120413

Jamie Smith's Mabon - subtitled a Celebration of Original Celtic Music, this excellent album features fine singing in both English and Welsh (English lyrics included :-) ), prolific instrument playing on accordion, fiddle, bouzouki, bass and drums, and finely crafted songs and tunes under the leadership of accordion wizard/composer/songwriter Jamie Smith (Barrule). With numerous prestigious festival appearances in the UK and Europe in their resume hopefully the band will bring their potent mixture of Celtic heritage and contemporary sound to the New World before too long; 

Marla Fibish & Bruce Victor - a musical journey through the night featuring the poetry of Robert Service, Pablo Neruda, Tennyson, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Theodore Roethke set to music by multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Fibish, well known amongst traditional Irish music circles for collaborations with Jimmy Crowley and Irish band Three Mile Stone and open tuned guitar master/singer Victor (The Sirens of San Francisco, The Triplicates), augmented by a number of musical guests including the excellent vocals of Sylvia Herold(Euphonia);

Erik Balkey (The Copper Ponies) - 9th solo release from New Jersey born former NYC mechanical engineer who hit the road in 2002 to follow his dream and pay his dues at open mics across the country while honing his playing and Americana composing skills. On this release he has brought in the savvy co-production ears and nimble fingers of fellow troubadour Joe Crookston to produce an enjoyable album of mainly original and co-written material including Copper Ponies partner Annie Donahue, Amy Speace and Sarah Sample and covers of Jack Hardy's Singer's Lament, Springsteen's Born In The USA and Gillian Welch's Hard Times. Musical guests include bassist Chico Huff, Tracy Grammer on fiddle and mandolinist Noah Van Nostrand amongst others; 

Krista Detor - 5th release (4 years since her last) from hugely successful Indiana singer,songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and world traveler whose albums regularly appear in the top of national and international charts and whose list of shared stages reads like a who's who from the cream of the folk world. Musical guests include super-bassist Victor Wooten, Jason Wilber (John Prine Band), vocals from Joe Crookston amongst other and production is by long-time partner and collaborator guitarist David Weber; 

Nowell Sing We Clear - 6th release of seasonal music from this Vermont based quartet who regularly tour across the North East in December, Arctic conditions notwithstanding! Bidding You Joy brings an excellent collection of Christmas related songs from across the centuries, and brings us up to date with the cautionary tale of Mummers Night in Oshawa written by Canadian A. Frank Willis, that is both new and familiar, hugely enjoyable and sure to brighten gatherings this Christmas;

Hannah Shira Naiman - billed as "Original Appalachian Roots Music - Songs not from the mountains, but from a rocky, rugged place" - this album sure does what is says on the label! Sounding like a purely traditional album Canadian clawhammer banjoist Naiman demonstrates that the music that was the backdrop to her gestation and childhood (father renowned banjoist Arnie Naiman, mother internationally acclaimed children's musician Kathy Reid-Naiman) was also embedded into her DNA and now pours out in compositions that sound as traditional as anything contained in the tomes of the early songcatchers; musical guests include amongst others Ken Whiteley, Emily Adam (with whom she performed as the a cappella duo Blackest Crow) and her parents;

Harpeth Rising - making a welcomed return visit to Little Rock Folk club on Sat Dec 7th 2013, now well road-seasoned, classically trained super-instrumentalists exploring all of the musical genres that interest them beyond their new-grass/bluegrass/American/folk base with their latest release that contains their staple fare plus additional flavors including blues, Latin, Texas Swing and Gypsy Jazz and their gorgeous 4 part harmonies; 


Jamie Smith's Mabon - Summer's Lament - Windblown - www.jamiesmithsmabon.com
Marla Fibish & Bruce Victor - Noctambule - Noctambule - www.noctambulemusic.com
Erik Balkey - My America - everything is great - Hudson Harding Music (www.erikbalkey.com)

Krista Detor w. Joe Crookston - Always Somewhere - Flat Earth Diary - www.kristadetor.com
Nowell Sing We Clear - Masters In This Hall - Bidding You Joy - www.goldenhindmusic.com
Hannah Shira Naiman - Home - Tether My Heart - www.merriweather.ca
Harpeth Rising - The Sparrow - Tales From Jackson Bridge - www.harpethrising.com

Jamie Smith's Mabon - Caru Pum Merch - Windblown - www.jamiesmithsmabon.com
Marla Fibish & Bruce Victor - The Bohemian Dreams - Noctambule - www.noctambulemusic.com
Erik Balkey - Waiting For My Heart - everything is great - Hudson Harding Music

Krista Detor w. Victor Wooten - Belle Of The Ball - Flat Earth Diary - www.kristadetor.com
Nowell Sing We Clear - Villagers All - Bidding You Joy - www.goldenhindmusic.com
Hannah Shira Naiman - Takakwitha - Tether My Heart - www.merriweather.ca
Harpeth Rising - Eris - Tales From Jackson Bridge - www.harpethrising.com


 

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