Albums of the year 2023

It has been a fantastic year for music and cutting my list down to 20 meant a lot of decent albums never made it. I hope you may find something new on the list.

20: Beatrice – Julianne Petersen

A fine debut album by the youngest member of The Petersen clan.

19: Unearthed – Conor Mallon

A good selection of tunes from the Co. Armagh Uillean piper and whistle player.

18: Carry Them With Us – Brighde Chaimbeul

More cracking tune from Brighde, this time with saxophonist Colin Stetson

17: Diad – Ross Ainsley and Tim Edey

Yet more cracking tunes from this formidable duo.

16: Heroes of Eireann – Seth Staton Watkins

Seth Staton Watkins is a young American who made his name via Tik Tok singing mainly Irish folk songs. Heroes of Eireann is a fine collection of Rebel songs and I love it. (If songs about the Irish struggles and the exploits of the IRA are not to your liking, this is one to avoid.)  The greats are all here. The Patriot Game, Grace, Roddy McCorley and many more.

15: Recording Of Myself In A Room Of My Own – Siobhan Wilson

A very interesting album showcasing the undoubted talent of Siobhan Wilson. I saw Siobhan at Celtic Connections a few years back and I thought she was destined for big things. This is a step in that direction.

14: Langt heimafra – Ingebjorg Bratland and Odd Nordstaga

This is an excellent album from Norwegian duo. A mix of traditional and self-written songs, it has a joyous feel about it. The one English track The Evelyn Marie, is a thing of absolute beauty.

13: Live at Hampden Park – Gerry Cinnamon

Live at Hampden Park sees Scotland’s answer to Bruce Springsteen in fine form. It has a great atmospheric feeling throughout and the songs keep getting better. The added bonus is great version of The Big Yin’s I Wish I Was in Glasgow

12: All of This is Chance – Lisa O’Neill

An excellent album from this fine Irish singer. Heartfelt and just a little strange. In short, everything you would expect from Lisa O’Neill

11: The Longest Pony – The Longest Johns & El Pony Pisador

This is an excellent collaboration between Bristol’s The Longest Johns and Barcelona’s El Pony Pisador. Wheels of Glory, telling the tale of the annual cheese-rolling festival, is a lively opening track that sets the tone. Also included are a lovely version of Tennessee Waltz and a cracking rendition of Northwest Passage which is 5 and a half minutes of folk perfection. 

10: The Wedding Above in Glencree – Daori Farrel

Daori Farrell’s latest album carries on from where he left off on the previous disc. There is a fine selection of songs from the stunning a cappela version of Slieve Gallion Brae to the storytelling of the title track. It also includes a great version of one of my favourite songs Sonny’s Dream. It is an album that lived in my car CD player for many months.

9: Moments in Time – Finbar Furey

Finbar Furey was one of the voices from my younger years and at 77 years old he has produced a lovely album. Some of the songs relate to days gone by and a life well-lived. The poignant Music’s Door is made even more heartbreaking as it was recorded as a duet with Roy Taylor who passed away before the album’s release. It also includes a great rendition of the late Shane MacGowan’s Kitty. Tracks like She Wants to Ride Horses and Thank You for Everything are joyous songs of a happy life. The final track is The Parting Glass and if this is to be his last album it is a cracker to finish with.

8: Cloud Horizons – Kathryn Tickell and The Darkening

Cloud Horizons sees Kathryn Tickell move away from the pure pipe tunes of previous albums and with the addition of The Darkening has produced an eclectic and enjoyable album of tunes and songs. The opening track High Way to Hermitage kicks things off with a cracking tune showcasing all the talents available. Gods of War with its spoken word parts is another fine piece of work. No doubt about my favourite track though. The rollicking blast of fun that is One Night in Moana is a joyous romp with an excellent tune and some fine vocal work by Josie Duncan. A wee gem of a track.

7: Stolen From God – Reg Meuros

I hadn’t come across Reg Meuross before, but I heard about this album on the radio and had a listen. It is an exceptional collection of songs telling the story of the slave trade in Britain. The songs are touching, poignant and shame-inducing. Lines like “My father always told me to be smart; Buy yourself an African to pull that heavy cart” and “The last time I knew kindness I was l in my mother’s arms” tell the story from both sides. It is a tremendous album.

6: An Nighean Seunta – Katie MacFarlane

This was a late release in the year but definitely deserves a place in my top 10. Beautiful songs in Gaelic, Scots, English and Catalan are all performed with style and depth. Togail Nam Bo, with backing by Brighde Chaimbeul is stunning and the Puirt tracks with Brian O’hEadra and Fionnag NicCoinnich are great fun. Every song hits the mark on this excellent debut album.

5: Irish Rock and Roll – Mary Wallopers

Irish punk-folkies The Mary Wallopers are rapidly becoming one of my favourite bands. This album is a mixture of traditional songs (given the wallopers treatment) and some fine new songs written by the band. Vultures of Christmas is chillingly sad story of Christmas in a poor household while Gates of Heaven pulls no punches in its tale of abuse in the Catholic church (“You’re out abusing children while you tell us not to wank”). There are lighter moments of course. The Blarney Stone, Holy Ground and Rothesay-O all get the full-on Wallopers work-out. Overall, it is a very good album, and I would recommend you give it listen

4: The Voice of Scotland – Adam Holmes

This is definitely the most surprising album of the year, a collection of traditional songs sung by Adam Holmes. The song choices are excellent and I am pretty sure I have sung all of them at some point in the past. The three opening tracks, Go Lassie Go, Macpherson’s Rant and Jock O’ Hazeldean set the scene and each track is given a bit of a remodelling that never strays too far from the original. This is the case with every song except Lowlands Away when he uses the Bonny Light Horseman version. Irene is delightful, You Are My Sunshine is great fun, Black is the Colour is superb and the beautiful closing version of Auld Lang Syne should be on every Hogmanay playlist. With typical modesty Adam writes “I called the album ‘The Voice of Scotland’ to let Kris Drever, Blue Rose Code and Paolo Nutini know who the king is. There can now be no dispute. It is written” His sense of humour can be a bit of a high-wire act but I have no doubt this was 100% tongue in cheek. When I first heard this album was in the works I was a bit sceptical about it but it has turned out to be an absolute cracker.

3: False Lankum – Lankum

From the moment Radie Peat begins the opening vocals of Go Dig My Grave you know this album is going to be special. It is Lankum at their ethereal best, pushing the boundaries and achieving perfection along the way. Master Crowley’s is a track that is Lankum to a tee. For three minutes it is a foot-tapping Irish tune and then a cacophony of percussion takes over before the melody is re-established by the end. Newcastle is a fine old folk tale and beautifully performed while On a Monday Morning is a tale of modern angst. This album is just pure Lankum and I love it!

2: Tiny Notes – The Young ‘Uns

This is a simply majestic album. Every song has a story to touch your heart, and all performed by three men at the peak of their powers. Richard Moore tells the story of a young boy blinded by a rubber bullet during the troubles in Northern Ireland and how he dealt with it. Tim Burman is a beautiful song about a young man who died on Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie. The Surgeon is a chilling tale of a doctor in a war zone, surrounded by Isis fighters as he operates on their comrade. Every song has a tale to tell, and every tale is told with heart and feeling. This is just an extraordinary album and one I am proud to own.

1: Best of Ten Years * Live in Glasgow – Adam Holmes

This limited edition vinyl album was due to arrive in July. It finally came to my door on 21st December but the first listen (of many) was enough to give it the top spot. Adam’s songs have always found a way to stir my very soul and hearing all these greats beautifully performed gives me immense pleasure. Oh My God, Nadine, Cutting Loose and Aviemore are simply awesome and are captured perfectly in the gorgeous surroundings of the Mackintosh Church. This is an album for the ages and one I have no hesitation in naming as my Album of the Year 2023.

That’s it then, another musical year thoroughly enjoyed. If 2024 can live up to this year then I can’t wait to hear what is on offer.

Slàinte

Hughie