As the
lights flickered on stage we were treated to a concert of welcome variety – of hand-clapping
Scottish energy jigs and reels, of flamboyant, country airs; foot-stomping
thrills and of quality musicianship.
The TS
band was led by musical director and host, expert dobro player Jerry Douglas who loomed large and also
by the gifted, unassuming fiddler Aly Bain,
who makes it look so easy and who was flanked by composer and long time partner
Phil Cunningham.
On the
left was the Scottish contingent with the ever popular Uillean pipes, whistle
and flute player Michael McGoldrick,
fiddler John McCusker, along with
festival director Donald Shaw on
piano who added to the quality line up with their energetic Scots tunes. On
occasions there is spontaneous appreciation from the enthusiastic crowd.
While
on the right of the stage, the American banjos with Douglas, Dirk Powell and
guitarist Russ Barenburg took up the pace and rhythm. It’s a welcome coming
together of those strands of music that travelled from these shores to the Smokey
Mountains, the Great Plains and of the many returns and new pathways added.
It’s a delight to mix it up – when American country meets Scottish roots and
fiddle tunes!
The
hall was packed and buzzed with anticipation. Douglas was on grand form, while
the backing singers danced. This concert is set up on stage as a casual back
porch session with a sofa for the singers, which adds to the warm chemistry.
And
then there is those heart-warming melodic songs sung by Jim Lauderdale, Karan
Casey, Dirk, Tift Marritt, Eddi,Reader, John Paul White.
From Carolina Tift Merritt’s voice was powerful at the piano with the song ‘Heartache is an Uphill Climb’ and she also sang ‘Easter Lights’. ‘Good Hearted Man’ and ‘Wait for Me’. Americana and bluegrass singer Jim Lauderdale had loads of character with his accomplished ‘Headed for the Hills’, ‘Angel Band,’ I Lost You’ and ‘We’ve Only got so much time’. Irish lass Karan Casey was a delight and she sang - ‘Dol Cashes’, backed by well blended harmonies, the lovely lullaby ‘Lovely Annie’ and and the anti-colonial song ‘The Kings Shilling.‘
From Carolina Tift Merritt’s voice was powerful at the piano with the song ‘Heartache is an Uphill Climb’ and she also sang ‘Easter Lights’. ‘Good Hearted Man’ and ‘Wait for Me’. Americana and bluegrass singer Jim Lauderdale had loads of character with his accomplished ‘Headed for the Hills’, ‘Angel Band,’ I Lost You’ and ‘We’ve Only got so much time’. Irish lass Karan Casey was a delight and she sang - ‘Dol Cashes’, backed by well blended harmonies, the lovely lullaby ‘Lovely Annie’ and and the anti-colonial song ‘The Kings Shilling.‘
Regular
top guitarist Russ Barenburg
performed his tune ‘Hymn’ - he knows when to hold back, keep it subtle enough
but bring emotion too with that simple melody. Dirk Powell, played old-time Appalachian style banjo with his ‘Motherless
Child’, ‘High Score King’ and ‘Waterbound,’ when he spoke fondly of his
grandfather’s inspirations. While always bouncy Irish guitarist John Doyle sang ‘The Bonny Light
Horseman’ and Phil Cunningham played his moving tune ‘Irish Beauty.‘
From Alabama Grammy winning John Paul White (The Civil Wars) mixes country and blues and impressed with a dramatic soulful performance of his songs ‘Make You Cry’, Crazy Arms, ‘What’s So’ and ‘I’ve Been Over this Before.’
From Alabama Grammy winning John Paul White (The Civil Wars) mixes country and blues and impressed with a dramatic soulful performance of his songs ‘Make You Cry’, Crazy Arms, ‘What’s So’ and ‘I’ve Been Over this Before.’
The ever popular, charismatic flame-haired Eddi Reader, warmed our hearts with healing songs to lift our spirits in these turbulent days. She sang the Burns song ‘Winter is Past’ and with Willie Nelson’s ‘Back to Earth’ and a rockin ‘Humingbird.’
 |
| John Paul White |
*It’s
clear not only are the band all good friends but great musical partnerships – Jerry and Russ, Aly and Phil, Michael and John. Plus the engine room of
the band Danny Thompson (double bass), James MacIntosh (drums) and John Doyle
(rhythm guitar). who are tight with their right on rhythms. Performing with
such a high quality band certainly raises everyone’s game.
The Americans
Tim O’Brien and fiddler haven’t managed TS recently, I hope they might return.
This concert is all about what works, tradition, depth, quality players. I hope
too we might see a woman musician of equal quality standard join the band some
time soon!
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