CD-Charts Position 1
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The Mande Variations

by: Toumani Diabate

Release Date February 25, 2008
If you do not want the hair on your neck to stand up and goosebumps to appear on your arm then don't buy it, because this CD is truly brilliant. It's different to his others but that is the greatness of this guy. Some of the tunes relate to his experiences in the UK and he even plays with us in Cantelowes when you hear the start of the sound track for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Hey this guy has humour as well as brilliance.
With the world falling about our ears and all the talk of greed and corruption just buy this and take your mind to some calm and peaceful place. This can really contribute to your sanity. I'm off to chill out with this CD. I have all his CDs but this is really set apart, perhaps it stands out becasue it is ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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How to Grow a Woman from the Ground

by: Chris Thile

Release Date September 18, 2006
Chris Thile is a master of his instrument and there is some great playing on this album. There is a mix of instumentals and songs.However despite this the songs don't really stack up much and I have to say I prefer NIcklecreek (his old band) to this.

CD-Charts Position 3
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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 4
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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 5
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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 6
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For Emma Forever Ago

by: Bon Iver

Release Date March 24, 2008
For Emma just creeps up on you and invades your existence but in the most wondrous way. Had an awful long drive home one evening in the pitch darkness and listened to it properly. It's like having your best in friend in the car with you. When it finished I just put it back on again. Very wintry, isolated, atmospheric and lovely. Creature Fear and Lump Sum are brilliant. Lets not mess about all the songs are superb. And then of course there is "Re. Stacks" - the song of the year. Quite where Justin Vernon goes next I don't know but I do care a lot.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Not All Who Wander Are Lost

by: Chris Thile

Release Date October 22, 2001
This is an amazing record. I have a lot of music and like to listen to music from many different genres. However, I find that it's this album I keep on reaching for. I just can't seem to get enough of it. I love Nickel Creek too but this is the one that keeps getting air time on my CD player. My wife is the same. This is a stunning album and a must have in any CD collection.

CD-Charts Position 8
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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, which ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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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 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.