Quick Picks | April 2023

Quick Picks

Album | EP | Single

The Sound Cafe Rating

5 star = essential, 4 star = excellent, 3 star = good, 2 = fans/collectors, 1 = for completionists only

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Canvas (Album)

Their new album Canvas, the pair stretch the boundaries of Celtic folk, experimenting with global sounds combining their virtuosic fiddle playing with more contemporary production and innovative arrangements, incorporating new instrumentation and contributing musicians. Special guests include celebrated Classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Grammy award winning Americana music/Appalachian banjo/fiddle player Rhiannon Giddens.

natalieanddonnell.com

Ghost Hounds: Dirty Angel (Single)

Ghost Hounds released the new single earlier this month to much acclaim. “Dirty Angel” is the first single off the band’s upcoming album, giving listeners an exciting look at what they can expect from the new record. The energetic track highlights the band’s signature soaring guitars and powerful vocals.

www.ghosthounds.com

Merry Hell: Let The Music Speak For Itself (Double CD)

After 12 years, 6 albums and hundreds of gigs English Folk-Rock Band, Merry Hell, have taken a little time to look back on all that has passed. The result of this reflection is a 28 track, double CD covering tracks from all their releases, a history of the band if you like, or maybe an introduction for those who have recently climbed aboard their unstoppable folk-rock charabanc of joy.

www.merryhell.co.uk

The Hello Darlins: In The Sundust (EP)

After impressing critics around the world with their 2021 debut album Go By Feel, The Hello Darlins return today with a new EP, In The Sundust, to coincide with a massive cross-Canada tour with Matt Andersen.

thehellodarlins.com

Keturah: Keturah (Album)

A powerful new voice of Southeast Africa, Malawian singer and songwriter Keturah announces her debut self-titled album, coming May 19, 2023 on Hen House Studios. A well known celebrity in her own country, Keturah traveled to America for the first time to record her album in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, featuring members of the Playing for Change Band.

www.keturahlocalgirl.com

TradAttack!: Bring It On (Album)

Bring It On is the exciting new album from Trad.Attack!, featuring a thunderous mix of Estonian folklore with electronica, drums, programmed beats, fiddle, the Estonian bagpipe, soaring electric guitar solos and pumping pop-folk. Bring It On is equally blessed with sensitively produced folk songs, perfect layered harmonies sprinkled with atmospheric brass instrumentation and dulcet vocals

www.tradattack.ee

The Infamous Stringdusters: A Tribute to Flatt & Scruggs (Album)

The Infamous Stringdusters have dug deep into their bluegrass roots for ‘A Tribute to Flatt & Scruggs’, which will be released on 21st April on their own Americana Vibes label. The thirteenth record by the US quintet who formed in 2006, it is a homage to the esteemed duo of singer/guitarist Lester Flatt and banjo player Earl Scruggs and acknowledges their key influence on American music.

www.thestringdusters.com/flattandscruggs

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