Granny's Attic
Wheels Of The World
(Grimdon Records)
★★★★★

GRANNY’S Attic enhance their reputation as one the most exciting acts on the British folk scene with this album of traditional songs like Gilderoy and The Highwayman but with their own distinct arrangements.

The title track, a broadside ballad from the early 19th century, looks at the then European political landscape and the forces driving it, while What I Saw In My Dream As I Slept In My Chair explores political issues in 19th-century England whose themes are still relevant. A new verse at the end on the plight of migrants sees the dreamer rising from the chair determined to fight injustice.

With fine lead vocals from Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and George Sansome and brilliant violin playing from Lewis Wood, this album represents the pinnacle of their career so far.

Well worth catching on their current tour.

Gwilym Bowen Rhys
Arenig
(Recordiau Erwydd)
★★★★

REVIEWING an album entirely in Welsh doesn’t come easy. But having heard Gwilym Bowen Rhys on the radio and thinking that a lack of fluency in Spanish never stopped me listening to Chilean or Cuban artists, I made an effort I don’t regret.

Coming from Bethel near Mount Snowdon, this is his third album celebrating the folk traditions of Wales and, with a beautiful voice and fine instrumentals, there’s a real sense of storytelling throughout.

The self-penned Byta Dy Bres (Eat Your Money), a broadside against selfish leaders and corporations who put money before humanity, gives the nod to a medieval Welsh poet who previously excoriated the landed gentry.

Equally listenable is Jeri Bach Gogerddan, an ode to the Welsh Romani and their contribution to traditional music in Wales and the title track, a poem about the mountain in North Wales.

An atmospheric album, well worth a listen.

Saskia Griffiths-Moore
Baez, Dylan and Me
(saskiagm.com)
★★★★

LONDON-BASED acoustic artist Saskia Griffiths-Moore has released this album to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock and to pay tribute to the songs made famous by Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.
As somebody who has the kind of music collection which contains more versions of Blowing in the Wind then I can ever remember buying, I did initially wonder whether I needed to listen to yet another album of cover versions.

But, with her clear voice and gentle instrumentals, Griffiths-Moore has her own distinctive style and approach to the songs.

Particularly enjoyable are her versions of Diamonds and Rust, Farewell Angelina and There But For Fortune, the Phil Ochs song made famous by Baez.

An enjoyable album and one that will make you want to explore more of her work.