Reviews

With a vocal style that has been compared with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Peggy Lee, it’s quite surprising that Bronwynne Brent hasn’t yet progressed in popularity beyond a hardcore of fans. Let’s be clear from the start. Those fans that have been drawn in by her first two solo albums, ‘Deep Black Water’… Read more »

Imagine a band with the naivety of mid period Incredible String Band and straight forward folksy instrumentation, songs of emotion and natural wonders. Three of them, Emma Morton(autoharp/vocals,) Jon Griffin, (guitar/vocal,) Andy Thomas (bass,) a mere five tracks but a lot to take in. Best offerings ‘Rich For All My Sorrows,’ with loads of harmonic… Read more »

Can’t help it… I don’t want to…  honestly. Every time I play ‘Elemental,’ I keep hearing, subliminally of course, Spriguns, Curved Air and Renaissance. Elaine Samuels and her rotating collective admit they’re progressive, folk rock and I’d say there’s far more of the former obvious here than the latter. Okay, they’ve got a fiddle and… Read more »

Musically reminding me of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah band and visually of Devo, this album their fourth and five years in the making is a sublime example of British sonic eccentricity.Hailing from Leeds Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers are known for their dynamically and outrageous live shows and exhibitionism. Filled with catchy and positive lyrics… Read more »

The Moore the merrier… Someone had the unenviable task of listing all Christy Moore’s recent gigs on the fold out cover and booklet of ‘Magic Nights.’ Quite a feat in itself since the sources of the material here are drawn from venues the length and breadth of the both Ireland and the U.K. Neither is… Read more »

This is the sixth album by Shrewsbury based singer songwriter Vin Whyte but is the first released under the First Mate identity. Taking the one man band, one stop shop concept to the limit the album was, written mixed and produced by Vin himself. The songs themselves are founded on stories mostly by real life… Read more »

Let’s just take a moment to summarise how we get to the release of ‘Natural Invention’. Gigspanner came about as a vehicle for ex-Steeleye Span fiddle maestro, Peter Knight, to lead a folk trio with the guitarist Roger Flack and percussionist Sacha Trochet. As musical boundaries were crossed, their inventiveness led to a meeting with… Read more »

Now then what have we here? Reviewer rubs hands in anticipation of wonders within. The only thing that’s a bit distracting is a huge egg on the cover perched on a leather chair. Never mind, one spin is enough to convince that investing in Threepenny Bit is well worth it. Where have this crew been… Read more »

There’s a point of view that says the world of music is all about the song. With this in mind, we should cherish our singer songwriters in what is a fiercely competitive arena. Ask any musician who has trodden the boards and corridors of the music world, they will tell you it requires a firm… Read more »

Shadow Work is the latest EP from Aruba Red. Five songs that soulfully explore a period of healing after experiencing trauma, that itself opened a lifetime of unresolved issues. This is a soul being laid bare in a way that caresses the heart, soothes the brow and ultimately uplifts. Aruba Red has crafted a sensual… Read more »