‘Dan’s astounding playing has it all, in spades, and his original songs are cool too’ – FROOTS

‘A real world class banjo player, terrific’ – TOM ROBINSON, BBC RADIO 6

‘Glorious!’ – CERYS MATTHEWS, BBC RADIO 6

‘If one name is synonymous with the revival of interest in the banjo it’s Dan Walsh’ – LIVING TRADITION

‘An accomplishment surely all folk and roots artist strive for: fresh reinvention of the old’ – FATEA

‘Reaffirms Walsh’s position as the pre-eminent British banjo player’ – ROCK SOCIETY

‘Well worth repeated listening’ – SONGLINES

‘The perfect balance of authenticity and flair’ – FOLK RADIO

‘Dan Walsh is a singular talent and the British roots scene should be glad to own him’ – R2

‘Dan walsh is poised to do for old time banjo what Bela Fleck did for bluegrass banjo: create something new, exciting and uncategorizable and achieve international stardom in the process’ – SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR

‘Through imagination and great playing Walsh has produced a banjo album that’s not just a ‘banjo album’. If he set out to change opinions of the banjo, he is acheiving it’ – BRIGHT YOUNG FOLK

‘His incredible mastery of the instrument and ability to draw so much from the banjo that elevates his playing to another level’ – FOLKWORDS

‘When played by Dan Walsh, the banjo becomes an instrument of beauty and intrigue’ – SHIRE FOLK

‘Few banjo players can match Dan Walsh for range of repertoire, technique and imaginative compositions. His latest recording showcases this in both instrumental and singer-songwriter ability’ – TYKES NEWS

‘Mixes the traditional and the modern to great effect, this album spins with delight’ – LIVERPOOL SOUND AND VISION

After being nominated as Musician of the Year at the BBC Folk Awards, banjo maestro Dan Walsh returns with another exciting new album. Verging On The Perpendicular sees Dan Walsh revisiting his first musical love, that of traditional Irish and Scottish folk music but as usual with Dan there’s a fairly eclectic range of music, but particular focus is on revisiting his past influences. The new album comprises traditional tracks including a pair of Irish polkas, a jig and a reel mixed with two of his own compositions and a wonderful old song called The Suilin. Alongside this there’s a tune of his called The Vaults influenced by his great mentor Ken Perlman whose speciality is arranging a reel with variations rather than the traditional medley option. There’s even a pair of 7/8 tunes, the second of which was written as it sounded like an Irishman writing a Bulgarian tune!

As usual some of the original songs are influenced by his travelling the world, Leave This Land is about his sadness of leaving New Zealand after such a wonderful month there, Want What You Don’t Have recalls the many conversations he had with people about the pros and cons of the travelling musician’s life and Going To The USA tells the traumatic story of getting hold of a work visa in time for his first tour there. Indeed there are plenty of nods to his love of American roots music too. Funky Haystack showcases his love of funky banjo while Leave This Land is bluegrass through and through. There’s also a dose of the blues in Out Of Here, one of two tracks to feature Urban Folk Quartet colleague Tom Chapman on percussion.