Tag Archives: Folk

Film Review: A Complete Unknown

Another year, another music biopic about a problematic genius. James Mangold has of course got previous with Walk The Line. A Complete Unknown isn’t much of a departure from the Johnny Cash film, as it’s also a good character study. Here, the truculent rebel is one Bob Dylan, right at the start of his career.Continue reading “Film Review: A Complete Unknown”

Overlooked Classics: Nick Drake- Pink Moon

Everyone seems to like the other two Nick Drake studio albums- Five Leaves Left and Bryter Layter– but as much as I like them, for me it’s all about the quiet, sad, low-key gem from 1972, Pink Moon. Drake’s music, for me, reveals the kind of torpor of country life. It’s a paradox, a senseContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Nick Drake- Pink Moon”

Album Review: Ora Cogan- Formless

The Canadian artist’s eighth album is a real labour of love, with contributions from Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba on the mellifluous, twisty duet’Ways Of Losing’ and LANKUM’s Cormac Mac Diarmada playing violin and viola on ‘Feel Life’. ‘Dyed ‘ feels like a folky jazz incantation with a psychedelic undertow and her newContinue reading “Album Review: Ora Cogan- Formless”

Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me

What a fully-formed debut Red Roses For Me, released in 1984, was. Somehow producer Pete Brennan managed to distil the chaotic energy of The Pogues’ live gigs.It’s stunning. This, coupled with lead singer Shane MacGowan ‘s gimlet eyed poetry (Transmetropolitan, Dark Streets of London) meant they were forever torn between raucous piss- up and tearyContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Pogues- Red Roses For Me”

The Future’s Here Today: Siblings

They take their influence from classic singer-songwriters like Leonard Cohen and are also inspired by folk and jazz, but I can also hear the tender side of PJ Harvey and a little shimmery shoegazing in this new EP, In Heaven, from Siblings. Based in South London, their majestic sound is underpinned by introspective lyrics andContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Siblings”

Lost In Music: Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling- The Water

I was pretty mean about Johnny Flynn in Stardust recently, but to be fair, he wasn’t so bad: it was just a poor script, really. To redress this, I’d like to point out that he’s often a great songwriter and has a gorgeous husky voice. This beautiful song, penned by him, also features that goddessContinue reading “Lost In Music: Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling- The Water”