Dougie MacLean’s intimate concert Celtic Connections 2024

An intimate evening of songs, chat, drums and pipes, through his tunes and songs with Dougie’s relaxed charm and banter - as he explored his Songbook of his 50 years in the music business. Maclean began the evening solo with some of his insightful songs  - All Who Wander, and with guitarist Tim Edey, on his songs Broken Wings and Wild and Windy Night. He always enjoys on many songs to encourage the audience to sing his sing-able choruses.

He was then joined on stage by a wealth of musical talent, that he has worked with over the years - with Hannah Fisher (fiddle) Gordon MacLean (double bass) and Sorren MacLean (guitar), Jamie MacLean (percussion) for several songs – Shadow of the Mountain, Pabay More, Rocket to the Moon, Stolen and The Gael. Accordionist Pete Garnett performed on Talking With My Father, Charlotte and Hide in the Wind. He performed a poignant Not Lie Down with accomplished violinist Greg Lawson.

There were several moving moments over those fellow musicians he’s lost along the way, with songs such as They Hide in the Wind – when he was joined by the considerable talent of Ross Ainslie on whistle and bagpipes. He was also backed by Alan Sutherland on piano for Mists of Time and Hide in the Wind.

Dougie spoke of his grandfather, who spoke Gaelic, but he was told his native language was embarrassing, and a dead language. He remembered his grandfather in the evenings occasionally singing the beautiful Gaelic songs, when tears would run down his face. He said it is sad to loose a language and all the poetry and songs of that language. Dougie then sang a moving Its been Stolen From Me – also backed by Ross Ainslie, as well as the impact of pipers and drummers from the Glasgow Piping centre.

For the concert climax the Dougie played violin on his dramatic tune The Gael from the film The Last of the Mohicans, backed by the Pipes and Drums.

After Dougie solo sang his positive song This Love Will Carry Me. Of course no Dougie MacLean concert is complete without his iconic song Caledonia – which has become one of our unofficial Scots anthems and is often played at weddings and other significant occasions. The concert was a celebration of one of Scotland’s songwriting legends. Many of his songs are highly emotional, connecting and uplifting. Songs of nostalgia, resilience and hope.

 

Dougie was also joined by musicians Chris Agnew on acoustic bass, and Ali Fergusson on electric guitar on Turning Away, Hide in the Wind, The Gael and Caledonia. And by Chris Smith on percussion, and David Duncan on harmonica, on Turning Away, Thundering In and Caledonia.

**SONGS   All Who Wander, Broken Wings, Shadow of the Mountain, Talking with My Father, Rocket to the Moon, Mists of Time, Thundering In, Turning Away, Till Tomorrow, Pabay More, Charlotte, Not Lie Down, Wild and Windy Night, Hide in the Wind, Stolen From Me, The Gael, This Love will Carry Me, Caledonia, 

He has received three prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an Honorary Doctorate and an OBE! “ 

 

Review & Photos Pauline Keightley -  https://pkimage.co.uk

Concert for Ukraine Perth

 

Eddi Reader

Concert for Ukraine Perth Concert Hall – April 20th

EDDI Reader, Dougie MacLean, Blazin’ Fiddles and The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band  

 

 

Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie will give a readings of collective poem Our Waking Breath – a Poem-Letter from Scotland to Ukraine, created from single lines submitted by the public.

 

Tickets are selling fast for the concert, has already raised over £15,000 for the

 

Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – 

and anyone who wants to come along is being urged to act quickly as the concert is expected to sell out.

 

Tickets cost £25, with all net proceeds from the event being donated directly to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Tickets are available at www.horsecross.co.uk; Phone, 01738621031, in person, between 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday at Perth Theatre Box Office.

 

 

Blazin Fiddles

Perthshire-based poet Jim Mackintosh, who is organising the event along with Horsecross Arts, Alan McKinnon, Dave MacFarlane and Graeme Roger, said: “I’m humbled at the response from the Scottish creative community.

 

“When we came up with the idea to do the concert, everyone we asked who could possibly rearrange their lives to be able to perform said yes. Once word spread among artists, we were actively contacted by several top names who wanted to get involved.

 

“The concert is obviously going to be full of emotion, but we do want people to come along and enjoy themselves and feel proud that they are doing something, albeit a small thing, to help the people of Ukraine.

 

 “And if people can’t make it but still want to show their support, they can still donate to the appeal through the Concert for Ukraine webpage.”

All the performers and their technical support have donated their services, and Horsecross Arts has waived the hire fee for Perth Concert Hall.

 

Concert for Scotland's Indy

Music is one of the most powerful arts. Why not a Concert for Scotland’s indy? 

My suggestions – Proclaimers, 1000 Miles, Letter to America and a new song for indy: 

Deacon Blue – Dignity; 

Dougie MacLean – Caledonia, Green Grow the Rashes O;

Karen Matheson – Red Red Rose, and a Gaelic song; 

Blue Rose Code – Scotland Yet; 

Rab Noakes – Gently Does it, Eden’s flow; 

Braebach – Rattlin Roarin Willie and tune; 

Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham; tunes.  

Karine Polwart – Westlin Winds;  Julie Fowlis – Gaelic song;  Chvrches – Miracle; Eddi Reader – Auld lang Syne. 

Dougie MacLean at Milngavie folk club

‘Dougie captured the mood with his embracing warm and spiritual voice’

He has become something of a legend for many in Scotland and his songs have deep connections to the land. Dougie grew up in Perthshire where he now runs the MacLean Perthshire Amber festival – his grandfather was a shepherd and his father a gardener. Both his parents taught him the love of music – his mother played melodeon and his father fiddle. His family came from Mull, where they were crofters. Dougie now runs the old school both he and is father attended, as his studio.

For his first set he sang songs from his new album, 'New Tomorrow’ along with older favourites -   

‘Shadow of the Mountain’, ‘Talking with my Father’ when he spoke of his father walking over the moors to school. He spoke of his travels to gig at many far flung places. He sang of the ‘Singing Land’ (Shine on Your Singing Tree), 'Holding On', 'Feel So Near', and 'Holding Back'.

And a moving song too to his grandson ‘New Tomorrow’ with the words – If time will be our friend / I’ll help you to defend/ Your new tomorrows. If fear should enter in /You’ll find me hiding in the wings / Ever near you.

He sang ‘Broken Wings’ at the start of his second set and ‘Child of this Place.'  We all sang along to - Will you Catch me if I’m Falling ‘On This Wild and Windy Night’, Dougie enthusiastically encourages his audience to sing his choruses.His songs are often poignant and tender. And we sang his well loved 'Caledonia’, and ‘She Loves me when I’m Gone’. 

His Encore song was ‘This Love will Carry me.' 

His ’Caledonia’ has become part of Scottish culture – and is sung at weddings, major events and played at the Edinburgh Tattoo. He wrote this song while on a French beach and thinking of his Scottish homeland. He is also a passionate supporter of freedom for Scotland. One fan spoke of the emotions at Stirling castle Hogmanay event a few years ago when Dougie played Caledonia at the new year and hoped that Westminster might hear the singing!

Dougie knows the beauty of keeping things simple – with catchy choruses and also hidden depths.

the Friel Sisters

 *He was ably supported by the award-winning and talented Friel Sisters – whose roots are in Ireland’s Donegal. They included a quality guitarist from Japan.

Celtic Connnections festival 2014

Nicola Benedetti and Phil Cunningham

#ccfest  Each cold January Celtic Connections brightens our dark evenings with warm, enriching ceilidh music, beautiful 

Gaelic song and exhilarating world music. It's a celebration of the folk song and traditions, dynamic collaborations 

of renowned Scottish musicianship alongside famous world artists - and more than that an introduction to new artists. 

Celtic is all about the live interaction with the audience and very much about the live bands. 

I have attended Celtic for many years now and the buzz at this festival is particularly infectious. The hub of Celtic is at the Glasgow Concert Hall which provides a fitting setting for the main concerts. Other venues range from the intimate Oran Mor to the atmospheric Old Fruitmarket in the Merchant city part of town - excellent for ceilidhs.

This year at Celtic 2014, its 21st year, I heard some wonderful musicians here for the first time  -  Lau, RM Hubbert, Mogwai, Imelda May, Nicola B, Del Amitri and from Greece Alkinoos Ioannidis. I also enjoyed artists I'd heard before - Dougie MacLean, Julie Fowlis, erry Douglas, Karine Polwart, Kris Drever, Capercaillie. I enjoyed several top concerts this year at Celtic and it certainly gets me through January!                          

Celtic sells out several big venues on the same night. When Celtic started back twenty one years ago in 1995 people wondered would they draw a crowd out at this quiet time of year in January to see folk concerts? It really is incredible how the festival has grown year on year to become the biggest folk festival gathering worldwide.

Julie Fowlis

Joy Kills Sorrow

Kris Drever

There was crossovers between folk and classical music at the festival with among others - Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain have been working with classical violinist Nicola Benedetti for her new Scottish themed album.  Also award-winning folk band Lau composed with the classical and experimental Elysian Quartet - 'The Bell That Never Rang'  for the New Music Biennial Glasgow 2014.

Julie Fowlis & Nicola Benedetti

Duncan Chisholm

The Big Dish

At Celtic's main event, the Transatlantic Sessions - and who are one of my all time favoruite bands - there are crossovers between Scottish traditional music and American country and bluegrass - it is a powerful combination!  When music making goes in new directions with challenging collaborations, that is often when the best music can develop.  

Capercaillie celebrated their 30 years together at the festival with a concert to mark the release of their album 'At the Heart of It All'.  The band are one of Scotland's most successful contemporary folk bands and are led by festival artistic director Donald Shaw and the beautiful voice of Karen Matheson.

Capercaillie 

Dougie MacLean Burns International concert Hydro

It is good to see and hear the confidence, creativity, pride and range in Scottish music these days.  It is a huge boost for Glasgow to host this international event each year.

I  particularly enjoyed -  Alkinoos Ioannidis, RM Hubbert, Del Amitri, Lau, and Julie Fowlis.  

There are often several wonderful concerts on the same night. One good thing is there is much encouragement given 

over the festival to new musicians – with the Late Sessions, Open mic and also Showcase Scotland.   

Lau at Glasgow City Halls

Aidan O'Rourke with Lau

Darrell Scott & Tim O'Brien

Jerry Douglas & Aly Bain Transatlantic Sessions

Shaw does a great job of pulling the festival together to offer diversity, breadth and quality. It’s clear he enjoys varied and interesting collaborations.  
The festival encourages playing live, ethnic traditions, vocal harmonies, unaccompanied singing, story telling songs and words with a message, real instruments and diverse collaborations. I look forward to next year's Celtic Connections festival!

Imelda May

Del Amitri

The Hydro

All Photographs are copyright Pauline Keightley and are made with permission of the artists, the festival, and the venues involved. Photos at Celtic Connections since 2008.

Rab Noakes -  with  Where Dead Voices Gather' - still relevant and even better than his younger days.... 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/rabnoakes 

All Will Be Well Review : The Life and Songs of Michael Marra’ concert at Celtic Connections festival Glasgow 2013

Alice Marra

A diverse and colourful cast of musicians and singers took to the stage for a memorable night to celebrate Michael’s life and songs. Artists taking part - Alice, Matthew and Chris Marra, Andrew Mitchell (The Hazey Janes), Eddi Reader, Dougie MacLean, The Mackenzie Sisters, Pat and Greg Kane (Hue & Cry), John Spillane, Jimmie MacGregor, Kris Drever and Musical Director and host Rab Noakes. Dundee singer-songwriter Michael Marra died in October 2012. 

The concert opened with the entire cast and The Hazy Janes, Marra’s children, singing his songs When These Shoes Were New and The Midas Touch. Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes and Dougie MacLean next performed Dear Hank Williams, proved an iconic moment to see all three Scottish legends on stage together. We were then treated to the lovely female harmonies from the Mackenzie sisters who sang Happed in Mist and The Lonesome death of Francis Clarke.

Rab Noakes, Alice Marra and Andrew Marra

This was a concert of many voices. Dougie MacLean gave a moving interpretation of a song he said Marra had once sung at the Blair Gowrie folk club, a song that Marra never recorded called Goodnight To Lovely You. Hue & Cry sang Mother Glasgow and Like Another Rolling Stone - Pat Kane spoke affectionately about Marra and he said that quality would always shine through. 

Sylvia Rae sang one of Marra’s jazzier songs Under the Ullapool Moon with a captivating slow husky voice. Noakes put his melodic guitar spin on Marra’s song General Grant. Eddi Reader gave a rousing performance of Here Comes the Weak. Marra enjoyed his 'footba' and often wrote songs about the sport. Rod Paterson stood out with the Marra songs Hamish and The Bawbee Birlin and his deep gravelly voice sounded as if Marra was actually there with us. There was a top class band on stage with a saxophone player and more.

Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes, Dougie MacLean

Hue & Cry

Near the close Alice Marra gave a haunting rendition of Michael’s favourite song Monkey Hair. There were tears on All Will Be Well when we could feel the warmth both on stage and in the audience. Scots Maker read a poem about taking flight. I am sure Marra would have been proud as the night ended with a poignant rendition of Hermless.  

Noakes proved an informed host and he drew from his many years in music. He said Michael was able to sing in different dialects and that he could switch easily from the mid-Atlantic pop music accent that they grew up listening to and a broad Scots Dundonian accent. Marra’s music drew from many influences – and there are many references in his songs from pop, Dylan, musicals, and more. Marra liked to think sideways. He mixed celebrities with the ordinary man in his songs and he looked at the small details. The music Labels wanted him to change his song titles and to smooth and soften the edges but Marra refused to compromise his music. He said that Marra wanted to have his name in brackets not in lights.

Rab Noakes & Jimmie MacGregor

Dougie MacLean

Mackenzie sisters

He was a wee man with a quizzical look, a big heart and a gift for expressing the absurd. To me Marra painted with words and I’ve never seen an audience so engrossed at a gig as at Marra’s Mugdock theatre one. He kindly signed a print for me there and said how much he enjoyed playing at small intimate venue gigs like this – where the theatre had a grand piano in the corner and tiered seating. I remember at his Milngavie folk club gig he oddly set his keyboard on an ironing board. He was a humble and keen observer of our human foibles and contradictions and the humorous side of life. Thanks Michael.  

PHOTOS - http://pkimage.co.uk/AllWillBeWell
SET - ALL: When These Shoes Were New/ Hazey Janes; The Midas Touch/ Hazey Janes; Dear Hank Williams/ Rab Noakes, Eddi Reader, Dougie MacLean: Niel Gow/ Tom Mitchell: Frida Kahlo/ Mackenzie sisters & Kris Drever: Happed in Mist/ Hue & Cry: Mother Glasgow/ Riley Briggs: Alter Boys/ Dougie MacLean; Goodnight To Lovely You/ Eddi Reader; Machushia/ Rod Paterson: The Bawbee Birlin/ John Spillane: The homeless do not seem to drink here

II Hazey Janes: Golden Slippers/ Mrs Gorrie/ Rab Noakes: General Grant/ John Spillane: Chain up the swings/ Sylvia Rae: Under the Ullapool Moon/ Dougie MacLean: Peddie Street/ Hue & Cry: Like another Rolling Stone/ Mackenzie sisters: The Lonesome death of Francis Clarke/ Kris Drever: Scenectady calling/ Eddi Reader: Here come the weak/ Rod Paterson: Hamish/ Alice Marra and Andrew Marra: Monkey Hair/ ALL: All Will Be Well/ Hermless
‘He can’t catch a rose between his teeth. I can’t lay my head on an olive branch. ‘