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Gigs, Fests, Pubs?
So the Government announcement on 22 Feb has given us a loose timetable for the reopening of indoor venues, outdoor events and the pub. Not that we’re counting the days or anything.
When does indoor entertainment open?*
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
and the pub!
REVIEWS
The Parlor – Alabama Slim
Recorded in a four hour session in New Orleans in 2019, that brevity is both the strength and weakness of this release. There’s a freshness about the recordings, especially Alabama Slim’s world-worn and gritty vocals but at times the players embrace what might be most kindly called a jazzy sloppiness – that’s particularly true on the opening...
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From the Reels 2012-2020 – Ned Roberts
This release is a collection of out takes from London Ned Roberts’ first three albums and acts as a primer to those unfamiliar with his work. Vocally, Roberts evokes shades of James Taylor in his gentle melodic style. Opener “Ring Of Stones” is an autumnal love song...
The Silver Sun – Eamon O’Leary
Following up on the release of 'All Souls' in 2018 (reviewed here on Spiral Earth), Eamon O'Leary has delivered 'The Silver Sun' for our enjoyment in 2021. Whilst much has changed in the world over that period, O'Leary's approach to the new record has shifted little...
This Heart Will Self-Destruct – Bob Collum and the Welfare Mothers
Born in Oklahoma, but now resident in Essex, Bob Collum’s American and British influences are displayed for all to hear on this album, which has a lot in common with cult Springfield, Missouri’s The Skeletons and the UK’s Rockpile. The Buddy Holly “Midnight Shift”...
NEWS
Online gigs from Phil Beer, Steve Knightley and Miranda Sykes
In the absence of live gigs Phil Beer, Steve Knightley and Miranda Hart have been streaming solo online gigs, giving guitar and fiddle insights...
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Justin Sullivan announces new solo album ‘Surrounded’
Justin Sullivan of New Model Army releases his second solo album in May. Sixteen new songs, written in the first weeks of the 2020 lockdown, check out the video to the single Amundsen below. https://youtu.be/n_YZd6N978c Justin says, “Under the circumstances, it wasn’t...
Blazin’ Fiddles and The Scottish Folk Orchestra featuring Nicola Benedetti release Charity Single for Doddie
A star-studded line-up of some of the most revered musicians on the international folk scene, alongside classical violinist Nicola Benedetti, have teamed up to release a charity video and single in aid of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. Set for release on Friday 12...
Young Four Piece Band Release Lockdown Single ‘Fly High’
Wondering what the next generation of music makers have been up to during lockdown? Well it may surprise you to learn that not all our offspring are perpetually staring at their phones or sitting in front of a video game consol....well not all the time anyway?! This...
FEATURES
What do the four steps to lockdown lifting mean for gigs and festivals?
On the 22nd February the government announced its roadmap to lifting lockdown, with a potential complete lifting of restrictions for theatres, venues and large outside events by late June - so we seem to be on course to be enjoying gigs and festivals across the summer and early autumn. Yesterday, mobile networks must have struggled with the...
When You Can’t See The Wood For The Trees
Mysterious and enigmatic the music of Trees has historically been hard to find and expensive, yet has become the stuff of legend. A new 50th Anniversary box set from Earth Records, creatively titled ‘Trees,’ collects everything worth hearing by this iconic band. Folk...
Shiny Things, The Magpie Arc bring back sunnier times
Just when you were thinking these strange times had wiped out all the decent things about music, along come a band to flip your wig. The Magpie Arc are exactly what’s needed to bring back sunnier days. Simon Jones checks out their fine feathers. “Alex is the biggest...
Robert Jon: Wreckless!
With a terrific new album ‘Last Light on the Highway’ ROBERT JON & THE WRECK have realised their potential and left rivals to the Southern Roots Rock crown in their slipstream. On the line from California ROBERT JON BURRISON talks to Lyndon Noon about his latest...
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Rory Block Interview
What did a young girl find in the blues which makes it a lifelong passion? The music was filled with intense passion and spoke directly to what was in my heart. Your guitar style is pretty unique how has that been shaped and changed over time? I started out with folk...
Kirsty Merryn Interview – One Bright Star
Kirsty Merryn arrives with a woozily gorgeous second album tucked under her arm, a steadily growing reputation for creating atmospheric and meaningful songs as well as totally refitting traditional material with contemporary relevance. She’s earning plaudits from...
Jonathan Kelly: 8th July 1948 – May 2nd 2020
It’s 2008 and the clock’s ticking, Jonathan Kelly has been on stage for well over three and a half hours and he shows no sign of stopping. In the end just shy of four hours, with midnight close at hand he finally waves his acoustic guitar to acknowledge a full house...
THIS WEEKS CHARTS
FOLK
Glastonbury '92 is a firm favourite in the charts for Levellers
Americana
Way Down In The Rust Bucket by Neil Young & Crazy Horse jumps in at Number 1
Jazz & Blues
Stellar Blues master Joanna Connor shows how it's done on 4801 South Indiana Avenue in at 2
FESTIVALS
Top Scottish and International Folk Talent to Feature at new Online Folk Festival
Some of the most renowned names in Scottish folk music will return to the stage this weekend, February 26-28, as part of CCM Live - a brand new, three-day event being broadcast live from Glasgow. The festival’s bumper line-up features Blazin’ Fiddles, Talisk, Siobhan Miller, Rura, Ímar, Jenna Reid and Gnoss - all of whom will stream live, full...
All Festivals
What do the four steps to lockdown lifting mean for gigs and festivals?
On the 22nd February the government announced its roadmap to lifting lockdown, with a potential complete lifting of restrictions for theatres, venues and large outside events by late June - so we seem to be on course to be enjoying gigs and festivals across the summer...
Folk on Foot Signs Top Artists for Valentines ‘Festival of LOVE’
In these dark and challenging times, we all need love. And the award-winning podcast Folk on Foot has signed up over twenty of the UK and Ireland’s leading folk artists to provide it on Valentine’s Day (Sunday February 14th 2021). For the Folk on Foot Festival of...
Celtic Connections 2021, the digital one…
Celtic Connections 2021 has drawn to a close, and the organisers have issued this press release: With audiences from over 60 countries and over 27,000 tickets and passes sold, the first ever digital Celtic Connections has been a huge success. Over 10.5 million minutes...
The AFO virtual conference 2021
The Association of Festival Orgnisers annual conference generally takes place over a weekend in November. Obviously that kind of face to face social interaction is a thing of the past, so it is now coming to you on Saturday 20 February 2021 from 10am to 10pm as an...
New Festival Launched by Costa del Folk Team
A new music festival has been launched this month by the team who operate the highly successful Costa Del Folk. The Aviemore Festival will take place between 6 – 10 December 2021 in the Cairngorms in Scotland. ‘We knew that there was a lot of pent-up demand from our...
Celtic Connections Programme Announcement
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin next week, across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between Friday 15th January and Tuesday 2nd February 2021. World class concerts will be available to view online with some of the...
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