Tuesday, 07 February 2012 
Andy Cutting
Andy Cutting
Despite the mass of albums that Andy has appeared on this is his first solo release, nearly ten years in the making it is a definitive portrait of the mans unique talents on the accordion. With a set of his own compositions and some selected favourites he demonstrates why his playing is so in demand. The guests he has on the recording never overwhelm the accordion at the centre.
A subtle and masterful musician
finally gets centre stage.
A Taste of Truth
Brooke Sharkey
Debut EP from singer songwriter Sharkey. Singing in both English and French she weaves quite a spell, especially on 'Les Amoureux' and 'Our Ways' when both languages mix in one song.
A promising debut that leaves you wanting to hear more from her. Hopefully a full album is not too far off.
Hadestown
Anais Mitchell
Hadestown is a concept album of titanic proportions, a folk opera based around the Orpheus myth set in post apocalyptic depression America.
A good gauge of how good this kind of project is whether it conjures visuals in the imagination; Hadestown does it in technicolor. It summons a wonderful blend of the musicals of the forties with the sensibilities of Tim Burton. Pulling in everything from Blues, ragtime, 1940's jazz and swing.
This defines Mitchell as a unique talent, there isn't really any frame of reference for this work, it's a beat classic.
Netherbow
saltfishforty
Orcadians Douglas Montgomery and Brian Cromarty's third album. The magic that has made them a highly popular live act continues with the mix of trad and new compositions on Netherbow.
The tunes here are a tad more restrained than previous albums, but none the less maintain that delightful thread of style and melody that ties them to Orkney.
Tyde
Tyde
I was gobsmacked by the performance this trio gave when they were in the BBC Young Folk Awards final 2009. Inevitable comparisons with Lau will be drawn as their sound shares the same instruments and energy.
Maybe the comparisons should stop there as they are more than capable of standing on their own feet. This debut is a success story in every sense and Tyde are a must-see act of the moment who are full of promise.
Ain't No Fairy Tale
Boyd & Wain
Katy Boyd and Benny Wain are a great example of the exciting wave of acts fusing folk and Americana to great effect in the UK.
With big guitar and rolling fiddle
underpinning Katy's honest voice they deliver an album full of toe tapping songs. Both exemplary musicians with a combined spark that makes their Anglo-American fusion a delight to listen to.
Reviews
The Fragile - O'Hooley & Tidow
Young Man In America - Anaïs Mitchell
State Of The Union
Kris Drever with Éamonn Coyne and Megan Henderson EP
Simone Felice
John Barleycorn Reborn: Rebirth
Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston
Music News