Popular folk bands 2013

Philip Henry & Hannah Martin: Mynd (Dragonfly Roots)
Devon pair Philip Henry and Hannah Martin can both sing and are talented multi-instrumentalists and they have paired up to create a strong and imaginative album. Read full review here. ★★★★☆

Will Pound: A Cut Above (Lulubug Records)
Harmonica player Will Pound covers Morris songs, gospel and Mozart on his lovely debut solo album A Cut Above. Read full review here. ★★★★☆

The Full English (Topic Records)
The Full English, featuring Fay Hield, Martin Simpson and Seth Lakeman, celebrates some of the great folk music of England. Read full review here. ★★★★★

Martin Simpson: Vagrant Stanzas (Topic Records)
Pure and fluent musicianship from Martin Simpson, who turned 60 this year. Read full review here. ★★★★☆

Jim Causley: Cyprus Well (Folk Police Recordings)
Folk singer Jim Causley's album Cyprus Well is a lovely musical tribute to Charles Causley, one of England's finest poets.

Mary Dillon: North (Back Lane Records)

Bella Hardy: Battleplan (Noe Records)
Bella Hardy is on fine singing form with Battleplanand the 29-year-old from the Peak District seems to have gained extra confidence from gathering round her a group of top musicians. The album is powered by her own voice, piano, fiddle, and with the help of the four-piece acoustic band (Anna Massie, Angus Lyon, James Lindsay and Mattie Foulds, who produced the record). Hardy said: "I wanted this one set of musicians, as a band, so I gave them a name to seal it and they’re now 'The Midnight Watch.'” Battleplan is a mixture of traditional folk songs, with new arrangements, and Hardy's own compositions including the lovely True Hearted Girl and, my favourite, the maudlin Maybe You Might.. ★★★★☆

Helene Blume: Men med åbne øjne (Pile House Records)
Denmark's Helene Blum sings with a transcending grace and there is some dazzling fiddle work by co-producer Harald Huagaard. The album also features Martin Simpson and Andy Cutting. ★★★★☆

Heidi Talbot: Angels Without Wings (Navigator Records)
Heidi Talbot is joined by stars such as Mark Knopfler and Jerry Douglas on her fine new album Angels Without Wings. Read full review here. ★★★★☆

Laura Marling: Once I Was An Eagle (Virgin Records)
An album that crosses boundaries, including folk, but one our music critic Neil McCormick considered a masterpiece. ★★★★★