
Review: Kate Rusby LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT
Kate Rusby LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT Pure records 4.5 stars Another gem from the award winning Yorkshire folkie Soon to be celebrating 25 years in the folk business, Kate Rusby albums never fail to impress and LIFE IN A PAPER BOAT is up there with the best. Kate’s fragile but hauntingly beautiful vocals are perfectly suited to the mix of self-penned and traditional numbers. Producer husband Damien O’Kane has done a sterling job and there is nothing approaching a sub-standard track on the album. Rusby has surrounded herself with some of the best supporting musicians from the folk world with Dan Tyminski and Ron Block from Alison Krauss’ Union Station guesting on a couple of tracks. Her song writing is as innovative as ever and I really loved the imaginative lyrics on ‘Hunter Moon’ and the two songs with a seafaring theme, ‘The Mermaid’ and of course, the title track. Just one cover, Archie Fisher’s The Witch of Westmorland; a great tale of a witch with amazing healing powers. One bonus track is included; the catchy Big Brave Bill, a ‘Superman’ like character from Barnsley who comes to the rescue on numerous occasions and derives his strength from drinking
Green Rock River Band – 'Edgelands' Review
Green Rock River Band Edgelands Self-released ✭✭✭✭⭐︎ Following up on their debut album in style Green Rock River Band were
Matt Saxton: A country-rock breakout sensation
Matt Saxton I Wasn’t Looking For Love Self-released **** An expert fusion of rock and country Returning with
Upcoming country star hitches on to the Christmas bandwagon
Sarah Darling WINTER WONDERLAND Self released Clearly a rising star, Sarah Darling has built up a significant fan base
Interviews

Encore – Janet Devlin
How did you get into country music? I have always listened to country music—it’s the biggest genre in Ireland. Growing up, it was everywhere, from shops to petrol stations. I

The Castellows’ ‘Place They Call Home’
The Castellows’ Place They Call Home is a heartfelt country ballad blending nostalgia, harmonies, and timeless storytelling with Flatland Cavalry’s signature sound As the country music landscape continues to evolve,

Gold, Grit, and Gravel Roads
Dierks Bentley’s journey from honky-tonk rebel to country legend proves he’s still pickin’, grinnin’, and reinventin’ his sound. Maverick takes a look at Dierks Bentley’s country music journey Few artists

A throwback to Alyssa Bonagura
Maverick Magazine throws back to our 2022 highlight of Alyssa Bonagura for this issue’s Blast from the Past. Alyssa grew up on the road as she joined her parents on

Beyond Nashville: Peru
Diego Dibós Diego Dibós is a Peruvian singer-songwriter and producer known for fusing country rock with Latin American influences. Born into a musical family, he started his career in the

Elton celebrates ‘extraordinary’ 10th number one album
Sir Elton John says he is “blown away” after scoring the 10th UK number one album of his career. Who Believes In Angels?, a collaboration with US country star Brandi

Beyond Nashville-China
China Tang Hanxiao (Terry Tang) Tang Hanxiao, also known as Terry Tang, is one of the most recognized names in China’s emerging country music scene. A singer-songwriter with a deep

Miranda Lambert’s Mutt Nation: This is dog country!
We take a look behind the music at Miranda Lambert’s other passion: rescuing, fostering and ensuring that pooches paws are kept looking prim across America. Miranda Lambert, a celebrated name
Live Reviews

Encore – Janet Devlin
How did you get into country music? I have always listened to country music—it’s the biggest genre in Ireland. Growing up, it was everywhere, from shops to petrol stations. I

The Castellows’ ‘Place They Call Home’
The Castellows’ Place They Call Home is a heartfelt country ballad blending nostalgia, harmonies, and timeless storytelling with Flatland Cavalry’s signature sound As the country music landscape continues to evolve,

Gold, Grit, and Gravel Roads
Dierks Bentley’s journey from honky-tonk rebel to country legend proves he’s still pickin’, grinnin’, and reinventin’ his sound. Maverick takes a look at Dierks Bentley’s country music journey Few artists

A throwback to Alyssa Bonagura
Maverick Magazine throws back to our 2022 highlight of Alyssa Bonagura for this issue’s Blast from the Past. Alyssa grew up on the road as she joined her parents on

Beyond Nashville: Peru
Diego Dibós Diego Dibós is a Peruvian singer-songwriter and producer known for fusing country rock with Latin American influences. Born into a musical family, he started his career in the

Elton celebrates ‘extraordinary’ 10th number one album
Sir Elton John says he is “blown away” after scoring the 10th UK number one album of his career. Who Believes In Angels?, a collaboration with US country star Brandi