Shetland fiddler Jenna Reid has for a long time been one of the most visible and impressive of Scottish fiddlers. As a member of Blazin’ Fiddles and with already a few solo albums in her catalogue, she is a household name among the Celtic music community. In 2022, Jenna recorded, with pianist Harris Playfair, an … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Jenna Reid with Harris Playfair
Tag: Celtic Connections
Celtic Connections 2023: Guitar Night
“Is there anyone here who doesn’t like guitars?” Anna Massie asked and one guy in the audience waved enthusiastically. I hope he survived the two hours of masterful fretwork that followed Anna’s question. I won’t go into any analysis here. I will just note that it was great fun seeing and hearing Anna, Tim Edey, … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Guitar Night
Celtic Connections 2023: John McCusker and friends; Beth Malcolm
Our Sunday’s CC menu consisted of two concerts decidedly less loud but just as enjoyable as the gigs on two previous days. Celtic Connections’ New Voices series has always showcased brilliant upcoming artists and Beth Malcolm’s song cycle on theme of growing up and finding yourself was no exception. She is an immensely talented songwriter: … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: John McCusker and friends; Beth Malcolm
Celtic Connections 2023: Treacherous Orchestra + Víík
That evening was a really mighty blast 💥! Such energy levels, it’s a wonder I managed to sleep afterwards… Víík as the opening act were a really happy surprise. We had checked out their singles on Spotify and had thought they were kind of lame and perhaps self-consciously artsy. But on stage, the Danish-Norwegian band … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Treacherous Orchestra + Víík
Celtic Connections 2023: Talisk & Project Smok
Back in Glasgow after three years! Celtic Connections 2020 happened just before covid shook the world - little did we know then that we would not return here until 2023… Me and my wife launched our CC23 with quite a bang. This was our third Talisk show and by far the most epic. Musically I … Continue reading Celtic Connections 2023: Talisk & Project Smok
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 5
Fri 31 The final Friday of CC2020 was also the Brexit day for UK - and Scotland but no sign of anything out of the ordinary was to be seen as we trod across the Glasgow city centre to St Luke’s for another Finnish-Scottish night. An oh lordy what a show our countrywomen and men … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 5
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 4
Tue 28 Our only concert of the day was the 35th anniversary celebration of Cherish The Ladies. The for all purposes sold out Royal Concert Hall was eager to welcome the core ensemble and their numerous guests. And the people certainly got their money's worth as the event stretched to over three hours, including a … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 4
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 3
Sat 25 An evening at City Halls, and a very busy one - musically speaking. Both artists on stage displayed a staggering level of virtuosity - the notes per second index was at times through the roof - but never at the expense of the tune. Always about music, never only about showing off. New … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 3
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 2
Tue 21 The Big Fling aka Scottish Dance Band Extravaganza: hugely entertaining evening, expertly hosted by Gary Innes himself. At some points felt like in a time machine with the music evoking mental images of dance halls and cèilidhs long gone. Tom Orr's Mega Cèilidh Dance Band, put together for this event and with a … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 2
Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 1
Jan 18-19 Our second CC adventure began on Sat 18th, two days after the launch of this year's festival. Having left Finland on a morning flight on Fri 17, we arrived in Glasgow on Friday afternoon but had no gigs to go to that day, as we had realized too late Duncan Chisholm was giving … Continue reading Notes from Celtic Connections 2020, part 1
FolkNotes 