Five with a folky feel

The Albion Band - 'Under The Rose' (1984)

Album number eight from Ashley Hutchings' post Fairport Convention outfit The Albion Band is a wee bit special, a bit more 'plugged' than many of the Albion Bands other albums, this one not only features some storming virtuoso performances from Mr Hutchings and his crew but features the spine tingling vocal stylings of Cathy LeSurf. Every track is a killer but highlights include the rebel rousing Rascals, the dark and ecological Woodlands Of England, and the majestic Dancing Under The Rose.

The Dreadnoughts - 'Legends Never Die' (2007)

All three albums to date by Vancouver folk punk outfit The Dreadnoughts are well worth a look or five, but my personal fave remains this their debut release. Sounding like a mass drinking session involving The Pogues, The Wurzels and The Dropkick Murphy's, this album is a classic from beginning to end. Not only do you get storming salty shanties like Antarctica and Sons Of Murphy, but you also get acapella classics like Roll The Woodpile Down and the song with the greatest title ever Mary The One Eyed Prostitute Who fought The Colossal Squid And Saved Us From Certain Death Upon The High Seas God Rest Her One Eyed Soul.

Orion - 'Jack Orion' (1987)

This one may take a bit of tracking down, but believe me its worth it. Bristol outfit Orion, featuring Dee Jarlett and Martin Hanstead were a bit of an institution on the south west folk scene in the '80's, but sadly this remains the pairs sole album release. The album is an affair of two halves, the first side being a collection of traditional songs and folky originals and the second being a loose concept work based on a spread of tarot cards. Not only is this a collection of great songs, but the performances of the duo are outstanding, and the track Death and The Lady has to be one of the finest contemporary folk songs ever penned

Mike Harding - 'Bombers Moon' (1984)

Although Mike Harding (aka The Rochdale Cowboy) is better know as a stand up comedian and sometime travel writer, it must not be forgotten that he started out as a folk singer, and folk music has remained his first love. Whilst some of his 'serious' folk songs would often turn up on his earlier comedy records it wasn't until the release of this in the early 1980's he chanced his arm with a full on folk album. Employing the likes of brass bands, string quartets and a rock and roll band along with the normal folk instrumentation, this album is a powerful and emotive look at working class life in Northern England. highlights include the inspirational Small High Window, a cracking cover of the Bruce Springsteen number Factory, the heart rending Accrington Pals and of course the title track which has to be one of the most powerful anti war songs ever recorded.

Press Gang - 'Outlandish' (2009)

UK outfit Press Gang have been around for a while now and have several releases under their belt, of which this one is a personal fave. Taking a number of folk standards such as Bonny Ship the Diamond, Raggle Taggle Gypsies and Outlandish Knight and playing them fully plugged with a pure rock and roll attitude they have in this record created a real gem. This is a wild and exuberant album that kicks any idea of folkies with fisherman's jumpers, mandolins and fingers in the ear well into touch. They do a corking live show as well!!