Album of The Week
Scottish fiddler LAURA WILKIE’S intriguing album ‘Vent’ is centred around waulking songs – ancient women’s work songs which were sung for hundreds of years in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Women sang the songs whilst waulking the tweed, the process of beating tweed to shrink and soften it before use. It was a laborious […]
Personal stories and cultural concerns are what MAIRI CAMPBELL uses compellingly as inspirations for her evocatively distinctive songs. A pioneering Scottish musician and an interpreter of Scots song, this album – co-written with musician and producer Dave Gray – is a taster for her Edinburgh Festival Fringe Living Stone show premiere next month, which […]
Internationally renowned cellist CALUM INGRAM’s first full album, The Man, has been well received when road-tested on tour and at festivals. Out now on CD and vinyl, the album shows influences of Peter Gabriel, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Jack White and John Martyn. The Man offers an introspective and reflective take on Calum’s own […]
Glasgow-based Gaelic indie-trad band DLÙ have released their second album, the dance-inspired album Close To. It’s a dynamic album with a distinctive sound, unveiling an evolved style from the five-piece that reflects the story of their lives. Each track pulsates with camaraderie, shared experiences and a sense of excitement as DLÙ forge their own path […]
Orcadian musician IVAN DREVER has long considered recording a collection interpreting some of his favourite songs by his favourite artists. And with ‘Covered’ he has done just that, and in real style. The 12 songs here include tracks made famous by the likes of Frankie Miller, Gallagher and Lyle, Tom Waits and U2. Ivan […]
A red-hot blend of songs and tunes make Scots folk trio Skelpt’s debut album ‘Ersten’ a collection to savour. Skelpt – Andrew Gordon (vocals, guitar, bodhran); Euan Johnston (vocals bodhran) and Iain Anderson (fiddle, vocals) – got together in 2023 for this new venture with the aim of creating an energetic set of music suitable […]
This is a glorious album that pays tribute to the artistry of Phil Ochs, hailed as a major singer-songwriter throughout the 60s and into the 70s. He was a contemporary of Bob Dylan, influenced by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and was viewed as an influential protest singer – though he […]
The second solo album from Orkney fiddler, LOUISE BICHAN, boasts both traditional tunes and original compositions. It’s a compelling collection that brings new life and personal meaning to existing music as well as showcasing unique work self-penned in recent years. Louise, who’s based in the USA, has completed a degree in performance at the prestigious […]
Multi-instrumentalist and low whistle virtuoso, FRASER FIFIELD continues his series of recordings featuring his ultra-expressive low D whistle playing in trio settings with One Great Circle. This is the tenth album in this remarkably versatile musician’s prolific career. Fraser Fifield Composed with Fifield’s long-time friends, harper Catriona McKay and Shetland fiddler Chris Stout in […]
This album is a cinematic love letter to nature from two exceptional musical talents on the Scottish folk and roots music scene. LAURA-BETH SALTER (Kinnaris Quintet, The Shee) and ALI HUTTON (Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton, Treacherous Orchestra) have come together to create a Scottish soundscape masterpiece with a powerful message at its […]
