The latest reviews from Kevin Bryan.

Robyn Stapleton, "Fickle Fortune" (Laverock Records)- This beguiling vehicle for the vocal talents of award winning young Scottish folkie Robyn Stapleton finds her tackling songs from the Scottish and Irish tradition  linked by the common theme of the vagaries of fate and changing fortune.  Robyn's  exemplary efforts are subtly underpinned by the instrumental contributions of her fellow Scots Alistair Iain Paterson and demon fiddler Kristan Harvey  as she breathes new life into classic folk ballads such as  "Willie O'Winsbury"  and the haunting Jacobite  pipe tune  , "MacCrimmon's Lament."

 

Dave Mason, "Let It Flow" (Talking Elephant )- Dave Mason is best remembered these days as the writer and performer of Traffic's late sixties gems such as "Feelin' Alright" and "Hole In My Shoe, " but the Worcester born singer and guitarist also enjoyed a  satisfying solo career after ending his oddly intermittent stint with the band a few years later. This 1977 offering spawned his  biggest U.S.hit, "We Disagree," and should certainly be required listening for anyone who's ever enjoyed the soulful Mr.Mason's  slickly crafted brand of  soft rock in the past.

 

The Ashley Hutchings Big Beat Combo, "Twangin'n'a-Traddin' Revisited" (Talking Elephant)- If the prospect of a bunch of grizzled old folkies serving up rustic re-vamps of the classic rock instrumentals of their youth doesn't fill your heart with unconfined joy you'd probably be best  advised to steer well clear of this 1994 recording from Ashley Hutchings and his musical cohorts.  It's an enjoyable package nonetheless, with the former Fairport Convention and Steeleye Span stalwart joining  forces with luminaries such as Richard Thompson  and Simon Nicol  to breathe new life into golden oldies such as  The Ventures' "Walk Don't Run," The Tornados' "Telstar" and The Shadows' "F.B.I."

 

The Bevis Frond, "The Auntie Winnie Album" (Cherry Red)- The Bevis Frond essentially  exists to provide an outlet for the fevered creative outpourings of unsung psychedelic guitar hero Nick Saloman, and this splendid 1988 set provides an ideal introduction to this gifted cult hero's   endlessly inventive sound. Inititally conceived as a collection of out-takes and leftovers, the original "Auntie Winnie Album" has now been fleshed out even more with the inclusion  of a string of highly listenable  bonus tracks, including the epic 26 minute plus closer, "Death Trip."