Myrkur: Folkesange review – Danish black metaller makes dense, intense folk
Amalie Bruun goes back to her roots in these new versions of Scandinavian traditional songs, played on mandolas, lyres and a nyckelharpa
Seth Lakeman: A Pilgrim’s Tale review – all aboard the Mayflower
Following in the wake of the Pilgrim fathers, the English folk star sees things from both sides of the Atlantic
Lisa O’Neill review – indelible portraits from outstanding folk star
From unemployed dockers to swooning lovers, O’Neill has a way of getting the audience straight into her characters’ heads
Sam Lee: Old Wow review – a dazzling fusion of nature and song
Lee pursues his twin passions on this fine third album
Sam Lee: Old Wow review – Britain’s nature crisis in gnarly song
Lee’s twee-free third album, produced by Bernard Butler and featuring Liz Fraser, is a stark reminder of this country’s environmental concerns
Grit Orchestra/Celtic Connections review – filmic fusion from an 80-strong band
Greg Lawson’s boisterous ensemble celebrate freedom and the Declaration of Arbroath while US duo Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn add festive moonshine
Joan Shelley: Like the River Loves the Sea review – magnificent love-and-loss songs
Shelley’s fifth album was recorded in Iceland and her music seems more timeless, steely, sad and resolute than ever
Thirty Pounds of Bone & Philip Reeder: Still Every Year They Went review – come aboard
An evocative album of softly shined shanties and folk songs recorded on a working fishing boat, with added atmosphere supplied by the waves and gulls
Hiss Golden Messenger review – songwriter is an anchor in a rudderless world
Playing solo and acoustic, MC Taylor delves into his sizeable back catalogue to deliver redemptive ‘sad folk songs’
Rufus and Martha Wainwright review – quirky, magnificent festive blowout
Chrissie Hynde, Neil Tennant and Sophie Ellis-Bextor joyously topped up the Wainwright siblings’ big-hearted Christmas fundraiser, A Not So Silent Night
Jeremy Warmsley: A Year review – genre-hopping folk-pop for all seasons
The London singer-songwriter – and one half of Summer Camp – released a new song per month during 2019, tracing the ups and downs of a relationship
Richard Dawson review – dispatches from the breadline
A tender but challenging tour of broken Britain
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: I Made a Place review – older, wiser and happier
“Looking for a recommendation for an artist residency that takes small families with two working artist parents?” tweeted Will Oldham recently. The Americana outrider with the shining pate is now coupled up, with small fry on board. His newest album … Continue reading