New CD from Colum Sands
One of the beautiful things about the folk world is that it contains so many good people.
I spent a lot of time in the other world of showbiz / telly / music publishing, and I can tell you that there you will find some very murky waters and some very dubious and sharp-toothed fish.
I emerged relatively unscathed because I refused (and still do) to take any of it seriously.
Sure, the folk world has the odd bit of back-biting and begrudgery (we're only human after all), but on the whole there are many more pluses than minuses. Amongst the pluses, I would count .
A gentleman and a scholar and all round good egg, as well as being one of the best singer-songwriters around; like his brother , Colum seems to have his pulse on the times and to be able to communicate a deep love for humanity without being in any way mawkish or sentimental.
His new album is a typical collection great Colum songs, funny and thoughtful alike. My own particular favourite is 'Fred Jordan's Boots' inspired by a pair of boots that once belonged to Fred Jordan - that great Shropshire traditional folk singer and farm labourer - which ended up in New Zealand.
I will be playing this track on my programme next Wednesday (28 Oct).
If you don't know Colum's work already then this album is a great introduction to the man.
You should also of course check out Tommy's work too - in fact check out the whole - they are a very talented bunch.
Comment number 1.
At 25th Oct 2009, EnglishFolkfan wrote:This was a reminder and so have just watched again The Sands Family documentary on RTE originally broadcast 27th February 2009
Excellent to archive Folk stuff like this. Don't have overly much Irish music in my iTunes, am quite selective, but they're online on Spotify together & separately where one can listen.
Plus, of course, Colum presents an excellent TWO Hour Folk Show on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Ulster (& iPlayer) with enough time each week to keep us up to date with Irish music.
I enjoyed his guest hosting of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Scotland's TWO Hour Travelling Folk slot this Summer too. Another folk show with ample time to mix the new, the old, interviews and live studio sessions.
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