Category Archives: Folk

BEVERLEY MARTYN-WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?

BEVERLEY MARTYN-WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN?  It was fifty-one years ago, when Beverley Martyn made her recording debut. Back then, she was a member of The Levee Breakers,  a jug band that featured Mac McGann, Johnny Joyce and Beverley Martyn. They released their debut single Babe, I’m Leaving You on Parlophone in 1965. Beverley was just sixteen …

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RHYTHM ON THE RADIO: OVAL RECORDS-SINGLES 1974-1987.

RHYTHM ON THE RADIO: OVAL RECORDS-SINGLES 1974-1987.  By 1972, Charlie Gillette was a successful journalist, based in London. He wrote for various publications on both sides of the Atlantic, including Creem, NME and Let It Rock. Occasionally, Charlie presented the BBC TV music program The Old Grey Whistle Test. It was a program  that suited Charlie’s …

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BARIS MANCO AND KURTALAN EXPRES-ESTAFURULLAH…NE HADDIMIZE!

BARIS MANCO AND KURTALAN EXPRES-ESTAFURULLAH…NE HADDIMIZE! Even some seventeen years after his sudden and tragic death, Barış Manço is still remembered as one of the pioneers of modern Turkish music. His career began in 1958, and continued right up until his death in 1999. During his career, Barış Manço was one of the founding fathers of …

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SANDY DENNY-WHO KNOWS WHERE TIME GOES?

SANDY DENNY-WHO  KNOWS WHERE TIME GOES? On the 21st of April 1978, Sandy Denny passed away aged just thirty-one. That day, the career of one of the finest British folk singers of her generation was cut tragically short. Music lost a hugely talented singer and songwriter. There was no doubt about that. Sandy Denny stood head …

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JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION.

JOHN MARTYN-GRACE AND DANGER-VINYL EDITION. With the vinyl revival  in full flow, some of the biggest names in music are taking the opportunity to reissue their albums exclusively on vinyl. This includes one of Glasgow’s most talented sons, John Martyn. Two of his finest albums, including his classic One World and the hugely personal Grace and Danger were reissued on vinyl on …

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DAN WHITEHOUSE-THE REVEAL RECORDS’ E.P.s.

DAN WHITEHOUSE-THE REVEAL RECORDS’ E.P.s. For Dan Whitehouse, 2016 has been without doubt, one of the most important and successful years of his eighteen year career. This began when Dan Whitehouse signed to Reveal Records. On April 22nd 2016, Dan Whitehouse released his Reveal Records’ debut Introducing. It was a mixture of new songs and …

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BOO HEWERDINE-STILL LIVING THE DREAM.

BOO HEWERDINE-STILL LIVING THE DREAM. Boo Hewerdine’s life has always revolved around music. That’s been the case for over thirty years.  The first job Boo Hewerdine had, was  working in the warehouse of Andy’s Records in Bury St. Edmunds. However, Boo Hewerdine always had ambition beyond working in a record shop. Instead, he dreamt of making music. …

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JOHN MARTYN-MUSIC’S MAVERICK.

JOHN MARTYN-MUSIC’S MAVERICK. John Martyn’s life revolved around music. His career began in 1967, when he was just seventeen. Back then, John Martyn was a folk singer. Over the next forty-two years, John Martyn continually reinvented his music. He flitted between folk and folk rock to blues, psychedelia, reggae, rock and trip hop during the …

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THE PICTISH TRAIL-FUTURE ECHOES-LIMITED EDITION VINYL VERSION.

THE PICTISH TRAIL-FUTURE ECHOES-LIMITED EDITION VINYL VERSION. In 2002, Johnny Lynch was a student at the prestigious University of St. Andrews. He was approaching the end of his degree course. Most students would’ve been thinking about the life after University. Not Johnny Lynch.Instead,  Johnny Lynch began performing as The Pictish Trail in 2002. Later that …

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MARTIN GREEN-FLIT.

MARTIN GREEN-FLIT. Lau are, without doubt, one of the most exciting and ambitious folk bands of their generation. They’ve been described as “modern folk’s most innovative band,” and have been winning awards, praise and plaudits since the release of their debut album Lightweights and Gentlemen in 2007. Since then, Lau have released four further albums, …

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THE WELCOME RETURN OF BOB LIND.

THE WELCOME RETURN OF BOB LIND. Bob Lind, it’s fair to say, is a many of many talents. He started life as a singer-songwriter in 1965, and helped define the folk rock genre. His debut single Elusive Butterfly gave Bob a hit single on both sides of the Atlantic in 1966. Five years and four albums …

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TERRY REID-THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER.

TERRY REID-THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER. For many people, Terry Reid is music’s nearly man. He could’ve been the lead vocalist of two of the biggest rock bands in musical history. Sadly, that wasn’t to be, instead,Terry Reid decided to concentrate on his solo career.   He released six studio albums between 1968s Bang, …

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FRIGHTENED RABBIT-PAINTING OF A PANIC ATTACK.

FRIGHTENED RABBIT-PAINTING OF A PANIC ATTACK. Frightened Rabbit’s roots can be traced back to Scott Hutchison’s teenage years in Selkirk, Scotland. Back then, Scott Hutchison was chronically shy. So much so, that his mother christening her son Frightened Rabbit. This moniker Scott would later resurrect, when he began to play some live shows. Before that, …

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THE PICTISH TRAIL-FUTURE ECHOES.

THE PICTISH TRAIL-FUTURE ECHOES. In 2002, Johnny Lynch was a student at the prestigious University of St. Andrews. He was approaching the end of his degree course. Most students would’ve been thinking about the life after University. Not Johnny Lynch.Instead,  Johnny Lynch began performing as The Pictish Trail in 2002. Later that year,  Johnny began …

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SANDY DENNY-5 CLASSIC ALBUMS.

SANDY DENNY-5 CLASSIC ALBUMS. Sandy Denny was one of the finest British folk singers of her generation. There is no doubt about that. Sadly, her career was cut tragically short, on the 21st of April 1978, when Sandy Denny died aged just thirty-one. That day, music lost a hugely talented singer and songwriter. Music was …

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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KAREN DALTON.

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF KAREN DALTON. Karen Dalton could’ve, and should’ve, been one of the most successful singers of her generation. She certainly had the talent. Her peers agreed. Bob Dylan described Karen Dalton as his favourite singer in his autobiography. He compared Karen’s voice to Billie Holliday, and her guitar playing to Jimmy …

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KING CREOSOTE-ASTRONAUT MEETS APPLEMAN.

KING CREOSOTE-ASTRONAUT MEETS APPLEMAN. Since 1995, Kenny Anderson  has been a one man music making machine. He has released over forty albums under a number of aliases, including the Skuobhie Dubh Orchestra, Khartoum Heroes, Kwaing Creasite and Jokes.  That however, is  just part of the Kenny Anderson story.  Kenny Anderson is also a member of …

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JUDY COLLINS-IN MY LIFE, WILDFLOWERS AND WHALES AND NIGHTINGALES.

JUDY COLLINS-IN MY LIFE, WILDFLOWERS AND WHALES AND NIGHTINGALES.  Judy Collins was never meant to become a folk singer. Originally, she had studied classical music and made her public debut when she was just thirteen. That night in Denver, Judy Collins played Mozart’s Concerto For Two Pianos. All Antonia Brico’s tuition and encouragement had been …

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SON-OF-A-GUN AND MORE FROM THE LEE HAZLEWOOD SONGBOOK.

SON-OF-A-GUN AND MORE FROM THE LEE HAZLEWOOD SONGBOOK. On August the 4th 2007, Lee Hazlewood passed away aged seventy-eight. That day, music lost one its most talented sons. During a career that had spanned six decades, Lee Hazlewood had worked as a singer, songwriter, musician, arranger and producer. Somehow, though, Lee Hazlewood found time to found …

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HITLIST 2-MORE HOT 100 CHARTBUSTERS OF THE 70S.

HITLIST 2-MORE HOT 100 CHARTBUSTERS OF THE 70S. For many baby boomers, the early to early to mid-seventies was a golden age for music. They had just graduated from university, and were making their way in the world. Many had well paid jobs, no commitments and often, a high disposable income.  By then, the  baby …

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