Folk & Country > Hot Records Folk & Country > 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: ture feelings
Disadvantages: kind of sad

...down, CLIM IT, 9. Room To Breath it's about a brake up,she needs time to find out who she is, ' i think must teen age girl need to do this' .what your doing who you are and where are you going, life is hard any ways why make it harder for your self , 10. Sky Full Of Angels is about angels watching and if you believe in them they will help you in many ways, i know it sounds crazy but if you ask you will get. 11. Somebody is about meet that some ...
...step talk to them you dont know thair story,and you never know who it could be unless you talk to them, 12. it just has to be this way (duet with Vince Gill) that some one you lost but stil love,the loss of he/her was not what you wanted but it had to happen due to how badly you loved them if you ever listen to this CD dont take my word for it this is only how i feel about it, due to my past and how i have love and lost i should have never loved ... Read review

Advantages: mature, inventive, beautiful and emotional
Disadvantages: really can't think of any!

Richard Butler is best known as the charismatic rasping voiced singer in the Psychedelic Furs. After 25 years fronting the band this is his first solo album, and those expecting simply inferior Furs tracks are in for a wonderful surprise. All the songs are co-written with Jon Carin (often a member of Pink Floyd over the past 20 years or so) and all, without exception, are beautifully constructed, grown up, mature songs. Smooth keyboards and rythmn ...
...leaves the listener satisfied. Richard Butler's trademark voice - that 60 a day rasp - is a revelation as he demonstrates a much more tender and intimate side to his singing. His untrained croon is enormously affecting and capable of really drawing the listener into the songs. "Maybe Someday" is one of the highlights, with it's hope filled lyrics and the magnificent "Nothing's Wrong" stands as the centrepiece to this marvellous album. But every track ... Read review

Advantages: Traditional, varied
Disadvantages: Some tracks almost too short

The Bairns is an unsual album to listen to, taking you on (for lack of any better comparison) a roller-coaster of emotion, from the first track to the last. With haunting voices and perfect harmonies, Rachel Unthank and The Winterset, a quartet comprising two extremely talented sisters and their friends hailing from the North-east of England, deliver a provoking, if not flawless, catalogue of traditional folk pieces. Particularly interesting are ...
...pieces of music. For example, I Wish, I Wish, which has been covered by many artists in the past, predominantly Kate Rusby's more upbeat take, has been turned into a melancholy, heart-breaking melody much more suited to the lyrics being sung. They also include a collection of "Lulls" which vary from 20 second accapella songs to the 7 minute variation offered at the end of album, with complex vocal harmonies and instrumental backing. A very worthy ... Read review

Advantages: Track 3 & 12 are the value for this album, rich in poetic flavour
Disadvantages: Don't like the chorus in all tracks

The Vocalist - Rebecca Pidgeon The Genre - Scottish / British folk The Music - In light percussion accompaniment The Recording - Good (CD) The Tempo - All in light and fast rhythm except track 3 & 12. This is an album in simplicity of style with a light percussion accompaniment and Piano, guitar or drum. Some track with violin and viola. The lyrics of each song is a story, or even a verse (track 3 & 12) which rich in sentimental. Rebecca Pidgeon's ...
...and nature, warmth and tenderness with unpretentious. Rebecca Pidgeon is the established actress and a singer. She is also a talented song writer with a wide range of song albums from folk, pop, jazz, to Celtic traditions. This is her first album and she also composed in almost every song, to reveal her unusual music talents. Her album is a mood of a Café in a town that far apart from the urban. Track 3 & 12 in a slow and sentimental mode will easily ... Read review