I have been most impressed by the stunningly innovative albums Tìr and Tuath by the duo of Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie. As I listened to Tuath on powerplay over a few days, several questions began to arise: it's an intriguing and challenging album in many ways and I decided to ask Brian and … Continue reading Q & A with Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie
Tag: Scottish music
Album Review / David Foley & Jack Smedley: Time To Fly
It does not take much but it takes everything. It takes a fiddle and a flute and some other instruments and a few good people with good hands and a lot of soul. RURA's David Foley and Jack Smedley have released their first non-RURA outing, Time To Fly, an album of such natural flow, natural … Continue reading Album Review / David Foley & Jack Smedley: Time To Fly
Album Review / Project Smok: Bayview
Even out here in Finland, I noticed the first single and EP releases from the mysteriously titled band a couple of years ago. The playing was sharp and impressive and the material was very much ok so I earmarked them for further monitoring. And now things seem to be really moving in Smokland. Me and … Continue reading Album Review / Project Smok: Bayview
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
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 / Dosca: Meridian (2018)
Meridian, Dosca’s first and so far only album (and last? I have no idea if the band is active anymore) was released in early 2018, following a solid EP and live performances that had quickly made a name for the six-piece band. I had heard the EP once and had been impressed but didn't own … Continue reading Retro Review / Dosca: Meridian (2018)
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