EP Review | Self Release | Review by Liam Wilkinson Whilst the era of glossy TV talent shows has produced more than its fair share of unsatisfyingly flimsy acts, it’s refreshing to find a robust and exciting country band shining like a diamond in the rough. Texas Hill consists of Craig Wayne Boyd, Adam Wakefield … Continue reading Texas Hill – Texas Hill
The Wildmans – The Wildmans
Album Review | Mountain Fever Music | Review by Liam Wilkinson To hear a mere snippet of anything by The Wildmans is to know that the pure mountain waters of Appalachia flow through this family band’s veins. Whilst we’re blessed to have many bluegrass outfits from further afield, bands that might never have set foot … Continue reading The Wildmans – The Wildmans
John Anderson – Years
Album Review | Easy Eye Sound | Review by Liam Wilkinson “How I’m still here remains a mystery,” John Anderson sings on the opening track of Years, an album which has miraculously emerged from a time of unrest and uncertainty. Whilst 2020 has been pretty wicked to us all, the US country singer has endured … Continue reading John Anderson – Years
Rachel Newton – To the Awe
Album Review | Shadowside Records | Review by Allan Wilkinson I guess we’ve come to expect nothing short of 'class' from Rachel Newton, the Scottish singer and harpist, whose exquisite musicianship has been integral to such explorative outfits as The Shee and The Furrow Collective as well as her own solo projects over the past … Continue reading Rachel Newton – To the Awe
The Bills – ‘Til the Blues Have Gone
Album Review | Wheeling Records | Review by Allan Wilkinson Not to be mistaken for the Canadian folk quintet of the same name, though perhaps this duo do have a bona fide claim to the name, in view of the fact that the two musicians here are genuine Bills. Bill Booth and Bill Troiani hail … Continue reading The Bills – ‘Til the Blues Have Gone
Star Feminine Band – Star Feminine Band
Album Review | Born Bad Records | Review by Allan Wilkinson If you were to tot up the ages of this seven-piece all-female Benin-based group, the figure would still be under one hundred. In fact, the average age of these young musicians is just fourteen, ranging between ten and seventeen. Female groups in Benin are … Continue reading Star Feminine Band – Star Feminine Band
Ben Glover – Sweet Wild Lily
EP Review | Proper Records | Review by Allan Wilkinson I imagine the overriding desire to maintain momentum in these difficult times is stronger than usual, a time to ponder on the future, focus on direction and to tie up all those loose ends. Under normal circumstances the County Antrim-born singer songwriter Ben Glover, now … Continue reading Ben Glover – Sweet Wild Lily
Chilly Gonzales – A Very Chilly Christmas
Album Review | Gentle Thread | Review by Allan Wilkinson If Ken Burns was to make a documentary series about Christmas, this would be the soundtrack. Seasonal songs in a minor key to old black and white photographs, highly melodic classics for people who don’t necessarily like Christmas perhaps. I have to say though, I … Continue reading Chilly Gonzales – A Very Chilly Christmas
Ian A Anderson – Royal York Crescent EP
EP Review | Ghosts From the Basement | Review by Allan Wilkinson More ghosts from the basement, the latest coming in the form of a limited edition EP which recalls Ian A Anderson’s third album release on Village Thing Records, Royal York Crescent. The EP features four of the songs from that album, the last … Continue reading Ian A Anderson – Royal York Crescent EP
Multiquarium Big Band – Remembering Jaco
Album Review | Naïve/Believe | Review by Allan Wilkinson “What was it like to play with Jaco?” asks Peter Erskine, Jaco Pastorius’ former Weather Report band mate, “in a word it was fun”. Remembering Jaco is a musical project, which sees the collaboration between the French Multiquarium Big Band and the famed gypsy guitarist and … Continue reading Multiquarium Big Band – Remembering Jaco
