Author: The Anarchist
Iggy Pop © Glen Bollard All Together NowCurraghmore Estate, County Waterford, Ireland4th-6th August 2023 Things got deliciously weird at times, as the people of Ireland descended upon Curraghmore Estate for the fourth All Together Now festival. It became clear things were going to be strange when an armchair, seemingly of its own accord, glided over in my direction, stared me down for a moment, and then went off on its merry way to pester somebody else, like an attention-deprived, yappy dog. This was at maybe two o’clock in the afternoon on the Friday, so the tone for the weekend was…
Mujeres en Vivo 2024 (Women Live 2024) will begin on Friday, March 8, International Women’s Day in Madrid, Spain. There are plenty of concerts to choose from, such as the crossroads between R&B and pop of Patricia Lint + La Pains in Cadavra; The Clams in El Intruso proving to be one of the most soul-inspired groups from all over the country, the presentation of Rheia Gorecki + Grima at Moby Dick, or the fresh flamenco fusion project of Blanca La Almendrita at Tempo Audiophile Club. To close an intense first weekend, the series presents projects such as the dancing…
The Rough Guide to the Music of Yunnan / Wood and Fire: ‘Sixty-Four Generations’ Often the lack of written language amongst Yunnan’s staggering 187 recognised ethno-subdivisions (comprising of 25 official Chinese ethnic minority groups) means that much of the highly complex histories of many of them will never be fully known. The folk songs and dances, however, continue to pass on snippets and memories of their ancient survivor consciousness. Yunnan is a place where music permeates all facets of traditional life, underscoring identity, binding related populations and passing down traditional knowledge and history. It is home to hundreds of instruments…
Even if Sheila Chandra never sings another note again [and she probably never will], she has certainly achieved artistic supremacy, the like of which lesser mortals can only aspire to, in the vocal realm based solely on three recordings she made in the 1990s. The trilogy began with Weaving My Ancestors’ Voices [1992], The Zen Kiss [1994] and ABoneCroneDrone [1996] – all released on the REALWORLD imprint founded by Peter Gabriel. Miss Chandra is a once-in-a-generation [perhaps even in a lifetime] kind of vocalist. Her reputation also rests on the fact that as an artist she used her instrument to…
Tim Hicks The Long Road FestivalStanford Hall, Leicestershire25th-27th August 2023 Welcome home old friend. The Long Road Festival returned this bank holiday weekend to celebrate three days of country, Americana and roots, bringing with it over 80 artists across the weekend, both international and some home grown talent to boot. I started my festival catching the First Time Flyers, delivering a performance totally worthy of the excitement that surrounds them. Each already talented solo artists, it’s not hard to see why they are quickly making a name for themselves in the UK country music scene. The only reason for leaving…
Susana Seivane – Sete (Mare, 2023) Susana Seivane is back, and she’s not holding back! In her latest album, Sete, released on December 7th, 2023, she’s not just delivering music; she’s making a statement. Let’s dive into the beats and the heart behind this groundbreaking proposal. Kicking things off with a bang, Susana gives us a taste of what’s to come in ‘Non é non.’ This track isn’t just about the music; it’s a powerful stand against gender violence. Susana cranks up the volume on her bagpipe, breaking the silence and rallying a crew of talented artists (Elena Ferro, Iván…
‘The Rough Guide to Memphis Minnie: Queen of Country Blues’ Memphis Minnie was one of the greatest guitarists and blues singers of her time and a pioneering influence in the urban transformation of country blues. This classic selection of songs is taken from her first prodigious burst of creativity when she recorded with her then-husband Kansas Joe McCoy. FIND OUT MORE ‘The Rough Guide to Slide Guitar Blues’ From the very start, blues guitarists forged an irresistible partnership with the slide, the sound of which epitomizes the very essence of the genre. This Rough Guide highlights the revolutionary players…
With Beethoven – as with other composers – chamber music was, by definition, an intimate and personal means of musical expression. As a result, much of the great maestro’s most beguiling music can be found in this genre – i.e., trios for piano violin and cello. But Beethoven’s most restless and probing mind meant that nearly every chamber genre that he attempted more than once had its formal limits challenged and extended. Thus, his piano trios – like his many other works have a complexity and depth of feeling that have led many critics to naturally describe them as symphonic…
The Otherness: These Many Mistakes (Self Released) Streaming/Download Out Now Argentinian rock band The Otherness return with single from planned new album. Louder Than War have championed the South American 4 piece, The Otherness, since John Robb wrote about them back in 2012 here. What held true about the Patagonian band back then still does: they are an honest, hard working band who clearly love pop and rock music and filter all the best bands, from Beatles to the Ramones, adding their own style to create their own sound. The band released their debut album LMIRL back in 2021,…
Bluegrass powerhouse Sideline has unveiled their first single in two years, marking a notable return to the studio. Led by Skip Cherryholmes, the group’s recording session for Mountain Home Music Company yielded a burst of creativity after their hiatus from touring in 2023. The result is “The Lives of the Innocent,” a compelling Civil War narrative infused with the band’s distinctive sound. Featuring founding members Skip Cherryholmes and Steve Dilling, along with a talented ensemble including guest fiddler Matt Flake and former Sideline members, the track highlights Bailey Coe’s dynamic vocals against a backdrop of stirring harmonies. Written by bluegrass…
