Even the sleepiest amongst us have probably noticed that quite a lot has happened over the last five years. Not quite pestilence, famine and flood but pretty close. Basically, it’s been a pretty depressing time since 2018; too many idiots and too much idiocy. Listening to the latest Ímar album, Awakening, it’s blindingly obvious what’sContinue reading “Imar – Awakening”
Author Archives: tallfolk
The Levellers Collective – Together All The Way
Honestly. You take your eyes off of a band for thirty-two years and what do they go and do? Make you look like a right old idiot, that’s what. Who knew that The Levellers were still making records this great? Admittedly, Together All the Way is the second under the Levellers Collective name and theContinue reading “The Levellers Collective – Together All The Way”
The Young ‘Uns – Tiny Notes
This, the fifth album by extraordinary North East story-tellers, The Young ‘Uns is taking a while to process. They promise “folk songs for our time” but they don’t say “folk songs that will reach into your chest and wrench out your heart”. Yet this, assuredly, is exactly what Tiny Notes does. As such, it givesContinue reading “The Young ‘Uns – Tiny Notes”
Leveret – Forms
Somehow it seems vaguely incredible that Leveret are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year. Ten years of three of our greatest musicians making some of the most astonishing English folk music together. Ten years of an almost telepathic connection between Sam Sweeney (fiddle), Andy Cutting (melodeon) and Rob Harbron (concertina). Ten years that you wouldn’tContinue reading “Leveret – Forms”
Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell – Downend Folk & Roots – July
There are flickerings, scratches and scritches echoing and haunting Christ Church this evening. As late July sunlight pours into the place, blinding those on stage, things half forgotten, less than half remembered, sit, patiently, and wait. Owen Spafford and Louis Campbell are young, their brilliant debut album just released, and are right at the forefrontContinue reading “Owen Spafford & Louis Campbell – Downend Folk & Roots – July”
The Levellers – Lloyd’s Amphitheatre – June
Don’t you just love it when something does exactly what was promised? Saturday’s Bristol Sounds gig was billed as “A Beautiful Day Out” and that is precisely what we got. It was a one-day off-shoot of The Levellers’ annual gathering of the tribes. Local hero, and perennial support act for The Levellers, Gaz Brookfield wasContinue reading “The Levellers – Lloyd’s Amphitheatre – June”
Amanda Shires – The Exchange – June
Despite Black Deer festival, despite Taylor and Kacey, Country music gets a bit of a bad rap in the UK. In the public perception, it’s either nasty, misogynist bro-country or sugar-y sweet tweeness. It’s either big-hat or big-hair. It’s a shame really because, as Amanda Shires and Jarrod Dickenson effortlessly prove, country music is great.Continue reading “Amanda Shires – The Exchange – June”
Steve Earle – St George’s – June
There’s always been something about a gig filled, summer evening in Bristol. As the day cools and the last rays of sun roll down Park Street there’s a sleepy, smiley laziness, a hand beckoning you over, the promise of fun as the night unfolds. There’s a gentle hum about the place, a buzz, a thrumContinue reading “Steve Earle – St George’s – June”
Bella Hardy – Downend Folk & Roots – June
Almost exactly nine years ago Downend Folk & Roots peeked, slightly hesitantly, into the world. Back then it was Downend Folk Club but the first, proper, headline act was Bella Hardy fresh from winning The BBC Folk Singer of the Year award. She was astonishing that night and gave the Folk club a glow ofContinue reading “Bella Hardy – Downend Folk & Roots – June”
Maddie Morris – The Glass Studio, St George’s – June 2023
Do you know what a quiet storm sounds like? A gentle fury? A smiling punch to the face? It turns out that these things sound like Maddie Morris. The very last winner of the BBC Young Folk Award, a socially conscious songwriter, an interpreter of old songs and creator of new ones. She is aContinue reading “Maddie Morris – The Glass Studio, St George’s – June 2023”
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