Why Mad March? Well, just because it seems to have been so busy, an indication of which is the fact that Unicorn Folk received 9 CDs for review in just over one week recently, though on the other hand, it’s great to see that things are moving and the folk scene is coming to life again with each passing month.
On the subject of new albums, I have managed to review four of those received so far: John Meed and Friends with A Sudden Rain; The Battered Case with City of Song; Mat Green & Andy Turner with Time For A Stottycake, and Pete Cooper & Richard Bolton with Burning Bright. All of them are well worth a listen for a variety of different reasons and the first two are featured in a double album launch at Cambridge Folk Club this coming Friday 22nd March. If you want to hear some great new songs from two very accomplished songwriters, underpinned by some beautiful string arrangements and, no doubt, performances, then I have marked your card for you on the CD Review page HERE.
I, on the other hand, will be conflicted, because much as I would like to go to that album launch I do like to support my local folk/music club which is Royston Live. This week, on Friday of course, Orphean Sprig, The Medlars and Pat Crilly provide the live entertainment which sounds like a potentially enjoyable mix of Scottish tunes, traditional English folk songs and Pat’s well-observed and interesting self-penned compositions. Before then, on Thursday 21st, at the Portland Arms in Cambridge you can observe the ‘State Of The Union’ between Boo Hewardine and Brooks Williams in what is billed as their only joint appearance in 2024. This is a fundraising concert for Ely Folk Festival and support comes from Tu-Kay and Ryan, and Rich Young and Myke Clifford. Details with links can be found on the main Unicorn Folk website amongst the posters in the Featured Festivals & Concerts section.
Also on the 21st at the Acoustic Club Bishops Stortford, you can see Clean Sneak supported by Host and M/C Bill Tarran plus Richard Holder, Kevin Johnson and Jonny Brewer. Then on Friday 22nd Watford Folk Club host Elizabeth & Jameson and on Sunday 24th Hitchin Folk Club sees the appearance of Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham also appearing on Tuesday 26th at The Stables, Milton Keynes. The following evening the 27th Baldock Folk Club has Kelvin Davies & Chloe Turner + DnA.
All the above details can be found in the Unicorn Diary which is one of The Listings on the main Unicorn Folk website and it will be updated beyond March later today, if I don’t have a repeat of the Internet problems that I suffered yesterday!
I’m thinking as I write this that EFDSS or Morris sides will soon be planning their seasonal activities and I would like to spread the word that Unicorn Folk is keen on keeping alive the old dance traditions and provides a FREE listing of events to allow sides to publicise their activities. Do take advantage if you can and send your details to info@unicornfolk.uk ideally using the either Word or Excel forms (still labelled 2023 but fine to use) which makes it a lot easier to collate than just plain text in an email.
I’m already starting to play the new albums mentioned above in ‘Filby’s Folk’at 6pm on Sunday evenings on Royston Radio with a repeat at 1pm Tuesdays so you can hear a sample track or two to accompany any reviews that you like the sound of. The show features a wide range of folk music including traditional, acoustic, Celtic, European, Breton, Indie and folk rock. I usually include a reminder or two about ‘What’s On’ in the way of folk concerts in the week or so following broadcast so do give it a listen and if you like it spread the word please about ‘Filby’s Folk’ and Unicorn Folk. Thank you!
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