Folk & Country > Folk Folk & Country > Hot Records > 10 GBP to 15 GBP

Advantages: Aussie folk, blues, country if you like that sorta thing
Disadvantages: Don't play the UK enough

I first heard the Waifs when they supported Billy Bragg on his UK tour. They are an excellent live band but their CDs are just as good, it's just a shame they don't get to tour here much (even less now there are baby waifs!). This was their debut album. They are difficult to categorise - folk, blues, country, Aussie accents but a clear American influence - they cite Bob Dylon as an early influence. The band consists of two Australian fisherman's ...
...around Australia singing to fund their travelling. They met up with Josh, third member of the band and the rest is history! They are all great songwriters and many of their songs are inspired by their life on the road. Their grandfather was American and you can hear a bluesy American influence in their sound. They all play guitars (all are self taught but don't sound it - especially Josh who is fantastic) and Vicki plays harmonica, with fiddles, ... Read review

Advantages: Great drums, rocking tunes, well-crafted songs
Disadvantages: Not country enough

...released in 1998 and 2008's Bulletproof is their eighth. The band's name is a reference to Australian outlaw Ned Kelly and the cover art of the Bulletproof album shows a man clad in the sort of armour that Kelly was famed for wearing. I should say first that Reckless Kelly will never win any awards for originality, either in their lyrics or the music itself. However, they pen practically perfect country rock songs that are catchy, well-constructed ...
...False Move 7. Guy Like Me 8. American Blood 9. How Was California 10. Mirage 11. Don't Say Goodbye 12. God Forsaken Town 13. Wandering Eye 14. Bulletproof www.recklesskelly.com www.myspace.com/recklesskelly ... Read review

Advantages: Cohens influencial greatness, lovely songs
Disadvantages: ...No Hallelujah

OPINION I first heard of Leonard Cohen at a friends house as a record, the song was "Suzanne" and I loved it. I remembered the name and to my delight I found his CD in the Woolworths price crunch a while back now. His songs are so calming but have lyrics that explore ideas of religion, isolation, sexuality and complex interpersonal relationships, so as calm as they seem their underlying provocations are deeply moving. ARTIST Leonard Cohen is a ...
...rooted in European folk music, his 1970's music encompasses pop, chaberet and world music and since the 1980's his high baritone voice took on more low registers, often accompanied by electronic synthesizers and female backing singers. His writing has influenced lots of singer-songwriters and more than a thousand renditions of his work have been recorded. TRACK LIST 1. Suzanne 2. Sisters Of Mercy 3. So Long Marianne 4. Bird On The Wire 5. Lady Midnight ... Read review

Advantages: everything!
Disadvantages: nothing!

This was the first of Blackshaw's albums I owned and have loved it every single time I've played... I'm surprised I haven't worn it out! Its composed by the young James Blackshaw purely on 12 string guitar with other drone like instruments involved. The influences that can be heard here are him drawing on, almost, Free-Jazz, 60's Psych, Drone and Ethnic music. Personnel: James Blackshaw (12-string guitar). Here's what the magazines said: Uncut ...
...and processional drums enhance the title track, but even the atmosphere ... Full Descriptionof glittering tranquility, of meditative clarity, remains." The Wire (p.70) - "[T]he often dreamlike combination ensures the music gathered here deftly avoids pale imitation and leaden devotion." Its a truely beautiful piece of work. I'd recommend it to anyone. ... Read review

Advantages: great tracks, emotional and touching
Disadvantages: a little too much country for my friends and family!

...as it is an acquired taste... as I mentioned, I know many people who cannot bear to listen to the album! It is also good value for money thanks to the 18 tracks included... I'm fed up of seeing albums for sale at stupid prices for only 10 tracks! ... Read review