Reviews

Of late, music releases from Terry Allen have proved almost as elusive as the whale in the title of his latest, ‘Just Like Moby Dick’. That’s not to accuse him of being lazy as he keeps himself busy enough with his art – a quick look at his website will reveal this. So, as a… Read more »

That we are living in strange times is an indisputable fact. Over the last six months I’ve ping-ponged between wanting to bury my head in the sand and seeking citizenship of virtually anywhere that isn’t here (or America). I used to look to music to pull me out of a hole, put my hat straight,… Read more »

We Banjo 3 are actually a quartet made up of Enda Scahill. (Tenor banjo, vocals) Martin (tenor banjo, mandolin, vocals) & David Howey (lead vocals, guitar) and Fergal Scahill brother of Enda is a celebrated Irish fiddle player who also contributes via viola, dobro, percussion, guitar, mandolin and vocals. Known as one of the best… Read more »

Welcome to our review round up by Simon Jones of other releases received and duly considered, November 2019:   Postcards & Pocketbooks. – Bella Hardy Subtitled‘The Best Of,’ it’s hard to credit it that ten years have passed since Bella Hardy debuted, winning a pile of gongs and awards since, perhaps a decade is a… Read more »

Luke Jackson’s got a sharp eye and a computer memory. The title holds significance, Journals is the recorded equivalent of cinema verite wherein melody and lyric form pictures in your mind as Jackson’s world view unfolds. We live in uncertain times at any level you care to mention, what’s revealed here is just how deep… Read more »

With a nod in the direction of Banksy, Chris While and Julie Matthews deliver again on a set which is their strongest in many a moon, amplified by the fact underneath all the calm there flows a river of anger, frustration and fire, balanced by ever present compassion. Hasn’t it always been so? From the… Read more »

This London based four-piece first hit my radar back in early summer with the digital release of their debut single ‘Play Johnny Play’ – a hard driving rocker sung in strident tones by vocalist Callum Lury – that immediately put one in mind of John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their live shows have drawn… Read more »

A weird name which reflects the fact that the sound here is other worldly, a dream after a fashion, Bird In The Belly reshape and craft alternate versions of trad folk, doggerel and lore producing a haunted selection which has quite an impact. Imagine Comus stirred with Steeleye Mark 2, some of Kate Bush’s fantasy… Read more »

Sam Kelly and Ruth Notman have joined forces to produce  a ten-track album of traditional and self-penned songs within a contemporary style. Damien O’Kane as producer adds that extra expert touch. It’s almost ten years since Ruth Notman released her last album, ‘Life of Lilly’.  Although well received at the time, Ruth decided on a… Read more »

Harp and a Monkey have been beavering away in the North West of the UK producing a rather unique sound to their folk music for some ten years. To create something of a fun challenge as the band started, they decided that their instrumentation should be refreshed with instruments that they had not played before…. Read more »