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1Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo Dear River (Linn AKD405) The Australian singer- songwriter makes quite a leap from her previ- ous records with a sophisticated cycle of songs of journey and discovery, partly drawn from her own family’s wartime escape from Holland. It’s beautifully recorded, too, though you want the Red Clay Halo to push the boat out with a little more energy and conviction.
www.emily-barker.com
2The Duke Robillard Band Independent- ly Blue (Dixiefrog DFGCD 8741). Not one, but two top-notch guitarists vie for attention, with special guest Monster Mike Welch swap- ping licks with the Duke (who also takes on the vocal duties) on this blast of blues and R&B. Big men… big sound… a combination that works to both guitarists’ advantage.
www.dukerobillard.com
The albums – good (2), adequate (1) and bad (@) – which didn’t get the full-length treatment, contributed individually by a selection of our various reviewers cowering under the cloak of collective anonymity.
2 Various Artists Habibi: Algeria De Ma Jeunesse (Milan 399 411-2). Wonderful com- pilation of vintage Algerian music in celebra- tion of the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Great tunes from Maurice El Medioni, Blond Blond and Line Monty amongst many others. Guaranteed to break the ice at parties.
milanrecords.com
1Natacha Atlas Habibi: Classics and Col- laborations (Nascente NSDCD033). Enjoy- able career-spanning two-CD collection of odds ’n’ sods from the Anglo-Belgo-Arabic diva, including a fair few rarities, some remix- es and the odd cheesy cover version.
www.demonmusicgroup.co.uk/nascente
2 Debademba Souleymane (World Vil- lage WVF 029). Urban grooves and afro-pop, it says on the sleeve. Guitarist Abdoulaye Traore from Burkina Faso and Malian griot singer Mohamed Diaby are literate, accom- plished and perform many styles with finesse and passion – the more traditional the better.
worldvillagemusic.com
@ Jayme Stone The Other Side Of The Air (Own Label JS400). Canadian banjo- plucker mixes things up with classical strings and brass. You’ve got to admire his sense of adventure, just a shame it doesn’t really work.
jaymestone.com
2 John Spiers & Jon Boden Through And Through (Fellside FECD161). Straight reissue of the take-a-chance 2001 debut by two then- unknowns who went on to take English music by the scruff of its neck. It was The Real Thing then, dynamic and fresh, and remains so today. Every home should have this one!
www.fellside.com
2 Eddi Reader Candyfloss And Medicine (Reveal Records 023CDX). 2 Eddi Reader Simple Soul (Reveal Records 024CDX). More re-issues from Reader’s new record label heralding a new album, and Reader’s emo- tional, flexible and sweet voice blending folk- rock and pop stands the test of time. Can- dyfloss And Medicine (1996) features a num- ber of songwriters/co-authors including Boo Hewerdine and has a somewhat quiet, dark feel to it, including a unusual bluesy tradi- tional I Loved A Lad. On Simple Soul (2001), the subsequently enduring partnership with Hewerdine extends to almost all the songs; an altogether lighter and more cohesive offering.
www.eddireader.com
1Invisible System Tiga, Tej, Tibs (Harper Diabate Records HD005). Latest mix of Ethiopian roots, drum ’n’ bass, rock and reg- gae from Dan Harper and cohorts. Something of a mess, but with moments of beauty.
www.harperdiabate.com
2Troubshort And Turnipseed Dark Clouds Over Didcot (Own Label no cat no). That rare thing, a funny comedy album. Affectionate send-ups of bluegrass and old- time – sample title: Bold Yoghurt Maker – played and sung with verve and style. Impres- sive breakdowns and Foggy Mountain Morris just begs for a side to try it out.
www.mightyfinemusic.net
1 Sarah Johns Music Party Sarah Johns Music Party (EP Psychic Healing Network PHN004). The ex-Mr Beasley singer succeeds with opener Greenbud, layering dry, wry vocals over rolling percussion, the lyrics smartly subverting pastoral folk mores. Blos- som Tree is a decent B side, but by three or four songs the thrill fades. Could have been a 7"!
sarahjohnsmusicparty.blogspot.com
2Chuck Leavell Back To The Woods (CrossCut Records CCD 11107). Pianist with the Allman Brother’s Band and the Rolling Stones, pays homage to some early pioneers of blues piano. Superbly recorded with such guests as Candy Staton and Keith Richards helping out on songs by, amongst others, Leroy Carr, Skip James, and Memphis Slim.
www.GFI-Promotions.com
1 All Folk’d Up All Folk’d Up (Own Label AFU 001). Cavan-based acoustic trio rekin- dling the familiar ballad repertoire with hints of Americana in execution. A modicum of respect for the material eschews the expected bluster while an unexpected musicality and thought yields some pleasing if not miracu- lous results.
www.allfolkdup.com
2 Brooks Williams New Everything (Red Guitar Blue Music RGBM-2013). Fresh from his State Of The Union with Boo Hewerdine, the masterly Brooks now proudly presents his lat- est solo set, a typically classy mix of blues, raggy Americana and healthy new originals, impeccably played and sung as ever. Self- recommending and absolutely beyond criti- cism!
www.brookswilliams.com
@The Fox Glove Trio Like Diamond Glances EP (Own label FXGCD01). Rather pedestrian five song introduction to Ham- phire’s Welsh and English language trio, with Cymric vocals from Ffion Mair. The pace plods frustratingly on opener Newry Town and never really picks up, though there is some charm in the Welsh trads.
thefoxglovetrio.co.uk
2Laurie Levine Six Winters (Sheer Sound LLCD 001). Levine’s third album – produced in South Africa, mastered in New York – com- prises largely self-penned songs that channel folk and country traditions into a compelling whole. She plays guitar, occasionally auto- harp, and her eclectic band are a joy to hear.
www.laurielevine.co.za
1 Bottleneck John All Around Man (Opus 3 CD 23001). Swedish acoustic blues playe, an adequate guitarist who’s more impressive when letting his textured voice carry a song like Tony Joe White’s Out Of The Rain or the blues standard How Long, How Long.
www.opus3records.com
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