Project SMOK "Bayview"
Own label, 2020
This is the debut full length album of a new powerhouse of Scottish folk music. Low whistle player and piper Ali Levack is without doubt most in the limelight of this trio - an extraordinary musician who deservedly won amongst stiff competition the 2020 BBC Radio Scotland Young Tradition Awards. His low whistle skills put Ali amongst the greatest, with names such as Brian Finnegan and Michael McGoldrick coming to mind. Yet the other players in the trio are equally brilliant - the very effective often low key guitar playing of Pablo Lafuente and an impressive rhythm section of bodhran player Ewan Baird are essential ingredients of this delightful trio.
Siobhan Miller "All is not forgotten"
Siobhan Miller has established herself as one of the prime Scottish folk singers on a very crowded scene of excellent singers. Her new album has evolved from her last two albums - “Mercury” featured solely her own material and “Strata” was a traditional album - with “All is not forgotten” combining original and traditional material. The recording is more reflective and paired back - the excellent instrumental backing is much more subtle, yet as effective as you would expect of this all star band: Lau’s Kris Drever on guitar, Breabach’s fiddler Megan Henderson, guitarist Innes White, pianists John Lowrie and Siobhan’s husband Euan Burton on double bass. The new material is often co-written by Siobhan with some musical companions, with rich lyrics and contemporary topics - “While the whole world sleeps” is particularly effective. Amongst the traditionals, “Selkie” is my favourite, featuring also beautiful harmony singing with Kris Drever; the version of “Loving Hannah” is wonderfully calm, with only subtle guitar accompaniment. The album finishes on a light hearted note, with a superb version of the classic comedic Adam McNaughtan song “Cholesterol”, with a bit of a man informal singalong of all musicians. »A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending a day with the fantastic vocal trio Little Acres.
The incredibly talented Rachel Lightbody took
the traditional song 'Loving Hannah' from my upcoming album and wrote a beautiful a cappella arrangement for their monthly video series.
It was a joy to sing it with them.« - S.M.
Talking about exceptional Scottish albums of 2020, here’s another stunner of a debut album, featuring striking Gaelic vocal harmonies with excellent accompaniment. In Sian, three of the greatest, award winning, young Scottish singers of have come together to celebrate Gaelic songs composed by women. It took the trio three years from forming to recording their debut album - certainly also due to their busy schedules elsewhere: Ceitlin Lilidh performs solo all over the world and presents at BBC Alba, Ellen MacDonald is singer with Daimh and Niteworks while also working in children’s programmes at BBC Alba, and Eilidh Cormack is busy as a Gaelic tutor in primary schools. Calum Martin "Imrich"
Calum Martin "Frayvn - Roots" (2015)
This Gaelic singer, composer and musician from the Isle of Lewis has been on the music scene for many decades - his first album was published 40 years ago - yet this is the first time I have come across him. His trademark seems to be a huge versatility in music genres interpreted in Gaelic, as particularly witnessed on his 2015 album “Frayvn”. Various Artists "Sounds From The Great Garden - A Lismore Gathering” [Double CD]
This double album invites you to a “ceilidh” get-together on the Hebridean island of Lismore, where all local musicians, singers and storytellers come together to entertain. In other parts of the UK perhaps you would call this more a variety show a la “Lismore got talent”: Traditional song and tunes mingle with atmospheric locally based storytelling and poetry (amusing, mysterious or serious) ceilidh dance music meets jazz, Russian Orthodox choral songs follow contemporary songwriting. Other than Mairi Campbell, there are not many names on this album that stand out as known beyond this little Scottish island - although many of these talented people should be. Andrea Capezzuoli "Intrecci"
Andrea Capezzuoli e Compagnia "Balquebec"
These two 2019 albums show many different aspects of talented Italian melodeon player, composer and singer Andrea Capezzuoli. Finnish fiddle sensation Frigg is turning 20. Whilst most of their birthday party gigs had to be cancelled / postponed due to the current corona virus restrictions, the band’s jubilee album had fortunately already been released and has given us some joy in these difficult times.
The powerhouse of the septet are its four fiddlers, with expert additions of guitar, mandolin/cittern and bass. Nearly all of the material is original (with just one traditional tune in the mix). Whilst drawing on Finnish and Nordic music traditions, Frigg’s music takes its very own life, blending these traditions with creativity and influences from European folk, classical and other music styles. Commentators previously described Frigg as “Nordic Grass” but on “Frixx” I did not feel the bluegrass element as particularly strong in the majority of the tracks. Many of the tunes are energetic and uplifting, and, in a very fluid way, are full of creative arrangements and surprises that make the most of all the instruments. Mixed in are a few reflective pieces that ooze Nordic melancholy. At 20, and with its 9th album, Frigg are certainly on top of their game.
Korriganed "Live"
Here’s to another birthday, even greater than Frigg’s one: Breton band Korriganed turned 45 in 2019. Yet “Live” is only its 5th album - so on average the band released not much more than one album per decade - thus this release is extra special to Korriganed’s fans. The five musicians from Sene in Britanny play and sing traditional Breton BalFolk songs with each of the tracks on this album being a different dance, plus a version of the Scottish song “Both sides the tweed”. Four of the five band members sing, and the band plays accordion, violin, guitar and bass. Over their 45 years the band has played only a bit more than 1000 concerts, largely in France, but also in Ireland, the Basque, and Burkina Faso - yet their popularity on their home turf is very high, with anniversary concerts/festivals, every 5 years, in their home town having attracted several thousand. And the album shows why - this is Breton danceable folk song at its best.
The Servant's Ball "The Servant's Ball"
Some of England’s fine folk musicians have come together in this band to play their contemporary version of music and song played in dance bands of the 1920s and 30s. Their music was inspired by a set list of Scan Tester's Country Dance Band. According to Wikipedia, „After the First World War Scan Tester formed a "jazz band" - that was a country dance band that included a full drum kit. It was called Tester's Imperial Band. He hired rooms and taught the dances - quadrilles, schottisches, polkas, and the like - before the dance started.
Our modern version of the Country Dance Band certainly has the spirit of putting behind the worries and play with energy and passion. Featuring Rob Habron on concertina, Ben Nicholls on double bass, Julian Hinton on Piano, Ben Paley on fiddle, Ewan Wardrop on banjolele and foot taps, and Evan Jenkins on drums, Servants Baöl recreate a music style which is rarely heard today. The eight tunes and five songs are great fun; they transcend boundaries of today’s folk music scene, in a pleasant and highly entertaining way. This sounds like one of those bands I‘d hope to dance along soon after the Covid19 lockdown is finished.
The Rowan Tree "Kolor's Gold"
A fascinating project by Cornish Band The Rowan Tree taking the listener back to a time between the 1880s the 1950s, when Cornish miners were working side by side with Indians in the Indian Kolar Gold Mines, establishing at the time strong links between Cornwall and India. The album showcases the stories of these miners, in a rich musical project which brings the Cornish band together with Indian musicians. Cornish/Celtic folk music is woven together with Indian and other music styles. „One and all“ is a shanty about the Cornish being ready to mine for the gold; „10,000 miles“ features a brass band; there’s a song about the Indian women and children employed by the mining company, about love letters being sent between Cornwall and India. The hymn of the workers at the Gold mine „And am I born to die“ features English and Indian languages and the Choristers from Truro Cathedral. The album concludes with original voices of the Kolar Gold Mine community, put to music. This is an amazing and well executed project, with great music that tells of a bit of British history which is very little known today.
Ben Walker "Echo"
Well established as as session guitarist, the producer of over 50 albums and as part of the BBC Folk Award winning Duo with Josienne Clark, this is the first full length „solo“ album of this gifted English musician and composer. It is not quite so solo as there is a strong cast of guest musicians and singers. The majority of tracks are songs, sung by an impressive list of guests - Bella Hardy, Kitty MacFarlane, Hazel Askew, Laura Ward, Tom Ashworth, Laura Hockenhull, Jinnwoo. The album‘s house band includes violin, viola, cello and double bass. The material consist of originals, including a couple of guitar focussed tunes, traditionals and poems set to music. The arrangements are evocative and highly effective. Ida & Louise "Shtoltse Lider - Proud Poems"
Yiddish culture was flourishing between the world wars, and it was in that period that a group of female Yiddish poets that inspired this album was most productive. After the war, their poems, in Yiddish language, were forgotten and it took until the 1980s that they were rediscovered and also translated into English. Brian O hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie "Tuath - Songs of the Northlands"
Both Brian and Fiona are well known as great singers in Scottish and Gaelic songs, solo, as a duo and in their various bands and projects. Their new album is again focussed on Gaelic song, blending traditional and new material. The subtitle to the album though suggests that the music is spreading its wings a bit further – and indeed there is a song each in Danish and Norwegian language plus a venture away from the Northlands to Spanish Galicia with a Gaelic translation of a Galician cantiga. Still, I did find that the two singers are at their strongest in the Gaelic material. Whilst I love the singing, I find some of the programming and ambient electronic sound effects somewhat irritating - despite the strong cast of musicians involved (Mike Vass, Innes White, Tom Gibbs).
Midwood "Out of the Narrows"
Klezmer music is clearly known for its drama; however I wonder if there has been a more dramatic interpretation of Klezmer violin than what we hear on the debut album of this modern American Klezmer band. Jake Shulman-Ment‘s violin playing is cinematically arranged with electric and acoustic guitars and drums and percussion. With a mix of traditional and new material, the music is full of improvisation, roughness and wilderness, which is creating an intense drama for the listener. For a couple of tracks of quiet and incredibly sad sounding Yiddish love songs, the three musicians are joined by singer Eleonore Weill. A new and exciting way of presenting Klezmer, this album is charged with intense interpretations and does demand serious listening.
Hannah James And the JigDoll Ensemble "The Woman and her words"
Hannah James says that her music has always started with her feet, as a contemporary clog dancer; she is equally renowned as an excellent accordion player. For an accordion player and dancer, Hannah James’ new album is surprisingly focussed on songs, all written and sung by Hannah. With a beautiful and light voice, Hannah’s songs are lyrical and contemporary, yet in the English folk songwriting tradition. Her band, the Jigdolls, add superb musical arrangements to the songs to a great theatrical effect - with Kate Young on violin, Marti Tarn on bass guitar, Andras Des on percussion and guest cellist Toby Kuhn - plus Hannah’s accordion and foot percussion.
Finn Paul "Wind & Stone"
The debut album of Finn Paul is shaping a distinctive individual music style for this young Scottish singer songwriter, perhaps best described as Scottish Soul - following in the footsteps of Blue Rose Code. With his soulful voice, Finn sings about love and landscapes, with lyrics full of blue feelings and poetry. Intimately arranged with elements of folk, acoustic pop as well as jazz and electronic music, talented producer Angus Lyon (who also produced some of Blue Rose Code‘s albums) has helped honing in the Scottish soul sound of this album. Different, refreshing and imminently appealing.
Bragr "Live at Engelsholm Castle"
Bragr - a stunning blend of Swedish and Nordic sounds and free Jazz. Whilst Bragr‘s music is quite often built around the rich enchanting sound of the nyckelharpa, played by Swedish Perry Stenbäck, it is the fresh contemporary arrangements by the three Danes of the quartet that make Bragr so special: Featuring the sometimes beautifully gentle, but then also jazzy improvised grand piano, the groovy fretless bass and the rhythmic percussion/drum kit. The beautiful lilting vocals with great harmonies add another stunning jazzy edge to the tunes. Benny McCarthy "Press and Draw"
Irish accordion wizard Benny McCarthy is well known through his work in various prestigious Irish trad bands, most notably Danu and Rattle the Boards. Having featured on over 30 album over his many years as professional musician, this is his very first solo album. It is a proper unaccompanied solo album: Just Benny with his various accordions and melodeons. Featuring 15 different types of traditional Irish tunes, each tune is played on a different accordion or melodeon - the impressive collection of instruments can be seen on the cover of the album. The album is a showcase of Benny’s exceptional skills, and will offer a wealth of inspiration particularly for other musicians.
NIEMI "Spiraalit / Spirals"
On her debut album, young Finnish singer and composer Inka Niemi has directly found her very own musical niche: Finnish lullabies. Her original and traditional lullabies are steeped in Finnish traditions and inspired by the silence and natural wonders of the vast Finnish forests. Niemi‘s alluring gentle voice is interwoven in gentle ambient soundscapes - if you are like me, this description may turn you off, but to my surprise, I really like the resulting sound. A peaceful and magical album that does what lullabies are meant to do - soothing and relaxing.
Salt House "huam"
Salt House’s music is all about charming and elegant poetic songs from Scotland. With its line-up, perhaps I wouldn’t have expected a trio focussed on songs and songwriting: Given that it features Shooglenifty’s guitarist Ewan MacPherson and one of Rant’s fiddlers Lauren MacColl, plus Jenny Sturgeon on harmonium, pump organ, dulcimer and piano. However, all three are also wonderful singer and songwriters. The majority of the songs are written by the trio, with some being the old words of poets of the past put to music. The lyrics do have a traditional feel and often reflect the mythical feel of Scotland’s wonderful natural world. “Huam” is a calm album which sits comfortably along albums of some of the greatest singer/songwriters on the British folk scene - by the tracks on the album I am reminded of Karine Polwart, Greg Russell, Kris Drever and others.
Kaja "Origo"
Kaja is taking us with their latest album on an instrumental tour de force, through a world of music that blends classical chamber, Eastern European folk and Jazz with nods to Klezmer and World music. “Origo” has the flair of sophisticated film scores; the relaxing music paints beautiful images in the mind of the listener. The Swedish trio features violin, a groovy double bass and accordion; as well as, on the Jazzy “Tram No 9”, some hand clapping. The album culminates in a 12 minute long three-piece suite, leaving the listener in awe of this enchanting music.
Jim & Susie Malcolm "The Berries"
Now, Jim Malcolm has been for several decades been famed as one of the finest folk singer/singer writers in Scotland, with 11 brilliant solo albums to date under his belt. Yet since recently, he is touring and recording as a duo - with his wife Susie, who is in her own right an award winning traditional singer. Her vocal harmonies could be heard on a number of Jim’s solo albums, but now, with their children being grown up, Susie has joined Jim as a duo partner on equal footing, each leading about half of the songs.
“The Berries” takes the listener in its songs around Scotland - with songs from the travelling, farming and fishing traditions, To Glasgow with Hamish Henderson’s classic “”John MacLean’s March”, and there’s a Bruns song (Lassie lie near me), and a much more contemporary Karine Polwart song, “John C Clark”. The album has a very relaxed and authentic feel. It is less of a firework of songs that want to impress, but more a confident selection of classic songs that could be found in a good Scottish singalong: a celebration of Scots songs by two great singers.
Kalasfolket "Kalasfolket"
Swedish instrumental folk rock from four seasoned Swedish folk musicians with experience of playing in a range of other genres - pop, rockabilly, reggae, Rock’n’Roll. Whilst all the tunes on the band’s debut album are steeped in Swedish and Nordic traditions, the fiddle and accordion carrying the melodies are put to unusual new arrangements with electric guitars, bass and drums: there’s Swedish folk hard rock, trad Heavy Metal, Folk Rock’n’Roll, Folk ska and Reggae. The Swedish dance tunes are often newly composed, but also include local tunes from Anundsjö and well known Swedish fiddle tunes - of course all presented in the unique Kalasfolket way.
The Idumea Quartet "More than one"
Appalachian folk music presented in the format of a classical string quartet, with two violins, a Viola and a cello - and three singers. Whilst there is, as you would expect, a chamber feel to the music, it is quintessentially trad music. Indeed all of the musicians have a traditional music background, and the majority of songs and tunes are traditional (if not self-composed in a trad style). „More Than one“ is the quartet‘s debut album, and it is in more than one way a success - a tasteful selection of songs and tunes, charming, unusual and witty chamber arrangements and great musicianship with expressive vocals make this a most welcome addition to Appalachian folk music recordings.
Plantec "Hironaat"
Previously “just” an instrumental electronic bal folk trio, Plantec has always been über cool - yet with their latest album they have turned even more hip, with the addition of contemporary vocals. The first track sets the tone: set to electronic beats, the melodic rap chant of the boys alternates with Plantec’s trademark cool jazzy bombarde. Five further songs feature the trio’s vocal chants. Yet the trio’s voices are not the only addition to the new album, Plantec have also invited a number of guest musicians and singers from around the world - Japanese and Burkina Faso instrumentalists, as well as four mighty female voices from Finland and Britanny. Robert Severin "Postcard from Budapest"
This is the debut album of this Scotland-based British-Hungarian singer songwriter. In his ballads, Robert takes us on an intimate journey through stories of the turbulent 20th century history of Hungary. Our imagination follows a love postcard from a young woman to an Englishman never sent on the brink of The Second World War; we hear about the Scottish matron at a Scottish Mission School in Budapest who decided to stay during the War with the school children in Hungary rather than returning to Scotland and who in the end died in Auschwitz; we follow the escape of Robert’s parents from the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 to the UK; and find out about the fate of refugees from Hungary. The album had to finish on a positive note in 1989 when the Cold War ends - and for Robert a love story commenced. The meaningful lyrics have lots of depth and beautifully narrate these extraordinary stories. Robert Severin’s singing has the cafe culture flair of French chanson singers. The Scottish string quartet Innotet joins the singer on four songs.
An evocative album to properly listen to and reflect on.
Andreas Tophøj & Rune Barslund "Trails and Traces"
Being my favourite Danish folk music duo, I am delighted to review the very first full length album of Andreas and Rune, after a charming EP a couple of years ago. The accomplished young musicians are masters on their respective instruments - Andreas on fiddle (plus viola and piano), and Rune on accordion (plus low whistle and piano). They are also superb composers of new traditional sounding music - all tunes on the album are composed by either Rune or the duo. The music has its roots in the duo’s native Jutland peninsula, but has clear influences from Irish and other Celtic music and other musicians and cultures. The result is new Danish music with an international outlook. The strong communication between the musicians, which is a hallmark of their concerts, is also evident on this recording. The album is rounded off with an enchanting traditional Danish song, “Rosen”, presented by Sine Lahm Lauritzen.
Central to the music, the low whistle of Ali Levack is full of interest, with always creative and at times unexpected ornamentations - be it in slow atmospheric pieces or in breathtakingly fast tunes. The interplay with guitar and bodhran evidences how closely knit a trio this is.
The track “Ceitidhs” is a real beauty - an atmospheric low whistle tune leads into a wonderful Gaelic song sung by Rona Lightfoot and Megan Henderson, later on accompanied by highland pipe (the only time Ali picks up the pipes on this album). Other guests that can be heard on the album include fellow Young Traditional Musician Awards winners of previous years, Mohsen Ameni on concertina and Benedict Morris on fiddle.
I referred to Flook, when naming their album “Ancora” best album of 2019, as being in a league of their own - well this was last year, as now they are joined by Project SMOK. Over the past week I have listened to this album already dozens of times; an album that helped lift my spirits during the Covid-19 crisis. A must-have album.
Own label, 2020
This album is delightful, showcasing the warm charming voice of Siobhan in its best light, and you could not wish for a better band to join her.
Watch the video on their YouTube channel!
The album presents vividly arranged harmony singing, with a contemporary flair despite staying true to the essence of these ancient Gaelic songs. The producer of the album, amazing Donald Shaw of Capercaillie, will have had a helping hand in the carefully crafted arrangements, which include on some tracks subtle accompaniment by Donald, guitarist Innes White, fiddler Charlie Stewart and percussionist Signy Jakobsdottir.
I am enchanted by this an extraordinary trio; three stunning voices combined in playful and well arranged harmonies, creating real magic.
Leum Records, 2019
Leum Records, 2015
Both of these albums feature primarily Calum Martin compositions of Gaelic songs and tunes, and each album features an impressive list of some two dozen guest musicians, from folk and contemporary music genres.
”Frayvn” quite happily ventures from Gaelic rock songs to Folk rock pipe tunes (some with superb arrangements - a couple reminded me Paul Mounsey’s Brazilian- Scottish “Nahoo” album); from Gaelic Americana and Blues to very traditional Scottish Gaelic psalms. Three guest singers shine as well - a stunningly beautiful song sung by Isobel Ann Martin, a Gaelic rock song featuring Willie Campbell and a Country song with Adam Cunningham. It’s fair to say that, due to this wide variation of approaches and styles, not all tracks hit it off with me.
Whilst still sharing many of the features with Calum’s previous album, “Imrich” is perhaps more clearly steeped in Gaelic roots rock, with a clear theme of emigration. There is a strong Canadian link - with the great Yves Lambert Trio contributing on two tracks including a French Canadian Yves Lambert song. The majority of songs are again Calum Martin compositions, compared to “Fravyn” with a stronger focus on songs and on Calum’s vocals. Yet there are also a couple of tunes, both prominently featuring Ross Ainslei on pipes. The guest list on this album is yet again spectacular - I count 23 guest musicians, on instruments from fiddle, cello and pipes to guitars, drums and programming - just to pick up a couple more highlights of contributions; Fraser Fifield on sax and Alasdair White on fiddle.
There is lots to like on these two albums even though the stylistic variations may take some getting used to. If I had to choose between these two albums, overall I would probably go for “Imrich”, simply because the Americana elements on “Frayvn” are not so much my cup of tea.
Clincart Music, 2019
The charming collection of pieces on these two CDs keep us entertained for a whole evening (two hours), and I am sure many of us long at the end of this to live in a community with so much talent and where it is normal for this variety of talent to perform side by side
Rox Records, 2019
Rox Records, 2019
„Intrecci“ is a solo album with guests, yet it is Andrea‘s melodeon that is always the star - indeed it feels that even the vocals in the songs are accompanying the accordion rather than the other way round (and the melodeon playing sometimes stealing the show with all its ornamentations). The album celebrates Italian folk song and music, often composed by the master himself, with the occasional French song or Balfolk number thrown in. Andrea sings quite a few of the songs himself, yet there are also guest singers, as well as guest musicians on bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, sax and more. The constant is the quality, passion and confidence of the accordion playing.
“Balquebec”, recorded by Andrea’s ensemble, is different, as the title indicates: a Double CD of energetic French Canadian dance music, played by four Italians. A number of tracks feature a dance caller calling in Italian - for international audiences, the sleeve notes include English dance descriptions too. As a result of the calling, the enjoyment of pure listening is somewhat interrupted. Yet musically this ensemble is on top form, playing authentic sounding Québécois dance music, featuring Andrea on melodeon, feet percussion and occasional lilting; as well as a fiddler, pianist and the caller who also can be heard step dancing.
Own label, 2019
Own label, 2019
Own label, 2020
Own label, 2019
A refreshing and varied album steeped in English folk traditions.
Kakafon Records 2019
In recent years, the poetry has been given new life in the music project of Swedish/Danish Duo Ida & Louise. Inspired by the poetry as well as the lives and languages of these five poets, the two singers, musicians and composers set the poetry to music. Attractive vocal harmonies with graceful and imaginative arrangements on piano and soprano saxophone, plus guest cello on three tracks, capture the essence of the feminine poetry; with reference to the music styles between the wars. The lyrics used on the album are a blend of the original Yiddish poems and the English translations. A powerful and convincing album.
Naxos Records, 2020
Chant Records, 2018
Own label, 2020
The title track shows Hannah in another light - „The woman and her words“ is, with its nearly 10 mins, storytelling at its best, the story is sung and set to dramatic musical arrangements. The album closes with two instrumentals - „Tuulikki‘s tune“ is written for Tuulikki Bartosik and is clearly inspired by the Nordic music of this Estonian musician, and the percussive „Shield‘s time“ showcases Hannah’s other passion, her contemporary clog dancing, featuring also some superb lilting with a Scandinavian flair.
Own label, 2019
Go Danish Folk Music, 2020
The material is dominated by Swedish traditions but also features Danish and original material. Recorded live at a castle, the acoustics are giving an extra dimension to Bragr‘s music, although on a couple of tracks the clap-along by the audience is too dominant ( the only criticism I can find with this album).
This is inspired music which fluidly bridges genres yet is steeped in Swedish traditions. A gem of an album.
Own label, 2020
Nordic Notes, 2020
Hudson Records, 2020
Kakafon Records, 2019
Own label, 2019
Own label, 2020
Penny Fiddle Records, 2020
Own label, 2020
The essence of their self-branded and very danceable „Fest Noz Trad Electro“ is still at the heart of Plantec, yet the additional variety of vocals and guests makes this album even more exciting and will open the appeal up to many new audiences. Mighty, mesmerising, memorable - a must-have.
Own label, 2020
Go Danish Folk Music, 2020
A beautiful and relaxed album of these two rising stars of the folk music world.