Album Review (100 Words): Sylvie Lewis - Lives Wisely

 

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LIVES WISELY presents Sylvie Lewis in a fluid and uninhibited mode as she lets her sound freely roam across various landscapes. The sheen comes courtesy of vocals born to softly serenade. Covering John Prine suggests a songwriting radar in the right place and evidence mounts with each listen. Light jazz influences sparkle in the early stages before contemporary folk leanings take the lead, most pleasingly in 'Everything Waits to Begin'. A touch of steel towards the end is also welcome. The deeply personal 'Famous to Me' draws a keen ear as an eloquently desirable record sets a positive tone throughout. 

Album Review (100 Words): Kris Delmhorst - Ghosts in the Garden

 

www.krisdelmhorst.com

From the tempting chimes of 'Summer’s Growing Old', you feel sated in the warm presence of Kris Delmhorst. Eleven acutely crafted songs gently drift around majoring on a variety of tempos. Mature Americana with twists of contemporary folk emanate from a classy singer-songwriter, a frequent curator of pedigree releases. 'Won’t Be Long' punctuates a serene template with resonating energy, while 'Age of Innocence' glitters in melodic gold. Multiple themes are explored in the lyrics. Precedented high standards are met in the stride of an accomplished performer. The music of Kris Delmhorst turns heads. GHOSTS IN THE GARDEN continues the trend. 

Album Review (100 Words): Steve Knightley - Positively Folk Street: Dylan, Carthy and Me

 

www.steveknightley.com

Full marks for the pun or a major groan. Away from the title, you are cordially invited to a Steve Knightley indulgence as he celebrates the work of two of his heroes in a compact and coordinated album. Bob Dylan and Martin Carthy are two of the most documented icons in folk music since its revival. Twelve songs from their canon including some well travelled across popular music get a sparse reworking by an artist himself at the pinnacle of his field. The rotation and pairing work well  to leave a record able to make an impact in select settings. 

www.elm-farm-music.com/positively-folk

Gig Review: An Evening with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart - Birmingham Town Hall Monday 3rd March 2025

The night itself may not have been unique but the tour certainly is. Collaborations between high calibre artists is not unusual with the impact often having an immediate effect. It was Mary Chapin Carpenter's itchy creative urge that first reached out to two of Scotland's most eminent folk artists in the aftermath of the pandemic, namely Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart. From a launching pad of an inaugural Celtic Connections concert it was systems go as the trio headed off to a secluded place to write the songs set to cement the relationship. Fast forward to the early months of 2025 and the album is now out for wider enjoyment alongside an opportunity for a lucky few to see it played live. 

Birmingham Town Hall hung up the sold out sign as 900 fans headed to this lavish location for a prompt 7:30 start. All three artists are no strangers to the Town Hall and its slightly larger neighbour: the Symphony Hall. Whether through solo shows or part of events such as Transatlantic Sessions and Spell Songs, accrued fanbases are fairly strong with the anticipation of the current format being one to savour. Two standing ovations (pre and post-encore) gave the verdict.

Polwart and Fowlis spaciously flanked Chapin Carpenter at the front of the stage with a four-piece backing band adding the major musical touch. A common trait from songwriter circles of rotating lead vocal songs rolled out with each singer delivering their album contribution alongside a few individual offerings bulking out the show to around an hour fifty. Of course, harmony vocals were in abundance with Mary Chapin Carpenter in particular relishing the opportunity. 

Each artist brought their own distinctive style to the show. As expected, the majority of Julie Fowlis' songs were sung in her trademark Scots Gaelic. Two of these are included on the recently released trio album. The effect of non-English language singing can sometimes split opinion. You cannot dispute the quality here with a celestial aura surrounding a gorgeous sound. If a skeptic, close your eyes and let your mind wander. The lyrics will come alive to however you want them. 

Karine Polwart's vocal style comes across as more grounded than her Scottish compatriot and leaves a lot less to the imagination. Nature, in particular the beauty of birds, is a common theme to her songs and  featured strongly in the chosen pieces. 

Maybe Mary Chapin Carpenter took the central position  due to initiating the project or perhaps an overall greater stature and longer lasting appeal. Straight from her first song, instantly recognisable vocals circulated around the venue's near-faultless sound system, one of the most cultured and measured voices you will hear on the Eastern USA  folk and Americana circuit. From country chart topper to mature influencer, you sense the presence of stardom. 

It was tough to argue against the final song being the evening's finest moment. 'Looking for the Thread' is the title track from what will be likely the first and last album from Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart. The thread of the trio's music was definitely found! If this was the finale, it was a fitting send off. Three wonderful artists collaborating to the highest possible standards. Few in Birmingham Town Hall would disagree. 

Gig Review: Carter Sampson Band - Thimblemill Library, Smethwick. Saturday 1st March 2025

 

Carter Sampson indicated how lucky she is to be doing what she does. Likewise those overseas who have enjoyed the music of the self-anointed ‘Queen of Oklahoma’ for over a decade are exceedingly lucky. Meanwhile ‘Lucky’ was the track that closed this Carter Sampson show with a difference. Not only was this a first appearance at Thimblemill Library, a brand new incarnation in the Carter Sampson Band is hitting the UK for the first time.

The band were new to Carter but not to keen observers of the UK Americana scene. The list of artists and bands to benefit from the guitar skills of Joe Coombs, bass playing of Scott Warman and Jamie Dawson’s drumming is getting lengthier by the tour. A credit to their versatility and ability to adapt seamlessly. They brought a renewed dimension to Carter’s songs, impressively from the high bar of their solo eminence. Across two sets, a stylish demeanour shared engaging stories and anecdotes fashioning life in Oklahoma. 

Carter joined a growing band of artists smitten by playing in a library, and Thimblemill with its art deco surroundings is not your average one. Sheepishly, she apologised for a cuss word and impishly surmised at bringing a rock ’n’ roll band. When addressing the audience as “you’re quiet” the response “it’s a library” was script written.

The music of Carter Sampson epitomises the Americana spirit. The vocals are etched with a Dust Bowl drawl and the songs evoke the expanses of the gateway to the West. To enact the presence, Coombs had to bring his country chops, Warman switched between electric and stand up bass to match the mood and Dawson kept time to a variety of tempos. From the time tested opener ‘Wilder Side’ to the blues-infused pre-encore cover ‘Since I Fell for You,' the fruits of numerous albums filled a West Midlands Saturday evening air.

When commenting on the origin of ‘Queen of Oklahoma,' also the title of one of her older songs, the freedom of being whoever you want to be was extolled. Sage words in a world where conforming is de facto. The individuality of Carter Sampson is one trait making her stand out among the throngs of American touring artists trying their luck this side of the pond. The longevity of her presence over here is a testimony to the appeal. 

This Smethwick gig (the Birmingham omission is an accurate and ‘local’ thing) was the second date of the most ambitious Carter Sampson UK tour to date. Why not maximise the availability of a crack band? The irony is the tour promoting a new solo live album. Live at The Blue Door is available at shows and will get a wider digital release later this month. You can savour the band effect in person and take home the equally good solo performance. 

It is pleasing to see Carter Sampson stoically committed to touring the UK. The belief showed in making an unknown Oklahoma City native an album of the year recipient in 2016 has handsomely paid off.