A singer song writer from Italy. A live recording in studio made up of four original songs recorded on the cold night of the 22nd of December, 2012. Together, these songs form a small 10 minute EP, ideal for you to listen to quickly and painlessly.
http://soundcloud.com/fedi-salvucci

Snowapple are three young women from Amsterdam who sing sweet harmonies and play a large collection of instruments, all delivered in a quirky, unique and beautiful style.

Their new single, California will be released on 06 October 2014 through Debt Records and is the perfect blend of fairytale pop and dreamy folk. The single is taken from their forthcoming album, 'Illusion', which is due for release on 3 February 2015.

Louis from Debt Records: "The three young women of Snowapple have done a lot of living, more so than many bands twice their age. Beneath the surface of this, at times, unassuming Dutch trio is a tangle of experiences and musical educations, which come together to create a unique yet wholly natural sound. New single California marks their first steps into a more psychedelic landscape, inspired by their last tour of the USA."
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Tom James is a rarity. At just 22 years of age, he’s already developed the virtuoso acoustic guitar chops and mature song writing skills of someone 20 years his senior. Dropping jaws on stages at the prestigious Pret a Diner in both London and Berlin, touring two summers of major British festivals, performing stage-front at Holland’s Surfana festival, and even touring successfully off the back of his first EP, 2011’s Green & White, he’s accomplished an astounding amount in a very short period of time.
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For the first time since its original release, Grass-Tops Recording and Gnome Life Records bring you the reissue of Robbie Basho's 'Art of the Acoustic Steel String Guitar 6 & 12' album (circa Windham Hill, 1979).

This reissue was remastered by Joe Churchich and Kyle Fosburgh from the original master tapes, with careful attention paid to preservation and enhancement of the original analog qualities and tones of the recording.

Here is the link to the soundcloud page featuring two, 30 sec samples from the remastered album. Also, below is a link to our recent live Basho release, featuring four live performances of tracks from the record.

https://soundcloud.com/grasstopsrecording/sets/robbie-basho-windham-hill

http://grasstopsrecording.bandcamp.com/album/art-of-the-acoustic-steel-string-guitar-6-12

Pre-Order the album here

I stumbled upon Crombie’s work via a YouTube channel searching for covers of Jackson C. Frank. I was completely blown aways with his version of Kimble. I soon realised with his alternative guitar tunings and gentle fingerpicking he had something that all us fingerpickers search for. Music that fits perfectly into the 1960’s / 1970’s folk scene era but somehow today feels fresh and new.
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Iacopo Fedi and Loris Salvucci begin collaborating in 2009 in the rock blues band Moonbeans. Together with Moonbeans, they record a demo (Taste It) and play at various venues and Festivals between Ascoli Piceno and Rome. When the Moonbeans project finishes, they decide to start up a new group, the Glass Onion Trio, still playing together today. Alongside this project, lacopo Fedi continues his work as solo artist, recording his third album, Crazy Heart. Loris is there too, playing electric bass and slide guitar.

At the beginning of 2011, the two form the band "Iacopo Fedi & the Family Bones", which follows Iacopo in his arrangements and plays his original songs live. In December 2012, Iacopo and Loris decide to record an EP entitled "The 4th Winter Sessions ep". They include material they had worked on outside the music projects already mentioned. The songs on the EP are a live recording, subsequently overdubbed and recorded with the participation of Francesco Ciabattoni (Glass Onion Trio; Family Bones) on sax and Vincenzo Marconi Siarroni and Giampiero Mazzocchi (both in Family Bones) respectively on electric guitar and on organ and piano. Actually Fedi & Salvucci are presenting live the new material that will be in the their first album, out in 2014.

Text taken from their bio. Listen to their Sound Cloud

Willie Wright's first new studio album in 34 years!

Rhythm & Blues fans brought back his collectible 1978 classic LP "Telling the Truth," inspiring Willie to create this album of all new original compositions.
Willie Wright, the 1960's/70's Folk-Soul "mystery man" whose 1978 classic LP Telling the Truth was re-released in January 2011 on the prestigious archival label Numero Group , slipped quietly into Burlington, Vermont for a couple of weeks in May, 2011, joined by some lifelong local friends, to record his first studio album in more than 30 years. Currently coping with advanced Parkinsons, he said in an interview just before the recording sessions, “I can feel I’m losing it slowly, but I’m trying to hang on; that’s why we’re planning this session. That will be the last session I do. I’m not complaining. I’m just trying to speak the truth.” Read More...

The Traveler’s Journey is a visual journey though darkness and light expressed though the steel-string acoustic guitar. Artists like John Fahey, Robbie Basho and Leo Kottke defended the steel string acoustic guitar as a concert instrument with their careers, and this album draws influence from all three and others.

I would go a step further and say it's a subliminal homage to these great steel-string guitar players. Kyle Fosburgh seems to capture the essence of the steel-string. Feeling the moments and journeying over mountains. Whilst listening, memories come flowing back of a North American Raga or a dedication to Khalil Gibran.

"I was asked by the record company to sum up "my" philosophy of life and music. "My" philosophy is quite simple: soul first, technique later, or "Better to drink wine from the hands than water from a pretty cup"; of course the ultimate is wine from a pretty cup. Amen." Robbie Basho

Official site: http://www.kylefosburgh.com Read More...

2012 has seen the Crows win three international music awards (Top Celtic Rock Band and Top Fiddle Player at the Irish Music Awards; Top Folk Act, Exposure Music Awards.) They preformed at many festivals and venues all over the UK including Trowbridge Village Pump Fest; Purbeck Folk Fest; and Chapel Arts, Bath amongst many many more…performing approximately 160 shows throughout the last year.

The Roving Crows have already, this year produced an exclusive limited edition EP made available from January 26th, as a pre-release to their highly anticipated second album coming out in October 2013. Of course they will also be touring throughout the year. Read More...

Norris-Brown was a contemporary acoustic duo comprised of vocalist Ingrid Brown and guitarist Adrian Norris. They were formed in Birmingham UK in 1992 after Ingrid answered an advertisement that Adrian had placed in a midlands music magazine looking for a vocalist.

Ingrid had previously sung in social club acts doing pop and classic standards and, over time, she moved on to developing a love of traditional folk songs and tunes. She played piano and, while the instrument would never be used live, she used it as a basis for developing her musical knowledge and writing her own compositions. Read More...

Mad Staring Eyes are a 6-piece band from North London. Their line up includes pedal steel and flute and revolves around a core that have played together for 20 years. In 2006 Mad Staring Eyes self-titled debut EP won the John Peel 'Best New Band' award and they played Glastonbury Festival that year.

They have since toured in the USA, UK, Canada, Russia and Germany and played international festivals such as South By South West (Austin, Texas), North By North East (Toronto) and CMJ Music Marathon (New York).

Their new album was recorded live onto tape using all vintage gear (including The Pogues' 1962 Ludwig drumkit) and draws on influences such as The Band, The Mamas and the Papas, Bruce Springsteen and Fairport Convention. Read More...

This Birmingham based sister fronted outfit have been not-so-quietly carving out their own niche in the Americana and Roots music scene for a while now, so if you haven’t been to one of their shows before you are in for a real treat. And, although it may seem improbable that two young women from the Midlands would have the ability to produce authentic and innovative Country music, you really should leave those pre-conceptions at the door.

One thing about The Toy Hearts is clear: their love for the music they play and the conviction of their delivery far exceeds any simple mimicry of American music. They manage to tip their hats to their influences from Bluegrass, Country and Swing, while making their own mark, and having their own distinct style, which is quite different to that of those whom inspire them. From the heartbreak in Hannah’s voice, to her sister’s take-no-prisoners guitar playing, to their father Stewart's multi instrumental talents, this unlikely trio demonstrate what it means to really want to play this kind of music and truly love doing so.

Having toured extensively since making their first record in 2006, they have played gigs and festivals across the UK, Europe and USA, so they have paid their musical dues the old fashioned way by being on the road an awful lot! They have opened for the likes of Robert Plant, Imelda May, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, The Hot Club of Cowtown, Gene Watson & Ricky Skaggs. Their Nashville recorded 2010 release ‘Femme Fatale’ received several plays from Bob Harris and the band went into BBC Radio 2 studios to record a live session with him in 2011. Read More...

A really amazing album. Great slide work. No need for introductions here. One of those albums that just sells. Please check it out.

Kyle Fosburgh is an accomplished singer/songwriter. He plays many different instruments and draws his music from a vast array of genres including but not limited to: American primitive guitar, pre-war folk blues and gospel, modal music, and various forms of Americana. Much of Kyle's music could be classified as "Progressive folk". His mission is to spread the word of our Lord Jesus Christ through the art of musical expression.

More info at: https://www.facebook.com/KyleFosburgh

These are the type of groups we love to see here at Folk Blues and Beyond. Fresh new melodies but never straying from the roots. Young Believers, reminds me a little of Jack Bruce, The Decemberists and Love thrown in for a special brew. Their Facebook page reads “A little Folk/Beat group from the North, concerned with nothing other than picking our wooden music boxes as if our lives depended on it!”.

Their EP “Fruits of labour” was recorded in a few transpennine locations in the far north of England, with a hire van lots of junk food and gigs.

A soft echoey voice driven by a euphoric drum rhythm and great guitar work is one way to describe their music. I for one would love to see what music they can come up with for their album. Can’t wait. Do check out this band. You won’t be disappointed. Now for the official links and group photos.

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/YoungBelieversBand

EP avavibile at:

http://youngbelievers.bandcamp.com/

After years of being a highly respected guitar player Tim has finally stepped up to the mark and is now fronting his own band ‘Ainslie’s Vibes’. Tim approached two lifelong friends and musicians, Roy Little (bass) and Alex Best (drums) who jumped at the chance to be involved in a new original project. The trio gelled straight away with each member contributing personality and creativity into the mix. Ainslie’s Vibes debut cd, ‘The People Have Spoken’ was released and the band went on to record studio and live gig sessions with the BBC. Having now revisited Roundel Studios in Kent, Ainslie’s Vibes all original new album entitled “Standing Ten Feet Tall and Raging Like a Bull” will be launched later in the year.

Tim has been quick to follow up on his debut EP ‘The People Have Spoken’ with a brand new album entitled ‘Standing Ten Feet Tall (and Raging Like a Bull)’ recorded and released with his band, Ainslie’s Vibes. The new album is collection of self-written songs steeped in Blues crossed with Jazz and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Matt Norris & The Moon formed in 2009 when Matt Norris (guitar, lead vocals) met Tom MacColl (bass) at university in Edinburgh with Dave Law (trumpet, mandolin), Helen Cookson (fiddle, flute) and Dale Birrel (keys, accordian) added through connections from previous bands and from the local open mic and newly emerging Edinburgh folk scene.

After many hours spent practicing, working on their sound and playing shows, they were offered prestigious live performances including the opening set of the Edinburgh Hogmanay Concert in Gardens supporting Sons & Daughters, Bombay Bicycle Club and Primal Scream. Over the past year they have been played support for the likes of Ben Howard, Villagers, Lucy Rose, Pete Roe, Rachel Sermanni, Alphabet Backwards, Kitty the Lion, Dry the River, Three Blind Wolves, Woodenbox and Chasing Owls, have toured Scotland and been named “The best live band in Scotland” by Jim Gellatly with the band recently been named 'artist of the week' on Amazing Radio.

Buy it now

Suburban Dirts are a British electric folk blues band that's heavily influenced by Dylan's mid-60s classics, Bringing it All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited. Their original "Lost in Transcription" riffs closely on Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues," "Tombstone Blues," and other of his sing-song electrics and harmonica-laced ballads. Frontman John Wheatley lists Dylan and the Beatles as primary influences, which, given their influence on one another in 1965, makes a lot of sense. Suburban Dirts also bear `60s and early-70s influences from both sides of the pond, including Hot Tuna, early Fleetwood Mac, Big Brother and the first generation bluesmen from which they all took inspiration. There are hints of country-rock, suggesting the Allman Brothers and, in the case of "Someday, Baby," Mike Nesmith's post-Monkees sides or perhaps Glen Campbell-era Jimmy Webb songs.

The album isn't all Dylan-esque electric blues, as "Ada" turns on a country waltz, "Stoned" edges into psychedelia and "The World it Turned" is a ukulele ballad. Wheatley has enough rasp on the edge of his voice to put across the pain and dislocation of these songs, which just as often center on existential weariness as they do on direct emotional disappointment. That said, there are plenty of lyrics grounded in romantic turmoil, and "I Ain't Cut Out for Working 9 to 5" turns on the workingman's plight. Guitarist Dave Moyes picks some fiery leads, and guest pianist Joe Glossop adds some twinkling piano in the background. Suburban Dirts' Americana sounds surprisingly American for a band from Hertfordshire (the birthplace of Graham Green, among others), which suggests the "American" in "Americana" has fully transcended its geographical roots.

Formed in early 2009, The Crows infamous inexhaustible energy in their live performance alongside fiery fiddle playing, trumpet, guitar, drums, bass and vocals has given them stand alone status in the up-surging live music revival.

Described as completely unique and uncontainable, an original Celtic vibe, also drawing influences from genres including jazz, ska, folk, kleizmer and blues.

An unbridled festival sound.

Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios with the acclaimed producer Nick Brine (Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, The Darkness) the latest album by The Roving Crows promises and citing musical journey. For more information please visit the official website: http://www.rovingcrows.com/ Read More...

What a voice. Absolutely amazing guitar work. We are really seeing some mighty fine musicians coming out of the UK and Ireland lately. Dylan Walshe originally from Ireland, now residing in London Town really has some very interesting songs. Folk Blues and Beyond is an understatement. We are eagily awaiting an album to see more from Dylan. Make sure you check out his official Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/dylanwalshe to hear some of his amazing tunes. Read More...

We were well chuffed when we heard Sean had recorded another album. We hold a soft spot for him here at Folk Blues Beyond. He’s such a talented musician. LOVE AGAINST DEATH holds a loverly bluesy vide, strong lyrics and probably his most mature work so far. Sean is starting a revolution…

Now for the official blurb….

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Musician and vocalist Cathy Jordan, long time member of multi-award winning traditional Irish band Dervish, will launch her debut solo album at Glasgow’s forthcoming Celtic Connections Festival. Cathy’s first ever performance as a solo artist will take place on Friday 20th January at the Tron Theatre at 8pm. The gig will feature guest appearances from album contributors including fellow Dervish star Liam Kelly, flute/whistle legend Michael McGoldrick and members of Swedish band Väsen, as well as other special guests.
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Dapper's Delight (Adrian Brown - anglo concertina and Susanna Borsch - recorder) is a duo formed to explore the dance music and songs of the period 1550-1750, particularly pieces that are found in both high and low cultural sources. Their current interest lies with the rich repertoire of 17th century English tune books and broadside ballads, which they feel, form a bridge between ‘art’ and ‘folk’ music, modern categorisations which would never have been applied to music at that time. Dapper’s Delight use small scale and highly portable instrumentation which they feel is very effective for this repertoire.
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Mary Black, an Irish singer song writer who started out back in 1975 playing in a small folk band called General Humbert, is back with her 17th studio album Stories from the Steeples. She has won the I.R.M.A for best female artist many a time and needs no introduction. This is truly another great album by an amazing singer song writer. You can purchase a copy through her website. Read More...

"Blues garage" is the second solo album by Marco Tansini, following the first release "American places".

This new album is a journey into the Blues and all of its shades and contaminations, represented here by different colours, from funk to rock and even swing.

Marco is known around the world not only as a producer and songwriter but even as a great guitar player and in this new release he shows the more authentic and genuine side of himself. 11 tracks that give life to a guitar album which is refined and polished while, at the same time, minimal and direct, based upon a production that tends to put emphasis to the "live" spirit of this release.

Far from being an experiment of music archeology, "Blues garage" is the personal interpretation of different kind of blues, where the only trademark is the performance's and songwriting's high quality level!

Check out a preview at Tanzan Music

Tony Dominelli is a singer/songwriter/musician from Vancouver Canada. Tony fronted the melodic rock band MATREX that recorded and toured Western Canada in the 80's and 90's. The album "I'll Always Remember" was released worldwide in 2005 by the label Renegade Sounds (Renegade, Vertigo and Stiletto are also on the label) and has been distributed in over 30 countries. Tony also sang in solo acts and various duos, and did jingles for various production companies.

Tony moved to Bowen Island in 1997 and by the late '90's also started acting in community theatre groups, landing major singing/acting roles in plays such as Lend Me a Tenor, Mad Mable's Christmas and The Odd Couple. Tony decided to record a solo album, his debut release, Dominelli, featuring his own compositions, with the assistance of brother Geraldo (also from MATREX) and Sam as co-writers and musicians. Produced, mixed and engineered by Geraldo Dominell at Cobweb Studios, Coquitlam BC, additional tracks were produced at Stonehill Studio on Bowen Island BC, with mastering by Vic Levak (Balligomingo) and publicity by Renegade Sounds label head Jim Buckshon.

More info at Renegade Productions

Michael MacLennan is a Scottish pianist, singer and song writer. Brought up in the small village of Nethy Bridge in the Scottish Highlands, he begun playing the piano at seven years of age. He’s played many a gig in London Town and even caught the attention of Rod Stewart.

Wolves due out in February 2012 is his latest album and is absolutely stunning. His songs are complete, full of heart felt emotion. Though straying from folk scene, they are still well worth a listen. Michael has also had quiet a bit of air-time on BBC radio. A real pro.

You can check out his official website here.

Brother John is a 14-piece avant-folk orchestra comprised of three singers (two of whom double on guitars), full woodwind and string sections, French horn, drums, and electronics. Formed in early 2010 by composer Travis Jeffords and social psychologist Austin Chapman, Brother John is known for their ethereal and layered music. Always in the foreground of their sound is the juxtaposition of the micro and the macro, the part and the whole, the individual at the edge of the infinite.

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Dark Riders is David Stockdale’s fourth album. A musical evolution. Stockdale merges pop with R&B creating introspective ballads. Special attention has been given to the lyrics, a very personal experience.

TRACK LIST : 1. Here comes the night, 2. Oh to be love, 3. High as a kite, 4. Earthquake, 5. Going to my baby, 6. Neil’s car, 7. Boogaloo you, 8. Ballad of Tanya and Joe, 9. Hunting season, 10. Who, 11. Right from the heart.

For more information: http://www.davidstockdale.it/dark_riders/dark_riders.html

A very deep and focused album. Amazing voice and great melodies.

The Water's Edge has now been finished, and is due for release this autumn.

It was produced by Paul Savage (who's worked with such illustrious acts as Arab Strap, Mogwai, Franz Ferdinand and The Phantom Band) in Chem 19 Studios in Glasgow.

Five of the tracks feature arrangements by composer Nico Muhly, who has arranged for Sam Amidon, Björk, Grizzly Bear amongst many others.

Click on the player to the right of the page to hear 3 of the new album tracks, with the 3rd track (Northern Lights) featuring one of Nico's arrangements. Read More...

JOHN MINTON's new album THE HILLS ARE IN BLOOM is the culmination of nearly forty years of performing and pursuing American folk music. Minton began playing in the 1970s in his hometown of Houston, Texas, inspired by roots rock, the folksong revival, and local folk heroes like Lightnin' Hopkins and Townes Van Zandt. In the 1980s he gigged around Austin while earning his PhD in folklore at the University of Texas.

More recently, he has released five critically acclaimed albums by himself and his band, THE POSSUM TROT ORCHESTRA ( John Minton, Life & Times {2003} • John Minton, Going Back to Vicksburg {2004} • The Possum Trot Orchestra {2005} • The Possum Trot Orchestra, Harbor Road {2006} & The Possum Trot Orchestra, Night Crow {2008} ). Featuring thirteen new originals, THE HILLS ARE IN BLOOM expands the eclectic approach of these earlier albums, sampling a range of roots styles—folk, blues, bluegrass, country, rock, skiffle and ragtime. Besides performing, Minton has also made a career of studying American music. Since 1990 he has been professor of folklore at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, teaching classes on American folk and popular music. His most recent book is 78 Blues: Folksongs and Phonographs in the American South (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2008).

Buy it now!

Having played and recorded with so many outstanding artists over the years—among them: Eliza Gilkyson, Bill and Bonnie Hearne, Jaime Michaels, Tish Hinojosa, Jono Manson and Paolo Bonfanti, The Buckarettes—John has been bringing his performance, songwriting, and production chops to his own brand of Americana for the last several years with his CDs, “Crucifixion” and “Fretbuzz”, "Up For Air", and now his latest offering, “The Stone Soup Sessions”.

Known as a versatile session player and multi-instrumentalist, Egenes plays electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, mandola and mandocello, pedal steel and lap steel, dobro and Weissenborn lap guitars, accordion and keyboards, bass, fiddle, and even Theremin and musical saw.

The songs on his CDs paint musical landscapes and offer insights into love and loss, stories of the road, and illustrate the casualties of war. Egenes is a fine spinner of tales.
With a lifelong love of horses, John is known among Amercian equine enthusiasts for having ridden his horse, Gizmo, across the United States, from the Pacific coast of California to the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia on an odyssey that took seven months and covered more than 4,000 miles. Along with his love of horses, he’s also a master saddlemaker, composes music for upper level dressage freestyles, and spends evening hours studying the stars through his telescope.

Now living in Dunedin, New Zealand, he has become a sought-after session player for Kiwi artists like The Sami Sisters, Hannah Howes, Bob McNeill, Tim Guy, Lauren Thomson, Tami Neilson, The Verlaines, The Bats, and others and has found an enthusiastic camaraderie among the local musicians here. He has immersed himself in the study of digital communal culture and its effects upon music and other intellectual content, and in his latest work, “The Stone Soup Sessions” he has managed to bring together a group of his musical pals from all over the world, using what he calls the "21st century folk process" that is spawned by our new digital culture.

A stunning album from a Northumberland group called We Steal Flyers. This acoustic duo has created a euphoric and uplifting acoustic debut album entitled Our World.
Rich vocal harmonies and very laid back strumming creates a unique style and a very addictive sound. Hats of guys. Make sure you check out their new album today!

Info from their official biography:
Derek and Shaggy met up in 2008 when Stolen Tom played on the bill at one of CBSkies last gigs as a band.

Derek was soon to put out his Acoustic Magic idea of going out to buskers nights and searching for good and hopefully a great player or two to help them be heard touring across this little country.

Shaggy was one of the first people to join Acoustic Magic and Derek saw in Shaggy what he was looking for.... He had a heart and lived for music like himself.

A year on when Derek lost his guitar player he wrote and worked out a set alone to find a style of his own.... but knew to reach many more people he needed to team up with someone as he would always lack something and what he lacked is what people needed.

At a charity day Shaggy got up on stage with Derek and they played for 2 hours. They wrote a song and knew they were the parts missing for the future adventure they both felt was coming.

They both write music and lyrics, sing and play guitar..... They move fast and smile often as they understand the business enough to know the basics.

Booking up 250 shows for 2011 with an already impressive "100 gigs in 100 Days Tour" underway, tv slots, radio, constant single's and album release's they will not stop .Playing venues of any size, playing on radio shows, busking on the streets are where you can find them.

They play everywhere under the name WE STEAL FLYERS.

Official website

American Blues man with a mean boogie. Solomon King is a Grammy nominated blues artist with style. Medicine is his second album, produced by Marvin Etzioni (Lone Justice). 10 tracks and back to the blues. Solomon King has got the right ingredients for a top album.

Throughout the USA, Canada and Europe Solomon King has played on broadcast radio leaving his emotion, music and soul where ever he plays. Medicine has all the essentials for a great blues album. Boogie, Bo Diddley, and low down dirty blues.

Here’s what the pros are saying:

Over the course of the striking, stripped-down Medicine, former Detroit autoworker Solomon King returns to that moment when the blues moved inexorably away from the uplift that defined gospel music, and ultimately toward rock ‘n’ roll and then hip hop. The blues sought, at first, to define every-day concerns, but there were no easy answers. As with King’s efforts on this new project, it sought to render those things more real, to define them. That made the music, back in the days of Son House and Robert Johnson, more dangerous than danceable.

For more information please visit his official website: http://solomonkingmusic.com

**** We have one promo CD to give away. Whoever places the first comment below wins the CD.

This is a pretty amazing album. Folk Blues & Beyond have been spoilt with some smooth tunes with Paul Liddell’s debut album “Milestones & Motoways”. 10 out of 10.

Not sure if he is still unsigned but no doubt he will be snapped up very soon, truly amazing. Milestones and Motorways is a very upbeat, acoustic self journey with a twist of pop. High energy tunes like Kill-O-Gramm seem to lead the way for mellow finger picking and political views. This reminds me a little of The John Butler Trio. I can’t wait to see Paul Liddell live!

Check out his official website for more info.

Born, raised and still lives in Southern New Jersey where she takes offense to the popular stereotype of a “Jersey Girl” which she says is strictly a phenomenon of very small parts of "North Jersey" near New York City.

She’s not much for make up, loves to get her hands dirty and can’t bear to where high heels, is a fierce animal rights advocate and promoter of people becoming acutely aware of where their food comes from.

She grew up on the edge of the great New Jersey Pine Barrens, home of the Jersey Devil and a vast place where a girl can get lost on never ending sand roads, cranberry wine and midnight bonfires.

During college Heidi worked various jobs, but loved working on farms the most which led her to study agriculture with an eye on having a farm of her own someday. “My dream would be to operate a small farm of my own and write songs, touring in the winters and farming in the growing season”. But until then, she helps the farming industry with her day job preserving farmland for the State of New Jersey and finds time for writing, recording and performing her music every chance she gets.

Heidi’s first CD “Snow Day” includes an assortment of hard folk rock tunes and songs riding the fence between folk and country, with themes about work, the love of a dog, the loss of a loved one and the pleasure of a snow day. Indie radio across the globe play her songs on Snow Day including the BBC radio in England and WXPN Philadelphia and Heidi’s music video featuring her song “My Best Friend” has received worldwide attention.

Her new CD “Honeysuckle Dream”, released October 2010 takes the listener into a new realm of Heidi’s imagination with upbeat pop songs like “Yogi Momma” and “Super Dog” highlighting her love of a great groove tune, to “Killer” crashing right into the taboo subject of people who abandon their pets at shelters and then to Paper Trails inspiring women to embrace staying home to read a good book.

Heidi is writing for her next CD focusing on local history, stories of the fabled Pine Barrens and other New Jersey curiosities.

Official website

Andrew writes to us....

Friends!

Announcing the release of my new 6-song EP and its companion pocket-size book, Passing Knowledge and Other Songs.

The digital version of both is available for $5 exclusively through Kickstarter, and you'll receive the download today! This represents a new musical direction for me – I think it's my best recording ever – and the handmade book is super cool. (Read in detail about it below, or on my website.)

WHY Kickstarter? Because here I can also present you with good deals on more fun things I have to offer – and this will help fund my upcoming full-length record!
Read More...

"New Day" is the first solo album of Mario Percudani.
After the work with Hungryheart and the blues band project Blueville, Mario Percudani shows his intimate world with these ten songs, proving his great personality and his artistic maturity.

By listening to "New Day" we can absorb a music which is a bridge between the best American traditional Songwriters with a Blues influence, crossed with the West Coast feeling and the European melodies, transformed through sweet and catchy timeless songs.

Official homepage: http://www.mariopercudani.it/

With her third release, Birgit's voice hooks a listener in a way that compels admiration and applause. Her soulful lyrics and haunting melodies have her poised on the edge of a breakout in the Canadian music scene.

Her music has drawn comparisons to Fleetwood Mac's more acoustic leanings, with traces of Shaun Colvin, Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins.

"Birgit’s voice touches a deep vein of longing and beauty for the inexpressible which arrests and nourishes the heart of her listeners. Her singing brings healing balm to the hungry soul"
Chloe Goodchild, musical director, V-day 2001 Madison Square Gardens, New York City

"The songs on Birgit’s CD offer a sweet balance of worldly wisdom, romantic flair and social insight…very ably delivered by one of the finest female singers I’ve heard in a while. Birgit’s expressive vocals embrace the touch & technique of a wide range of fine artists…from Fleetwood Mac’s more acoustic leanings, to traces of Shaun Colvin, Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins….Likewise, Birgit’s inventive guitar work is also exceptionally-melodic, accurate and percussively-precise."
Barry Newman, editor for Cosmic Debris Magazine

"Birgit’s music is pure and honest and thankfully free from cynicism in a world that needs more hope. She writes songs that make you feel glad to be alive"
Mae Moore, international recording artist

"This gal has a deadly voice and lyrics that will truly charm you"
Ron Hynes, East Coast Folk music legend

For more information goto the official website

Glasgow singer/songwriter Jim Byrne follows up his debut release, “On These Dark Nights” with this eclectic collection of ten beautiful, atmospheric songs influenced by American, English and Celtic folk, country and pre-war blues music.

A slower American based finger picking combined with a British/Celtic sound. Some very different production techniques used on a few songs but still well worth a listen. Byrne really shows his guitar playing on “Don’t go pissin in the wind”, a true gem of the album.

Look out for this CD. Released date is the 25th of October 2010.

Official Website: http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/

A very new fresh sound. Stimulating guitar and vocal work.

Rory Garforth & Adam Myers are the songwriting partnership at the helm of a folk/acoustic collective, involving musicians from all over the UK. With their base in South Yorkshire Garforth & Myers provide "lushly brewed melodious folk hypnosis; a multitude of and a masterclass in well crafted songs and understated delivery". After initially meeting whilst involved separate musical projects Rory & Adam started working on material together, this would form the basis of a selection of demo's which attracted the attention of producers Keith Angel and Andy Seward; perhaps best known for their work with Jon Boden , Kate Rusby, Martin Simpson, John Tams, Chris Drever et al… Work started on putting together a self-financed album after months of writing, planning and preparation and features the talents of Devon based Nick Wyke and Becki Driscoll layering up lush string arrangements which has become integral to the sound.

With additions from Magazine's Dave Formula on electric piano and Hammond, Andy Seward on Double Bass and Keith Angel on Drums and percussion the result has been one that all involved can be proud, of reminiscent of artists such as Pentangle or John Martyn.


http://www.myspace.com/garforthmyers

Last year we did a review of a new London based artist Sean Taylor and his Calcutta Grove album. Brilliantly inspired by many of the late great poets, he’s been busy recording and has produced his most mature album to date, Walk With Me.

Recorded in the studio of Trevor Hutchison (WaterBoys), Dublin during a weeklong session. Sean’s joined by Dave Hingerty (The Frames), Michael Buckley, Vyvienne Long (Damian Rice), Justin Carroll and BJ Cole.

Walk With Me is one very complete album, rich with feeling, soul and life.

Perfect Candlelight, Walk With Me, Love Hate On hold some very original piano work. There’s also a superb and very new approach to the traditional song ,She Moved Through The Fair. Bordering on psychedelic and funky.

The album is wrapped up and beautifully presented in very original cd case.

Official Website info:

Kilburn based singer songwriter Sean Taylor whose 2009 release CALCUTTA GROVE received rave reviews the world over has now produced his best work to date. WALK WITH ME is a stunning collection of eleven new tracks, nine of which are from the pen of Taylor; the remaining two are his take of the traditional She Moved Through The Fair and a superbly unique arrangement of a Shakespearian sonnet entitled Love Hate On

http://www.seantaylorsongs.com/

It’s been a long time since we have received an album like Signe Tollefsen’s self titled debut album. Breaking through the commercial norm Signe Tollefsen delivers pure feeling, heart and soul all rolled into one.

Uplifting and full of energy this is one album you can’t miss out on. With the rhythmic Dave Brubeck Quartet baselines in History Class through to the ballads like This is it, it’s simply amazing.

Signe Tollefsen is a half-American singer/songwriter that moved from the UK to Holland to study music at the Amsterdam Conservatory in 2004.

Was it ‘An American in Paris’? No, this is about an American in Amsterdam. But the story has elements of a fairy tale too. Picture this; an American tourist in Amsterdam gets bored with staring at the wallpaper of his hotel room and decides to take a stroll through the famous Vondelpark where a young female singer/songwriter is just finishing the last song of her ‘open-air concert’. All he hears is the last verse of the last song. Nevertheless he is very impressed and takes a recording of the young woman home. Friends and music industry professionals listen on his request to the tape and the verdict is unanimous: ‘beautiful, and an enormous potential’.

The American invites Signe Tollefsen to Los Angeles to record a number of songs in Linda Perry’s studio. Two of these recordings, You, Me & the Brewers and My Old Man are included on Signe Tollefsen’s CoraZong debut album. You, Me & the Brewers features legendary violinist Jerry Goodman, famous for his work with The Flock and John McLaughlin’s Mahavishnu Orchestra.

For more information please see http://www.signetollefsen.com

Great to see Andrew Vladeck releasing more great music. He’s currently working on a new album and will be backed up by a European tour as close as September 2010. Stay tuned Nuremburg,Germany as this will be his first stop.

Here’s the link for the YouTube video:

The Wheel
End Up Records
Released 06/09/09

If you ask him, New York Native Andrew Vladeck will tell you it’s all about the words. Yet it’s his modern take on old-time instrumentation that first calls attention.  A Fender Twin amplifier doesn’t come to mind when one thinks of a banjo, but in his quest to escape the folky comfort zone, Andrew has hotwired his way into a truly individual style.

A well-known musician in the alt-folk scene in NYC, Andrew’s unique sound is captured on the upcoming End Up Records release “The Wheel.“ Produced by Kyle Fischer (Rainer Maria) and mixed by Dave Schiffman (Johnny Cash, Mars Volta), with appearances by Caithlin De Marrais and Lara Meyerratken (Ben Lee), the album includes the caustic “The Songs you Inspire,“ which won 1st Place in the Int’l Songwriting Competition.



A former Urban Park Ranger, Andrew was fascinated by the interplay of nature with Gotham, and the edges where the two meet.  Andrew is similarly inclined towards music, striving to blend his affection for the ante-bellum with the contemporary.  The result is folk and indie rock reconfigured—a “new wave” of folk that is distinctly American sounding.  Still, Andrew is first and foremost a wordsmith, whose sparkling, sharp-edged approach sets his often dark and hilariously ironic lyrics over sparse and tasteful instrumentation.
Andrew was featured on BBC’s The World, and was voted NYC Artist of the Month in The Deli Magazine.  He’s also a founding member of the upcoming indie folk quintet The Honey Brothers, and is a regular contributor to the NYC-based folk collective, Balthrop, Alabama.

The Wheel is the first full-length release by Vladeck since 2006.  He will be touring extensively throughout the summer and fall in support of the new record.
 
- Offical Andrew Vladeck Site

Soulful, poignant and delicate are just some of the words being used to describe the music of West country-based singer/songwriter Diana Johnstone. Born in Plymouth, Devon, Diana began singing and playing guitar in her late teens at the famous Folk Cottage in Mitchell, Cornwall, performing alongside Mike Silver, Clive Palmer and Ralph McTell.

There she met and subsequently married multi-instrumentalist, Davey Johnstone (Magna Carta, Noel Murphy, Joan Armatrading.) In 1972, Davey was asked to join the Elton John band just as the Rocket Mans career was heading into the stratosphere. For Davey, Diana and their son Tam the next few years would be spent in a whirlwind of whistle stop tours and incredible celebrity encounters: Groucho Marx at the Beverly Hills hotel, Stevie Wonder ..boards aboard the Starship (Eltons private plane), Gracie Fields, John Lennon During this time, Davey recorded a solo album for Eltons Rocket Records label with legendary record producer Gus Dudgeon at the helm. The album, Smiling Face (now remastered and released on Sound City records) features three songs co-written by Diana.

She also sings lead vocals on the track A Lovely Day (as featured in playwright Willie Russells Daughters of Albion - Yorkshire TV, 1977.) When Diana and Davey divorced in the mid-1970s, Diana took up a career in film and TV set design (working with director Nic Roeg and actor Tony Curtis among others), before coming back to music in the late 1990s. On moving to the Bath area she began writing and performing her own material again. Her unique style of playing combined with her thoughtful lyrics and mesmerizing voice has already attracted a keen following. This, along with her well-received live performances has ensured that Diana Johnstone is definitely one to watch among the new breed of innovative female singer/songwriters. Dianas debut CD, Learning to Walk is available now.

- Offical Myspace Blog

On the 12th of October 2009 Beggar Joe will release their acclaimed self-titled debut album.

Beggar Joe, formed at Salford University where they had one idea in common, to create meaningful music. Coming fresh out of Manchester’s, bar, cafe and live music scene they soon attracted a strong gathering, large enough to catch the eye of C.A.T Records, where they recorded their debut album Beggar Joe.

The group consists of John Kenzie – guitar/vocals, Justin Sheren – keys, Andy Brown – double bass, Rome Mosabbir – percussion and Chris Butler – drums.

Beggar Joe style is hard to classify as it falls into not one genre but many. You could say folk rock, blues, soul, all wrapped up with a near African percussion sound, added for a touch of extra rhythm.

The production is pure bliss and very tight. Al Stone (famous for producing Jamiroquai’s Travelling without Moving) seems to capture the mood/sound straight from the group. Beggar Joe’s debut album really is a kaleidoscope of styles, which seem to roll into each other. This group will go far.

“Beggar Joe blend blues guitar with seamless finger work and raw vocals on their debut album. An Amalgamation of blues, folk, jazz and rock ‘n’ roll- it is good, very good. Take for example lead-off single ‘Sleeping City’. It’s a masterful bluesy number which triumphantly picks up speed towards it’s close and leaves you in no doubt that Beggar Joe means businees”
-Official PR

Checkout their site at: http://www.myspace.com/beggarjoe

Sean Taylor, fresh sounds from North London. His latest album Calcutta Grove seems to be a light in a very dark folk/blues world. After the loss of John Martyn and Davy Graham its good to hear an array of cleverly arranged songs with inspirations from some of the great heros.

From the soft bluesy fingerpicking of Calcutta Grove to a new and very original approach in Hard Time Killing Floor Blues, Sean seems to stay true. Calcutta Grove, 11 full tracks including some very inspiring piano playing in The River Merchant’s Wife and Hold onto your Love.

For more information see: http://www.seantaylorsongs.com

A clean distinct folk sound not straying too far from the roots. Houdini’s Blues is an album that searches for truth, where sometimes the vocals scarily resemble that of the late Skip James.

From songs like Dream Song #1 with it’s slow but very effective searching rhythm makes way to a slapping harmonic piece like “Hail To The Theif”. This is no Radiohead cover, it’s better, it’s the real thing.

Add to the combination, classic folk singer songwriter songs like “Strong Storm Rising” and “All Come To Reap The Goldrush” with honest lyrics accompanied by graceful guitar playing and you have one mighty fine album.

A mega rare album rediscovered in the autumn of 2007 by Acrobat Music after acquiring the catalogue of recorded works owned by The Kruger Organisation. Previously available only on vinyl and very hard to find this album consists of 18 tracks including bonus material not on the original release.

Its unsure how many copies of the original album were sold due to "an offensive hand signal" inside the cover many shops refused to stock it. As a result it was completely withdrawn from sale almost immediately after release, with only a tiny handful of First pressings ever sold.



To quote Acrobat Music "The music of Knocker Jungle is a fascinating snapshot of a strand of the pop and rock scene that was at the core of what was called “progressive” or “underground” music at the back end of the 60s and early 70s. "

Acrobat Music have done a great job re-releasing this classic album.

For more information visit: http://www.acrobatmusic.net/

"...Wow, we have here 16 great songs with diverse styles like country, Chicago blues, gospel, jazz, Dixieland honky-tonk and swing. On Heaven you can listen to very catchy numbers with quick changing music styles in which the witty worked out texts are sung through considerable vocal chords of this talented singer.

I believe that Zach Lupetin knows the blues deep down in his soul and that is why he is able to incorporate it in his songs in many diverse ways. When he still studied at the University of Michigan he played with the band “the Midnight Special” a school blues band from which he recruited some musicians from for his CD. His musical examples (idols) are clearly John Prine, Wayne Hancock, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Django Reinhardt, Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family among others.

The first song on this CD is called “Maybe Baby” and is a blues number tinted with guitar, upright bass, and soft drum accompaniment as well as lively gospel singing and clapping. Some songs are reminiscent of the pre war 20’s to 40’s, which may seem funny for young twenty something guy. Songs like “Mama Said”, “End of the Road” and “”Get Out” illustrates what we mean by this. Textually there is also a portion (big portion) of humor in the songs, showing that they must have a had a great time recording the album, especially in songs like “I Wish That I never Had Met You” and in the seven minute long “Get Out”. “Say You Will” on the other hand is a more traditional ballad and the basic of blues words are held up in “Boo Hoo Blues”.

The title track “Heaven (I’ll Meet you There)” appeals on the beginnings of storytelling blues. Livelier (or happier) is “Another I Don’t Love You Song” and “Superkiller # 405””. If I can chose my favorite song I would go for “La Sangre Lake” that really is completely different from the other songs on this CD. This is a real different record that I would strongly recommend it to lovers of nostalgic blues and country who dig that timeless, happy sound. Zach Lupetin is currently touring throughout California with his new group “The Dustbowl Revival”, a "good old-time string group" as he calls them. Check them out here: www.myspace.com/znlupetin. Fantastic CD! Keep on doing what you do, Zach!

-Freddy Celis, ROOTSTIME MAGAZINE, BELGIUM

For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/znlupetin

Peter Berryman arrived on the acoustic music scene in the 60's with the Famous Jug Band which also featured Clive Palmer of the Incredible String Band. At this time he also recorded with Ralph McTell, Wizz Jones and Al Stewart and in 1971 his influential LP with John James , Sky In My Pie,was released. Since then he has collaborated with many notable musicians, worked in theatre and film, and played as far afield as Hokitika and Abidjan.

About The Return;

"Pete explores various moods and influences with equal respect for folk jazz and celtic roots with his delicate fingerstyle technique. His love for the acoustic guitar and it's ability for nuance and subtlety is showcased in this album of fresh and highly original compositions. Enjoy" Ralph McTell

"Pete Berryman, and his contemporary Bert Jansch, still have plenty to offer us in the 21st century. Perhaps it’s the simple acoustic style that he employs, free from the distractions of other instrumentation or vocals, but it’s hard to believe that a period of thirty years lies between some of these compositions when they all sound so vibrant and new. ." Acoustic Magazine

"Pete is one of the unsung heroes of the British acoustic guitar movement."
John Renbourn

For more information visit www.peteberryman.com

" A brilliant Band...I think this [EP] is absolutely amazing "
Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

Celtic, Balkan, Gypsy, Latino, Cornish. All these influences and more are in evidence within 3 Daft Monkeys’ music. Far too diverse to be pigeonholed into 1 genre, and possessing a sound completely impossible to typecast into being a particular “style”, 3DM traverse Dance, Dub, Punk, Reggae and Traditional Folk with ease, creating a stunning blend of upbeat, danceable music which despite all its world influences remains undeniably British.

Go Tell The Bees EP showcases 3 tracks from band’s forthcoming album “Social Vertigo”, scheduled for released in early 2008. Also included is a remastered version of Astral Eyes from their previous album “Hubbadillia”. To date Hubbadillia has sold over 5,000 copies purely through word of mouth, and without any distribution or label deal.

3 Daft Monkeys have already played to tens of thousands of people across numerous venues and festivals around the world, both as headliners and support for a variety of major acts.
Recent festival highlights include Folkwoods, Holland; Glastonbury Festival 2007 (3 sets); Folk Segovia, Spain; Lorient Interceltic Festival, France; Kevelaer World Music Festival, Germany and Labadoux Festival, Belgium. Over 5000 people watched their main stage performance at Beautiful Days 2007 and the band will end their summer festival season with a performance at Bestival.

Whatever your taste in music, 3 Daft Monkeys offer something special and their unique blend of high octane, funked-up folk is guaranteed to even the greatest cynics dancing!

Folk, Blues, Funk and Jazz. Phil Kings got style. A very impressive album which leaves no style unturned. Music to lift you up, move you around, but not straying from the roots. From the laid back lazy blues of "Smiling Eyes" to the mournful cry of "Laughter" Phil King seems to know the recipe for success.

Born in 1978, Phil has been singing his whole life. At 12yrs old, his parents took him to see Eric Clapton at the Albert Hall. The next day, he picked up a guitar, and formed his first band with some school friends. He also began collecting records, buying old Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, B.B. King and Muddy Waters Albums.

For more information visit Phil Kings Official website here: http://www.phil-king.net/index.php

England-based singer/songwriter/guitarist James Hollingsworth has a unique, complex guitar style, reminiscent of Andalusian guitar as well as modern rock.

As well as being known as an inspired solo singer/songwriter/guitarist, James is also lead singer and frontman with the rock band JEBO.

There are hooks, harmonicas, harmonies, hush and heaviness aplenty, delivered with James' characteristic passion and aplomb. More unusual tracks include the palindromic 'Bounty of Id', (also a 'Mini-Saga', meaning it has exactly 50 words) of just under 2 minutes to the epic 12-minute 'Long Way Out'.

Track dates are included in all of James' releases as part of the biographical record of his catalogue. “This has always been a plan,” James says, “songs often shed light on the meaning of other songs written at that time.

Recently quoted from a gig:

“.... and then there was James Hollingsworth... well by the time he'd finished I had 2 pages of notes and adrenalin coming out of my pores. I was itching to get his album once he'd finished - and i'm listening to it as I write this. It's bloody brilliant.

“live he started quite subdued....did a couple of mellow songs , in a mellow stance, and a mellow tone to his voice... then he sang possible the sweetest version of "Happy Birthday" i've ever heard - for Rach.

“Then he hit the stratosphere. I'll throw some names out that I thought of while I listened - Cat Stevens, Ian Anderson, Roy Harper, Geddy Lee...there was loads going on....and he was just passing through. "You're not the only one" was the first song he did when he really went for it - and it was beautiful - fantastic song.

“Then he did a song which he introduced by saying "this is a song about living on the same planet..we've got a long way to go" - perfect introduction. The song starts with the line "if you look around the world its hard to imagine how things are gonna get better" - the song is "Sooner or Later" and the CD version is just as good as it was live. Powerful stuff.

“Then he completely blew me away. Not sure what the song is called....(if you're reading this James, i'd love to know) It was incredible - he got himself into it by playing this strident riff, staring at the audience and swaying to the song's rhythm - the song was being built up to this huge rock beast right from the start....then he started singing - in a way he hadn't up to this point - and it was amazing - huge delivery - fast, staccato,
biting lines punctuated with this fast, big, riffing guitar. It had a kind of "Ritchie Havens 'Freedom'" rhythm, if you know Woodstock - but it had a powerful sense of urgency. It was breathtaking. The last line (sang really quick) "thank you please just to leave me aloooooooone" - it was HUGE! lol - brilliant. “then he had to follow it!

“A beautiful song called "Walk the Earth" which had me singing along in my chair (I was disappointed it wasn't on the album... but it's a good excuse to buy his others) - a great song that reminded me of Steve Knightley. Nice percussive slapping on the
guitar on this one.

“He was a really nice bloke too - afterward me and Andy Brown were chatting to him - and Andy asked him to write something ridiculous on his inlay booklet (I won't say what it was but it's not something you'd expect someone to write) - and he did - great stuff.

“Still listening to the album - i'm on track 11 now - it's brilliant. Powerful performances, distinctive songwriting, a prog rock sensibility paired down to the acoustic as Roy Harper would have it, and the perfect production. Brilliant. So pleased I have the CD.

- Gareth Howells - re. Gig in Portsmouth 15/03/07.

Release Date: 25th September 2007
José González - In Our Nature
(Peacefrog/Mute)

Track list:
   1. How Low
   2. Down The Line
   3. Killing For Love
   4. In Our Nature
   5. Teardrop
   6. Abram
   7. Time To Send Someone Away
   8. The Nest
   9. Fold
  10. Cycling Trivialities

'In Our Nature' gets busy with universal themes of the human condition, our place in the world and bypassing songs about love, opening by addressing the body-politik on 'How Low' - "...feeding a monster...invasion after invasion..." to a lilting guitar, gathering pace for the hypnotic 'Down the Line' with a riffing number about owning your problems, making mistakes and moving on - "...I see problems down the line/ I know that they're mine..." while the guitar shimmers. Our warring natures are addressed somewhat simplistically but with melody on 'Killing For Love' - "..you've got a heart filled with passion/ will you let it burn for hate or compassion..." to dexterous finger pickin' guitar work, whilst title track 'In Our Nature' has a world-weary tone with a Nick Drake-lean and minimalism, a touch of 60's idealism in the lyrics - "...put down your sword/ send home your dogs/ open up your doors...".