Welcome to the first Newcastle Roots Music Radio with its playlist ensconced in my new site courtesy of Weebly.
As always there is a North East act with a featured album. This month it is the very passionate and engaging duo Skylark Song, known for their persuasive performances with a blues/folk flavour. Above you'll find a YouTube video of a track from their new album "Relent" which hits the streets and is available online on the 28th April 2014. But they have kindly provided Roots of the World with a copy and we'll hear three tracks from the album so you get a sneak preview. Made up of fiddler and vocalist Emma Davis and singer/guitarist Alex McRae, Skylark Song launch their album on April 25 at the Cluny in Newcastle. Many in the NE roots music scene are looking forward to this much awaited event from one of Tyneside's favourite roots music duos.
Emma and Alex did an interesting interview with Newcastle's Evening Chronicle in 2012, which is just a click away.
Emma also kindly contributed some thoughts on the new album for Newcastle Roots Music Radio:
"Relent is a strong reflection of who we are as a band and the kind of music we love to make. The album is just what happens when we sit down to write music. Genre-wise we aren't making any bold moves - it's mainly folk and acoustic with a little bit of blues thrown in - but that's who we are. We're trying to make the best out of the musical elements that we have; intricately picked guitar, expressive violin, and doing the best that we can with them. It's taken a while to put the album together. We're pretty selective (i.e. picky) when it comes to writing songs so we've pretty much agonised over every word and musical phrase! But we're really happy with the result and we hope others are too."
You can buy "Relent" and other releases by Skylark Song at their Bandcamp store. If you like Relent please think about picking up a copy.
Playlist Newcastle Roots Music Radio March 2014
Artist(s)/Track/Album Click to take you to further information
O’Hooley and Tidow/Summat's Brewin/The Hum
Skylark Song/Northumbrian Borders/Relent
Emily Smith/The Open Door/Echoes
Oysterband/Like a Swimmer in The Ocean/Diamonds on The Water
Sidi Toure/Maimouna/Koima
Batanai/Matonga/Pan African Music
Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba/Madou/Jama Ko
Mokoomba/Nimukonda/Rising Tide
Amadou Diagne/Aida/Yakar
Dan Walsh/Lesley's Cheesecakes/The Same But Different
Salsa Celtica/Disfrutalo/The Tall Islands
Skylark Song/Relent/Relent
Kate Rusby/Wild Goose/20
Dave Arcari/Duncan and Brady/Nobody's Fool
Fraser Fifield and Graeme Stephen/The Bank of Time/Esotero
Southern Tenant Folk Union/Men in Robes/Hello Cold Goodbye Sun
Skylark Song/Take Your Place/Relent
Tcha Limberger's Budapest Gypsy Orchestra/Azert Csilla, Hogy Ragyogjon/Bura Termett Ido
Keston Cobbler's Club/Dun Dun Dun/ One, For Words
The Fureys and Davey Arthur/Shipyard Slips/Morning on a Distant Shore
Next month 's Newcastle Roots Music Radio will be out on Tuesday 1st April.