November round-up

Comorian’s We are an island, but we’re not alone is No. 8 in Glitterbeat’s ‘Hidden Musics’ series. It’s also the latest work of American producer Ian Brennan – celebrated for recording musicians in isolated, unlikely locations, often under difficult circumstances.

This album showcases musicians he recorded outdoors on Grande Comore, the largest of the Comoros islands, northwest of Madagascar. What’s surprising is how much artistic expression these supposedly naïve artists wring from passionate songs in the Comoros’s Bantu language, played on local stringed instruments and hand drums. Brennan delivers the goods with real bravura here. (Glitterbeat GBCD109) ★★★★★

There’s starkly contrasting production on the third outing from Brazilian cellist, singer, songwriter, producer and composer Dom La Nena. Tempo is essentially a charming album of chamber folk, sung in Portuguese, Spanish and French. Her agreeably soft, gentle vocals often suggest she’s just woken from a blissful dream, making for a rather relaxing listen. (Six Degrees 7036129429) ★★★★★

Remaining within the Americas, though further north, Peggy Seeger makes a dignified exit from her illustrious recording career with First Farewell. Just like her former husband Ewan Maccoll, she (still) has a fine way with a tune and is an engaging storyteller, with wisdom and wonder aplenty in her delightful original folk songs. She shares with her half brother, Pete Seeger, a strong political perspective, which sometimes includes an environmentalist slant .The compromises and complications of age, as well as a keen feeling for her earliest years remain her concerns. The fact she can bow out with such grace will encourage fans to hope there are in fact further farewells to come. (Red Grape RGPSCD4 )★★★★★)

Now in Blighty, and way out west, one finds that accordionist, singer and song-gatherer Jim Causley enjoyed more than a drop or two of cider in the course of researching material for Devonshire Roses. Causley clearly relished the task of making this salty selection of 20 ballads, and the humour that often informs his own original writing is plentiful. His affection for the material translates into performances of great gusto in songs as downright potty as ‘The Mallard’, and he seems to like the clever wordplay of ‘Old Cobly’ so much that it reappears. Whatever part of England you call home, you’ll be happy to sing along to ‘Devon Glorious Devon’ by the end. (Hroc Music HROC05) ★★★★★

If such Sassenach ditties don’t do it for you, head up to Shetland where you might find singer, composer and guitarist Kris Drever procrastinating over finishing his next original piece. He’s probably better known as the linchpin of trio Lau, and as a skilled accompanist to other artists, but Where The World Is Thin is actually his fourth full-length solo album. And it’s a solid accomplishment, featuring eight original songs pivoting around a leisurely reading of folk standard ‘Westlin’ Winds’ – which he takes through enough points of the compass to merit hearty congratulations from its best known exponent, Dick Gaughan. Drever’s own writing features understated but unmistakable ear worms, typified by the killer melodic refrain accompanying the lyric ‘strong men come, strong men go, rockets fly, rivers flow’. He revisits his Orkney roots on ‘Scapa Flow 1919’ and the mysterious ‘Sanday’. (Reveal REVEAL 105CDX) ★★★★★