Tiny Little Light

Mikey Kenney’s dexterous fiddle playing has long been coveted by folk musicians from across the world. But his songwriting, formerly as Ottersgear and in recent years under his own name, is not so easily categorised under the folk banner, and this new offering is as joyfully varied as his career to date. The fiddle playing remains versatile and soulful, but this album better spotlights his idiosyncratic vocals and lyrics. It’s clear: no one sees – or hears – the world like Mikey Kenney. Whether it’s his thoughts on the endless work of the bee (‘The Doing of the Bee’) or reflections on the dandelion valleys of his youth (‘Dandelion’), he may come across as an old soul; indeed, he tells us ‘I’m finding it hard to embrace the new age/I’m a man who likes to put a pen to a page.’ But his need to experiment keeps his work gorgeously fresh. And recorded largely live, it’s a compelling performance, too.