Scottish Music 2016

 

Kathryn Joseph

Findlay Napier – Top reviews for this singer songwriter. On tour April/ May 2016.  http://www.findlaynapier.com

Kris Drever – Scottish folk guitarist and songwriter. New album 2016 - If Wishes Were Horses. http://krisdrever.com

Chvrches. - One of the most exciting new Scottish bands. New album 2016 - Every Open Eye.  http://www.chvrch.es

Kris Drever

Idlewild

Idlewild. -  Scottish indie folk-rock band, Great show live. Album, Everything Ever Written..

http://idlewild.co.uk

Kathryn Joseph – New album. bones you have thrown me and blood i've spilled. Winner of SAY award 2015.  http://www.kathrynjoseph.co.uk

I met her briefly going into play at the Edinburgh book festival where her vintage piano was carefully being lifted over the stone steps via the backstage entrance into the Charlotte square gardens.  

Rachel Sermanni –  Young singer songwriter, excellent subtle voice. Album Tied to the Moon - http://rachelsermanni.net

Rachel Sermanni

Karen Matheson

Julie Fowlis. - .Perfect Gaelic voice, excellent live.. Album Gach seugl – Every Story.

http://www.juliefowlis.com

Blue Rose Code - aka Ross Wilson from Edinburgh, reminds one of a young John Martyn, even toured with bassist Danny Thompson. New album The Bird is on the Wing - http://www.bluerosecode.com

Karen Matheson -  Beautiful Gaelic singer. New album 2016 –  Urram

Singer with the band Capercaillie.  - http://www.karenmatheson.com

Julie Fowlis

Rob Noakes

Rab Noakes - Some of Noakes best work. He played with Gerry Rafferty.  New Album - I'm Walkin Here -  http://rabnoakes.com

C Duncan - Short listed for Mercury prize 2015.  Album, Architect -  http://c-duncan.co.uk

Music Photography 2015

Idlewild

Van Morrison

I have attended some top gigs in 2015. Most memorably the legend voice that is 'Van Morrison' who takes both Irish and R & B soul to new levels. Just awesome!  Then Scottish indie rockers 'Idlewild' played their debut return gig at the O2 ABC Glasgow and played such an energized and fun gig. Top quality. Another memorable concert was the 'Punch Brothers' at the concert hall during Celtic Connections 2015 - their harmony singing and electrifying banjo playing was highly enjoyable. I also enjoyed wonderful singing at the Scottish A Cappella Championships St Andrews. Other quality concerts included the Alan Kelly band, the Dirty Beggars, and not forgetting the quality musicianship and singing at the  Transatlantic Sessions. I've been very fortunate and a big thanks to all these wonderful artists who entertain us so well!   

 Gallery - http://pkimage.co.uk/p156850829

Alan Kelly band

**MUSIC 2015

Hozier took my attention for his depth and subtle toned voice. I heard him sing a Van Morrison song - Domino - on the Jools Holland new year show.  His song Take Me to Church is truly a classic, no doubt of it for those who say its all been heard before and nothing decent in music is done these days. 

Hozier - Hozier -  http://hozier.com/

Here are a few other classics that were released in 2015/ 2014

Julia Hotler - Have You in My Wilderness -   http://www.juliashammasholter.com/

Father John Misty - I Have You Honey Bear  -  http://www.fatherjohnmisty.com/

The Shires -  Brave -  http://www.theshiresmusic.com/

John Grant - Grey Tickles, Black Pressure -  http://johngrantmusic.com/

Lucinda Williams - The Ghosts of Highway 20 -   http://lucindawilliams.com/

War on Drugs - Lost in the Dream -  http://www.thewarondrugs.net/

Scottish

Kathryn Joseph -   bones you have thrown me and blood i've spilled

 (SAy award) I met her briefly going into play at the Edinburgh book festival where her vintage piano was carefully being lifted over the stone steps via the backstage entrance into the Charlotte square gardens. -  http://www.kathrynjoseph.co.uk/

Idlewild - Everything Ever Written -   http://idlewild.co.uk/  

Rab Noakes - I'm Walkin Here -  http://rabnoakes.bandcamp.com/album/im-walkin-here

C Duncan - Architect -  http://c-duncan.co.uk/

Belle & Sebastian - Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance -  http://www.belleandsebastian.com/

Chvrches - Every Open Eye -   http://www.chvrch.es/

 Alan Kelly Band – The Last Bell -  http://alankellygang.com/band/

Those Borderlands.....Change and innovation does not occur in the large mainstream, but in the hinterlands edges and in smaller places. You need to explore the vast array of the different forms and find out where they meet. In the borderlands. 

PS I was sad to hear of the death of David Bowie - his greatest strength was being first and lastly an artist in the true sense of discovery, innovation and edge. He wished to create alternative worlds. Sadly missed. 

Scottish A Cappella 

Idlewild O2 ABC

I enjoyed a band on top form with the return of the celtic and soul-filled Edinburgh indie rockers Idlewild, who played two sold-out return shows for their fans at the O2 ABC Glasgow. 

The room was full of palpable nostalgia and love from the fans ready to rock!  Their dramatic melodic rock offers hopes - as Woomble put it 'For all you lovely people come to see us.' 

The strength of memories lost forgotten hopes and dreams –

The crowd waited eagerly for those songs replayed and also for the new material and sound of this refreshed re-energized band with their new members - bassist Andrew Mitchell, keyboard player Luciano Rossi and Hannah Fisher on electric fiddle.

The set was a good mix of both the old and new, which kept fans more than happy. Their music was at times understated and subtle and then with full-on throttle and energy on other tracks, such as A Modern Way of Letting Go.

Lead singer Roddy, displayed assured warm confidence, while guitarist Jones played his guitar like an energy wand and their older songs were reworked and energized. There were strong five-part harmonies on 'Roseability' and 'Little Discourage' and their sing-able choruses were enjoyed by the audience on familiar songs such as 'Love Steals Us From Loneliness.' They played melodic catchy riffs on  'So Many Things to Decide' and 'American English'.

The new album songs from their Everything Ever Written album - ‘Come Along Ghost' and 'Collect Yourself' were well received. Their sound is a blend of rock and folk with the emphasis at times on the rock - with impressive high-wire guitars and soulful melody from Rossi's keys and Fisher's electric fiddle.  

It was good to see new member, guitarist and bass player Andrew, up front for several songs. I saw him perform solo at Edinburgh festival last year and was impressed with his music there. On the new track (Use it) If You Can Use It, he and Jones rocked the sound up a few notches with a full on bluesy guitar duel.

Their influences are broad from Americana, folk earnestness and 90s full on rock. During the band's hiatus Woomble has written for Ballads of the Book and worked with folk musicians - I have seen him solo with John McCusker and Kris Drever.     

They are part of the forerunners of today's melodic pop rock bands (notably Scottish bands such as Biffy Clyro)  while there was also edges of REM here - Night Swimming came to mind.

All in all a winning formula. Hope the tour goes great for you!

Idlewild are a Scottish indie rock band, from Edinburgh Scotland formed in 1995. They are now a seven piece band with guitar, keys and electric fiddle - previous members are Roddy Woomble (lead vocals), Rod Jones (guitar), Colin Newton (drums) and now with new members - Andrew Mitchell (bass), Hannah Fisher (electric fiddle) and Luciano Rossi (keys). They have released seven full-length studio albums, with recent album Everything Ever Written released in 2015.  http://idlewild.co.uk

I was pleased to be the only photographer at this fun gig but would also have enjoyed to be creative and have shot the whole set too. My gig photos here - http://pkimage.co.uk/idlewild