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| Siohban Miller |
An
enriching poignant concert with depth and traditional roots.
The opening concert for Celtic
Connections 2016 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Scotland’s Traditional Music and Song
Association. An early TMSA statement
was to , champion “Scotland’s authentic tradition-bearers” against over-commercialism
and dilution - to keep the thread of
Scottish traditional music flowing and secure traditional song’s place in
Scottish music.
The show began with a uplifting pipes
of the National Youth Pipe band of
Scotland. Along with Scottish stars and greats of the Scottish music scene
- Barbara Dickson, Sheena Wellington,
Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham - there were seven unaccompanied traditional
songs - performed by Adam McNaughton, Thomas McCarthy, Arthur
Johnston, Brain Miller, Pete Shepherd, Tom Spiers, Arthur Watson, Jim Taylor,
Joe Aitkin, Geordie Murison, Jimmy Hutchison.
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| Adam McNaughton |
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| National Youth Pipe band of Scotland |
There was also up-and-coming new
stars - the haunting Gaelic singer Misha
Macpherson, a talented Feis Rois, memorable
singer Shona Donaldson, story-telling
American Rayna Gilbert, popular
musician Kris Drever and the show's
musical director Siohban Miller.
With such a high calibre of performers
it is hard to select only a few highlights. The concert ended well on several
high notes with Sheena Wellingtons' A Mans a Man,the poignant fiddle of Aly Bain and a powerful Malinky. For the rousing finale led by
political singer Arthur Johnstone and with all the singers onstage, we were
treated to Hamish Henderson's Freedom Come All Ye.
Out in the concert hall foyer were
wonderful models of three stalwarts of Scottish traditional music scene - Davy
Stewart, Hamish Henderson, Sheila Stewart.
I thought more stories and
information on the TSMA, songs and singers would have worked well, while the
show was well compared.
While the concert was heavily about
the traditions, it also embraced the future. A very special motion to a top
quality house band - Euan Burton, Anna Massie, Aaron Jones, Tom
Gibbs, John Blease and Megan Henderson.
There was a mention of the Land
Reform Bills before the Scottish parliament - so that our land can be inhabited
the way Norway is. I thought how wonderful that people feel they can express
how they feel about things without fear...
Celtic Connections will showcase some of the worlds leading trad, folk and world music
artists. Oh I do miss these kinds of
gigs!
