Alice Howe – Circumstance : Album Review
Describing herself as an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, Alice Howe is hard-wired for her country folk rock’n’soul hybrid.
"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.
Describing herself as an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, Alice Howe is hard-wired for her country folk rock’n’soul hybrid.
Hugh Cornwell fits in a trip to Birmingham on a day off – why not? We joined in the fun.
Mr Metaphysical, all round renaissance geezer Jah Wobble shows off his second half. Or , more likely, quarter.
With scimitar sharp honesty perfusing this deeply affecting record, Withered Hand shows his true self off to the listener; despair and celebration but a pindrop from each other.
Say yes to yee-haw as erstwhile honorary Mekon, Robbie Fulks, goes full on back porch.
Fine fiddle fare from Iain Fraser, following a Caledonian vein from Ullapool to Waipu, by way of Cape Breton and Australia; a chamber-folk celebration.
Brace yourself, the pan-Gaelic instrumental supergroup Imar are back, rampant and ready to bite your ankles.
Drones dance hypnotically in an intriguing trance-like state, where small pipes and the tradition are but a diving board to new ground.
Sound is but part of this complex and well constructed debut solo release from Lucy Farrell.
Album number two from accomplished jangle meisters continues to polish their retro hues in a shining new light.
Sublime structured spontaneity continues to be the calling card of power trio, Cutting, Harbron and Sweeney.
Morsels we mislaid earlier…..from Snaarmaarwaar, Walter Parks and The Lowland.
Revisioned, refashioned, revitalised, this is the work of a woman revived. Thank you, Josienne.
Ulster renaissance man, Colin Harper unleashes his bourgeois fury and a whole lot more.
The brothers Lury offer a Boss-like grip on their gritty America, that should steer the Blue Highways to the Promised Land.