Top Picks

  Self-released [usr 3.5] Irish Gaelic roots singer-songwriter expands her horizons A native of Tipperary, Paula Ryan has drawn on her Irish Gaelic roots whilst exploring the influences and unusual instruments of other cultures. She has come up with an album that is ‘solo’ in the true sense of the word. As well as writing […]

Learpholl Recordings **** Ian Prowse makes a welcome return with his second solo album, Compañeros. Compañeros, Ian Prowse’s latest album, isn’t the easiest to rate out of five. I’ve not given it a perfect score as it didn’t blow me away, but it’s a very listenable 50 minutes of material that I can’t really fault

  Woodburner *** A medley of musical influences and brutally honest observations. Clever creativity Self-penned and self-produced, in collaboration with Tansay Omar (the mind behind works by the likes of Bjork and Boy George), Theo Bard’s YOU GIVE EP is an unusual and intriguing production. Never Alone is a strong opening track that shows off

  Busted Flat Records **** Canadian singer-songwriter hits mark with third recording Based in Hamilton, Ontario, Duane Rutter looks, and sounds, like he’s lived a life and then some. “A published poet, preacher, gravedigger, hell raiser…” states the CD publicity. On first listening, Duane sounds like he really means it. His voice has a rasp

  Reviver Records ** Distinctly average EP where the majority of the tracks get very boring, very quickly After a re-branding and a new record deal, LOCASH released their new EP I LOVE THIS LIFE on October 30. Unfortunately there is a lot of work that needs to be done to this EP for it

  Barrelmaker Records *** Write what you know The adage passed from dad Steve to son Justin Townes Earle and thence to friend Brian Ritchey. So he has and BORDEAUX is the result – 11 self-written songs that detail loneliness, depression, loyalty and the birth of his son to name but a few of the

  Avenue A / Thirty Tigers **** The return of a legend What would you think if someone suggested you make an album despite it being 39 years since you last made one? You’d probably think they were having a laugh or being exceptionally kind to a man feeling under the weather. I’ve no idea

Palmer T. Lee was 19-years-old when he inherited two old banjos and he has gone on to build them into his life and career. Teaming up with Kendl Winter they have developed a sound based on the duel picking of those two instruments that, when joined by soft, folk harmonies, is an intriguing package. THE

Despite threats to finally put the music business behind him, Watermelon Slim (aka Bill Homans) is not only back, but fully recharged in the happy company of his Workers. And if you missed him over the past few years, Slim packs a little bit of everything he’s known for into this glorious return to form: