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@ Jacky Molard Quartet Suites (Innacor INNA11213). Following on from their inter- esting Malian encounter, the Breton quartet present an album where most tracks start off with a traditionalish theme before progress- ing into a sort of post-Coltrane free jazz meanderings. Difficult to categorise. Difficult to review. Difficult to listen to.
www.innacor.com
1 Valfart På Vej (Go’ Danish GO 0514). Var- ied and melodious compositions derived largely from Danish and Norwegian tradi- tions, by Danish fiddler Christian Risgaard, with accordeonist Mette Kathrine Jensen, flautist and singer Johanna Buus Andersen and percussionist Birgit Løkke.
www.gofolk.dk
1 Until The Bird Pale Clouded Yellow (Own label, no cat no). Debut album from London acoustic folk-pop trio who utilise ukulele, trombone and euphonium alongside (the more conventional) fiddle, accordeon and guitar. Their songs are romantic, political, intelligent, life-affirming and very easy-on- the ear, and warrant your investigation.
www.untlthebird.org
2Saltfishforty Live With Special Guests (Own label, no cat no). Fourth album in ten years from feisty Orcadian duo of exuberant fiddle / viola and driving guitar / mandola. Recorded ‘live’ with support on double-bass, accordeon and percussion, Saltfishforty’s trad repertoire and their own compositions blend Scottish trad with Cajun and Americana influ- ences.
www.saltfishforty.co.uk
2Sainkho & Garlo Go To Tuva (Production BP BP12 1312). Adventurous collaboration between veteran Tuvan singer and improviser Sainkho Namtchylak and Bordeaux-based Québécois bass player Garlo. The sound may be a bit retro-rock for some – positively Beef- heart on Plastic – but it’s Sainkho’s voice that soars right where you’d expect the guitar solos.
www.garlo.fr
2Old Crow Medicine Show Remedy Ato Records). With titles like Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer, 8 Dogs 8 Banjos and Shit Creek, the Grammy-decorated young old- timers’ latest is short on subtlety but long on air-punching choruses and fiddle and banjo fireworks. A sure-fire winner.
www.crowmedicine.com
1 Halfdanskerne 3 (Go’ Danish Folk Music GO1014). Guitar, accordeon and bass play songs by three Danish poets. Lovingly execut- ed, but it’s only really going to work if you’re fluent. Something for the hardcore fans of Danish folk only.
www.halfdanskere.dk
1 Betty & The Boy The Wreckage (Own label, no cat no). Oregon-based singer-song- writers Betreena Jaeger and Josh Harvey front a tight acoustic band, combining bluegrass mandolin and banjo with classical cello and violin. Technically flawless, a little sponta- neous combustion would elevate them from the pack.
bettyandtheboy.com
2Jen Starsinic The Flood And The Fire (Dangerous You DY 1401). Super talented young fiddle player, singer and writer with eleven original songs in an acoustic format. Well-produced, avoiding formulaic approach, and with appealing voice that seems to be only just on the note. Well worth a listen.
www.jenstarsinic.com
2Dave Goodman No Rest For The Wicked (Acoustic Music GmbH 319.1515.2). Guitar picking par excellence coupled with Goodman’s breathily-delivered vocals on material varying from an O’Carolan Celtic instrumental to three interpretations of Jimi Hendrix songs, all superbly recorded to make this a highly listenable slice of contemporary acoustic music.
www.acoustic-music.de
1 Louvat Brothers Contrastes (Acoustic Music GmbH 319.1520.2). International blue- grass Belgian musicians recorded in Germany and Austria, mixed in Nashville. All-instru-
mental with unusual line up of bass, man- dolin and banjo. Clever, flash, and, at times, quite tasteful playing. Irish medley painful though, a country too far.
www.louvatbrothers.com
1 Said The Maiden A Curious Tale (Own label STM001). Curious? Only in that the potential demonstrated by this female trio on its 2013 debut EP isn’t quite fulfilled here, mainly due to a slightly unadventurous choice of material (well-travelled trad), for all it’s enticingly done with stimulating har- monies.
www.saidthemaiden.com
1 Joseph Huber The Hanging Road (Muddy Roots Records). Banjo playing singer writer who offers rough-edged country music that grows. Opening song Same River Twice sets the recording up well for good songs but needs some listening as not long on variety.
www.jospehhubermujsic.com
@ Fish And Bird Something In The Ether (Fiddle Head Records FHR 007). Probably labelled alt country. Afraid I don’t get it as the songs all seem to consist of unrelated pas- sages of words and music. Call me simple but I occasionally like to tap my feet in time.
www.fishandbird.ca
2Ian Siegel Man & Guitar (Nugene Records NUG1401). Recorded by the BBC at London’s Albert Hall, Siegel is on powerhouse form for his ten-song, 45-minute set. Rattling guitar, throat-searing vocals, Delta style blues and gospel with some of Siegel’s own songs all delivered with pumped adrenalin. No time for subtlety.
www.nugenerecords.com
1 The Young Folk The Little Battle (Pixie Pace Records EUCD2491). Much admired in their native Ireland, singer-songwriter Antho- ny Furey and his cohorts serve up a collection of melodic, sometimes intense songs that owe more to Fleet Foxes and Conor Oberst & Co’s Monsters Of Folk than to the family firm.
www.theyoungfolk.com
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