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Allan Taylor: Brighton, UK-born highly respected
singer-songwriter with a 45 year career behind him has produced an
introspective "What's it all about, Alfie?" approach on this
release, following a period of enforced non-playing while recuperating from a
severe shoulder problem now thankfully healed. Containing 7 Taylor originals
with a general theme of friendship and thanks, and lovely versions of
similarly themed songs from long-time personal friends and fellow troubadours
Tom Paxton - "I Followed Her Into The West', Derroll Adams - "The
Sky" and a Taylor translation of an
Italian song "Canzone del Ripensamento" (Like A Cloud). Ably
assisted in the studio by bespoke musicians including, amongst others, ace
guitarist Ian Melrose (Clannad, Kelpie) and Taylor's son Barnaby on piano and
guest Slovenian vocals from long-time friend Vlado Kreslin;
Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh: guitar and
harper duo of world renown and acknowledged virtuosity who bring their dynamic
and inventive approach to a collection of well-known carols, and one
lesser well known Gaelic carol, dutifully given the Newman/Ni Chathasaigh
treatment that includes influences and stylings from mediaeval to traditional
Irish, gothic folk, jazz, latin, bluegrass
and good ol' rock and roll; rounding out the sound are Maire's sister the
virtuosic Nollaig Casey on fiddle, just across the Yorkshire moors neighbor
Maggie Boyle on flute and Leeds' music scene stalwart Roy Whyke on drums -
sheer magic;
Roy Harper:
32nd release from this hugely influential Manchester-born septuagarian
singer-songwriter whose musical companions over the years have included early
folkies such as Peter Bellamy, Alex Campbell, Bert Jansch, John Martyn and
Nick Drake alongside rockers such as Led Zepplin (Hats Off To (Roy) Harper -
Led Zepplin III), Pink Floyd, Pete Townshend (lead guitar on Cloud Cuckooland)
and Keith Moon. Man & Myth is a mighty addition to a repertoire for which
the height of the bar is already set high by earlier and now classic albums
from his career;
Dylan Sneed: superb Kickstarter-funded Americana release
from Texas singer-songwriter, now based in Hartsville, SC, who has been
described as "a sober Townes Van Zandt" by the Columbia Free Times,
and as possessing "music of passion that can move an audience with a
whisper or a roar" by the Dallas Observer. The cd is an all original
examination of the Life's ponderables concerning love, faith, family, home and
friends except for a totally original take on Cindi Lauper's Girls Just Want
To Have Fun which adds a certain pathos and heft to an otherwise cheery little
calorie free but nonetheless enjoyable pop song. Dylan Sneed will be making
his Little Rock Folk Club debut on Sat Feb 1st 2014;
Session A9: an excellent album of traditional and
contemporary tunes and contemporary song from this ever evolving Scottish
"supergroup" initially comprising members who would meet up
occasionally at informal music sessions around and between gigs (A9 is the
longest road in Scotland and has enjoyed the reputation of being the spine of
Scotland prior to the advent of the modern motorway
system) including Adam Sutherland (Treacherous Orchestra, Peatbog Faeries),
Brian Mcalpine (Iron Horse), Charlie Mckerron (Capercaillie), David Robertson,
Gordon Gunn, Kevin Henderson (Fiddler's Bid) and Marc Clement; previous
contributors inclde Kris Drever, Duncan Chisholm, Tim Edey, Iain Copeland and
Ross Martin;
Wyatt Easterling: North Carolina-born tho longtime
Nashville-based multiple award winning writer and producer who has resumed the
singer songwriter mantle after many years on the production side of the music
machine who brings his superb vocals to an album's worth of mainly
introspective (typically not my favorite) of songs that succeed in achieving a
universal connection with the listener rather than the impression of
accidently eavesdropping on a solipsistic catharsis;
Cindi Slaughter: Nashville-based blues, folk, rock
singer-songwriter who describes herself as "an accidental musician"
when she noticed other local performers referring to her as a
"musician" rather than hobbyist. Formerly lead singer and guitarist
for Northern Virginia band Cinged Blues( Wammie Best New Band Award nominees
2005), going solo in 2010 and receiving a Wammie Best Contemporary Folk Album
nomination in 2010, themes covered include the great mystery of Life,
relationships, the haven of stability found in a grandparent's house, and a
paean to the Creator, all given
the full rock and roll backing and a guest appearance on bark vocals from
Georgia The Hound Nobody Likes!
Allan Taylor - All Is One - All Is One - Stockfisch
Records(www.allantaylor.com)
Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh - We Three Kings - Christmas Lights: A
selection of carols from Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh –
www.oldbridgemusic.com
Roy Harper - January Man - Man & Myth - Bella Union(www.royharper.co.uk)
Dylan Sneed - The Garden - Texodus - www.dylansneed.com
Session A9 - The Bellydancer - Session A9 - RAJ Records(www.sessiona9.com)
Wyatt Easterling - If A tree Falls - Goodbye & Hello - Phoenix Rising
Records(www.wyatteasterling.com)
Cindi Slaughter - Wood & Nails - Way BIG Sky - www.cindislaughter.com
Allan Taylor - We Stood As One - All Is One - Stockfisch
Records(www.allantaylor.com)
Chris Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh - Do'n Oiche Ud i mBeithil (To That
Night In Bethlehem) - Christmas Lights: A selection of carols from Chris
Newman & Maire Ni Chathasaigh - www.oldbridgemusic.com
Roy Harper - Cloud Cuckooland - Man & Myth - Bella
Union(www.royharper.co.uk)
Dylan Sneed - Keep You Still - Texodus - www.dylansneed.com
Session A9 - These Days - Session A9 - RAJ Records(www.sessiona9.com)
Wyatt Easterling - Right Before My Eyes - Goodbye & Hello - Phoenix Rising
Records(www.wyatteasterling.com)
mail: albion@kuar.org
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