It’s been a full on 90 mph week with barely even time to call my own Ma, and when I did it sounded very much like my wedding dress might end up out for the St John’s Ambulance linen collection. A little harsh for the dress – and me. I was rather hoping that sprat daughter might wear it, should she decide to tie the … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (18th March)
We have really enjoyed the dusky folk of Alela Diane’s previous albums, and so To Begin, a taster from forthcoming record Alela Diane & Wild Devine came as a bit of a surprise – it is bolder and more self-assured with more of a countrified twang than her usual sparser, pastoral folk feel. The vocal is gorgeous as always and a couple of listens is all it takes … Continue reading New Song from Alela Diane
A good while ago, while we were still on Google’s crappy Blogspot, and before we were unfairly, ridiculously and arbitrarily removed (not that we’re bitter you understand) we introduced Ohioan, a band whose blend of country and folk music evoked the wide, sweeping vistas of their homeland and whose songs spoke with a quite grandeur and majesty. Now they are back after too long a … Continue reading Ohioan Are Back
Some more half decent, decent, and downright entertaining videos for you to check out. The Agitator’s new single Say NO! is a politically charged call to arms set against an equally radical new musical style. Not a guitar in sight, just front man Derek Meins’ force-of-nature voice accompanied by Robert Dylan Thomas and T-Train on thunderous double drums. Pared down and primal! a Bergen, Norway-based … Continue reading Video Round Up
Just like MM faves The Howling Owls, The Owsley Brothers hail from Florida. They sent us a couple of tunes from their forthcoming album Separated At Birth, which is out in April. And what a pair of tunes they were. Under The Shade Of A Live Oak Tree grabbed us by the short and curlies and squeezed from the very first listen. A slow, pulsing blues … Continue reading Introducing…The Owsley Brothers
This is so good it is a repost of a repost. The ultimate in lazy blogging, but totally justified when it is (MM faves) Strand of Oaks covering the sublime Wolves by (MM faves) Phosphorescent. So thanks to the great Slowcoustic for alerting us, and to The Key for the original posting. This just needs to be heard by as many people as possible so no apologies … Continue reading Wolves by Strand of Oaks (Cheers Slowcoustic)
If you’ve not checked in lately, it is worth heading over to Daytrotter as they’ve posted some top notch free sessions recently. We’ve picked out tracks from three we’ve really enjoyed including class folk act The Deep Dark Woods, new-to-us psychedelic groovers Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, and MM faves The Low Anthem, who do a superb version of one of the standout tracks from their wonderful new … Continue reading New Daytrotter Sessions
As you know we’ve been supporting the brilliant Wooden Wand’s Kickstarter project. It only has a couple of days left to go before it closes, and some more pledges would be very welcome – in return for some very cool stuff. You can check out the latest update by clicking here. Download Wooden Wand – The DNR Waltz mp3 (demo) Continue reading Wooden Wand Kickstarter Update
It’s Friday again and it’s been a busy week. Little Joe, youngest sprat, caught Lyme’s disease from a tick while mini-beast-safari-ing in the wilds of the North. Joe is recovering but the tick met with an unpleasant end at the hands of MM. I’ve also been mixing it with the other half (or perhaps that should be five per cent) on a counselling course. Methinks … Continue reading Mrs Mackerel’s TFI Friday (4th March)
Here are a few tasty new releases and a couple of tracks acquired via the blogosphere to brighten up your Friday. A veritable smorgasbord for you to sift through and pick out the ones you like. First up is a second track from Canadians The Rural Alberta Advantage taken from their (very good) new album Departing and showcasing again their ear for a perfectly pitched … Continue reading New Release Round Up
The Mad Mackerel 