For almost ten years, Hekety have held a well deserved place in the foremost ranks of English ceilidh bands. This set combines a morris tune with one from the Playford collection. Taken from their 2004 debut, Furze Cat.
Jess Arrowsmith (fiddle), Richard Arrowsmith (melodeon), Gavin Davenport (guitar), Nigel Holmes (bass), Jo Veal (clarinet).

Silverwheel are Sue Cain (vocals), Peter Rophone (bass), Anna Grant (fiddle), Chris McMahon (guitar) and French Freddie (drums). The band, formed in 2005, mix traditional music with the imagination and dynamics of rock. This track is taken from their demo.

Rackaback are a trio of musicians who came together out of a respect and love for traditional English music and have been active on the concert music scene for a couple of years. The waltz set includes two tunes, one written by a friend, Adam Woolley, and the second by Nick.
James Raynard (fiddle), Nick Cooke (melodeon), Jo Maher (cor anglais)

Minnie Moosika perform a mixture of klezmer, eastern European and self-written material. Sher is a wild and celebratory klezmer tune; Deepest River was written and composed by Richard and finishes with a Minnie Moosika flourish!
Steve Fotios, Richard Masters, Gavin Tolan, Jo Veal, Josie Wexler

Possibly the world's only metal / hardcore / trad. English folk dance band, Glorystrokes bring together some well known names from the UK folk dance scene with a cataclysmic dash through their skeleton-riddled musical closets leaving you with traditional music as it hasn't been heard before, bridging the barrier between barn dance and mosh pit.
Richard Arrowsmith, Nick Cooke, Gavin Davenport, Nigel Holmes, Lee
O'Donnell, Tom Wright

Two tunes from Sheffield's finest Anglo-Welsh ceilidh band. The first tune is a jig written by Derwenna flute player Ceri, and the second started life as a traditional Welsh waltz. Formed in 2003 by members of Sheffield CeilidhSoc, Derwenna play for English Ceilidh with a repertoire based on Welsh music and their own compositions, as well as various Irish and European tunes.
Catrin Ashton, Ceri Ashton, Charley Roberts, Ian Roberts, Steve Fotios

Breathtaking duelling fiddles with exquisite guitar, bouzouki and voice. Skyhook play traditional, original and self-penned material rooted in the music of Scotland, Ireland and Cape Breton. The band are Cath James (Radio 2 Young Tradition Award finalist), Martin Harwood (formerly of Caravanserai) and Eoin Teather (accompanist to the likes of Tommy Peoples and Kevin Burke).
"astoundingly good" Stirrings Magazine
"an absolute delight; music that lifts the spirit" SRFN News

Cruicible embrase the best of the old folk revivial whilst remaining assuredley at the forefront of the new. Remarkable versitility and commitment to the tradition have become hallmarks as they continue to win over new audiences. This track is on their second album Crux.
Jess Arrowsmith, Richard Arrowsmith, Gavin Davenport, Helena Reynolds

Box of Shivers are a new, young duo playing exciting tunes in the French traditional style. They are Lucy Huzzard (melodeon, winner of the Wickersley Young Acoustic Roots Competition 2005) and Sarah Noyce (fiddle and clarinet).

James Raynard is a young English folk singer, guitarist and fiddle player, whose strong performances of traditional ballads earned him a Radio 2 Folk Awards Horizon Award nomination in 2006.
"Raynard's engaging simplicity is underpinned by a glowing passion for
the history and wordplay of grand old songs." The Telegraph

A gentle Breton dance from this Franco-Anglo-Swiss concert and dance band.
Gwenaelle Ambuhl, Graham Knapp, Jo Veal

This song about the art thief and his mother is taken from the album Escape Artist, a collection of tales and tunes from across Europe, featuring lovers, ghosts, vows and pantomime cows.
Richard Masters (feat. Ceri Ashton, Cath James, Tegwen Roberts, Hazel Leigh, Matt Lord)

Treebeard was formed in 1998 by Chris and Paul McMahon and Paul Chisnell from Haze, with Gordon Walker and Chris Jellis. They released their first CD, Heavy Wood, in 2002. The band are currently working on their second CD, from which this track, which features Ceri Ashton on flute, is taken.

Trinculo are a ceilidh band with a rich grounding in both dancing and playing for dance. Influences come from across Europe to produce a vibrant harmonic sound.
Nick Cooke, Aisling O'Brien, Nigel Holmes, Jemma Gurney, Lee O'Donnell

"Tell me, people of knowledge, of what material is Hiraeth made,
that as you wear it, it does not fade?"
Hiraeth is a traditional Welsh song, from which this trio takes its name. The meaning of the word combines a sense of longing, nostalgia and homesickness. The song is followed by a couple of tunes written by Josie.
Cat Ashton (fiddle and vocals), Ceri Ashton (clarinet and vocals), Josie Wexler (viola)

Tegwen Roberts is a singer-songwriter whose impassioned lyrics and lush vocals combine to form a harmonically powerful sound. This track is taken from her album with Martin Harwood, I Think I Thought I Knew, which is out on RootBeat records.

Jon Boden is best known within the folk music scene as one half of a duo with John Spiers, and as the frontman of folk big-band Bellowhead. This track is taken from his electronica / rock / folk solo album, Painted Lady.
"Jon's voice is a gem that captivates the senses, and this CD marks
him as the next big artist in the great English folk / pop / rock
tradition" Musician