ALTAN Gleann Nimhe (The Poison Glen) Compass Rose 4571 www.compassrosemusic.com Altan is that rare Celtic band that has enjoyed pop music crossover success even though its music seldom strays far from its Donegal roots. … Continue reading →
It’s easy to say that the murder ballad today is obsolete, and that those of us obsessed with the genre are like those odd people on Antiques Roadshow that know a whole lot about certain picky sorts of old stuff mysterious … Continue reading →
KATE CAMPBELL 1,000 Pound Machine Large River 5112 www.katecampbell.com/large-river-music www.katecampbell.com This is Kate Campbell’s 14th release. Bookending the collection is Kate’s musical explanation of the mechanics of her “1,000 pound machine”: her piano. The first … Continue reading →
This is our third post on “Swannanoa Tunnel.” Read the first one here, and the second one here. “Ashville Junction” Today’s post will be longer on music and shorter on writing, covering a wider variety of approaches to “Swannanoa Tunnel.” … Continue reading →
This is the second of three posts on “Swannanoa Tunnel.” You can read the first here and the third here. North Carolina-based musician and radio host Wayne Erbsen makes a curious claim in introducing his performance of “Swannanoa Tunnel” on the compilation … Continue reading →
NORDIC FIDDLERS BLOC Nordic Fiddlers Bloc Etnisk Musikklub 98 www.emcd.no The fiddle trio might not take in all the Nordic countries, but with members from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Isles – which was … Continue reading →
CHEYENNE BROWN Parallel Latitudes Bird Creek 001 www.cheyenneharp.com Cheyenne Brown is Alaskan by birth but she has spent the last nine years in Scotland where she has studied the harp and won numerous awards. … Continue reading →
This is the first in a series of three posts on “Swannanoa Tunnel.” Read the second here and the third here. Those of you who have found your way to Murder Ballad Monday by way of our Facebook page may … Continue reading →
STEELEYE SPAN Now We Are Six Again Park 113 www.parkrecords.com No one else does it like Steeleye Span does it. Their unique blend of elegant singing (both lead and those perfect close harmonies) and … Continue reading →
CHRIS JONES & THE NIGHT DRIVERS Lost Souls & Free Spirits Rebel 7518 www.rebelrecords.com Though his voice is familiar to thousands as a DJ on Sirius XM radio’s bluegrass channel (a gig that has … Continue reading →
