Click on any ALBUM COVER to buy now reviews FOLK
Alyth The Martin Gathering
People Like Me
Green Machine
Legends Of Folk Rock
First Sighting
Navigator Records
Hyper tension
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Navigator Records
HYP9265
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JH
TM
Originality is becoming increasingly rare in
JTR
With the recent release of the lost
music today. Even harder to find is something
Fortheringay 2 and Jerry Donahue’s exemplary
that goes beyond the contrived “originality for
Martin Green may well be the accordion-
work on the original tapes, his stock and
originality’s sake” style of song-writing that
toting third of Scottish super-group Lau, but
that of 70’s folk rock are on the rise. Linking
seems to divide critics globally, but Scottish
that’s about as close as his new project gets
up with his daughter Kristina, Clive Bunker
singer Alyth’s new album does exactly that.
to Folk…
(Tull), Ray Jackson (Lindisfarne), Rick Kemp
Having performed at a young age and later
With his mental radio tuned to the left, and a
(Steeleye) and Doug Morter (Magna Carta),
received vocal training, Alyth sings classically
myriad of equally imaginative cohorts in tow,
there is now a combo right on cue, to surf
without limitation, but never abandons the
Green has set the controls of his machine
the wave of interest, hit the live circuit and
youthful creativity and passion that make
for the heart of the weird! From 70s cop
release a CD to boot.
her so special. Her accent washes over each
show grooves to splashes of music conctrete,
Consummate musicians all, there’s an easy
crucial word. She is pure, frail and true. Her
Zappa-esque horn-scapes to pastoral
familiarity with the way the music knits and
voice is her own.
psychedelia, the album does everything
except what you expect it to.
weaves. The jaunty opener and Steeleye
Featuring an army of guest musicians, People
rarity Fire On The Line, is punctuated by a
Like Me is so musically vast and ambitious
Although there are reference points from the
trademark harmonica solo from Jackson and
that it’s a little unfair to brand it “Celtic Folk”
past, this is most definitely a 21st Century
with 5 singers in the band, the harmonies
- Alyth has so much to offer music fans,
album. Green refracts all manner of influences
are rich and true. Donahue demonstrates
regardless of genre. As a refreshing new
through his prism-like imagination to create
throughout just why his guitar playing has
recording artist and a seasoned actress of
a world of sound refreshing in its oddness,
been in such demand and the album takes
stage and screen, we’re looking forward to
yet without the unfriendly distance of many
a surprisingly American hue with Doug
seeing where Alyth’s talent takes her next.
modern experimental albums.
Morter contributing three bluesy prowlers
and Jackson the bluegrass tinged Kings Cross
www.alyth.net
The result is the most involving, satisfying and
genre-defying album from the ‘nu-Folk’ stable,
Blues. Catch them live if you can.
Luka Bloom
and one that repays repeated listening with
www.myspace.com/thegatheringonline
new surprises every time. Loads of brainy fun.
Eleven Songs
www.myspace.com/martingreen
The Incredible
BIG SKY Records
String Band
BSCD0005
Aidan O’Rourke Tricks Of The Senses
J’OR
An Tobar
(Rare & Unreleased
Recordings
Luka Bloom or the artist once known as Barry
Navigator Records
1966-1972)
Moore has created a uniquely personalised
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Hux
style of electro-acoustic folk rock. Once
HUX100
describing his music as ‘stadium folk for the
DK
bedroom’ he encapsulates the intimacy of
Aidan’s not only a highly skilled fiddle
heartfelt lyricism with a shred command of
SH
player (a key member of fiery, multiple-
emotional dynamics. Eleven Songs his latest
award-winning Lau and the Blazin’ Fiddles
Taken from Joe Boyd’s Witchseason and Island
collection straddles the twin plains of deftly
ensemble) but also an extraordinarily
Records’ archives, this double CD represents
executed ballads like Sunday and I Hear Her
inventive composer, as his 2006 album Sirius
a fascinating, alternative history of the group
Like Loreli with more up-tempo striders like
demonstrated. The music of its followup,
by focussing on the rare and unreleased. With
the country flavoured I’m On Your Side and
An Tobar (The Well), is aptly named after
original members Mike Heron and Robin
the boisterous Fire.
the Isle Of Mull’s Arts Centre at Tobermory,
Williamson fully involved in this from the start,
Full blooded performances dripping with
a gathering-place of often daring cultural
they were both surprised and impressed by the
emotional resonance the intimate yet
experiment inhabited by the spirit of the late
quality of the material unearthed.
universal core of Eleven Songs is best found
Martyn Bennett.
Focussing primarily on studio outtakes, but
on the anthemic closer Don’t Be Afraid Of
A kind of concept suite of five linked
also including a New York radio session
The Light That Burns Within You. With its big
movements, An Tobar’s constantly morphing
from 68, a couple of live performances from
production values and mantra like repetition
stylistic adventures employ a stimulating
April 1970, and even a home recording from
make for possibly his finest creation so far.
and unusual musical palette, embellishing
October 66. All of the tracks here were
Eleven Songs draped in compassionate lyrical
Aidan’s typically dazzling musicianship
digitally transferred from the original master
exchanges and sensuous melodic confections
with accordion (Lau-mate Martin Green),
tapes with ear-pinning, sonic-sparkle a plenty.
further outlines Luka Bloom’s creative
harp (Catriona McKay), sax (Phil Bancroft),
technique and inspirational genius.
Tracks include Lover Man, an unreleased
percussion (Martin O’Neill) and occasional
studio outtake from the legendary 5000
www.lukabloom.com
samples. It’s all sumptuously recorded and
Spirits… album, featuring Danny Thompson
brilliantly balanced, with every single strand
on bass, the very rare 15 minute epic, Queen
of the sometimes complex instrumentation
Juanita from 1970, and a stunning previously
absolutely clear. An Tobar is nothing short of
unreleased extended version of Maya from
inspirational, a musical masterwork which,
the Wee Tam… sessions. An object lesson
when given your undivided attention, yields
for the new generation of folk explorers and
considerable rewards.
absolutely essential.
Win every CD featured in this issue enter our
www.aidanorourke.net
competition at
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