There is a movement afoot, helped in no small part by the return of former ABBA songsmith, Benny Andersson and his latest oeuvre, ‘Story of a Heart’, which delves into the important Swedish folk scene, to bring back the genre to an even stronger place than it once held. Of course, folk music is roots music. It is as important as reggae, Louisiana blues and punk rock. It has never died, because of its relevance to the entire music scene, whether in the form of sea-shanties, Aboriginal poetry, or just traditional sounds of a simpler time.

Naturally, it has changed over the years in its approach to the market, if not in terms of its content, then certainly by the various new-age genres that have been attached to it. James Yorkston has taken an atypical route to the folk scene, having started his career as a punk bassist for Miraclehead and has indulged his various musical fantasies in several areas, even including classical music. Born in Fife, Scotland, he became an early member of The Fence Collective, which is renowned for its prolific music production.

However, listening to this new album, ‘Folk Songs’, you begin to realise just how broad are his musical tastes. While the core of the music is definitely ‘folksy’, the delivery is significantly broader than that and verges on a level of intuition and guile that draws the listener in with its delicious musicality and daring. It is almost as if Yorkston has reached a stage in his life, where he is prepared to work his incredible knowledge into a brawl of gargantuan proportions. I mean it. I think that he wants to demonstrate in the most bloody manner possible that folk music is a lot more than a cupped hand around the ear, a tweed suit, strange instruments and a jaggy bunnet! If anything, he has laid down a challenge and is defying the entire scene to follow his example.

There is a lot to like in this outstanding sixth effort from the ‘fly Fifer’. None of the tracks are actually brand new, as they all possess roots that are many years old in some cases, however, the delivery is today and, in some cases, singer-songwriter refreshed. Having worked with so many artistes, collaborating with The Big Eyes Family Players is just another sign of his collective attitude. The more the merrier, it would seem. Live in the familiarity of this new album. It is genuinely heart-warming and traditional and remarkably different to the norm. Yorkston is a subtle superstar who deserves greater recognition for his services to the industry.