Emily Smith SONGS FOR CHRISTMAS White Fall Records WFRCD015 **** Thankfully devoid of bells and ho ho ho’s. A Christmas album with a heart of gold. Mention Christmas music and most folk will think of traditional carols or those pop hits crammed onto a CD and invariably called “The Best Christmas Hits Ever. Vol. 97.” …
Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage BEFORE THE SUN Sungrazing Records 4 stars Magical folk harmonies For the follow up to her beautiful debut CHARMS AGAINST SORROW, Hannah Sanders is joined by guitarist and Dobro maestro Ben Savage from folkies The Willows. Under the expert guidance of Toronto producer David Travers-Smith, they have come up with …
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Red Moon Road SORROWS AND GLORIES Manitoba Film and Music ***** Blissfully beautiful folk that will have you harmonising with your hips swaying. Aptly titled Sorrows and Glories, Red Moon Road return with their third studio album, which was recorded in the aftermath of an accident which saw lead singer Sheena Rattai need to take …
John Ward SARGASSO Ion Music UK *** East Anglian singer-songwriter done good Back in the days of yore, a little after the days of knight’s with helmets and horses, but certainly when I still had all my own teeth, I used to watch John Ward playing support slots in many East Anglian folk clubs, often …
Brenda Lee SINGS COUNTRY, ULTIMATE COUNTRY COLLECTION Humphead Hump 2 stars Who knew? This is indeed the very same Brenda Lee, the saccharine rock’n’roller of Let’s jump the broomstick and Rockin’ around the Christmas tree fame, and the tale of what she did next. If you are like me you thought that once she stopped …
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Brooke Sharkey WANDERING HEART Self released 3.5 stars Atmospheric and haunting; but brush up on your French! Brooke Sharkey was brought up in both France and England and spent her formative years busking around Europe. Now settled in London, her unique song writing style and incredibly controlled vocals have brought her to the attention of …
Shantell Ogden THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME Hip Farm Chic Records **** A compelling Americana album that mostly encourages listeners to keep coming back for more September 13 will mark the release of Shantell Ogden’s new album THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME. Not an album for fans of rockier country, nonetheless THE ROAD THAT DRIVES …
Kim Edgar STORIES UNTOLD Quietly fantastic music 4 stars Imaginative story-telling from the Edinburgh songstress Launched to coincide with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this latest offering finds Scottish singer/songwriter and pianist Kim Edgar delving into her innermost thoughts with a 12 strong collection that explores such diverse subjects as the impact of crime and punishment, …
Birte Paulsen BORROWED TIME Self released 3 stars Indie folk noir with a sigh of Nordic melancholy from Brighton’s German expat Well known in the Brighton area, Birte Paulsen has been writing and performing for years but this is her full length debut where she pays homage to her Northern European roots. She finds a …
Mike Smith ALWAYS YOU AND ME EMS Records 4 stars Highly sought after songwriter/musician tries his hand at rockin’ country Well known in music circles as a premier league song writer and musician, Mike Smith has worked with many of the great names, particularly in the world of hip-hop. Now firmly part of the Nashville …
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