CD-Charts Position 1
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That's Proper Folk

by: Various Artists

Release Date April 07, 2008
Who cares whether it's proper folk; it's proper good and at an indecently low price

CD-Charts Position 2
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The Bairns

by: Rachel Unthank And The Winterset

Release Date August 20, 2007
We caught Rachel Unthank at Cambridge Folk Festival in 07 and were blown away. It reminded me of some of the cutting age post punk stuff (hardly sounds folk!) in the early to mid 80s, not that we can trace much of this but vague memories of Peel, and support groups to the Nightingales and Terry and Jerry (sorry I am indulging myself here).

So after playing the Bairns to death, and tiring of it a little, totally surprised when we saw them live again to appreciate how wonderful this is and to have to play it once again.

Brilliant that a whole new audience can now appreciate it through the mercury nominations and even more wonderful to meet Becky at the Big Chill, even if I had forgotten the camera at the time (hope that ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Poor Man's Heaven

by: Seth Lakeman

Release Date June 30, 2008
Well, album number 4 from Seth Lakeman finds him backed by a major label. Not good news for someone who's used to recording albums in kitchens. So, it was with some scepticism that I listened to Poor Man's Heaven and it was to say the least, a huge letdown. For a start, I don't personally LIKE the songs. They are bland to the extreme, and as several reviewers have already noted, mostly at the same tempo. Did his metronome break or something? Not good. On the plus side, I do like Crimson Dawn and Solomon Browne. The latter is a slightly obscure subject but is poignant and comes across well, despite sounding cluttered - a sparser sound may have suited it better and let the lyrics breathe a little.

To me it all sounds far too mainstream orientated, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Dreams of Breathing Underwater

by: Eliza Carthy

Release Date June 23, 2008
Eliza is a huge talent- writing , playing and a voice like no other, but for me this CD seems to have lost the sound and emotion and subtlety that I love about much of her work.
Big sound, but unsatisfying , maybe less is more?

CD-Charts Position 5
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Awkward Annie

by: Kate Rusby

Release Date September 03, 2007
I like to listen to Jerry Anderson on BBC Radio Ulster, he's really funny (although when my English Nephew was visiting he couldn't understand a word anyone on the show was saying) and he plays nice folk music. I heard the song 'village green appreciation society' a few times on his show, and thought it was brill (I don't remember the Kinks version.) I surfed the net to find who sang it, and came across Kate Rusby - what a discovery! I bought this album on the strength of that one track, and have played it nearly to death already. I like all the songs, as well a loving Kate's accent (I spent two years in Leeds when I was at college, and it brings me back to those happy times.) Buy it. Play it. Love it.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Folk Awards 2008

by: Various Artists

Release Date January 28, 2008
Ok...so I'm new to the folk scene, but what an introduction. Excellent!!
Made me want more and feel more confident about exploring the possibilities.

CD-Charts Position 7
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This Earthly Spell

by: Karine Polwart

Release Date March 10, 2008
Songs on this album are more edgy than Karine's earlier work and take a bit more listening to but are very much worth it. Personal favourites are Sorry and Rivers Run.

If you're new to Karine's songs and want easier listening I would say start with Scribbled in Chalk instead, but the best would be to try to see her live on tour - then you'll appreciate how much personal observation and perspective goes into each song.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Fleet Foxes

by: Fleet Foxes

Release Date June 16, 2008
HELLO? HI, THIS IS A GOOD ALBUM, THE SONGS ARE GOOD, IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD, IT MAKES YOU THINK.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Prodigal Son

by: Martin Simpson

Release Date July 30, 2007
I have a fairly broad music taste ....including a bit of folk.. Fairport, Richard Thompson, Nic Jones, Martin Carthy...and this album by Martin Simpson is amongst the best I've ever heard. There is no doubt that he is technically brilliant ....but it is the emotion and warmth of his playing and the combination of arrangements of traditionalsongs and original material that really makes this album different. 'Mother Love' is so simple and beautiful, and 'Never Any Good' (see Cambridge Folk Festival video) has a wonderfully told story. A real problem with many folk artists trying to write their own contemporary material is lyrics that dont work - there are no such doubts with Martin Simpson. Having seen Martin Simpson perform last night at the Red Lion folk club in Brum, even the songs ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Burlesque

by: Bellowhead

Release Date September 25, 2006
I was really looking forward to hearing the first Bellowhead album in its entirety. A great live band who had built up a cult following and brought on board critics such as Mr Folk, Mike Harding and the music critics from the 'serious' newspapers.
Bellowhead could be seen as an English Pogues. Quirky and left field. Offering their own unique interpretations of traditional songs through their all singing all dancing 11 piece instrumental line up.
Mixing everything from folk,to rag time,vaudeville,trad jazz and roots, the Bellowhead sound is certainly unique.
Unfortunately for me,their strength is in their live performances. Burlesque is quite a way off mark in that it lacks any outstanding tracks and loses so much in its over complicated over cooked format.
With ... Read More: