a music blog
On the last night of Celtic Connections a sold out crowd at Oran Mor were delighted to welcome Shovels and Rope back to Scotland for the first time in a couple of years. Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst were on a short European tour to promote their excellent recent album By Blood. Continue reading “Live Review: Shovels & Rope @ Celtic Connections”
There were so many brilliant shows on offer on Saturday at Celtic Connections, the only problem music fans had to face was deciding which one to attend. The lucky among us who chose The Lone Bellow were treated to a masterclass in vocal power and harmony that sent everyone home shaking their heads in awe. Continue reading “Live Review: The Lone Bellow @ Celtic Connections”
As she took to the stage for a rare live show in the UK, Iris DeMent admitted she was worried no one would turn up on a Monday night. Thankfully the Celtic Connections audience knows that such a trailblazing talent is one not to be missed. Continue reading “Live Review: Iris DeMent @ Celtic Connections”
The new Della Mae album ‘Headlight’ is one of those rare albums that encapsulates everything that this blog stands for and hopes to promote, conveying the collective power of women’s voices through emotional and empathetic songs. The writing and musicianship from the band, made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Celia Woodsmith, fiddle player Kimber Ludiker and mandolinist Jenni Lynn Gardner, is pure quality throughout. Continue reading “Album Review: Della Mae – Headlight”
Celtic Connections is the best traditional roots, folk and Americana festival in the world, offering a dazzling array of artists live on stage in Glasgow during January and February each year. What always impresses me about the festival is how well represented women are from across all of the main roots genres. Read on to find out my highlights from the festival, with a focus on the Americana offerings. Continue reading “Live Preview: Celtic Connections Festival 2020”
Blood, Allison Moorer’s new memoir and album, recounts the shocking story of how her father killed her mother and then himself after years of abusive behaviour. The unmitigated horror of her childhood experience is faced head on and she contemplates the legacy of such trauma and loss in her adult life. Unflinchingly honest and achingly raw, Blood is one of the most profoundly moving testaments to the pain of grief and the power of love that I have ever experienced. Continue reading “Review: Allison Moorer – ‘Blood’”
Canadian singer songwriter Sarah Jane Scouten’s new album Confessions, takes us on a journey into the dark side of her heart, with some beautifully bewitching results. Continue reading “Album Review: Sarah Jane Scouten – Confessions”
After touring with the collective I’m With Her for most of the last couple of years Aoife O’Donovan is now back as a solo artist releasing her new acoustic E.P. ‘In the Magic Hour Solo Sessions’. As suggested by the title four of these songs are versions of tracks from her last solo album ‘In the Magic Hour’ which was released in 2016 and she also adds a couple of well chosen cover songs to the track-listing. Continue reading “E.P. Review: Aoife O’Donovan – In the Magic Hour Solo Sessions”
‘This is a really special show,’ Caroline Spence announced during her set in Glasgow’s Glad Cafe on a chilly Friday evening. She was being self-deprecating after fluffing a few chords, but the warm response from the crowd proved that it really was the truth. Continue reading “Live Review: Caroline Spence with Roseanne Reid @ The Glad Cafe, Glasgow”
Highway Queens 