a music blog
When I started blogging in 2017 one of my favourite discoveries was Caroline Spence. I have since reviewed both her albums Mint Condition and True North, and believe they are two of the best recent releases in the Americana genre. She’s a compassionate and poetic songwriter with a beautifully sweet voice.
Continue reading “Album Review: Caroline Spence – Heart Go Wild”
One of the joys of blogging has been the chance to celebrate older artists like Mavis Staples who are still out here, in their 80s, singing and spreading the good word of peace, love and understanding. On her new album ‘Sad & Beautiful World’ she brings together a collection of songs which she says are ‘part of me and what I’ve been singing about my whole life.’
Continue reading “Album Review: Mavis Staples – Sad & Beautiful World”
The recent Rilo Kiley reunion has been a total joy for fans like myself and as they are one of Katie and Allison Crutchfield’s formative influences, it was lovely to read the post about them traveling to see the shows together.
Waxahtachee also supported Rilo on some dates and Katie ended up singing with Jenny too, which was incredibly sweet.
Rilo’s reunion and listening to this excellent album makes me hope we might even have a noughties indie rock revival on our hands.
Continue reading “Album Review: Snocaps – Snocaps “
Since releasing her ‘Who Believes in Angels?’ collaboration with Elton John earlier this year, Brandi Carlile’s star has never been brighter. Lesser mortals would have some time off after such a publicity blitz (and her UK/EU tour in July) but when has Brandi Carlile ever known how to slow down and smell the roses? ‘Returning to Myself’ is her way of stepping out of the shadows of her famous friends and looking at herself in the mirror.
Continue reading “Album Review: Brandi Carlile – Returning to Myself”
At the start of this year I was lucky enough to see Madison Cunningham live at Celtic Connections and she played a set made up almost entirely of new material on piano. The confidence she had in those songs, which now make up her excellent new album ‘Ace’, was entirely justified.
Continue reading “Album Review: Madison Cunningham – Ace “
Launching her debut album with a sold out in-store performance at Assai Records in Edinburgh last night, Rianne Downey described herself as ‘giddy’ at finally having ‘The Consequence of Love’ released into the world.
The last few years have been a whirlwind for the singer from Bellshill in Scotland, going from busking and sharing her music online to headlining festivals, after being chosen by legendary Paul Heaton to sing in his band.
Now she’s stepping into the spotlight herself with this country inspired collection of beautiful songs about love, loss, home and finding your own way.
Continue reading “Album Review: Rianne Downey – The Consequence of Love “
In celebration of her new album ‘Tennessee Lightning’ the gorgeous Ashley Monroe returned to play Glasgow, sharing the billing with her friend Fancy Hagood for the evening. With Scotland basking in the late summer sun the talented pairing brought a little Southern charm and positive healing light to the St Luke’s stage.
Continue reading “Live Review: Ashley Monroe & Fancy Hagood @ St Luke’s, Glasgow 25/08/25”
Opening her new album with the stark and almost eerie refrain of ‘I’m gonna run’ you might think this is going to be an album of darkness, especially after Ashley Monroe’s recent experience of cancer.
However from that opening song on ‘Tennessee Lighting’ we hear a different story – she’s looking not to share her suffering but to escape from the pain and search for love.
Continue reading “Album Review: Ashley Monroe – Tennessee Lightning “
A few years back the Spotify executive Daniel Ek stated, “You can’t record music once every three to four years and think that’s going to be enough. The artists today that are making it realise that it’s about creating a continuous engagement with their fans.” While that might be true for newer pop artists, classic singer songwriters like Patty Griffin aren’t afraid of defying the attention economy. The six year gap between her last release and this new one ‘Crown of Roses’ just shows us this is a quietly thoughtful and considerate artist who comes from another, better, era of music listening.
Continue reading “Album Review: Patty Griffin – Crown of Roses”
Highway Queens 