Hannah Martin has a good mezzo voice (if such a term in folk is appropriate) Phillip Henry plays the Dobro - slide guitar with resonators. Together they form the duo Edgelarks. A lively concert with lots of drum solo on the Congos. Some Bluegrass too and Phillip Henry plays blues harmonica.
I am ashamed to say that in my early folk, student, days I dismissed this artist. Rediscovering June Tabor over 40 years on I am smitten, yet this is an album I had not heard until today.
You and I both.
For years I’ve been haunted by the memory of a party where Steeleye Span played.
Today the internet offered possible confirmation.
It may have been August, 1971 and was probably a small concert but at a rather grand house where my then girlfriend knew the owners or occupiers. My recollection was of a courtyard, illuminated by wall torches and braziers. A strangely English night of atavistic musical pleasure.
I even caught myself almost dancing - never to be repeated.
Highnam Court was where I was - possibly this ‘Higham’. I hope so.
New to me is that this chap played with Fairport in the 1970’s. I know of him from ‘renaissance of the Celtic harp’ by Alan Stivel.
He didn’t record any albums with Fairport, but have a look for Excalibur, an Arthurian Celtic folk rock opera he recorded with Roger Hodgson, Fairport and Dan Ar Braz.
Also worth a look for is an album called Irish Reels, Jigs and Hornpipes (might have the title order wrong)with Dan Ar Braz and the master guitarist Dave Evans performing traditional Irish airs.
@Camphuw @mikehughescq - You have both been missing out.
Also recommend you search out the recordings June has done with the Oyster Band -
A sample -
Then there is this… If you can find it -
The cover of Love will tear us apart on Ragged Kingdom is a real tear jerker and all-time favourite of mine. Not sure if it’s folk but when it’s that good I really don’t care.
Roger
Richard Thompson Acoustic Trio Live from Honolulu
Richard Thompson - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Danny Thompson - Acoustic Double Bass
Michael Jerome - Percussion
Thompson’s still got it!
Some Christmas songs from Hull’s first family of folk, sprinkled with some Xmas stories. It was first broadcast on local Yorkshire radio in 1980.
Bob Johnson - Steeleye Span Obituary.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/20/bob-johnson-obituary
I have vivid memories of ‘Below the Salt’
Guardian’s 50 best albums of 2023 has Lankum’s False Lankum at first place. A Marmite choice, but interesting that Irish Folk can feature in such lists. Gothic and intense, I’ll listen again in the New Year.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/22/the-50-best-albums-of-2023-no-1-lankum-false-lankum#comment-165859758
I see that the album features in our own music thread Naim Forum Album of the Year.
It’s Uncut magazine’s album of the year as well. One of my favourite releases of this year.
And the Guardian’s 10 best folk albums of 2023. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/dec/27/the-10-best-folk-albums-of-2023
Not heard John Francis Flynn yet. Anyone heard any of these?
At this time of the year I google fRroots to be reminded they ceased publication in 2019, but trusty Folk Radio has the first of a few lists: https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2023/12/thomas-blakes-top-10-albums-of-2023/
And a whopping heap of 100 albums including some old friends from long ago like Jolie Holland and The Lilac Time https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2023/12/top-100-folk-alternative-albums-of-2023/ Alternative, I guess.
His version of Dirty Old Town is extraordinary.
JFF was a bit dark for this morning’s listening session. But I enjoyed Galargan last night whilst reading before falling asleep; worth another listen.