​Black Patti is a German duo consisting of Peter Crow C. on guitar and harmonica and Ferdinand ‘Mr. Jelly Roll’ Kraemer on guitar, mandolin and mandola. Both gentlemen sing. For their repertoire, Black Patti goes back to the 1920s and 1930s. It was not uncommon at the time for musicians to have both blues and gospel songs on their playlists. Many of the songs made the listeners feel good. A nice melody, hopeful messages that symbolized the much-needed good news were parts of it. Topics that people crave in the currently odd time as well and where we would most like to banish the bad news, so does Black Patti.
And be sure to pay attention to the artwork of the famous Robert Crumb on the cover.
‘Satan’s Funeral’ radiates positivity, which is more than necessary in these times. Recommended!

​With his recordings Jimmie Rodgers, not to be confused with the country artist of the same name, managed to hit the American and English charts more than twenty times between 1957 and 1962. Although he was previously portrated as a folk or pop artist, he was still allowed to assume the status of a teen idol. The teenagers saw in him more of a rock and roll artist. That is certainly not surprising, because a number of his songs flirt with rock and roll and have a groove that the young folks of the time certainly found a connection with. In addition, his sweet pop songs will certainly have contributed to this.This compilation contains Rodgers recordings made for the labels Roulette and Dot and in addition to his hits you also get some rare recordings.

​The Amsterdam singer / guitarist and songwriter Johnny, in daily life Joost Abbel, has delivered a great album with this debut that makes the listener vibrate from the very first notes. Johnny must have an enormous musical background. He processes the influences of traditional folk, country and Indie in such a unique way, so that the 11 tracks are all little gold nuggets. Gold nuggets that also showcase Johnny's versatility. Musically it is all fine, but there is more. The cover is always the first introduction and it may be said, the image of Zdenek Burian illustrates the music wonderfully. Do you want more? No problem, the record contains another funny trick. With the camera of your mobile phone or with a stroboscope, the rotating vinyl reveals another surprising animation.
If you can deliver a debut album like ‘Collecting Dinosaurs’, then a bright musical future beckons.

Amazing americana (folk)songs from The Netherlands: beautiful melancholic melodies and clever catchy lyrics.  Surprising!

​Steve Mednick grew up with a lot of excellent folk music. Dylan, Mitchell, Richard Thompson and other great songwriters bulge for many years in his record collection. From the opening track "Riding On A River Of Tears" over the cheerful "Reunion" and "Empty In My Soul" to the closing "Yearning For The Silent Places". A languishing musical note is never to be found here.

​Traditional and more recent folksongs taken to a higher level by five-piece band Spilar.  Classic and modern inspirations gives this album a warm appearance.  Recommended!

​This sixth album by Australian folk singer Kaurna Cronin contains 10 self-composed tracks. The lyrics have a content, and it’s a hint to those who love Neil Young, Bob Dylan etc. 

​What a fantastic sextet, with only their voices and percussion.  You can here the French folktradition but at the same time you think you are part of the future.  Enchanting polyphonic compositions with influences from different continents.  A masterpiece!

​The late sixties and early seventies were a time of paradoxes. In Great Britain and Ireland, folk music became immensely popular. Although its inspiration came straight from medieval times, the new movement was filed as ‘progressive’ and ‘alternative’.  Well, a paradox is not a contradiction. First of all, the music of  previous times was seen as more pure and more authentic than the commercialised music industry. Second, these folk artists did not turn to the past as such, but to a particular past, when witches, alchemists, polytheists, non-believers and more queer folk lived a world view that was soon to be killed off and buried by the mighty, including the Church. This is the ‘pagan’ world referred to in the subtitle of this magnificent 3CD box by Cherry Red. That pagan world could easily symbolize the alternative many youngsters were then looking for.
The sixty songs of this compilation transpire this alternative from the first to the last note: acoustic instruments, traditional vocals, pagan-inspired lyrics, ancient melodies, small compounds or solo artists … Considering the time of release (1965-1975), we are also treated to some psychedelia and plugged instruments, but these do not alter the overall feel.
Cherry Red presents a number of famous names which are firmly (Steeleye Span, Fairport) or loosely (Curved Air) linked to that folk revival, but wisely stresses a few dozen artists and groups whose contributions were essential though chances are you may never have heard of them. After all, this was an alternative movement.
This Cherry Red compilation is presented as a 3cd box set with the usual informative 40 page-booklet.
In ‘Rock On’, Radio 68 www.radio68.be plays choice tracks on Wednesdays 02 and 16 December from11 a.m. till 11 p.m.

​Three years of writing songs in London shall give Rasmus Blomqvist not only flowers from Columbia Market but also spread wings to a big stage.  Beautiful album!

​Ordinary Folks paints the hard live of people, the darker side of life indeed.  Nice to have The Pawn Shop Saints to confront us with this reality, gathered together around the campfire.

​What a beautiful sweet voice she has.  Jenny’s songs ask for the repeat button…I can’t get enough.  She is a great folk musician. Recommended indeed!

​Handkerchief could be the Flemisch equivalent of the British cabaret band The Tiger Lillies.  The skills, the lyrics, the melodies…all ingredients for irresistable music.

​Short but strong album from Rich Krueger. Nine songs of the past to convince his songwriting skills, with only voice and guitar. Recommended!

Scott Cook travels the world with his troubadour songs and places the finger on the wound.  Are you willing to change?

​An album to cuddle.  Strong poetic songs soaked in traditional  (Scottish) folk, with dreamy  and psychedelic elements, just like the folk scene in the sixties.

​Scott toured first through Europe with the message "Not My President" on his guitar strap.
A political statement with a real message. And that now also translates into these eight songs. Mickelson does not mince words and syringe unsalted his opinion. An opinion that we gladly share. His roots inspired voice and the tight backing are a constant in the song list. Rock and folk inspired songs, some bluegrass and even some Irish tunes. So, highly recommended release…!

​Third album from this American mandolin player, where he adds a modern touch to the folksongs.  Living in France gives him the freedom to explore not only the French language but also his own life.

You’re not gonna laugh with this folk album, but you will certainly be touched by the emotional load in the songs.

​Extremely beautiful folkalbum.  Hearttaking and heartbreaking songs, timeless and effortless.  Just lovely!!

​The songs on the album "Portraits" are a retrospective collection of songs from Ben's first three albums "Lincoln's Man", "Land Of The Shadows" and "What We Lost". Albums registered in the period between 2005 and 2012. Unfortunately they were never officially released in Europe. They are also three records that scored particularly well in the folk-based singer-songwriter, roots-related charts. Bedford is a songwriter in the tradition of musical icons such as Bill Morrissey and Woody Guthrie

Lost in heaps of shit…the excellent album ‘Breakdown On 20th Avenue South’  from folk/americana musicians Buddy & Julie Miller as a duo.  One of the best releases of 2019 and out on New West Records.  Do me a favor and listen, you won’t be disappointed.

​Based in Toronto, with indigenous roots,  Julian Taylor gives the listener a wonderful feeling of hope and familiarity.  Soulful folksongs right to the heart.

​No more words, only deeds.  Listen to John’s emotional and well balanced songs. We definitely gonna miss him.  Recommended!