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
Tag: contemporary folk music
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
Xmas Album(s) Review / Còig: Carols & Carols Too
Carols Too by Canada’s fabulous Celtic folkers Còig is a sequel to their 2015 Carols - at least the title of the album lets us use that word. Since this blog didn’t exist in 2015, a few words on their previous Xmas album. Carols quickly found its way to my ”best Xmas albums” list and … Continue reading Xmas Album(s) Review / Còig: Carols & Carols Too
Xmas Album Review / Kate Rusby: Holly Head
Kate Rusby must be THE Christmas fan in the entire British-Scottish-Irish folk scene. This is her third seasonal album, and she’s been busy with them, too: The Frost Is All Over came in 2015, Angels And Men in 2017 and now this. Looking forward to 2021 already 😉 Or perhaps she’s been doing a Christmas … Continue reading Xmas Album Review / Kate Rusby: Holly Head
Better-late-than-never Reviews 2×2: Grey & Peach, Macfarlane & Henderson
2x2 = two albums, both with two musicians and lots of the deceptively simple beauty I love in this music. I wasn’t properly awake when these were released earlier this year but, again, better late… The mesmerizing Air Iomall (On the Edge) by Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach is paired with a film of the … Continue reading Better-late-than-never Reviews 2×2: Grey & Peach, Macfarlane & Henderson
Album Review / Jarlath Henderson: Raw
I have to admit piper-composer and occasional singer Jarlath Henderson's previous solo album from a few years ago, Hearts Broken, Heads Turned, was not my favorite. The electronics layer in the music was a bit overpowering for my taste and the music stayed at an arm's lenght from me. He is such a brilliant musician … Continue reading Album Review / Jarlath Henderson: Raw
Album Review / RANT: The Portage
"A stark, honest recording." That's how the core quality of RANT’s third outing is described on RANT's Bandcamp site. It may be a slightly surprising choice of words for music that's very controlled, touching on modern classical in some places, played by a quartet of Scotland's finest (Bethany Reid, Anna Massie, Jenna Reid and Lauren … Continue reading Album Review / RANT: The Portage
Retro Review / Brian Finnegan: The Ravishing Genius of Bones (2010)
I remember the three distinct occasions that made me fall in love with Irish and Scottish music, especially the music of our time that flows from those countries. First was Solas, then my discovery of Capercaillie, and then this, flute and white player and composer Brian Finnegan's first and so far only solo album. All … Continue reading Retro Review / Brian Finnegan: The Ravishing Genius of Bones (2010)
Quick Take Retro Review / Alba’s Edge: Run To Fly (2015)
Sometimes music is just fun, and it's enough. You don't always need to have a bright new idea or a unique take on something to produce music that's just plain... good. Alba's Edge was (I presume they're not active anymore) a North American Celtic/Jazz hybrid whose sole full album, Run To Fly, is one of … Continue reading Quick Take Retro Review / Alba’s Edge: Run To Fly (2015)
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