Since the Whitchurch Folk Club has not been able to open during lockdown, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands. So I’ve recorded a new album in my home studio setup. It’s called Up the Cut, and it’s out on February 12th. Those with a folkie ear may have already heard some of it on Mark Radcliffe’s BBC2 Folk Show. The reviews have been great so far, so I thought I’d let you all know a bit more about it.
“Up The Cut is a beautiful album. Affecting, simple guitar, exquisitely accompanied by Wilks’ authentic, honest voice. A raw, but entirely seductive, performance. One for all lovers of traditional songs delivered with minimal frills.” – Folk Radio UK review
As with my last album, the songs on Up The Cut were collected in the Midlands (traditional songs are often referred to as being “collected”, referring to the time and place that they were first noted down), which is where I’m from (Solihull, if anyone’s asking). There are 10 in total, and quite a few of them have not been recorded before. Even the better-known songs are pretty rare, as far as the versions I’ve chosen go. At least one song is over 250 years old, and another has most likely remained unsung for 180 years.
The album is very rough and ready – a stripped-back affair in the style of Martin Carthy, Martin Simpson and Nic Jones. Just me, my voice and my fingerpicking acoustic guitar. That’s partly because lockdown has made it nearly impossible to play with other musicians, and partly because I wanted these songs to stand on their own two feet – I didn’t want big production to get in the way of them too much, if that makes sense.
The album comes out on February 12th, and it can be bought on CD or digital download from Bandcamp. If you’re a Spotify listener, you can follow my page by clicking here (which will alert you to the new release when it’s out).
If you’d like to buy the album on CD directly from me, which will save you postage and packaging, click here and drop me an email and I can arrange to put it through your letterbox (providing you live in Whitchurch itself).
Many thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it. Here’s a little snippet (including very brief guitar lesson!)