September / October 2015
As the Summer fades away we have a raft of forthcoming releases to accompany Autumn tours Despite tales of its demise it has to be said
2015 has been a bumper year for new albums. We have new releases from amongst others Dave Rawlings, O’Hooley & Tidow, Ange
Hardy, Lucy Ward, Gilmore & Roberts, Benji Kirkpatrick, Megan Henwood, Old Man Ludedecke and many many more – check them out
here http://www.fishrecords.co.uk/new-releases.php.
Peter Morgan
peter@fishrecords.co.uk
O’Hooley & Tidow – Summat’s Brewin’
Signed limited edition CD to support the duo’s forthcoming tour of micro breweries. Latest release
from Belinda O'Hooley and Heidi Tidow is a selection of drinking songs or songs about drinking. A
selection of drinking songs plus covers from likes of Loudon Wainwright and Richard Thompson.
Available Now £13.50
Dave Rawlings Machine – Nashville Obsolete
Acony Records proudly presents Nashville Obsolete, the highly anticipated second album from Dave
Rawlings Machine. Recorded on analog tape at Woodland Sound Studios in Nashville, TN, Nashville
Obsolete features seven original compositions written by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. Produced
by Rawlings, Nashville Obsolete highlights the brilliant musicianship of Dave Rawlings and Gillian Welch
on lead vocals and guitar, Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers) on bass, Willie Watson on vocals and guitar
and guest appearances from Brittany Haas (fiddle) and Jordan Tice (mandolin). Released 18 September
2015 – pre order now - £11.99
Gilmore & Roberts – Conflict Tourism
Conflict Tourism is the fourth album from award-winning duo Gilmore & Roberts. Following a year of
touring in mainland Europe, Canada, and their native Britain, Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts
noticed a common thread running through their latest crop of original songs. Conflict, whether an
internal struggle between positive and negative, or a healthy body and a disease, is an everyday
phenomenon captured perfectly by these 11 tracks. Previously nominated twice at the BBC Radio 2
Folk Awards, Gilmore & Roberts cover a broader and more contemporary genre-spectrum than might
be expected from a duo wielding guitar, fiddle and mandolin. Produced by Mark Tucker and featuring
Matt Downer (Jamie Smith's Mabon), Phil Henry (Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin) and James 'Hutch'
Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt), Conflict Tourism packs a considered punch from start to finish. From the
industrial weight of 'Cecilia' and the insistent energy of 'Peggy Airey' to the hauntingly hypnotic 'Jack O
Lantern', Gilmore & Roberts' songwriting inflicts multiple earworms after a single listen. Released on
18 September pre order now - £11.99
Benji Kirkpatrick – Hendrix Songs
Benji Kirkpatrick - founder member of big band folk behemoth 'Bellowhead' and power folk trio
'Faustus' - is a massive fan of Jimi Hendrix. Though immersed in folk tradition and a stalwart of the folk
scene, Benji now takes the songs of Jimi Hendrix and re-interprets them; stripping back the layers of
guitar, the psychedelia, the era and bringing the songs out in their pure form. For behind the axe
wielding antics associated with Hendrix there are great songs and Benji aims to distil these into a
completely acoustic setting. Leaving behind the guitar altogether (Hendrix did that rather well...), Benji
tackles this material on bouzouki, banjo and mandolin, creating a unique approach and sound for these
songs. Always respectful of the originals, whilst continuingly looking for a new angle Benji performs the
songs of Hendrix like you've never heard them before. Released 18 September 2015 – available to
pre-order now - £11.99.
Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin – Watershed
Watershed, the keenly anticipated third studio album from the winners of 2014's best duo at the BBC
Radio 2 Folk Awards, is Phillip and Hannah's most emotionally charged work to date. This collection of
original songs was recorded live with the Watershed Band deep in the Blackdown Hills in Devon. A rich
and atmospheric sound combining the textures of their signature dobro, banjo, fiddle and harmonica
with double bass, electric lap steel, drums, percussion and vibraphone, Watershed explores new
territory for Henry and Martin's writing. Moving away from the historical figures that have peopled
their previous work, they now explore the idea of a modern folk tale – bringing it closer to home to
create an edgier, grittier sound, whilst retaining the universality of the folk ideal.
Released 25 September 2015 – available to pre-order now - £11.99
John Jones – Never Stop Moving
The album is interesting in that it came at a time of change for both Oysterband and John Jones.
"Never Stop Moving", says John, "is the album I have been making alongside (Oysterband's) Diamonds
on the Water over the past three years, inspired in no small part by my walking tours across the length
and breadth of the country. Hopefully it reveals my fascination for the hidden villages and voices of
this beautiful, curious and contradictory country and the haunting stories that exist beneath the
surface. Inevitably my own story, having been diagnosed with colon cancer at the end of last year,
became intertwined with it and following a really creative period, what I always thought of as my
English folk, country album of big songs from small stories has become an expression of my own
revival and celebration of being alive…”. Along for the musical ride is a host of talented musicians and
singers, including Al Scott, Benji Kirkpatrick, Lindsey Oliver, Tim Cotterell, Boff Whalley, Rowan Godel
and François Deville, their instrumental and background vocal contributions a perfect fit for John's lead
vocals, compositions and musical vision. Available Now - £11.99
Megan Henwood – Head Heart Hand
The second album from Oxfordshire-based singer-songwriter Megan Henwood is going to cause
problems for anyone who likes their new music to fit into neat little boxes. Henwood has worked on
the album with her brother, Joe, with whom she won the BBC's Young Folk Award in 2009, but while
Head, Heart, Hand taps in to various long-standing musical traditions, it's not a record you can simply
label as "folk". The painstakingly crafted songs recall soul, blues and pop styles, while the careful and
precise production is the result of the Henwoods' collaboration with producer Tom Excell, whose
background is in electronic music. The one unifying factor is Megan's distinctive creative vision, and
her determination to make a record that speaks of her own experiences in whatever way makes most
sense. Available Now £11.99
Old Man Luedecke – Domestic Eccentric
Multiple Juno Award-Winning Old Man Luedecke's narrative-driven folk songs are playful, coy, and soul
warming. Hot off the heals of his 2014 ECMA winning Album of the Year and Folk Recording of the Year
for his previous album, 'Tender Is The Night', comes 'Domestic Eccentric'. His poetically crafted lyrics
and catchy melodies deal with timeless emotion and explore the poignant intersections between hope
and frustration, inspiration and disappointment, between what we might obtain and what we might
lose. The album was recorded in a cabin he built by hand in the snowy woods around Chester, Nova
Scotia and produced by Grammy award winner Tim O'Brien. Available Now - £11.99
Dovetail Trio – Wing of Evening
Presenting England's traditional songs with a bold and fresh approach, The Dovetail Trio explores
familiar narratives with infectious energy and a passion for musical heritage. The new collaboration
effortlessly combines the distinctive voices and acclaimed instrumental talents of BBC Radio 2 Folk
Award nominee Jamie Roberts, Fred Jordan Memorial Award winner Rosie Hood, and Newcastle Folk
Degree alumnus Matt Quinn. The album features a number of unusual versions of traditional English
songs alongside an American folk story, a traditional Scottish whaling song, and even a
French/Canadian tune set. Tight vocal harmonies and skilled musicianship make this an exciting debut
album. Available Now - £11.99
Lucy Ward – I Dreamt I Was A Bird
I Dreamt I Was A Bird' is the intimate and beautiful new record by Lucy Ward. It is an album about
being earthed, grounded, and dreaming of what lies ahead; being of and for the landscape both urban
and rural. All the stories are about real people and moments, inspired by incidental comments
overheard in the super market queue, chance conversations with strangers, stories from Ward's own
family history and little moments in time. Musically it is an exploration of intimate acousticness
flavoured with eclectic influences such as psychedelia, protest and the tradition. Production is by Stu
Hanna of Megson who produced both of Ward's previous records. Ward is also joined by the world
famous Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band on 'Lion' . Released 2 October 2015 – available to pre-order
now - £11.99
Stick In The Wheel – From Here
Stick In The Wheel's highly anticipated debut album 'From Here' is a raw, fresh take on English Folk
music. Their now-trademark abrasive delivery of both original and traditional tracks, is not bland
retroism, or empty nostalgia, but a voice linking now to then. Addressing issues that still have
relevance today, re-visiting traditions long-lost, as well as those disappearing right before us, in a way
that has more in common with Sleaford Mods than with Bellowhead. A thousand miles away from
waistcoats and wistful ladies, the songs are roughed up down dark alleys with lyrics that are direct,
honest, and caustic, but also eloquently poetic. The band is spearheaded by Nicola Kearey's fierce
uncompromising vocal delivery, accompanied by Fran Foote's harmony vocal and underpinned by
sparse taut arrangements. "SITW make Mumford and Sons sound like Roger Whittaker" - Record
Collector Magazine "The hottest new folk band for ages…" - Ian Anderson, fRoots magazine "There is a
pleasingly raw, simple and authentic sound to their music… this sound goes right to the heart of what
folk music is all about. The sound speaks for itself." - Bright Young Folk "Cracking stuff"- Sam Lee
Released 25 September 2015 – available to pre-order now - £11.99
Mawkin – The Ties That Bind
Latest release from Folk group Mawkin. What distinguishes ‘The Ties That Bind’ from Mawkin’s
previous offering (2012’s ‘Crow’) is that the Delarre brothers, Dave and James, contribute assured lead
vocals to eight of the eleven tracks. ‘Ties That Bind’ offers some really solid updates on old traditional
folk tunes, including several rousing singalongs, such as ‘I Can Hew’, ‘Wreckers’, ‘My Love Farewell’ and
best of all, their “anti-shanty” ‘Shanghai Brown’. The gently lilting ‘Searching For Lambs’ serves as a
soothing counterpoint to some of the earlier exuberance and along with the three instrumentals,
‘Frenchy Set’, ‘Duo’ and ‘Young May Moon’ punctuates the livelier tracks perfectly. The eloquently
restrained ‘YMM’ is a particularly mellow and thought inducing album closer. Available Now - £11.99
Dustbowl Revival – With A Lampshade On
The Dustbowl Revival is a Venice, California-based collective that merges old school bluegrass, gospel,
pre-war blues and the hot swing of New Orleans to form a spicy roots cocktail. Known for their roaring
live sets, Dustbowl bravely brings together many styles of traditional American music. Some call it a
string band-brass band mash up. Maybe it's swing-grass or good old Americana, however you spin it,
Dustbowl creates and curates infectious, joyous music - a youthful take on time-worn American
traditions. Named "Best Live Band in LA" by The LA Weekly, each Dustbowl performance promises to
be a white-knuckle ride through the history of American folk music that rarely stays just on the stage.
No matter what venue they play, from theaters to saloons, it's an old-time dance party made fresh by
some of the best soloists and interpreters in the business. After winning Americana song of the year
from the Independent Music Awards (Tom Waits judging), getting tapped to play top festivals like High
Sierra, Floydfest, AmericanaFest and The Hudson River Revival and opening for bands like Lake Street
Dive, Rebirth Brass Band, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Trombone Shorty, the band has become a
barnstorming touring machine. Available Now £11.99
Ange Hardy – Esteesee
Ange Hardy's fourth studio album is a folk project inspired by the life and work of the romantic poet
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The album is called 'Esteesee' and is pronounced 'Ess-Tee-See' (forming the
initials of the poet S.T.C). These 14 new folk songs were written in January 2015 and they include songs
inspired by Coleridge's relationships with friends, family and acquaintances, verses of his poetry set to
music, new songs inspired by his characters and stories, and even tales based on fragments of his
dinner table conversations. Ange's music has always been deeply personal and often autobiographical,
this project sees Ange stepping outside the familiar comfort zone of her own experiences and into the
life of another. As well as featuring the talents of Ange Hardy on guitar, traditional whistle, harp, and
vocals the album is complemented by a roster of world class folk musicians including Steve Knightley
('Show of Hands') providing guest vocals, the spectacular Patsy Reid (founding member of 'Breabach')
on fiddle, viola and cello, Lukas Drinkwater on double bass, Archie Churchill-Moss on diatonic
accordion, Jonny Dyer on the piano, Jo May providing percussion, Andrew Pearce on the drums, Kate
Rouse as the damsel with the hammered dulcimer, Steve Pledger on backing vocals, and poetry
readings from David Milton (the Watchet town crier) and the wonderful Tamsin Rosewell (broadcaster
and artist). Released 24 September 2015 – available to pre-order now - £11.99
Moore Moss Rutter – II
Tom Moore, Archie Churchill-Moss and Jack Rutter hail from three distinct regions of the UK - they
combine musical material, style and tradition from Norfolk, Somerset and Yorkshire respectively. Since
2009, Moore Moss Rutter have been playing as a trio, meticulously reworking English tunes and
compositions into sets and songs which have been described as "intelligently crafted musical
adventures". Often praised for musical "maturity and sophistication", it is their aim to carefully create
soundscapes of mellow and precisely engineered beauty - as well as wild builds of tension and
tempestuous climaxes. The trio have performed widely, at venues and events ranging from
Glastonbury, to folk clubs and living rooms. Moore Moss Rutter are winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young
Folk Award 2011. Available Now - £11.99
Iris DeMent - The Trackless Woods
Considered "one of the great voices in contemporary popular music" (NPR), Iris DeMent has returned
with an album unlike any other in her illustrious career. Featuring original music and melodies by Iris,
'The Trackless Woods' (August 7) sets 18 poems by acclaimed 20th century Russian poet Anna
Akhmatova to life. Hailed as one of Russia's finest poets, Akhmatova survived the Bolshevik Revolution,
both World Wars and Stalin. She lost family, friends and fellow writers to political killings and labor in
the gulags. When Iris randomly stumbled upon Akhmatova's work in a book of poetry a friend sent as a
gift, she was immediately taken by the sorrow and burden of the poems, juxtaposed with Akhmatova's
lightness and transcendence in the face of inhumanity. "Anna's gift of song is so strong, about alI I had
to do was get really quiet and listen," says Iris. After reading that first poem the melodies began
pouring out of her, and before she even fully understood what was driving her, Iris was gathering
musicians and friends, including co-producer Richard Bennett (Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, Steve
Earle), to record 'The Trackless Woods' in her living room over a five-day period. The result is a
breathtaking pairing of piano and voice in Iris' sui generis style with timeless melodies that are deeply
rooted in the American South. The project also fulfilled a long yearned-for desire to connect with her
adopted daughter's culture and history. Iris and her husband adopted their daughter from Siberia in
2005, and she says "I'd never have made this record were it not for her." Available Now - £11.99
To Order:
You can order via the website www.fishrecords.co.uk or e-mail me directly the CDs you require to peter@fishrecords.co.uk.
Payment can be made directly via Paypal either by major credit card or your Paypal account. Alternatively you can phone or
e-mail order and send cheque made payable to Fish Records.
Postage & Packing: UK £1.25 per order
Fish Records,
The Old Farmhouse, 8 Walton Bank, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6NH
Tel; 01785 282839
www.fishrecords.co.uk