Amy Duncan – Cocoon: Album Review
Haunting and spare, with a busy minimalism that beguiles, this indubitably lock-down project from Amy Duncan begs for attention.
"Well, what sort of music do you like, Seuras?" Ever since that question was first aired by his mother a decade or six back he has struggled with the answer. And struggles still now. Call him a folkie, a country dude, a bluesman and he'll be happy, but don't forget the whiff of jazz, electronica and more. Not so keen on the charts, mind.
Haunting and spare, with a busy minimalism that beguiles, this indubitably lock-down project from Amy Duncan begs for attention.
Freedom To Roam presents a widescreen soundscape encompassing folk, world and classical atmospheres covers most bases.
Mec Yek present Taisa – Manic and maverick Roma ska-punk gypsy jazz from Belgium, without a violin in sight.
Like bringing the coals back to Newcastle, MacWatt rediscovers the Scottish tradition through an Appalachian translation.
Inventive blues roots, shone through any number of stylistic prisms, showing light, dark and a lot of promise. That’s the Mark Pontin Group.
Devin Hoff on largely instrumental revisions of a largely trad. arr. folk canon that surprise and subvert.
The Mockingbird rooster, Alan Tyler, retreats to a quirky lockdown project, nearly free of his characteristic country vibe.
A refreshingly lively new take on trad. from Isla Ratcliff. Cape Breton influences abound and reinvigorate.
Languid and dreamy electronica infused chamber folk from the West Coast of Wales via Danielle Lewis.
The remarkable renaissance of this Scottish institution continues to enthral and amaze. Old Blind Dogs ascend the heights on Knucklehead Circus.
Amy Thatchers creates a squeezebox paean to her premature twins for when words are not enough.
Heaven 17 finally make it to Birmingham again after the now obligatory postponements. I think the phrase ‘better late than never’ is extremely apt.
70s janglemasters, Starry Eyed & Laughing, take flight a full forty six years, and counting, since their last Byrds infused outing. Has the wait been worth it?
Jazz ambient bagpipe fusion from Fraser Fifield: approach with inquisitiveness and be somewhat surprised.
Zesty debut from Utah folkie turned Nashville country rocker. Alicia Stockman releases These Four Walls.