The renaissance in singer-songwriters that has seen the likes of Amy Winehouse and K.T. Tunstall achieve success both sides of the Atlantic draws comparisons with the last heyday of this style in music, the early seventies. Among those talents was Steve Ashley, whose 1974 Stroll On album was named Folk Album of the Year. Though the popularity of the singer-songwriter waned, Steve continued to write and record.

His new release, Time and Tide (Topic), a journey through Blair's Britain, follows on from Steve's own renaissance which was evident on his previous release, the underrated Everyday Lives. Time and Tide is in the same vein, a commentary on the despair of Blair's legacy - Gordon arrived too late to be on the receiving end of Steve's angry pen.

The lament Still Waiting has a sting in the tail as the lyric suggests a simple story of friendship and trust betrayed until the words ring out that the 'friend' was Mr Blair. His venom is also drawn in a song that is sure to inspire those holding vigil outside the gates of Faslane - Ships of Shame that "it hides among the fishes, Its daily mission still the same, No hopes, dreams or wishes". But this is no intense polemic. Songs about the loss of the countryside and the cosmopolitan look of his home town of Cheltenham are laced with humour. Who else would write a ditty called Pub Carpets?

The album was partly recorded in Oxfordshire and he is backed by friends from Fairport Convention - whom he may well join on stage this weekend at Cropredy - and Robin Williamson. String arrangements are by Robert Kirby, who has worked with Nick Drake, Paul Weller and Elvis Costello.

But the outstanding track is his moving tribute to his grandfather, a railwayman and union organiser, Down the Line. The tune is traditional and the words heartfelt, which rather sums up this "quiet survivor", as the Guardian calls him.