Sean Taylor
The Path into Blue
(seantaylorsongs.com)
★★★★★

ANYONE who thinks there’s a dearth of new political songwriting needs to listen to this latest from Sean Taylor.

All the tracks are self-penned, with opener This is England giving a taster of songs providing a powerful and angry commentary on the state of British and world politics.

Lampedusa, on the plight of refugees, and Grenfell, with the line: “The working-class gets zero hours and a place to die in Grenfell Towers” sum up capitalism today, while A Cold Wind Blows rages at the hypocrisy of a society which on the one hand praises the bravery of its soldiers but ignores them if they end up homeless on the streets of London.

As with his previous albums, Sean Taylor demonstrates that he’s a topical songwriter following in the best traditions of Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs.

Belinda O'Hooley
Inversions
(No Masters)
★★★★

AN ACCOMPLISHED singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, together with her wife Heidi Tidow Belinda O’Hooley has set folk festivals alight, drawing comparisons with Kate and Anna McGarrigle, among others.

This mainly instrumental solo album showcases O’Hooley’s talents as a pianist and composer, inspired by her family musical heritage following the passing of her father in 2017.

The Swallows Tail and The Bonny Boy come from her father’s musical background in the rural Irish west, while Cadair Idris and Aran Fawddwy are inspired by the mountains and valleys of Snowdonia where the album was recorded.

Two spoken-word pieces — Inside a Soul and My Father’s Reel — reflect on childhood, as does vocal piece Hawkward.

While I’d have liked more vocals, as an instrumental album this is an enjoyable and relaxing experience from an artist at the height of her powers.

Sunjay
Devil Came Calling
(sunjay.tv)
★★★★

WEST Midlands artist Sunjay has in the past been nominated for both the Radio 2 Young Folk and the British Blues awards and with this latest album it’s easy to see why.

Still only in his mid-twenties, his deep voice and skilful guitar playing uniquely cross the folk, blues and country boundaries.
 
While the songs are mainly contemporary, themes familiar to the blues tradition are explored on Johnny and the Devil, a variation of the old story of a musician selling his soul to the devil and being unable to get free again, while Ghost Train could read as a history of the US through the eyes of blues legends and there’s a rockabilly beat on songs like Tell Me.

An exciting album from a young artist who is sure to have more surprises for audiences as his career progresses.