Bands change over time, if they last long and have musical vitality and dignity. In rock,my favorites like Rush, Genesis, Jethro Tull and XTC went through so many periods and styles, it makes zero sense to answer briefly when someone asks "what's their music like?" Mànran have been for 15 years in the groundbreaking frontline … Continue reading Mànran’s “To The Wind” – a band in transition?
Tag: Scottish music
Calum MacPhail and Tide Lines save the Scottish summer, whatever the weather
Summertime in Scotland is famously unpredictable. Sunshine, rain, high winds, no wind, basically almost anything within 24 hours. It's not exactly known as a summer paradise (although me and my wife have enjoyed great summer weather there) but as climate change progresses, even in the British Isles, Scottish summers can come with some scorchers in … Continue reading Calum MacPhail and Tide Lines save the Scottish summer, whatever the weather
Corrina Hewat’s “Song of Oak and Ivy”: mesmerizing and beautiful
Corrina Hewat is in the same master's league with other Scottish harpists like Catriona McKay, Ailie Robertson and Rachel Newton, but she hasn't released her own music - at least in recorded form - in ages. But it's 2025 and here she is now, with music that has completely surprised and enchanted me. What an … Continue reading Corrina Hewat’s “Song of Oak and Ivy”: mesmerizing and beautiful
Tern’s “Flyway”: a debut album for the books!
It's a rare occasion when you can honestly say that you've been there when something really, really good was beginning. Me and my wife were lucky enough to be in the audience of Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections 2023 when Tern played their first ever public gig on January 30. The usually amateur … Continue reading Tern’s “Flyway”: a debut album for the books!
Brief notes from Celtic Connections 2025
First, apologies for not keeping to my promise of writing here more often in 2025. It's been a bit rough first weeks of the year, with some health issues (again) and, frankly, the state of the world causing me some chronic stress and tiredness as well. And as we are psycho-somatic beings with everything affecting … Continue reading Brief notes from Celtic Connections 2025
Laura Jane Wilkie’s “Vent” is an essential work
With all her former and current impressive work with Scotland's A-level folk musos, it's almost incredible Vent is fiddler/composer Laura Jane Wilkie's first solo release. Then again, if you immerse yourself in a project as she has done here, things will take their time to happen... Vent is not just another very good Celtic or … Continue reading Laura Jane Wilkie’s “Vent” is an essential work
Mairearad & Anna – but on their own this time
Mairearad Green and Anna Massie are solid staples of modern Scottish folk music; both have been active and important figures in the scene for many years already. As they have previously made four albums (Mairearad and Anna, Coupling, Best Day and Farran) together, the almost synchronized releases of their new solo albums was a great … Continue reading Mairearad & Anna – but on their own this time
Lauren MacColl: Haar (2023)
Lauren MacColl's fifth solo album, Haar (Scottish Gaelic for sea mist), was released in the summer of 2023, so once again I'm pitifully late in commenting about it. But better late than ever, because Haar is a warm, glowing wonder. I make no excuses: I'm a huge fan of hers. There is something so calm … Continue reading Lauren MacColl: Haar (2023)
Fiona Hunter’s two solo albums: separated by a decade, connected by everything else
Considering how visible a figure Fiona Hunter has been in the contemporary Scottish folk music scene, it feels strange there has been a decade between her solo albums. Her 2014 debut was a gourmet table Scots songs and singing. It was a very solid work with some truly remarkable performances, like the heartwrenching, brilliantly dramatic … Continue reading Fiona Hunter’s two solo albums: separated by a decade, connected by everything else
Bruce MacGregor’s “Road to Tyranny” is a jewel
So it took me almost two years to finally listen to the Blazin' Fiddles lead man's latest solo album (the previous ones are from quite a few years ago). But who cares about time when the music is timeless, right? This is the kind of modern Scottish folk I really, really love: the tradition is … Continue reading Bruce MacGregor’s “Road to Tyranny” is a jewel
FolkNotes 