious. It was a trait that meeting with any of them revealed. There was always that twinkle in the eye and a laugh which told you there were no starched collars within… Read more »
Posted
Mysterious and enigmatic the music of Trees has historically been hard to find and expensive, yet has become the stuff of legend. A new 50th Anniversary box set from Earth Records, creatively titled ‘Trees,’ collects everything worth hearing by this iconic band. Folk rock might have taken a different path if they’d endured thinks Simon… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
Steve Jinski used to be a more rabid character. When our paths first crossed he was a singer of the people, an artist as principled as Billy Bragg and just as he, dragging his guitar along. Where he differs from the Bard of Barking is Jinski has always had more accessible melodies and more broad… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
The Chair hail from Orkney, a wild and beautiful series of islands off the north east tip of Scotland. I came across them initially with their debut set ‘Huinka,’ which was as lively a barrel of monkeys as you could wish for. They’ve recorded intermittently since, ‘Orkney Monster,’ is only the third set they’ve… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
Hannah Elizabeth and Griff Jameson give us harmony vocals backed by tight guitar and violin in a unique style that is gaining this duo a deserved reputation. As the title suggests, these are story songs inspired by Whitby and the Yorkshire coast that make interesting use of location sounds to good effect without becoming cloying…. Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
December usually means a month on the road for the Father of folk rock, with the one continuation of the brand Albion, this year though like most other artists he’s seen cancelled gigs and had to stay at home. For a creative sort that’s really hard to take, so reading the signs early, the decision… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
This is an unusual CD that, while it has limitations, is really rather charming. Alan Whitby, originally from South Wales, is the father of Amy Goddard, who’s well known as a quality singer/songwriter. Having been a feature on the local folk scene and known for his occasional appearances with his daughter on stage, Alan’s at… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
If you have not come across the music of Kate Shayler and Chris Brooke then their excellent first full CD will provide you with a great way to dip your toe in the water. It is difficult not to think of the label Americana when faced with high class harmony vocals and great guitar and… Read more »
Posted
There is so much talent in the world of music that gets missed in the hurly burly, fast moving world of modern life. Jesse DeNatale is one such diamond in the rough. His first two albums, ‘Shangri-La West’ and ‘Soul Parade’ garnered praise from the unlikely extremes of Nick Hornby and Tom Waits. Current label… Read more »
Posted
Categories: Reviews
A child prodigy to modern day guitar hero at the age of 43, this documentary pulls back the curtain and chronicles his journey with behind the scenes interviews and live concert footage showcasing some of the biggest names in music. It’s an entertaining testament to a man who built a reputation based on the solid… Read more »
