It’s December, so we allow our regular folk correspondent, Jonathan Aird, time off to trim his tree, deck the halls, put on his slippers and pour a glass of mulled wine. We are spoilt again this month, dear reader, as a bumper crop of new folk has landed at our door. We have the second in the Stafell Sbâr Sain series, which is Welsh for Sain’s Spare Room—twelve new tracks from different artists currently involved in the exciting Welsh folk scene. There are three debut albums. Anna Ling gives us a stunning introduction to her world as she pushes the boundaries of the folk world to the limit with her album entitled “Light”. It is hard to believe that singer and folk stalwart Sinéad Willox has never released a solo album, as she has been performing on her own since 2019. Armagh-born Willox has produced a collection of songs inspired by her home, called “Seoda Uladh,” which translates to “Jewels of Ulster.” Band Winter Wonderland have been together for many years, and only now have they issued an album. Entitled “Joy Illimited”, it has a Christmas feel to it throughout, with a couple of very bold covers at the end. Finally, The Haar are back with their third release after the astonishing “Where Old Ghosts Meet”, which was way back in 2022. Their new album is called “The Lost Day”, and you could easily lose more than one listening to the beautiful voice of Molly Donnery.
Twelve tracks are featured on the “Stafell Sbâr Sain” compilation on the Sain Label. Tŷ Gwerin (Folk House) curated the album in partnership with the annual Folk Stage at The National Eisteddfod of Wales, the largest touring festival in Europe. Recorded mainly at the Stiwdio Sain, Llandwrog and produced by Aled Wyn Hughes, the collection is a fine introduction to the current Welsh folk music on offer. Even if your Welsh is limited, the beauty of the voices and instrumentation throughout the set is stunning. Elin Carys sings ‘Y Gwylliaid’, which translates to ‘Wild Ones’, and has an almost American folk feel, with wonderful banjo from Elin Gittins. When the Carys Gittins joins in on the flute, this simple tune takes flight. There is a balance to the collection, a well-thought-out mix of tunes. Irfan Rais sings a beautiful ballad, ‘Lliw Gwyn Rhosyn yr Haf (white rose of the summer)’, solo, just voice and guitar. Artists and arguably folk supergroup Pedair use harp accompaniment to great effect on the traditional ‘Blodau’r Cwm (The Flowers of the Valley)’. Their voices are delicate and in perfect harmony—a standout of many lovely moments across the suite. Lovers of guitar will enjoy Gwenifer Raymond’s self-composed ‘Llef (A Voice)’, which ironically is an instrumental, allowing the instrument to do all the talking. It is an impressive array of songs well worth seeking out. (7/10)
Winter Wonderland are a folk supergroup. Singer Jennifer Crook has had success in her own right, appearing with Eddie Reader and Boo Hewerdine and gaining praise from the media. Melodeon player Saul Rose has worked with Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band and has a significant part in this collection. Maclaine Colston joins them on dulcimer and Beth Porter, the Scottish-based multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Eliza Carthy, The Unthanks, Bellowhead and many others. It is no surprise that the music on the record is uplifting, thought-provoking and an altogether enjoyable experience. The album title, “Joy Illimited”, fits perfectly. ‘The Darkling Thrush’, based on a turn-of-the-20th-century poem written by Thomas Hardy, gets things underway in fine style. The opening lines set the tone: “At once a voice arose among the bleak twigs overhead / In full-hearted evensong of joy illimited”. There are songs about shepherds, apples, soul cakes and a gallant poacher. There is a Christmas, Winterfest feel to the whole record. “Gower Wassail” is a seasonal romp through the town. The harmonies are beautifully sung with a host of “Fol-de lol’s” thrown in for good measure. The band tackle two Christmas classics to complete the array. Rather than pick a simple carol, they chose two of the most iconic tunes from the 1980s. Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’ is covered and ‘Fairytale of New York’—courageous choices. There is a bonus live version of some of the songs that comes with the album, culminating in ‘Fairytale of New York’. It’s music that celebrates the British winter and would go down well with a roaring fire and a glass of your favourite seasonal tipple. (7/10)
The cover of the Sinéad Willox record shows her looking out towards the ocean in a contemplative mood. The album “Seoda Uladh (Jewels of Ulster)” is a collection of traditional Ulster songs, one for each county and an additional one to make it ten. Willox has done a fine job with the material, pulling together a folk concept album of some note. Part of the progressive five-piece folk band, Copper Rose, Willox also has a theatrical background, and this collection could lend itself to a stage production celebrating Ulster. There are two beautiful tracks sung in Irish. ‘Gleanntáin Ghlas’ Ghaoth Dobhair’ is a lilting ballad and a beautiful arrangement. There is a banjo, a bouzouki, a flute, and a fiddle, culminating to form the gorgeous ode to Donegal. ‘Buachaill ón Éirne’ is a simple, haunting affair. Willox’s voice to the fore, and it is magical. There are many standout moments; unless you are made of stone, the beauty of ‘Dobbins Flowery Vale’ should stop you in your tracks. It begins with a stunning piano, understated enough to allow Willox to take charge and tell us the story of two lovers saying a tearful farewell as one must set sail. The flowery vale is a parkland area beside the Ballinahone River in Armagh. A reimagined song, spun perfectly with a delicate touch of sadness. Willox has produced a fine debut.(7/10)
Anna Ling is based in the beautiful English county of Devon. Singer, composer and choir Music Director, she brings us a self-produced, exquisite debut from her yurt near the River Dart. Ling pushes the boundaries of the folk genre. Ling’s voice is unique; it has a dusky quality, and her words roll together at times, giving the music an ethereal feel. The whole album is captivating. The collection is called “Light”, as Ling explores the medium from all angles. ‘BTTFL(Beauty To The Fading Light’ is a wonderful piece. Weighing in at just over two minutes, Lings’ a cappella start is supplemented by some outstanding percussion and instrumentation. The lyrics delivered in Ling’s own compelling style, “There is a beauty / To the fading light / All that was bright my love / All that was bright / All that we are”. ‘The Moon’ is an exploration of evolution, the Big Bang and the theory of life, and everything else. Briony Greenhill adds harmonies, and Martin Roberts joins on trumpet. The beautiful ‘Sun to the Bird’ explores terminal illness and the end. This may seem deep, but Ling adds hope to it all and the poignant final lines “Come trouble teach me trust / 13 billion lightyears of dust / Won’t end with us”. The record ends with ‘Promise of Light’, which investigates how we have altered our planet, our one home and asks the question if we can ever turn things around. A trapped bird with its wings caught in plastic, hung upside down so that it looked like Jesus Christ, is a vision so strong and sad. The image of snowdrops lining the path gives hope that renewal and rebirth are there every spring, and as Ling sings, “And my heart is a crack you still shine through.” The whole album is just wonderful and an absorbing listen throughout. If this is what recording in a yurt feels like, then we should all do it. (8/10)
Finally, The Haar are back with their difficult third album, “The Lost Day”. If their previous offering, “Where Old Ghosts Meet”, pushed the boundaries of modern folk music, this suite of reinterpreted traditional folk songs hits it over the pavilion and beyond. Molly Donnery’s vocal delivery is staggering. Knowing instinctively when to drop to a whisper and then, in turn, become savage in delivery, leaving you in no doubt where her feelings lie in the song. Their last outing brought us a magnificent elucidation of ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ amongst others, and left us wondering how the songs could ever be delivered that way and still work in such a dazzling way. “The Lost Day” continues and embellishes this premise. Musically, the other three members deliver spectacularly: Adam Summerhayes plays fiddle, Murray Grainger plays accordion, and Cormac Byrne keeps time on the bodhrán. It is the fiddle on the opening track, ‘Spancil Hill’, which cuts like a knife throughout the tale. Written by Michael Considine in the mid-19th century, it is the tale of an Irish emigrant longing for their homeland and Spancil Hill in County Clare. The vocal delivery of Donnery on the traditional Irish song ‘Oró, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile’ is exhilarating, as is Summerhayes’ fiddle coupled with haunting accordion. ‘The Lakes of Pontchartrain’ takes us into americana country. Recorded by many artists in the past and performed live by Bob Dylan frequently. This version is a splendid rendition, with Donnery modulating her delivery at just the right time. Readers will be familiar with ‘Star of the County Down’. Notably, Van Morrison and The Chieftains recorded a traditional version on their 1988 “Irish Heartbeat” collection. The Haar takes it into a different territory, with a shrill, insistent fiddle and a building accordion, creating a sense of suspense. The drumming adds to the feeling. Simply breathtaking. The gorgeous percussion continues with ‘Madam I’m a Darling’ and just Donnery’s voice for company until the fiddle kicks in. There are almost nine minutes of the Scottish ballad ‘Annachie Gordon’, and every second is precious. The subject of the tune, Jeanie, must marry Lord Sultan but is in love with Annachie Gordon. Forced to wed, she dies of a broken heart. Gordon returns from the sea and, on hearing the news, suffers the same fate. Tragic and a warning to others not to force their daughters to do something that is not within their hearts. The record is not just folk music; it is performance art of the highest order: danger, suspense, heartbreaking love and all-out joy. Not just a lost day, you could end up lost for weeks and not even realise it. An incredible collection. (9/10)
