There are three new releases in this month’s chart.
Rising back to no. 1 is Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll by The Mary Wallopers, which entered the charts at no. 1 in October 2023. The album captures the chaos, humour and excitement of the band’s live shows whilst also showcasing the emotion of the traditional ballads that they play.
Straight in at no. 2 is All Aboard (Island Records), the tenth album by Port Isaac’s shanty singers, The Fisherman’s Friends. This, their fifth album released with Island Records, showcases a compelling mix of traditional sea shanties from the 18th century, coupled with a touch of the 20th and 21st centuries.
In at no. 6 is Les Cousins – The Soundtrack Of Soho’s Legendary Folk & Blues Club (Cherry Red / Strawberry) by Various Artists including Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Shirley Collins, and more. Les Cousins was a folk and blues club in the basement of a restaurant in Greek Street, in London’s Soho, which became a home and the epicentre for the folk revival of the mid-1960s. Compiled and annotated by folk historian and fRoots editor/publisher Ian Anderson, who also played at the venue, this album pays tribute to a unique time and place in UK folk music history.
Martyn Joseph comes in at no. 10 with his 27th studio album, This Is What I Want To Say (Pipe), the product of a 40 year musical journey. The raw, honest observations in this stripped-back acoustic rendition reflect Joseph’s commitment to social justice and love. The album is described by Folk Radio as, ‘Songs of love and longing, of place and time, of finding certainty amid contradictions, this is what he wants to say, and, as ever, he says it with heartfelt eloquence and is always worth hearing.’
View the full chart HERE.
View the Folk Chart Of The Year 2023 HERE.
