Three Chords and the Truth UK

  A couple of bars into Susannah Clegg’s full length debut record and you know you are in capable hands. All emotions, influences and callings come to the fore in a deft display of interpretative excellence. GOOD TIMES ARE COMING OUR WAY unequivocally plants one foot in a timeless arena pouring songs from the canyons of heart and soul wrapped in a voice plucked from a dusty barroom. In a true sense of tradition, the band play the supporting role to a tee, just enough to add substance and structure to the songs, while allowing vocals that ache with intent to prosper. Living proof that Lancashire lies on the fault line of heartache and misery etched in a fully stocked story song, The ten tracks forming this long awaited release merge into a montage of illustrated characters and feelings. A simple combo of definitive fiddle, binding double bass and constructive guitar frames the musical landscape easing off for Clegg’s voice to release its purposeful endeavour. A voice that has form t...

  On his second album, London-based artist Jack Browning has thrown all his artistic might into creating a record bringing tradition up-to-date. PAINTED SKIES is an exhibition how to put the pieces of a country album together and spin something wholesomely authentic. Bar a couple of name drops, Browning steer clears of cliches while intelligently dissecting a state of mind within lyrics bestowed with a tasty structure. Meaning traverses from explicit outpouring to introspective musing using a broad soundscape underpinned by pedal steel. The country core draws influences from the blues pairing heartfelt ballads with stompers ripe for the wooden floor. A rich Stateside association blends with a studious outlook applying touches aligned with his other creative pursuit of painting vivid images of the West.  Twelves tracks parade the wealth of Browning’s musicianship with the bonus offering ‘ Muhlenberg County Stars ’ getting an acoustic version cut on some formats. Even with a mi...

  Across 12 tracks, South Carolina-based duo Admiral Radio get to the crux of making a record strong on message and sweet on sound. The voices of Coty Hoover and Becca Smith are deployed with great effect, whether in harmony, duet or exposing the tone of the male and female vocal. All but one of the songs making the HEIRLOOM cut carry the acute ambition of the couple writing in tandem, blossoming in a soundscape illustrated by fiddle with a side accompaniment of steel, mandolin, harmonica and oodles of twang. From a breezy pop tinged opening to a confessional departure, every crevice of Admiral Radio’s work embodies the spirit of multi-shaded country, folk and Americana music.   Optimism and realism co-exist along with a yearning to make sense of things. ‘ Jackpot’ perceptively launches the record implying the notion of taking your chances and aiming high. It also possesses a great hook inviting you to dig deeper. Now you are on Admiral Radio’s radar, the harmonies spin a dose...

Moseley Folk Festival celebrated its 20th staging in fine style with a near-capacity crowd descending on Moseley Park for a re-defining weekend of music, both observing convention and ripping up the rulebook. From the bigger names that eased the ticket selling process to those lower down the bill driving the creative renewal, there was something on offer to all music fans alongside some just basking in the last throes of the summer rays in a friendly inclusive arts atmosphere. After a few years of experimenting with three music stages, the festival has now settled back to two offering a seamless experience. Folk on the Slope is the designated spoken word space presenting talks, poetry and comedy, hence the festival rebranding itself Moseley Folk and Arts. Damien Dempsey      The three headliners had significant fan presence inside the park. All gave performances in line with expectation and created a passionate atmosphere in front of the stage especially hot Irish band...

Seven stagings in and the The Long Road has long created its own identity. Festival goers flock to Stanford Hall in all shapes and attires getting out of it what they want. It’s a loose family tied by a thread embedded in an alternative culture where roots are deep and stems branch out in many directions. People find their niche and extract a sense of fulfilment across a long August Bank Holiday weekend. Whatever the life span of the event, 2026 made its mark in more ways than one. Amidst the storms, mud, rain, evacuations and stage closures, the show went on. The recent passing of an icon was always going to cast a shadow over the event in a positive way. Country, Americana and roots music in all its guises won the day, whether portrayed by the legends or played by the new generation. It was part-DollyFest; part-MudFest and when the ground dries out, all parties can fondly reflect upon a successful outing. Festivals are both a haven of shared experience and an individual pursuit. You ...