The Yearlings - Sweet Runaway

Rating: 5/5

Review:
A very good album

I think Sweet Runaway is a very good album indeed. I took a punt on it having heard a few samples and a couple of tracks and I’m very glad I did; The Yearlings write good songs and perform them very well.

The tone is generally pretty sad and yearning and often rather beautiful. Production is excellent – not too heavy, well balanced and thoughtful – and brings out both the quality of the songs and of the singing and guitar work. The overall effect is haunting and rather lovely. I’d recommend listening to some samples and if you like what you hear, don’t hesitate. This is a classy piece of work which I can warmly recommend.

Chris Stapelton - Traveller

Rating: 5/5

Review:
An outstanding album

Just to add my voice to the thousands who have already praised Traveller: this is an excellent album. Chris Stapleton writes exceptionally good songs with a good variety of themes and feel from tender ballads to driving country rock, and he sings quite wonderfully. He has a superb voice which he uses with real skill and emotion to bring out the quality in the material. The band and production are excellent and it’s a first-rate album all round.

This is an outstanding album and very warmly recommended.

Kate Rusby - Holly Head

Rating: 5/5

Review:
More class from Kate Rusby

Christmas albums are almost invariably dreadful, but among the exceptions are Kate Rusby’s wonderful seasonal offerings, of which this is the fifth. Holly Head is as good as its predecessors, which is possibly all that need be said.

Just to elaborate slightly, there is Rusby’s usual mixture of Yorkshire variants of Christmas carols and songs with a scattering of her original compositions. It’s beautifully done, as always; thoughtful production which is atmospheric without straying into sloppy sentimentality, excellent musicianship and Rusby’s lovely, distinctive voice. Personally, I love Lu Lay, a variant of The Coventry Carol, bit it’s all excellent stuff and there isn’t a weak track anywhere.

Kate Rusby is among the best we have. She’s been making quietly classy albums consistently for many years now and this is no exception. Very warmly recommended.