John Barlass, Author at At The Barrier

John Barlass

John has been a music obsessive since he first heard 'Love Me Do' seeping out of the family radio in 1962. he spent a career in the rail industry before turning back to his first love of music. He plays bass guitar and melodeon, loves folk/rock and lives in Warwick.

Amigo The Devil – Born Against: Album Review

By John Barlass on 12th April 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Dark, Macabre, Unhinged, Unsettling. Meet Amigo The Devil. Enjoy the Born Against album. If you dare.

Rose Simpson – Muse, Odalisque, Handmaiden: Book Review

By John Barlass on 9th April 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Rose Simpson gives a fascinating insight to the life, times and adventures of the psychedelic folk pioneers – The Incredible String Band

MF Tomlinson – Strange Time: Album Review

By John Barlass on 7th April 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Languid portraits of a world in turmoil from London based Brisbanite MF Tomlinson on the Strange Time album.

Quiet Marauder – The Gift: Album Review

By John Barlass on 6th April 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

How to deal with severe trauma – all dressed up in a warm acoustic folk cocoon from Cardiff’s Quiet Marauder

Nigel G. Lowndes – Hello Mystery: Album Review

By John Barlass on 3rd April 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Bristol singer/songwriter Nigel G. Lowndes brings us songs of everyday life – with added Quirk!

Boo Hewerdine – Selected Works: Album Review

By John Barlass on 31st March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Respected singer/songwriter/guitarist Boo Hewerdine celebrates his 60th year in style.

Sunny War – Simple Syrup: Album Review

By John Barlass on 26th March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

SoCal’s Sunny War presents the fruits of a productive lockdown; Simple Syrup is a delectable record.

Nine Treasures – Awakening From Dukka: Album Review

By John Barlass on 26th March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

And Now For Something Completely Different! At The Barrier takes a sip of Mongolian Folk Metal from Nine Treasures – And we like it!

Roberto Cassani – Ansema We Stand: Album Review

By John Barlass on 24th March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

An intriguing fusion of cultures from Roberto Cassani – Lombardy and Scotland stand together

Nick Hudson – Come Back When There’s Nothing Left: EP Review

By John Barlass on 23rd March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Soothing. Unsettling. Challenging. Brighton’s Nick Hudson gives an intriguing preview of his forthcoming album

Time Tunnel: Great Albums of 1971. Fairport Convention – Babbacombe Lee

By John Barlass on 16th March 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

We continue our occasional series reappraising a selection of our favourite 1971 albums in greater detail. This time, we have a new close look at the album many saw as the First Folk Rock Opera: Fairport Convention’s Babbacombe Lee.