Rumer - Nashville Tears (24/04/20)
Artist: Rumer
Release Date: 24th April 2020
Genre: Country, Folk
Record Label: Cooking Vinyl Limited
Tracks: 15
Website:
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Seth Lakeman - A Pilgrim's Tale (07/02/20)
Artist: Seth Lakeman
Release Date: 7th February, 2020
Genre: Folk
Record Label: Absolute
Tracks: 12
Website:
"If you’d never heard anything about the Mayflower and the birth of the modern USA these words and music could be your primer.” - Seth Lakeman Multi award-winning folk singer Seth Lakeman releases his new album ‘A Pilgrim’s Tale’ on February 7th 2020, in a year that marks four centuries since The Mayflower ship departed the UK. The album will be released amidst a selection of UK concerts where Seth will visit locations significant to The Mayflower tale, including dates in London, Plymouth, Immingham and Harwich (full details below). This stirring and beautiful record is narrated by the actor Paul McGann (Dr Who/Withnail and I/Hornblower/Luther), and features a host of guest performers including Cara Dillon, Benji Kirkpatrick, Ben Nicholls and Seth’s father Geoff Lakeman. 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of The Mayflower ship setting off to the Americas. The ship carried British and Dutch passengers with hopes of fresh settlement, and who were famously met by the Wampanoag first nation tribe upon their arrival. Bottling the spirit of the 17th century pilgrimage, Seth has written and performed a selection songs that shape a fictional narrative of the journey, informed by extensive research from text such as the journals of William Bradford, conversations with modern day ancestors of the Wampanoag people at the Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, and information sourced at the national heritage sites that still exists in the UK. Chronicling the voyage and early settlement in these songs, Seth has created a drama that celebrates the history, but doesn’t lose sight of the journey’s tribulations. It stays sensitive to important facets of the story; the religious liberation that passengers were trying to achieve, the nefarious deeds enacted upon the Wampanoag, and the deaths that followed on both sides. It’s a story Seth feels he is intrinsically linked to, “I didn’t have far to go for inspiration. The Mayflower Steps, on Plymouth’s cobbled Barbican streets are 20 minutes away from me. I fished from this quay as a boy, sang songs on tall ships tied up here and played music in just about every old sailors’ pub in this Elizabethan quarter.” Furthermore, as one of the most celebrated members of British folk music, Seth is wholly qualified to replicate the trappings of traditional 17th century musical styles; whether it be through his vocals, stringed instrument arrangements, fiddle playing, or percussion. The stories in the songs are told from a variety of perspectives, from personal accounts such as the opening number ‘Watch Out’ detailing deadly premonitions of a Wampanoag girl, to tales of the collective travellers in songs such as ‘Pilgrim Brother’ and ‘Sailing Time’, which march at a hopeful cadence reflecting their early optimism. Close your eyes, and with each track you feel possessed by one of those 17th century characters; a crewman wrestling to control the ship, a pilgrim celebrating in rapturous faith, or the solemn Wampanoag tribesmen forlornly surrendering to the new way of life thrust upon them. Seth has married mood to pulsing rhythms in an immersive tale of struggle that, 400 years later, still holds an emotional impact. Inspiration for the project came when Seth was on tour with Robert Plant, and paid a visit to the Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts to talk to the Wampanoag that still reside in the area. It didn’t take long for the songs to form upon his return to England, “After I travelled home from the “New World” to Plymouth, Devon everything happened in a quite mystical way. The songs came together so speedily and with exactly the vibe I wanted, and we recorded in a very short time in my studio at home on Dartmoor.” To supplement the recordings, a between-song narration was written by associate director of Plymouth’s Theatre Royal, Nick Stimson, and read by Paul McGann. Seth was elated to have the prestigious actor on board, “As we finished the album another quite magical thing happened, when Paul agreed to voice the narration between the tracks on the record. He pitched it perfectly.” On top of Seth’s own vocal and instrumental performances (Violin, Viola, E tenor Guitar, Bouzouki, Drums, Harmonium) on the record, additional instrumentation is provided by some of the UK’s finest talents, including Irish vocalist (and sister in law to Seth) Cara Dillon (additional vocals & co-lead on ‘Saints And Strangers’), English multi-instrumentalist Benji Kirkpatrick (Vocals, Bouzouki, Guitar, Side Drum), long-time collaborator Ben Nicholls (upright Bass, Jew’s Harp), and Seth’s father Geoff Lakeman (additional vocals). The album was recorded at Seth’s Crossways Studio in Devon, and mixed by Richard Evans (New Order, Peter Gabriel, The Pogues). To coincide with the album’s release, Seth will play live dates specially routed in a trail of villages, towns and cities that for various reasons hold significance to the Mayflower journey. Locations such as Immingham - where Separatists made a dangerous escape from England to Holland in their search for religious freedom - and Dartmouth - where the ship was anchored for repairs - will be visited in this expansive tour.
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Twinnie - Hollywood Gypsy (17/04/20)
Artist: Twinnie
Release Date: 17th April, 2020
Genre: Country Pop, Country Rock
Record Label: BMG
Tracks: 12
Website:
'Hollywood Gypsy' was recorded between London, Nashville and Sweden and is a collection of pop-country songs by the British singer-songwriter. Talking about the album Twinnie said, 'The title of the album pretty much sums me up', she continued, 'I am a traveller by nature and by heritage, so I am quite free. 'Hollywood Gypsy' is about me, my life, my artistry'.
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Ashley McBryde - Never Will (03/04/20)
Artist: Ashley McBryde
Release Date: 3rd April 2020
Genre: Country
Record Label: Rhino
Tracks: 11
Website:
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Good Harvest - Dream Of June (07/02/20)
Artist: Good Harvest
Release Date: 7th February, 2020
Genre: Folk, Rock, Folk-Rock, Americana
Record Label: Playground Music
Tracks: 11
Website: https://www.goodharvestmusic.com/
An excellent second studio album from Swedish duo Hanna Enlöf and Ylva Eriksson The album is full of beautifully crafted songs, delivered with stunning arrangements, flawlessly interwoven harmonies and exceptional guitar playing. There are some super arrangements and orchestration throughout, painting rich soundscapes which linger long in the memory.
Hanna and Ylva have been called musical twins and with their musical journey beginning fourteen years ago. This year they both turn twenty-eight and celebrated a “half life” anniversary of playing together.
In February 2020 they released their second full-length album ”Dream of June”. Immediately prior to that, they performed on one of Swedish television’s most popular programs, ”På Spåret” together with Mando Diao.
Good Harvest is known as one of Sweden’s best live acts and has been performing on many of Sweden’s largest stages, among others, Dalhalla, Gröna Lund and Stora Teatern.
The new album is full of wonderful contemporary and fresh folk-rock tracks. Instantly catchy and high quality with their excellent trademark twin guitars and pure harmonies coupled with some lovely string arrangements.
‘Dream of June’ is a great second album. Just close your eyes, put on your head phones and drift off with the music to a better place. Perfect escapism.
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Little Big Town - Nightfall (17/01/20)
Artist: Little Big Town
Release Date: 17th January, 2020
Genre: Country, Country-Pop
Record Label: Decca Records
Tracks: 13
Website:
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Brandy Clark - Your Life Is A Record (06/03/20)
Artist: Brandy Clark
Release Date: 6th March, 2020
Genre: Country
Record Label: Warner Records
Tracks: 11
Website: https://www.brandyclarkmusic.com/
Brandy’s sharp and conversational third album transforms everyday pathos into sweeping widescreen dramas.
Few artists understand the human condition like 6-time Grammy nominee Brandy. Working again with acclaimed producer Jay Joyce, ‘Your Life is a Record’ takes her unerring eye for detail and a genre-melting sense of melody to examine personal truths, revelations and emancipations with wit, grace and compassion. Working with just four acoustic-based musicians, intimacy was the goal. Memphis strings and horns, guest appearances from Randy Newman (Bigger Boat) and guitarist John Osborne colour in the sketches, creating a depth to what is easily Brandy’s most revelatory record yet.
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Sierra Hull - 25 Trips (28/02/20)
Artist: Sierra Hill
Release Date: 28th February, 2020
Genre: Country, Americana, Folk
Record Label: Rounder
Tracks: 13
Website:
Singer-songwriter, mandolinist, and guitarist Sierra Hull's '25 Trips' further establishes her as a powerhouse instrumentalist, vocalist, and esteemed song-writer.
It's a genre-transcending album emerging from the world of folk-pop, bluegrass, and acoustic music. Produced by Shani Ghandi (Parker Millsap) and featuring guest appearances by the estimable talents of Katie Pruitt, Mindy Smith, Angel Snow and Molly Tuttle, '25 Trips' is offering up some of Hull's best collaborations to date.
This 13 song album is a testament to Hull's virtuosic prowess, and showcases her as the singular talent that she is.
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Robert Vincent - In This Town Youre Owned (14/02/20)
The excellent Crosby-born singer-songwriter Robert Vincent has been carving out his own path in Americana in the past few years. He released his debut album ‘Life in Easy Steps’ in 2013 and in 2016 he won the inaugural Emerging Artist Award from Bob Harris. In 2017 he released second album ‘I’ll Make The Most of My Sins’ and Rob has been touring extensively since then. Three years on Rob is back with his wonderful new album ‘In This Town You’re Owned’.
This 10-track album sees Rob creating his most socially and politically poignant album to date, produced by Brit Award winning Ethan Johns (who has won acclaim for his production work with, amongst others, Paul McCartney, Ray La Montagne and Laura Marling). It has a central theme about the pressures life places upon us as society gets more and more socially conscious. More than before, Rob deals in hard truths and easy melodies, furthering the tradition of classically crafted songwriting, asking the difficult questions about everyday emotions. “I’m just really interested in the human condition and how people react to things.” adds Rob.
The album opens with ‘This Town’, a mid-tempo track that gently eases you into the record but poses important questions that you’ll think about for the rest of the album. Rob contemplates on how life can get the better of you and you can choose to embrace the hurdles it throws at you or be taken down by them. It’s an important message and one that we’re all guilty of losing sight of at times.
The tempo changes for the bouncy rock’n’roll influenced ‘My Neighbour’s Ghost’. It’s a nice change of pace and continues the theme established in ‘This Town’.
One of the first highlights on the record comes on ‘The Kids Don’t Dig God Anymore’. It explores Rob’s more soulful side and it’s a gently rousing track that looks at the changing times and beliefs that we’re seeing in society.
Elsewhere on the album the thought provoking ‘Conundrum’, one of my favourite tracks on the album, adds elements of rock and a heavier beat, ‘I Was Hurt Today But I’m Alright Now’ mixes a gentle beat with strong harmonies, and ‘If You Were You’ has a strong retro 70s country feel.
The album closes with ‘Cuckoo’, which sees Robert adding a little gospel into his soul. It reminds me of the recent Marcus King album ‘El Dorado’ and it’s a perfect way to bring the album to an end.
‘In This Town You’re Owned’ is another excellent addition to Rob’s music. It is both thought provoking and has a strong social conscience. It’s full of high quality songwriting and arrangements, with Rob’s vocals and musicianship front and centre. This new album confirms Rob’s place as one of the finest Americana artists in the UK.
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Artist: Robert Vincent
Release Date: 14th February 2020
Genre: Americana, Country Rock, Folk
Record Label: Thirty Tigers
Tracks: 10
Website: https://www.robertvincentmusic.com/
Blanco White - On The Other Side (05/06/20)
LCM ALBUM OF THE MONTH - JUNE 2020
Artist: Blanco White
Release Date: 5th June 2020
Genre: Folk, Singer-Songwriter
Record Label: Yucatan Records
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.blancowhite.info/
"In his lyrics he melds romance and striking imagery of the elements, singing gorgeous narratives." - The Independent.
"A dexterous, poignant, and softly addictive return, one that underlines the real strengths to his musicality." - Clash.
"On The Other Side" is the long-awaited debut album from Blanco White, London based artist Josh Edwards' project.
With three EPs released so far, 'The Wind Rose' (2016), 'Colder Heavens' (2016) which was produced by Ian Grimble (Bear's Den, Matt Corby, Daughter) and 2018's 'Nocturne' EP, Blanco White has achieved significant success, enabling him to tour the globe for months on end and gaining huge streaming numbers.
Having studied guitar in Cádiz (Spain), and later the Andean instrument the charango in Sucre (Bolivia), Josh's aim was to begin bringing together elements of Andalusian and Latin American music alongside influences closer to home.
The new album has been recorded mostly in London and is self-produced by Josh, engineered by Dani Spragg and mixed by Air Studios' Jake Jackson.
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The Secret Sisters - Saturn Return (28/02/20)
Artist: The Secret Sisters
Release Date: 28th February 2020
Genre: Folk, Americana
Record Label: New West
Tracks: 10
Website:
As we age, we face obstacles that are beyond our control. Some forces are internal: insecurity, anxiety, fear. Some are external: the loss of loved ones, an unjust system and the fragility of time. Yet the mark of maturity is how you respond when you realize you’re not in control. Where do you find your resilience?
This album is a reflection of us coming to terms with how to find our power in the face of an unfair world. These songs lead listeners past “where happy man searches, to a place only mad women know.” We question our purpose, our relationships, our faith. Trading the fears of our youth for the dread that rages within us as mature women.
With Saturn Return, our hope is that women can feel less alone in their journey through the modern world. We need each other more than we ever have; the less competition and the more inclusiveness and understanding, the better. We are southern women in the 21st century, convicted by our beliefs. (Lydia and Laura Rogers)
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Caitlyn Smith - Supernova (13/03/20)
LCM ALBUM OF THE MONTH - APRIL 2020
Artist: Caitlyn Smith
Release Date: 13th March 2020
Genre: Country
Record Label: Monument Records
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.caitlynsmith.com/
We are big fans of Caitlyn Smith’s music. Caitlyn’s debut album ‘Starfire’ released in 2018 was excellent and we have been eagerly awaiting the follow-up album ‘Supernova’. Caitlyn is a very high quality singer-songwriter and storyteller and this really shines on her wonderful second album. Each of the 12 tracks gives different nuances of Caitlyn’s personality and life experiences, revealing the more vulnerable parts of herself. One of those songs became the title track of the album.
Caitlyn opens the new album with “Long Time Coming,” which she co-wrote with producer Christian “Leggy” Langdon and songwriter Jen DeSilvio. While many people would think it’s about heartbreak, Caitlyn says it’s a “little anthem of hope to myself” after just finishing up maternity leave and dealing with six months of postpartum depression. In the verses, it talks about dealing with anxiety and look at the mirror and looking at yourself and parts of you that you’re not so happy with.,In the chorus it goes onto to say, ‘You know it’s been a while that I’ve dealt with this, but I’m gonna be OK. We’re going to make it through this. “Supernova was one of the first songs I wrote.“For me, it became the cornerstone of the record — in the sense of how vulnerable it is and how true it is to my story.”
Caitlyn continues “When I put this album together, each little song is almost like its own little supernova — being a bright, beautiful, shining blast. And I kind of pictured each of these songs as tiny little supernovas of human emotion, everywhere from deep loss to loneliness to fear to love and everything in between. It’s one of my favorite songs on the record but is also the perfect name for this piece of art that we’ve created.”
With her US album tour postponed Caitlyn is currently at home with her husband and two sons who were born when she toured ‘Starfire’
“When I feel stressed or anxious, I zoom out to my 80-year-old self. And what I want to be true at that point in my life is that my boys see love all over everything — more than music, more than songs, more than any cool thing that mom could do. I want them to know that they are loved and for them to love well.”
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