Rick Bayles

Kris Drever “The Best Of…”

April 26, 2023 Rick Bayles 0

Impressive ‘Best Of’ from modern Celtic folk singer/songwriter. Kris Drever has now made five solo albums since his 2006 debut with “Black Water”, as well as five studio albums with the folk trio Lau, and another […]

I Write the Songs – Beth Nielsen Chapman

April 25, 2023 Rick Bayles 0

“All songs are already perfectly written. It is the writer’s job to find it and get it on paper.” A great quote on songwriting from a writer who has done more than her fair share of […]

Book Review: Paul Charles “Adventures In Wonderland”

April 18, 2023 Rick Bayles 0

When it comes to promoting Americana music in the UK, two of the most prominent names that come to mind are those of Paul Fenn and Paul Charles, the two Pauls who own and run Asgard, […]

Joe Normal “Public Works”

April 17, 2023 Rick Bayles 0

Not so much Heartland Rock as Heartland Pop. This is a strange album. A set of songs with decidedly blue collar, all hail the Working Man lyrics, set to a sort of Springsteen Lite backing. It […]

Classic Americana Album: Roseanne Cash “King’s Record Shop”

April 12, 2023 Rick Bayles 0

The 80s wasn’t a great period for classic americana albums. The fashion at the time dictated that many albums were overproduced and featured lots of synthesisers and effects and these are not styles that suit roots-based […]

RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
@martinjohnson My favourite band of the last few years....
By Paul Kerr , 12 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Various Artists - AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Mar...
By Peter Thompson , 13 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
The Wattstax box disc 4 ft Carla Thomas and Albert King...
By Richard Parkinson , 21 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
John Prine - Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings
By Joe Nathan , 22 hours ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
@paul-kerr Great album, great band and I had a good cha...
By Martin Johnson , 1 day ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
The spell binding Spellbinder from The Third Mind.
By Paul Kerr , 1 day ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Ratboys - Singin’ to an Empty Chair
By Joe Nathan , 2 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Brit Taylor's latest Land of The Forgotten is well wort...
By Richard Parkinson , 2 days ago
RE: What are you listening to at the moment?
Margo Cilker - California Dogwood EP
By Joe Nathan , 2 days ago

Live Review: The Hanging Stars + Sunsinger & the High Seas, The Bear, Luton – 7th March 2026

March 16, 2026 0

The Hanging Stars have a way of grabbing your attention. On the strength of the soundcheck at The Rambling Roots Review last April, their merch stand was breached and several records purchased, even before the set […]

The Tines “Barrows”

March 16, 2026 0

The sophomore album from New Haven, Connecticut’s indie-sleaze-inspired quartet. Early 2021, studio footage reveals a minimalist performance, little physical expression, three of the band members partly masked, as befits COVID times. The music is economical: a […]

Folk Roundup – Maz O’Connor, Luke Giles, Amy Hopwood, Georgia Shackleton, Amy Leach & Alasdair Paul, Claire Vine

March 16, 2026 0

The second Folk Round Up of the year, and we are blessed with six amazing albums to review. There is something for everyone here, from traditional folk to innovative music and a collection of songs from […]

Articles by Rick Bayles

Kris Drever “The Best Of…”

I Write the Songs – Beth Nielsen Chapman

Book Review: Paul Charles “Adventures In Wonderland”

Joe Normal “Public Works”

Classic Americana Album: Roseanne Cash “King’s Record Shop”

Live Review: The Hanging Stars + Sunsinger & the High Seas, The Bear, Luton – 7th March 2026

The Tines “Barrows”

Folk Roundup – Maz O’Connor, Luke Giles, Amy Hopwood, Georgia Shackleton, Amy Leach & Alasdair Paul, Claire Vine

Sounds from beyond the Shed 224 “Early Morning Thoughts”

The Song Remains: Joseph Allen “Country Joe” McDonald (1942 – 2026)