THE VERY BEST OF 2009

BEST GIG – Zeitgeist Zero’s album launch at Subculture was without doubt the most memorable and unique of all “live” gigs I attended during this year (Reviewed on this site 12th April)
www.myspace.com/zeitgeistzero

BEST MALE SOLO CD – “The Busker” by Roger Davies is an album with everything the discerning listener could wish for (Reviewed on this site 31st October)
www.myspace.com/rogerdaviesmusic

BEST FEMALE SOLO CD – Angie Shaw’s “The other side of blue” allowed Angie to showcase her superb vocals and song-writing abilities (Reviewed on this site 15th July)
www.myspace.com/angieshawmusic

BEST BAND CD – A tough call but Harrogate-based Hargreaves with their “Sooner but not later” CD just edged many other great albums with its variety, well balanced lyrics and musicianship (Reviewed on this site 12th February)
www.myspace.com/hargreavesblues

BEST EP – A winner by a country mile was the awesome EP “A New Morning” by the London-based “The Croshaw Family”. The impact they create in the space of five tracks is unbelievable and confirmed them as UK’s answer to the American Carter family
www.myspace.com/croshawfamily

BEST SOLO DVD – Abi Moore’s rise to prominence amongst female singer-songwriters is clearly evident with her exceptional “live” DVD at Lincoln Drill Hall.
www.myspace.com/thisisabimoore

BEST COMPILATION DVD – Cool Acoustics “Acoustic Selection Box” is a wonderful showcase of seven of the many talented acts to have graced the Cool Acoustics promotions in 2009 (Reviewed on this site 8th October)
www.myspace.com/coolacousticspromotions

MOST INNOVATIVE ALBUM OF 2009 – Shaun T Hunter and the Quite Rebellion album “Thinnest Hope Magnified” which will be the forefront of some incredible ground-breaking projects during 2010.
www.myspace.com/quietrebellion09

FEEL-GOOD FACTOR AWARD – The monthly Sunday Service gig at the Verve in Leeds wins this award, due to the unbelievable friendliness and warmth generated each month by organiser Barnaby Aldrick, the musicians playing, but most importantly the supporters of this truly wonderful night each month, feeling down? then get yourself to the Sunday Service in 2010.
www.myspace.com/barnabyaldrick

RACHEL MAYFIELD AWARD

Leeds Music Promotions are delighted that their review of Rachel Mayfield's album 'Freedom is' has helped it to be voted 'Best of the 2000's decade' on an American radio station. A well deserved honour for a very special singer-songwriter.

www.Rachelmayfield.com
www.myspace.com/rachelmayfield
www.magikfornoreason.co.uk

KINGNOTHING

The Leeds band formed in 2006 are continuing to progress at a rate of knots, which should soon see them establish a bigger profile far beyond there traditional heartland. While some bands either have too much volume on the vocals or instruments, the balance of the two achieved throughout the tracks is perfect, and definately separates them from many bands of the same genre. Tracks such as “Midnight War Heart,” “Petrol for my Devil” and “Rented Flesh” all re-iterate the quality of both the raw but clear vocals and superb guitar and drum work which creates something refreshingly different. Watch out for this band as they are wheat in a musical field usually dominated by chaff.

www.myspace.com/kingnothinguk

THE BIG FAT KILL – DOWN AT THE JUNCTION CD

Very few “live” albums capture both the quality of the lyric-writing and musical prowess on show, however The Big Fat Kill’s first CD, “Down at the Junction” bucks that trend as the energy of a “live” performance is entwined with the highly professional and crafted lyrics, which makes this album stand out from the crowd. The album contains songs of poignancy to songs which will have audiences accompanying in the choruses, but with far more lyrical substance than a sing-a-long set of songs, these are songs of strength and crafted to perfection. Each band member Jon Palmer (Guitar,Vocals), Tom Cassidy (Bass, Backing vocals), Jeremy Bradford (Piano) and Paul Milek (Drums) shines throughout the album, where no-one is more dominant that the other, and consequently produces a collective musical sphere of the highest echelon.

www.myspace.com/thebigfatkilluk

TIN ROBOT RECORDS

London-based Tin Robot Records are a new indie label forging links throughout the UK, including the Yorkshire music-scene. Tin Robot networks with people from all sorts of artistic and professional disciplines who share their belief that new music should be invested in. They help them to work with musicians by working for free, allowing them to release material on a shoestring budget. Their recent releases include;

Pete Briley who has been a favourite of the Leeds music scene for the past 3 years and which included being named as one of the 15 best acts in Leeds in 2008, has now released his first single with Tin Robot Records titled “Semantics”. His distinctive voice and guitar and lyric-writing skills shine though and will hopefully provide the platform for great things both for Pete and Tin Robot Records.

Kent’s Kaleidophone are sure to make people stand up and take notice with the release of their Abbey Road mastered single ‘Fat Cats’. The single has a raw energy and passion which will no doubt make it an anthem for the talented four-piece for many years to come and attract fans from far beyond their south-coast base.

www.petebriley.com
www.myspace.com/wearekaleidophone
www.tinrobotrecords.co.uk

LAU HIT THE HEIGHTS IN LEEDS

LAU

When the winner’s of the Best Group award at both the 2008 and 2009 BBC Folk awards ceremonies arrive in town, you know something very different is to be witnessed. The return to Leeds for the three-piece Scottish-based band was greeted with excited anticipation at the wonderfully appointed Brudenell Social Club. With a performance starting with some entertaining Jigs, the audience of all ages, were carried along on a wave of original musicianship of the grandest order throughout the evening. It is very easy to see why Kris Drever (Guitar and Vocal), Martin Green (Piano Accordion) and Aidan O’Rourke (Fiddle) are regarded by many as the finest exponents of their genre for a very long time. The mood of the compositions changes, but the enjoyment and entertaining banter between the musicians added even more to the performance. With an intense playing style coupled with expressive freedom, if that’s not a contradiction in terms, this was a very special nights entertainment which will live long in the memories of all who attended yet another impressive and well-organised event by Hee-Haw Promotions.

www.myspace.com/laumusic

Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts

The sensational evening’s entertainment started with the outstanding duo of Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts. The mercurial talents of both musicians will surely see them performing at many of the big Folk Festivals on a regular basis, for many years to come. Katriona (Violin, Mandolin and vocals) and Jamie (Guitar and vocals) produced a mesmerizing performance of both traditional and original work, which set the stage perfectly for the magnificent trio from Scotland. With an announcement of a UK tour planned for next year, this talented duo should soon be receiving the critical plaudits their talents deserve.

www.myspace.com/gilmoreroberts

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