Sunday 31 January 2021

Scotland influence on Democracy and the American Constitution

Declaration of Independence

Scottish moral philosophy influenced the Founding fathers. 

Scottish enlightenment figures contributed to the American national character, constitution and democracy.- such as David Hume and Adam Smith.

Francis Hutchison – 1740 argued for the right of colonial resistance to tyranny. – and Thomas Reid.  

Recently I was inspired to hear Professor Tom Devine on Radio Scotland speak of Scotland’s great influence on the establishment of American democracy and constitution. 

 

“John Witherspoon (1723 – 1794) was a Presbyterian cleric from Paisley Scotland, who was the greatest force towards developing the national character and a signatory on the Declaration of independence.  Princeton was the seminary of statesmen from President to the Supreme court.”

 

“In the 18th century the Atlantic highway from Europe to America was a highway of ideas – of philosophers, clerics, physicians, and a great influence on the American first constitution. Scotland’s philosophical influence is mainly forgotten today – and sadly the image of Scotland is one of Brigadoon, whisky, bonny glens and hills. “

 

“American scholarship emanated from Scotland with the influence of the Scottish Enlightenment. Late 18th century Scots laid the foundations of the first USA universities – Columbia and in particular the College of New Jersey, now know as Princeton and its first president Scot John Witherspoon. “Scots were Founding Fathers and through John Witherspoon had a profound influence on the American constitution.”

Founding Fathers

What a relief to see Biden as American President along with the first woman Vice President! He spoke of humility, unity and healing and celebrating diversity. About the importance of our fragile democracies and how we must protect them. 

 

Scots Americans were some of American's Founding Fathers and profoundly important to the American Constitution - such as the Scottish Enlightenment figures, Scottish Moral Philosophy and Scot John Witherspoon who founded Princeton. I was amazed to learn!! It seems to me there has been a deliberate suppression of our histories:

 

 I lived 10 years in America and I had no idea of the significance of Scots to American history - except I did see many Scots graves in a small heritage village in the Smoky mountains. Now I can feel proud because the pillars for the transfer of power are so important. "We can only build dreams together." Many place names in America are Scottish. 

 

"Americans built their world around the principles of Adam Smith and Thomas Reid of individual interest governed by common sense and a limited need for government.' 

Historian Arthur L Herman

John Witherspoon

**During King James Stuart VI expeditions set up the first British trading settlement called Jamestown was named after the Scot. Scots trade to Virginia and religious prisoners from the War of the Three Kingdoms arrived 1670s. Glasgow did the main trade of tobacco, in defiance of English restrictions of colonial trade. In return the colony received Scottish manufactured goods, emigrants and ideas.

In 1670s and 1680s, Covenanters or Presbyterian dissenters fled prosecutions by the Royalist privy council under Charles I - to settle in south Carolina and New Jersey. 

The Scots Darien project failed, partly due to England blocking trade. After the Act of Union 1707 - Scots emigrated because of the commercialization of agriculture and the Highland Clearances. 50K Scots settled in the 13 colonies 1700s.

The Covenanters, who had ruled Scotland for 80 years (1581 – 1651), many left for America after being persecuted under Charles II.  

John Witherspoon – Presbyterian college of New Jersey at Princeton. Emigrated 1758. Scottish common sense school of philosophy and his thought son American liberty 1770s. signed of declaration of independence. He was concerned at the interference of the London government on previously devolved issues.

*Scots Americans came in 3 Main Groups - The Highlander Scots, Lowlander Scots and the Scotch Irish

Highlander Scots  - 1700s the Jacobites and the breaking up of the clans, the Highland Clearances. Highlanders often maintained their culture of the clans, such as Gaelic language and their music: they moved to Georgia, Mohawk Valley, Upstate New York, Cape Fear river, mostly loyalists. Many Highlanders left fro Canada.

Lowlander Scots – 18th century to New York and New Jersey, were well educated – clerics, lawyers, merchants, medics - professionals with commercial ties to the crown. They tended to be loyalists. Many were prosecuted Covenanters.

Ulster Scots or Scotch Irish, from the Lowlands of Scotland who under Henry VIII colonized province of Ulster to pacify the threat of Catholic Ireland 17th century Plantations. They left for America to the Appalachian mountains. They owned tobacco plantations, in Virginia and Carolina. Their indebtedness was an incentive for separation and had commercial ties to the old country. Scots-Irish settled in Tennessee and were drawn into the rebellion. Music Border ballads. They were mostly Patriots. Scots fought on both sides of the War of Independence

Devine said that in 2021 it is tragic that a Scots descendent has had such a wicked influence on American democracy today. Rednecks also came from Scotland. 


II  *American Founding Fathers

James Addison – Tutored by Scots minister. Princeton. 

Thomas Jefferson -  Taught by Scots Presbyterian minster. 

John Adams – Harvard Boston. 

John Jay – Columbia university

Benjamin Franklin – English

George Washington – Military career. 

Alexander Hamilton

*Alexander Hamilton - Attended Colombia University, Scots father and orphaned Caribbean. 

He joined and trained Patriot volunteers, senior aid Washington. Founder American financial system, US coastguard and New York Post newspaper. Today there is a population musical 'Hamilotn'

*Alexander McDougall – a friend of Alexander Hamilton. He organised the evacuation by boat, after the Patriots defeat at the battle of long island. The Sons of Liberty Reformers and New York Patriots. Alexander McDougall and John Jay were captains New York provincial artillery 1776.

 

*John Mercer – fought alongside George Washington. He had fought at Culloden and he was a martyr for the Patriot army. . seven years war.

 

*John Wilson – lawyer.  Consideration of the extent of the legislature . 

that power derives from the people. A framer of American constitution: he was also a justice of the supreme court.

 

*George Buchanan (1506 - 1582) – The great scholar George Buchanan, who based his writings on the Scottish clan system and he was the father of democracy. He wrote that all political power resides in the people, and it must reside in the people: and that it is lawful and necessary to resist kings (or queens) or (we might say all rulers) if they become tyrants. There were many attempts to suppress his work by James VI and he foresaw where stupid Stewart vanity would lead. 


Scottish school of common sense 18th century

Philosophers David Hume and Adam Smith, Dugald Stewart, Thomas Reid, William Hamilton, 

 The Scottish moral philosophy had a considerable influence on American constitution. They argued against scepticism – inherent in the acquisition of knowledge and to develop philosophical wisdom. 

 


Blue Rose Code at Celtic Connections



Blue Rose Code aka Ross Wilson, improves with each album!  His new album is certainly a step up.  With his folk and soul mix, and raspy vocals along with his brass and guitar band, he brings to mind Gerry Rafferty or Van Morrison. 

He’s composed a heartfelt and soulful song to counterbalance these challenging times – Peace in your Heart. 

 

Wilson performed songs from his new album With Headings of the Deepest Kind at a wonderful concert as part of the Celtic Connections music festival 2021.

- Stardust, Love a Little, Wild Atlantic Way,

And a moving rendition of Amazing Grace in his own inimitable style. 

 

https://bluerosecode.com


This quality concert also included Lyre, Karen Matheson and Rory Butler.

Highly recommend. 

Citizens Assembly Scotland: What kind of Scotland do we want to build?

Citizens Assembly of Scotland have reported

First ever Scottish Citizens Assembly with 100 members of the general public covered a whole range of polices, produced over sixty policy suggestions: with Assembly convener Kate Wimpress.

 

Their recommendations included - 

The living Wage, rent caps, NHS pay rise, more devolution for Holyrood over such issues as immigration, trade and tax.

 

The assembly had a Range of demographics,, age , educational attainment, voting intention and background. 

 

The different viewpoints of the assembly enabled understanding of 'otherness' and a general consensus was built to find common ground as important

The aims of the Assembly was to create an Open space for deliberation -  to walk in each other shoes a bit. They were driven by shared values and many were very supportive of the policies they decided on.. 


The assembly has shown how people can reach consensus and how tough choices do need to be taken. Many recommendations were left of centre policies to build a fairer society. 

 

And they looked at issues through a constitutional lens.  https://www.citizensassembly.scot

Visas for Musicians after Brexit



This hard Brexit is proving a disaster for the Creative Industries.  A young band will require a cost of an extra £3,000 for visa expense and a major band about £10,000. Plus a pile of paperwork – Bank statements, proof of taxes, and more. Europe was the place for cultural exchange. These costs are impossible and will mean younger artists unable to tour in Europe. 

 But stopping freedom of movement is all the Brexiteers care about.  

After Brexit touring musicians require visas for everyone on their tour, hugely increasing costs with a £500 charge on each country. A petition is calling for visa free travel across the EU – a free cultural work permit for bands , musicians, artists, film makers and sports stars.

PETITION - https://petition.parliament.uk.Europe-wideVisa-freepermitTouringprofessionals Artists

“The DCMS has told musicians to deal with each country individual. I’m not getting clear answers.” musician The Anchoress. “Culture is absolute a class issue.” Look at where the arts council emergency finding went.”  There are however exceptions within the trade agreement – for miners, tour guides, spin doctors!

 

The UK music industry is worth £5.8 billions and one of our most popular international exports.  The creative industries as a whole is worth £111 billion. The EU rejected an agreement on temporary movement of business travellers.

 

Composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall, “There is clearly something not functioning in the current government DNA, that we have in this instance a successful and important industry for our country’s exports, which has been warning for five years now of the negative impacts of the withdrawal from freedom of movement. 

 

“It has been obvious to me from the start of the negotiations that because of the point blank rejection of freedom of movement, the creative industries were going to be at car-park basement level on the list of priorities. 

At a stroke the rights of pop singers, bands, orchestras, chamber groups, tour managers, stage managers and more to seamlessly travel within the 27 EU member states  come to an end. “


 The creative  industries are worth – theatre 112 Billion, (football 8 billion). After this hard Brexit so many hurdles for young actors, artist and musicians. 

 The Arts are fundamental to our well being.


Transatlantic Sessions 2021 concert


Celebrates the rich and ever present exchange between the old world and the new. 

“Playing music together always feel natural with the old time States and the Scots Irish music”, artistic director Donald Shaw. And the power of quality live music to bring us all together. 

 

The TS band opened on the Scottish stage Concert hall Glasgow with upbeat tunes – 

Led by Shetland fiddler Aly Bain, Phil Cunningham, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick, James Mackintosh and Donald Shaw along with guests Euan Burton, Julie Fowlis & Kris Drever. They wereoined by master dubro player Jerry Douglas remotely from America.

Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis charmed with her pure dulcet tones. Plus popular Orkney singer songwriter, Kris Drever performed his own compositions. 

 

On the American stage Nashville Tennessee : A welcome return of Tim O’Brien’s bluegrass songs. Plus Molly Tuttle, Allison Brown, Stuart Duncan and fun Irish guitarist John Doyle, sang to their friends across the ocean.

 

 I’ve been reading up recently on the Scots Americans. Americans often reference the Scotch-Irish and view this as a close connection. From the 1700s Scots Americans came in 3 Main Groups - The Highlander Scots, Lowlander Scots and the Scotch Irish. 

I lived ten years over in Ohio and Chicago Illinois. In Cincinnati at a German restaurant with singing waiters, they said they’d sing an Irish song 'Danny Boy' for my parents who were visiting from Scotland! I thought this odd at the time, but after reading this it makes sense. The connections between Ireland and Scotland are very strong ones! 

Bonny and braw Transatlantic Sessions concert, with the excellent, warm energy of Celtic and bluegrass tunes, and poignant moments too with an Irish piper lament, Gaelic song,  

 


Transatlantic Sessions 2019



My last live concert was at the Transatlantic Sessions 2020. As I left into the cold winter evening not knowing it would be my last for such a long time….. So a massive thanks to Celtic Connections and Glasgow Life for bringing all the musicians together to enrich our lives with these online concerts! 

 I’ve taken photos at the festival since 2008 and have a large archive of images on my website  - https://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections

 

Transatlantic Sessions 2020

More than ever live music needs support. As a charity Celtic connections relies on support. 

Support Celtic Connections - https://www.celticconnections.com/support-us/


Celtic Connections opening concert 2021


Celtic Connections 2021 Big Band

The opening of Celtic Connections 2021, had sets from some of the very best musicians on both the Scottish and international music scenes, with 12 performances: including fiddler Duncan Chisholm with Scottish Ensemble, Ímar, Fiona Hunter, Kinnaris Quintet, Le Vent du Nord.


Perfect tunes and accomplished musicians. 

Celtic Connections 2021 Big Band, with a quality line up - Donald Shaw, Michael McGoldrick, Greg Lawson, Ross Ainslie and more. They performed new tunes by New Voices series. 


The concert began with pipers led by Finlay MacDonald. Followed by excellent tunes by the Celtic Big band. This was contrasted by perfect harmony singing with Karine Polwart’s ‘Come Away in’ - a welcome song for refugees at the impressive City Chambers – Aaron Jones, Eddi Reader, Siobhan Miller, Rab Noakes, Findlay Napier, Dave Mulligan. 


Followed by festival favourites Le Vent Du Nord from Quebec. 

Fiddler Duncan Chisholm played the tune ‘The Precious Place’ with sweet poignant tones along with Innes Watson, Hamish Napier, Jarlath Henderson & the Scottish Ensemble 


Duncan Chisholm

The concert celebrated cultures from around the world with the energetic singing of Xabier Diaz from Galicia and Adufeiras De Salitre. Also Sona Jobarteh multi-instrumentalist and composer from the Gambia.

The Kinnaris Quartet did an energetic set at the Old Fruitmarket venue with their tune, This Too Shall Pass. Fiona Hunter sang the Burns song ‘Aye Walkin O’. We were also treated to a Gaelic song from Karen Matheson: and fun tunes by young bands Imar and Elephant Sessions. 


Celtic Connections big band   Fiddle: Patsy Reid, Graham Mackenzie, Laura Wilkie, Hannah Fisher. Whistles and Saxophone: Fraser Field. 
Flute and Whistles: Michael McGoldrick
. Pipes and Whistles: Ross Ainslie.  Guitar: Anna Massie, Sorren Maclean
. Percussion: James Mackintosh, Alyn Cosker
. Piano and accordion: Donald Shaw.
 Double bass: Duncan Lyall
. Trumpet: Neil Yates. 
Saxophone: Paul Towndrow. .Trombone: Chris Greive
. Violin: Greg Lawson, Alistair Savage, Fiona Stephen, Kobus Frick Viola: Georgia Boyd, Liam Lynch
.  Cello: Sonia Cromarty, Jessica Kerr
. 


Celtic Connections celebrates Scottish music  and traditions and also places it alongside other global traditions, cultures and music. The festival is about improving our well being by the process of coming together in Glasgow’s most historic buildings. The festival does workshops and talks.  

On the BBC Radio Scotland artistic director Donald Shaw thanked Glasgow Life for organising venues, such as Kelvingrove with amazing grand pianos that were waiting to be played. Siobhan Miller spoke of how emotional and joyous and over-whelming it was to come together in these spaces. 

Imar

Friday 8 January 2021

Celtic Connections first online festival 2021!


Transatlantic Sessions 2020

At this cold and dark time of year the accomplished and melodic fires of music light up our hearts and the evening skies

 

Celtic Connections, the world's biggest winter folk festival, first online festival will celebrate the musical connections, accomplished musicians, perfect melodies, musical traditions and much more. Its hard to explain what its like to miss the buzz that surrounds folk festivals and the importance to our lives of live music. So I'm looking forward to seeing some top class Celtic concerts online and on the BBC

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MUSICIANS IN THESE DARK TIMES 


Celtic Connections has now listed their first online digital festival. 

Some photos for the Danny Kyle stage.






The festival will run from Friday 15th January to Tuesday 2nd February 2021Follow the conversation at @ccfest

TICKETS AND PROGRAM - : www.celticconnections.com

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

Monday 25th January

*BBC Scotland channel: BURNS NIGHT with the BBC SSO, EDDI READER and KAREN MATHESON 7pm - 8pm 

 

*Some of CELTIC CONNECTIONS festival will be on BBC Alba

Friday 15th January Celtic Connections 2021 Online Celebration Concert (Various Artists) 7.30pm - 9pm £10 On BBC ALBA: EP1 Cuirm@Celtic Connections: Duncan Chisholm 9pm 

Monday 18th January - Come Away In with Karine Polwart, Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes, Siobhan Miller & Finlay Napier 7.30pm - 9pm £7

 

Wednesday 20th January   Blue Rose Code - Karen Matheson - LYRE - Rory Butler 7.30pm - 9pm £7

 

Friday 22nd January - Blazin Fiddles - Xabier Diaz - Gnoss - Deirdre Graham 7.30pm - 9pm £7. On BBC ALBA: EP2 Cuirm@Celtic Connections: The Staves 9pm

Sunday 24th January - The Secret Sisters - Kinnaris Quintet - An Tobar Presents 7.30pm - 9pm £7

Friday 29th January -  Transatlantic Sessions with Special Guests 7.30pm - 8.30pm £10

Saturday 30th January - Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi - Kris Drever - Dean Owens with Joey Burns (Calexico) 8pm - 9.30pm £7


Musical Director Donald Shaw - “The resounding feeling that has come out of the recording days is a space for musicians to come back, to play again, to feel part of the community that they helped to create. The last time a lot of the contributing artists performed was at Celtic Connections 2020 and now they are back playing as part of the festival one year on after what has undoubtedly been the hardest year of their careers. We feel incredibly proud that as a festival, along with our funding partners, we have allowed for this safe space for them to play again, embrace their creativity and ultimately give them hope that there is a future for them within this industry.”


Aly Bain


 The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between Friday 15th January and Tuesday 2nd February 2021.

World class concerts will be available to view online with some of the biggest names on the Scottish music scene and beyond appearing on screens across the world as part of the winter festival. Celtic Connections has created unique digital content from specially commissioned projects and performances filmed across many of Glasgow’s much-loved venues. International artists have also contributed to the eclectic line-up by recording performances remotely.

Traditionally, the festival welcomes over 100,000 attendees to Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, and on announcing the digital-first festival organisers hoped it would appeal to the wide international audience they usually see attending the festival. The 19-day event undoubtedly has caught the attention of music fans across the world with festival passes purchased in 35 countries already. With the festival’s global audiences in mind, they have allowed for all shows to be available for a week after they are first streamed to alleviate any restrictions for different time zones enjoying the range of content.  


Donald Shaw, Creative Producer for Celtic Connections, said: “The announcement of the full festival programme today marks a huge moment for me and the wider team. The concept for a digital-first Celtic Connections was borne out of a desire to promote wellbeing and optimism amongst fellow musicians as much as it was about still being able to offer entertainment to our loyal Celtic Connections audiences during the dark nights of January. 


John Paul White


Rab Noakes

Eddi Reader and the RSNO