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”
Category Archives: Folk
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”
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”
Jim Moray – Folk House – May 2023
It’s probably about time that some dues were paid. Way back at the end of the 1990s English Folk music was in a dreadful state. The Fast Show lampooned it, the image was of tankards of ale and fingers in ears, the only people interested were earnest, bearded, old men. Almost no one cared. ThoseContinue reading “Jim Moray – Folk House – May 2023”
The Langan Band – The Jam Jar – May 2023
For most bands the pandemic was a nightmare. It stopped tours, drained possibilities, put plans on hold for two years but seemed like much longer. Two years, though, is nothing to festival favourites, The Langan Band. Their debut album came out in 2013. Their second came out two weeks ago. Various personal difficulties delayed recordingsContinue reading “The Langan Band – The Jam Jar – May 2023”
Jon Wilks – Downend Folk & Roots – May 2023
There’s something so wonderful about listening to someone who just knows stuff. Just hanging out while they spin stories, digress, mine fact-y nuggets. While they find truths in the everyday and fashion magic from mere words. It’s just the greatest thing. Jon Wilks knows stuff and hanging out with him brings you more stories thanContinue reading “Jon Wilks – Downend Folk & Roots – May 2023”
Talisk – The Mount Without – May 2023
The Mount Without is an old, repurposed church in Bristol, bits of which date back to the 12th century; other bits are practically brand new and reach back to merely the 18th century. Somehow it feels like the right venue for a bit of folk music. It’s beautifully decorated and still has a wonderfully vibrantContinue reading “Talisk – The Mount Without – May 2023”
TallFolk 