CD-Charts Position 1
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The Girl Who Couldn't Fly

by: Kate Rusby

Release Date November 05, 2007
Kate Rusby is a treat and possibly the most unsung performer in the UK. I own hundreds of CDs and very few of them continue to move me like "The Girl Who Couldn't Fly". From the teasing, light-hearted rhyme of `Mary Blaize' to the haunting simplicity of `Fare Thee Well', this album is a treat for the ears and a journey for the emotions. 'No Names' is the ultimate highlight for me, specifically because of Roddy Woomble's fantastic contribution. The vast space between Kate and Roddy's tones serves only to add to the bittersweet parting message that the song contains. This is a wonderful album that deserves much wider critical aclaim than it has received so far.

CD-Charts Position 2
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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 3
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The Imagined Village

by: Various Artists

Release Date October 15, 2007
I think this is probably a great album and certainly a sterling effort to bring together a range of influences both old and new to fuse a new UK folk perspective. The first talking bit sounds like Stanley Unwin on that Small faces album though and it can get just a little bit self indulgent - Hopefully like me though it will inspire you to re look at the rich heritage of traditional music this country has to offer

CD-Charts Position 4
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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 ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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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 she doesn't ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Underneath The Stars

by: Kate Rusby

Release Date August 11, 2003
This is a fantastic CD by a fantastic artist. It's very like Kate Rusby's other work, but if you like that then you will love this CD. I personally prefer it to some of her older CD's, as it has a lot of fast and memerobal tracks in it that you'll find yourself singing all day! Great tracks on this CD - "The Good Man", "Let me be", "The Blind Harper", "Young James". All the songs are uniquely Kate Rusby though, and it's a great addition to any collection!

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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The Fairest Floo'er

by: Karine Polwart

Release Date December 10, 2007
I came across the CD by chance as I'd never heard of Karine Polwart, but decided to give it a try after listening to a brief extract of Mirk, Mirk is This Midnight Hour. I am so pleased I took the risk - it is absolutely astounding. I have always liked Dowie Dens of Yarrow since I heard Bert Jansch's version, but Karine's is so beautifully sung with such a hauntingly sparse accompaniment it has me in tears every time I listen to it. A wonderful CD!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Little Lights

by: Kate Rusby

Release Date June 04, 2001
I bought this album because i stumbled across the song 'who will sing me lullabies' on youtube and well what can i say it's just so beautiful. Every song makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end ( in a good way). I can't imagine anyone not liking this her voice is so brilliant and i love the way her accent shines through it's truly an amazing album.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Raising Sand

by: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Release Date October 29, 2007
Sublime, intersting and flawless. For me, reminiscent of Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris in terms of depth, colour and spirituality.