Reviews
Reviews
We promote a large number of releases across genres featuring some very talented up and coming new artists please see reviews below and click on the link below for our Spotify playlist
Listen to the Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4zicO75loCL8FH9SNOqE38
Album Review – TangleJack “ The Ragged Edge”
March 16, 2025
TangleJack took its current form and name in 2013 when old friends and bandmates John-Paul Davies and Duncan Leigh began to perfect the two-part harmony and double guitar duet style that is now the duo’s signature sound.
There latest album The Ragged Edge is a wonderful mix of sounding familiar yet stamping their own mark making the whole album feel accessible and comfortable to listen to. The opening harmonies to the first track In The Light of the Setting Sun immediately draw you in mixed with intricate fingerstyle guitar playing and a catchy chorus getting of top a great start.
The title track The Ragged Edge has a familiarity about it which I can’t quiet put my finger on, which is a sign of a great song. Sharing a history that began some 30 years ago, as the arty outsiders in the brass bands of the South Wales valleys, John-Paul and Duncan formed a friendship that outlasted their teenage rock band years and this evident ion their music.
You’ve Never Had It So Good is a political song with a Boris Johnson speech appearing in the middle along with a clap along section which I found joining in with at home on my own. It is the role of Folk singer’s to reflect what people are going through when times are tough and that’s what these two do perfectly.
The Garden of Your Heart is a complete contrast, a song of hope and jubilation that slows down towards the end before reaching a crescendo , this song shows the duo at their best with great songwriting and harmonies. Nightingale is a gentler song with a beautiful almost Spanish guitar solo before the vocals kick back in.
Wild Roses paints a picture and conjures up images of the duo’s South Wales landscape. White Hats kicks off with acapella vocals it is a really enjoyable song although we left unsure what the White Hats are! Players Not The Playwright starts of with harmonica and is a lot clearer to understand with the lyric “We are the stewards not the seller, the players not the playwright” and a deeply spiritual song.
Brockwell is a beautifully gentle song again which encapsulates everything good about TangleJack evocative lyrics, wonderful harmonies and great guitar playing. Draw Another Breath is a lively song about taking a breath and seizing the day with a catchy chorus and a wahoo singalong ending. The final track (This is Not) The End ends on a gentle note a song about faith and trust.
The Ragged Edge is a fabulous introduction to TangleJack if you haven’t come across them before packed full of great harmonies, intriguing lyrics and wonderful musicianship and I am sure this comes across even more at their live shows.
Album Review Tommy Eric ‘Origami Hearts’
February 17, 2025
Origami Hearts is the debut album from Tommy Eric a musician and songwriter who has spent many years working with and producing music for other artists until now where we get so witness his talent in the spotlight. The first single and opening track ‘Like Lightning’ Tommy describes as “the paralyzing experience of loving someone who isn't right for you, especially when the feelings aren't reciprocated”, This is a proper album production with a steady bass and drum beat that rocks with a rip roaring guitar and funky bass solo with about 10 words a second ( well that is an exaggeration but not much of one) this song Rocks and sets the tone for the rest of the album.
‘You and Me’ is a beautiful love song with a solid rhythm and interweaving guitar melody, you can tell there many influences behind the music and words of these songs but Tommy manages to create his own distinctive sound, which isn’t an easy thing to do. ‘City Boy’ extols the virtues of leaving the big city and following his love to the place where the flowers grow. You have probably noticed by now that there is a theme to these songs and you would be right, released on Valentine’s Day this is an album about love and dedicated to his wife and a wonderful gift it is too and well as being a personal narrative these songs have a global message that can speak to us all.
‘Autum Sun’ is a catchy song about Tommy’s favourite time of the year which features that rare thing a whistle solo, not a penny whistle or any instrument that is a derivative of one, but a blowing wind through your lips solo, no mean feat, I tried and couldn’t get close. The opening sequence to ‘Stars Align’ has a Marc Bolan and T Rex vibe to it which reappears throughout the song and at one point all the music stops apart from drums and vocals which creates light and shade in the song. You can imagine that the idea for ‘Home’ came about driving late at night after a performance as it evokes that sense of nearing your destination as the street lights whiz pass and the stars shine brightly in the night sky.
‘Hold Me’ is a song about needing to feel safe which builds with intricate guitar playing and shows off Tommy’s vocal range as drums and bass kick in before settling into a rhythm. ‘I Got That Feeling Too’ has a swagger about it and is a fast paced rock song that really lets rip. The penultimate track on the album is ‘Signals’ about looking for a sign with a beautiful almost jazzy guitar solo. The album ends with a cover, the only one on the album of ‘Fell In Love With a Girl’ by White Stripes.
Overall this is album is an impressive debut with finally crafted songs with great musician ship and well produced. In a World full of uncertainty this album reminds us of the things and people that are important to us and make us feel safe. Highly recommended.
Bandcamp - https://tommyeric.bandcamp.com/album/origami-hearts
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UnhLUc7nqAu5qPa9ZFz3G
Website - https://tommyeric.com
Single Review – Pebble Beach’ by Maud’s Dog
July 11, 2024
Maud’s Dog is a captivating acoustic songwriting duo featuring Mark Fisher and Jackie Pryce that weaves soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics into a musical tapestry. Drawing inspiration from legendary artists like James Taylor and the ethereal Kate Bush, they infuse their compositions with a touch of jazz, a hint of blues, and the energy of rock.
Their debut single starts with gentle lapping of the sea with seagulls chirping in the background that leads into a gentle melodic guitar from mark before we are introduced into the rich soulful vocals of Jackie. Pebble Beach evokes a feeling of the loss of loved one and creates a feeling to melancholy that is comforted by the environment. Overall this is a great introduction to this duo and I look forward to future releases.
To listen go to :- https://songwhip.com/maudsdog/pebble-beach
Album Review - The Lost Trades 'Petrichor '
March 1, 2023
The dictionary definition of Petrichor the title of the new album from The Lost Trades is “a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather” and for this Wiltshire based trio they have been basking in glowing praise since the release of their debut Award Winning album ‘The Bird, The Book & The Barrell’ which received rave reviews and spent 8 months in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart.and now finally the follow up album is due for release accompanied by a UK Tour.
Consisting of Tamsin Quin, Phil Cooper and Jamie R Hawkins all three were and still are established solo performers before they joined together as The Lost Trades and as good as their debut album is Petrichor feels like time has enabled them to develop their own sound even more, but still enabling their individual talents to shine through. With four of the twelve songs previously released as singles in the run up to the launch there was a fear that we may have heard the best songs already, but that is certainly not the case, make no mistake, this is a corker of an album.
The opening track Old Man of the Sea is an emotional and personal obituary written in memoriam for a late family member, reminiscent of Crosby, Stills Nash & Young and it does that wonderful thing where all voices are in unison and then one strips away to the emphasise a lyric that packs a punch which CSN&Y did so well. There is a wonderful video to accompany Keep My Feet Dry which tell’s the story of breaking away from personal relationships that don’t do you any good and standing your own ground and I love the guitar break in this song.
Atlas is the first track on the album that hasn’t been released as a single and therefore a good indication of how good this album truly is and it’s a great pop song which tells of taking the weight of the world on your shoulders, but strangely leaves the listener full of hope. Long Since Gone is a beautiful song in remembrance of those people dear to us who are no longer here, which is followed by Daffodils which tells of the importance of good friends in troubled times, which includes the line “ You are my Devil's Avocado” which is one of my favourite lyrics and the harmonies on this show the trio at their best.
Throughout Petrichor we are treated to three people who are at the top of their game vocally, musically (the musicianship throughout is excellent and comes across as effortless) and as songwriters who sound wonderful together but at the same time as individuals as is the case with Hornbeam, Fireflies and Best Step Forward. Little Black Bird is another great song with a fabulous bass line running throughout and more fabulous harmonies asking the question “do you remember what you dream” to the little bird.
The title track to the album ‘Petrichor’ wouldn’t go a miss being sung in any Folk Club or Folk Festival and is a song of hope in these strange times that we currently live in. This Dark Forest has an almost cinematic feel to it as it takes the listener on a journey and you feel all three of The Lost Trades are with you every step of the way. The final track on this fine album Valhalla is currently my favourite of all tracks on offer (but the more I listen to the album the more I feel this will change as they are all so very good), with just a slow evocative drum and acapella vocals this is a stirring song with a message to turn off the TV and put down your newspaper and to take in all that is around you in nature and I can’t help but feel this song performed live will become a firm favourite with audiences.
Petrichor is a fine album and like the meaning of the word it awakens the senses, the lyrics are thought provoking and you come away with a sense of hope, just how good this album is only time will tell but based on the number of times I have already had it on repeat it is likely to be in the running for album of the year.
To order the album :- https://shop.thelosttrades.com/album/petrichor
The Lost Trades UK Tour Dates :- http://thelosttrades.com/tour-dates/
Review - Ajay Srivastav - Powerless
June 24, 2021
Review - Ajay Srivastav -Powerless
Powerless is the second album from Ajay Srivastav. An inspirational journey through the COVID 19 Pandemic, from fear, frustration and anger to faith, hope and peace. The first song “The Line” is a foot-tapping question. Challenging lyrics ask where you stand and what you believe? The title track “Powerless” kicks off with some truly emotive Indian Violin from Kartik Raghunathan. The lyrics are a motivational call-to-hope, with a rousing chorus. “ The Powerless one day will rise”. “Golden” is an uplifting, joyful, life-affirming trip, with a catchy Stealer's Wheel feel. “The Path” is a meditative song about coming home, with the inspired addition of a string quartet, who also stay for the thought-provoking “Count Your Blessings”, reminding us to live in the present and be thankful for all that we have. Powerless is a wonderful blend of Delta Blues, Indian Folk and Protest songs wrapped in the sublime sounds of Ajay's Dobro with the gorgeous undercurrent of Vinod's Tabla.
“A true Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove”
Reviewed by Jaen Amber & Tara Egan
Powerless by Ajay Srivastav is available from https://www.ajayhq.com/
Review – The Lost Trades ‘The Bird, The Book & The Barrel’
The Bird, The Book & The Barrel is the love child and debut album from the Lost Trades who are Lost Trades are Wiltshire based friends, Jamie (R Hawkins), with his dark, country edge, Phil (Cooper) with his urban folk wit and Tamsin (Quin) with her engaging warmth and whimsy. Individually accomplished musicians in their own right, this trio blends together to produce a melting pot of symmetry and true musical talent.
Opening with "One Voice", a song about the power and strength of unity and joined forces : it could be interpreted as a Lost Trades anthem."Road Of Solid Gold" is a positive song about being content with your own company. An extra layer of violin, provided by Peter Knight (Steeleye Span), brings a rich, wholesome, upbeat feel to the melody. Whilst "Hope Cove" evokes feelings of loss, sadness and faith, "Wait For My Boat" jumps in with a rousing, joyful, singalong chorus.
In all the album is full of evocative harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics, bound together in a wonderful traditional-meets-modern folk genre.
Reviewed by Jaen Amber and Tara Egan
The Bird, The Book & The Barrel by The Lost Trades is available from https://shop.thelosttrades.com/album/the-bird-the-book-the-barrel
Review - Steve Bonham and the Long Road - New Album 'American Wilderness Odyssey’
March 13, 2021
American Wilderness Odyssey is available from https://www.thelongroadband.net/awo.html
The American Wilderness Odyssey is an extraordinary project from Steve Bonham and the Long Road which features fifteen songs released over a fifteen month period through a series of EP’s culminating in the release of the album and a companion book. The songs from the project have all been written by Steve Bonham, Chris Lydon and Kev Moore, and Steve and Chris. Their starting point is not first the songs of others but the deep well of individual experience. They were inspired by the people, the landscape, the stories and the spirit of the Southern States of the USA. Steve trekked through the brooding old testament forests and mountains of Appalachia in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina. He took road trips from Ashville to Nashville and New Orleans and then, trekking and driving, circumnavigated New Mexico. Kev set off in a classic old sedan to visit the hometowns and heroes of his youth spending six weeks on the road through Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana.
The album opens with the ‘Ballad of Duane and Billy Marie’ a gentle song with intricate piano playing interweaved with guitar and harmonies reminiscent of Crosby, Stills & Nash, like most of the songs on this album the inspiration for this comes from a chance encounter or observation by Steve Bonham which is then expanded into a story. The more up tempo ‘Wrapped Up in You’ has a great rhythm and slick guitar playing and a catchy chorus and was a hit on independent radio globally and number 1 on UK Country Radio. ‘American Wilderness’ is an eight minute song which tells the strange story of Paula Angel, said to be the first woman to be hung in New Mexico. ‘Do You’ is a beautiful gentle song described by the band as a 'secular prayer' wishing someone an authentic and spiritual life despite all the madness that precedes. ‘Midnight Radio’ is cracking little song where all the component parts of The Long Road come to together with great lyrics, a gentle keyboard backing and excellent percussion.
The final track of the album ‘Western Requim’ is a fantastic end to this epic project conjuring images of the wide expanse of the American landscape with it’s almost cinematic soundscape with Hammond organ, piano, guitar & percussion. In a time when how we listen to music is changing almost on a daily basis The Long Road have come up with a creative and inventive solution by incorporating an album, book and videos making it accessible to everyone, big congratulations to all involved.
Graham Steel
Review - Mandy Woods - New Album 'Cabin Fever'
February 17, 2021
Bandcamp - https://mandywoodsmusic.bandcamp.com/album/cabin-fever
Glastonbury based singer and songwriter Mandy Woods releases her new album, aptly titled ‘Cabin Fever’ later this month, featuring fifteen songs recorded during Lockdown. A seasoned writer and performer in both Europe and America, Mandy Woods has spent most of her adult life giving in to wanderlust and crafting songs wherever she has happened to find herself on her unconventional journey, many of them telling stories - about the ups and downs of relationships, about her own and other people's struggles and quests, and about the myriad other twists of fate that have inspired her imagination.
The title track Cabin Fever opens the album telling the story of being confined inside with a loved one which is appropriate for a Lockdown which is followed by the gentle My Second Hand Heart with beautiful harmonica backing. This whole album has an Americana/ Folk feel to it with well crafted songs, wonderful musicianship and easy to listen to stories and you have to wonder why Mandy Woods isn’t more well known on the acoustic music scene. The up tempo One Trick Pony definitely takes on more of a Country Music sound and could easily be heard in any Bar or Honky Tonk in Nashville and even has a Yee Haa at the end to prove my point.
There are so many good songs on this album with Cactus Rose, Butterfly, Awesome Woman and Full Moon Over Vegas being particular highlights all telling what sound like personal real life experiences. Although all the songs feature vocals and guitar from Mandy there is some backing with the occasional steel guitar and in All That is Left to Cherish beautiful violin accompaniment from Judith Hooper. Ain’t No G in Country is a great fun track with has more of a band feel than the other songs. The closing track Every Single Second is all about making the most of life whilst you can, which is a positive message as we all hopefully prepare to come out of Lockdown. This is a really enjoyable album that is perfect listening equally on a cold Winter’s night or on a Summer’s evening under the stars, highly recommended.
The album is available from Bandcamp 22nd February.
Graham Steel
Review - Hoopy Frood - New Album 'Affirmations'
February 10, 2021
Bandcamp - https://hoopyfrood.bandcamp.com