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Latest and Current ReviewsFolkWords 'Latest and Current Reviews' - The page directly below features the Latest Reviews, just click on the Read more ... links to see each review in full. Current Reviews are here too and shown by date order at the bottom of this page. You can find older reviews in the 'Review Archive'. If you linked to a FolkWords review that's now moved to the archive and you still want to maintain the link you will need to create a new link to the Review Archive so folk can still read your review. Latest Reviews: ‘Sunday Never Comes' from Jackstraw - music with a tale to tell - February 02, 2012 My first encounter with Jackstraw was some years ago when on hearing their album ‘Rubber Wheels’ so when their latest album arrived it was like fanning up the embers of an old memory – and a damn fine From the gentle, almost horizontal laid-back flavour of the opener ‘Come On Back To Me’ through the frenetic, finger-knotting intensity of ‘Sunny Brae’ and ‘Randy The Rambler’ to the cuttingly poignant and deep emotions of ‘Dark and Empty’ this album drives along and takes you with it. ‘The Waggon Tales' - a spicy blend of traditional and original bluegrass - February 01, 2012 There's nothing like gutsy, low-down, dirty-sweet American bluegrass ... from London - yep that’s right London, England. That's where you'll find The They’re called an alternative bluegrass band and I suppose that’s as good a description as any. It gives you an idea of their approach – immersed in tradition but happy to wander off the 'straight and narrow' into different spaces. ‘A New Season for Love' - Cormac O Caoimh, music for quiet introspection - January 27, 2012 Sometime front-man of The Citadels, Cormac O Caoimh has released his second solo album - ‘A New Season for Love’. It’s a mellow wander through songs from the acoustic finger-picking, Cormac delivers his carefully crafted lyrics with an unhurried, hushed and breathy style that enhances the muted presence of each song. There’s a suspicion of familiarity about his voice, and that’s because it’s so easy to identify with the emotions he conjures. ‘Jokers & Rogues' - Bram Taylor - "folk the way it used to be" - January 27, 2012 Bram Taylor - ‘Jokers & Rogues’ - with the current trend from younger artists trying to be cool by OK, so I might have turned fifty (my goodness…surely not) but I still gain as much pleasure now as I did way back when hearing songs the calibre of Ralph McTell’s ‘Weather The Storm’ and Huw Williams ‘Rosemary’s Sister’ performed by Taylor’s clearly delivered vocals, backed by the sumptuous cello courtesy of Wendy Wetherby. ‘Clocked' from Noam Weinstein - all the expectant intrigue of a first date - January 26, 2012 Why do I love folk-Americana? Because it has teeth that bite, a raging-bull presence, intricate twists From the opening anguished passion of ‘Kill Me Again’ that cuts like a knife, and the tender resignation and alluring melody of ‘As It Fell’ with its superb lyrics, to the folk-pop enthusiasm of ‘Birthday’ with a hook-to-die-for and the sorrowful depth of ‘Time’s Wider’ – this album will grow on you. The acerbic bite of ‘Ugly’ with its inspectional lyrics that take no prisoners, slips seamlessly into the convoluted, barbed lyrics and sharp guitar breaks of ‘Hollywood’. ‘Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston' - a wistfully crafted album - January 25, 2012 Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston - I declare I had more than a passing interest in this recording as soon as I saw the photograph of Rex Preston’s mandolin. OK, so (like many other readers out there) I was If you like ‘folk’ music with an artistic flourish then I can do no more than recommend Preston’s astonishingly deft touch on all things string and particularly the track ‘A Kiss In The Morning Early’ (anyone out there remember The Matthews Brothers?) which is just sublime. ‘London ReBorn’ from Simon McKechnie - sweeping vistas and changing paces - January 23, 2012 ‘London ReBorn’ by Simon McKechnie is an intriguing collection of ‘old-new’ folk songs that encapsulate the variety of life and wealth of histories that permeate London. Blend 17th century folk, The album offers a priceless mix of songs and instrumentals. Opening with ‘Oh London Is A Fine Town’ - originally by Thomas D’Urfay to lampoon the investiture of London’s Lord Mayor. This version begins with a tube-train echo, includes a perfectly placed wealth of musical intrigue by Simon, and superb vocals from Johanna Marshall. ‘One Fine Morning’ - powerful folk-Americana from Chris Chambers - January 20, 2012 How do superb musicians remain hidden from me either by time, distance or accident? One such is Chris Chambers. I’ve listened to this powerful folk-Americana album for hours now; and I remain This album lives in multiple worlds – the verdant landscape of English folk, the tight-woven golden threads of acoustic Country and the eternal essence of deep-moving Americana – the mix combines to create a heady blend. Add to the mixture the laid back, almost laconic vocal delivery, which belies the intensity of the lyrics - until they reach out to catch your soul. Current Reviews: 'Sunday Never Comes' from Jackstraw - music with a tale to tell February 02, 2012 Waggon Tales - a spicy blend of traditional and original bluegrass February 01, 2012 'A New Season for Love' - Cormac O Caoimh, soothing music for quiet introspection January 27, 2012 Bram Taylor - ‘Jokers And Rogues’ - ‘folk’ the way it used to be January 27, 2012 'Clocked' from Noam Weinstein - all the expectant intrigue of a first date January 26, 2012 Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston - a wistfully crafted album January 25, 2012 'London ReBorn' from Simon McKechnie - sweeping vistas and changing paces January 23, 2012 'One Fine Morning - powerful folk-Americana from Chris Chambers January 20, 2012 ‘Pieces of the Puzzle’ by Joanna Weston - a lyrically enchanting experience January 18, 2012 ‘Nine and Fifty Swans’ from Norwegian progressive gothic-folk artist Tirill January 16, 2012 Merlin's Keep - infectious, energetic folk rock January 15, 2012 ‘Mr. Bookshop’ a fine collection of self-penned songs from Polly Barrett January 12, 2012 ‘My Friend Marx’ - debut album from Irish folk-blues singer songwriter Marc O'Reilly January 11, 2012 ‘Tales of Power’ from Magicfolk - a dazzling album January 06, 2012 ‘Hundred Bars, A Thousand Cars’ from Robert Cooper December 05, 2011 ‘Now We Are Six Again’ - Steeleye Span revisited December 04, 2011 Love And Reason' from MacMaster and Hay December 03, 2011 'Moonshee' - mix of Indian and British folk cultures November 27, 2011 ‘A Sound In The Frosty Air’ by Albion Christmas Band November 27, 2011 ‘American Songwriter’ - poignant tales you’ll want to hear November 26, 2011 A Treasury Of Shanties And Songs Of The Sea’ from various artists November 21, 2011 'Yoke' from The Existence of Harvey Lord November 20, 2011 The Woodbine & Ivy Band - traditional and innovative folk rock November 14, 2011 ‘In My Life’ by Kathy Barwick - the blend is just right November 12, 2011 ‘Arise And Go!’ by Stephen James Smith and Enda Reilly ... 'stunning' November 09, 2011 ‘Memory of Voices’ by Andrew Wiltshire - infectious vocals, intriguing tunes November 08, 2011 |
one it is too. It’s no secret that I love American folk and roots music and 
Wagon Tales 
guitar-influenced mind of a man that writes soothing music for quiet introspection and words of poignant inspiration. These are songs that calm the bustle of the day and convey their listeners to some tranquil place of serenity.
and turns, and all the expectant intrigue of a first date – the forthcoming album 
aware of Miranda Sykes if only for her association with Show Of Hands but had, until this time not personally paid much attention. That’ll teach me…for here we have a wistfully crafted album that could see its way into my top ten favourite ‘folk’ recordings of 2012…and it’s only January! This personable duo might find themselves in competition with Simon Mayor & Hilary James and, if so, as Sherlock Holmes might say “...the game’s afoot”.
with 21st century technology, add a touch of self-penned sensation and mix that blend in the bowl of London’s historical and cultural melting pot and you have ‘London ReBorn’. This is more than an album. It’s replete with a startling array of instruments such as the psaltery, hurdy-gurdy, cuatro, tumbi and bansuri. It offers superb arrangements, perfectly-placed sound bites and lyrical observations. It is a carefully crafted, musical depiction of a city. Want to know London? This album is better than any movie.
enthralled. Apparently, this is his fifth album. Where has this guy been hiding? After all, Leicester is not the other side of the world. No matter, he’s on my radar now and likely to remain there.