Showing posts with label Danny Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Danny Thompson. Show all posts

Thursday 31 January 2019

Grace and Danger Review


A troubled soul looking for love…

What a glorious concert to celebrate one of Scotland’s best loved singer songwriters, John Martyn. He was born in London, but after his parent divorce when he was five, it was Glasgow that formed him. – where he lived with his father and grandmother. 

The tribute concert was hosted by double bass Danny Thompson who recounted anecdotes of his tours with Martyn. His immense legacy is well preserved by the fine artists who performed tonight at Glasgow concert hall as part of Celtic Connections. They sang some of his best loved songs.


We were graced with quality guitar playing by American blues guitarist Eric Bibb, who opened the concert with Martyn’s perfect Solid Air. He also performed accomplished guitarEasy Bluesand a moving One World.  

With the full band Ross Wilson (aka Blue Rose Code) performed with dynamic rhythms and heartfelt soul Make no Mistake, and in his first set soulful Fine Lines and Bless the Weather, along with strings led by Greg Lawson


Several younger singer songwriters expressed his widespread musical influence on their work. Lucy Rose provided intimate emotions with the song I Couldn’t Love you More, while Katie Spencer sang, Hurt in Your Heart and John the Baptist

English singer songwriter John Smith performed the songs, Walk Down, Spencer the Rover and Go Down Easyalong with Thompson’s double bass: he sounded very Martyn-like. 
Popular Scottish singer Eddi Reader performed with the string ensemble  the upbeat Dancing, Certain Surprise, and a moving Fairytale LullabyBrit award winners Paul Weller (of The Jam fame and considered a leading mod figure) played the songs, Evil in Your Heart and Sweet Little Mystery.


The concert ended with all on stage to sing his best loved song May You Never, followed by a video of Martyn in concert singing the poignant Over the Rainbow. 
What a memorable, moving night!

Like many of the greats, Martyn mixed varied influences to take his music to the edge, with pounding blues rhythms, Celtic heart and moving soul.  He recorded 22 studio albums and toured exclusively. 



Thursday 12 May 2016

Blue Rose Code at Milngavie folk club


A Restless torn soul

Scottish singer songwriter, Ross Wilson known as Blue rose Code, performed to a packed sold out 2 nights at Milngavie folk club.

Wilson launched full on into his set with an impressive folk /blues voice and guitar.
His songs included Westeros, Kiss You goodbye, Fear of Freedom along the west coast, Lord I am Grateful, In the Morning (intense and powerful), Rebecca O, Whitechapel, Edina.
And for an encore with Wilson on piano, a tear jerker of a song with Jill Jackson on backing vocals, Nashville Blue, ‘I don’t know how to be in love .‘

He plays folk and old style blues - driven by those moving rhythms and inspired by the likes of blues guitarist John Martyn. Tellingly Wilson has recorded and toured with renowned bassist and also Martyn’s double bass player, Danny Thompson.


His third album 'THE BIRD IS ON THE WING' was released 2016, to praise from both the industry and from fans.

Vulnerable and open-hearted, he sings with a broken heart and one that fights back. Following in the footsteps of greats such as Van Morrison who fused to great affect folk roots and American blues and jazz.

And yes, when I leave the concert his songs are implanted in my head. BIG FAN!
Shades of John Martyn certainly.  I hope he takes a well earned break too from his busy tour, to recharge those batteries.


The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, Blue Rose Code’s second record was nominated for the Scottish Album Of The Year Awards (SAY) in 2014  - musicians Danny Thompson, Karine Polwart, John Wetton, Aidan O’Rourke and Kathryn Williams. 
'GRATEFUL', the first single from the album was released 2015 and was playlisted on BBC Radio Scotland for a full five weeks. http://www.bluerosecode.com/
Praise has come from A-lister Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. Ewan explained, “My uncle Denis Lawson, (star of Local Hero) gave me a copy of The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, it’s beautiful and I can’t stop listening to it.”



This was a 'two for the price of one' concert with the personable, country voice of Jill Jackson supporting, with excellent songs and a top cover of Carole King's "Will You Still Love me Tomorrow".  She was formerly with the band the Chaplins. 



Friday 22 June 2012

Transatlantic Band


Every January my son and I take a front row seat at the 'Transatlantic Sessions' Celtic Connections Glasgow. This is a very unique concert - and is about the band firstly and live bands don't come much better than this one! The musical directors are Shetland fiddler Aly Bain and dobro player Jerry Douglas.
Transatlantic Band. Ruth Moody, Declan O’Rourke, Tim O’Brien, Aly Bain, Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg, Danny Thompson, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, Darrell Scott, Bruce Molsky

There is an earthy real sound here. Folk tunes, as Dylan found, touch a deep place and yes you can play the tunes over and over.  What I love is the way the singers are centre stage I mean vocally surrounded by these rich deep warm tones of the folk music. Singers include some of the most beautiful Celtic voices -   Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, Cara Dillon, Darrell Scott, Tim O'Brien, Paul Brady, Julie Fowlis.
Folk music has stood the test of time and much like good wine it simply gets better with age. 

Here is the perfect voice of Cara Dillon singing Garden Valley. Words and Music by Scottish singer songwriter Dougie McLean