Brenda Lee SINGS COUNTRY, ULTIMATE COUNTRY COLLECTION Humphead Hump 2 stars Who knew? This is indeed the very same Brenda Lee, the saccharine rock’n’roller of Let’s jump the broomstick and Rockin’ around the Christmas tree fame, and the tale of what she did next. If you are like me you thought that once she stopped …
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Brooke Sharkey WANDERING HEART Self released 3.5 stars Atmospheric and haunting; but brush up on your French! Brooke Sharkey was brought up in both France and England and spent her formative years busking around Europe. Now settled in London, her unique song writing style and incredibly controlled vocals have brought her to the attention of …
Shantell Ogden THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME Hip Farm Chic Records **** A compelling Americana album that mostly encourages listeners to keep coming back for more September 13 will mark the release of Shantell Ogden’s new album THE ROAD THAT DRIVES ME. Not an album for fans of rockier country, nonetheless THE ROAD THAT DRIVES …
Kim Edgar STORIES UNTOLD Quietly fantastic music 4 stars Imaginative story-telling from the Edinburgh songstress Launched to coincide with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this latest offering finds Scottish singer/songwriter and pianist Kim Edgar delving into her innermost thoughts with a 12 strong collection that explores such diverse subjects as the impact of crime and punishment, …
Birte Paulsen BORROWED TIME Self released 3 stars Indie folk noir with a sigh of Nordic melancholy from Brighton’s German expat Well known in the Brighton area, Birte Paulsen has been writing and performing for years but this is her full length debut where she pays homage to her Northern European roots. She finds a …
Mike Smith ALWAYS YOU AND ME EMS Records 4 stars Highly sought after songwriter/musician tries his hand at rockin’ country Well known in music circles as a premier league song writer and musician, Mike Smith has worked with many of the great names, particularly in the world of hip-hop. Now firmly part of the Nashville …
Annie Keating TRICK STAR Independent ***1/2 Powerful singer-songwriter fare with uplifting anthems and downbeat insights Brooklyn singer-songwriter Annie Keating has written a song and named her seventh album after the bike she had when she was a kid. The song is a celebration of the freedom the bike bestowed and elsewhere there are a couple …
Socan *** Americana that covers all the bases Shame about the name and even the title music like this doesn’t need it. Look beneath the surface and you find a finger-picked, semi-acoustic melee where rockabilly meets country and blues meets folk, all as affectionately dealt with as by the Alvin brothers. Real Americana, even if …
Talking Cat *** Snappy modern folk that never forgets its roots. It’s been a long trek for Pilgrims’ Way whose previous album, WAYSIDE COURTESIES, came out in 2011. Now that singer Lucy Wright has finished her PhD they’re back; producer Jon Loomes joins to make the northern live folkie favourites (you have to be lively …
Pretty Things REPUK SILK TORPEDO **** SAVAGE EYE **** BALBOA ISLAND **** LIVE AT THE BBC **** Pretty damn good Now the Pretty Things are far from a country band, yet the wild, pained sounds the band made – and make still – put them in a category of heartfelt acts, unfettered by style or …
