Deacon Blue at the Concert hall Glasgow

Took us a journey on the Good Ship Dignity

Charismatic lead singer Ricky Ross played the concert stage with e genuine charm – while his partner petite Lorraine McIntosh provided distinctive backing vocals. This strong husband and wife team led this band with a memorable and effective performance.

The band played with positive feel good energy. Most successful bands know its about those memorable melodies ultimately. Ross and Lorraine were backed by a top quality band and this band knew to treat their long time fans to their sing along hit songs.

For their hit Songs – Real Gone Kid, Chocolate Girl, Loaded and Dignity the concert hall audience took to their feet to sway and sing along. Dignity is certainly a classic song of hope and makes me think of sailing up that misty winding Clyde river to new horizons.

New songs - Birds, I Will and I Won’t, Delivery Man, This is a Love Song, were well received by their fans. They also sang some covers songs such as ‘What do you get when you fall in love’.

Ross took to the piano for a few slower numbers. He performed the expressive, I want you in everything, Everything my heart says so. Ross writes his songs of everyman.

The band's most recent album, A New House, was released in September 2014. As of 2012, Deacon Blue's total album sales stood at six million, with twelve UK Top 40 singles, along with two UK number one albums.

Crosby, Stills and Nash, Concert Hall

CSN played a quality set at Glasgow concert hall

I'm a fan of perfect male harmonies. There were so many great examples during the 60s - The Everly brothers, The Hollies, The Beatles. And then there was the southern California sound of the Beach Boys, The Byrd's - followed by Crosby, Stills and Nash (CSN) and later the Eagles.  

The Gig

On stage CSN have set up three Indian carpets and Nash dances often in the centre in his bare feet., Stills plays full on rock n roll guitar and David Crosby has striking white hair now.

They began with strong rock band songs with their impressive vocal harmonies and backed by a quality band. They performed their hits - Marrakesh Express, What's' That sound, Southern Cross, Love the One Your With. 

In the second half they each showcased their own material - Nash with the reconciled Myself at Last, Stills rocking up the energy with throbbing guitar on Virtual World and Crosby with a mesmerising What Makes It So.

It was notable that Crosby has more blues and jazz influences in his song writing.  At one point Crosby said – that Nash wrote anthems the world enjoyed to sing, Stills wrote the rock and roll and was one of the top rock guitarists, while he, Crosby wrote the weird stuff!  The trio finished their set with two of their biggest hits - Teach Your Children and Judy Blue Eyes - which got the audience to their feet.

Impressions

This is very much a trio of equals – vocally and musically, coming together and also following their own musical individual styles.

The combination of their distinctive styles, also the American, Canadian and British mix, produces a unique blend of rock, blues and melodic pop.  Impressive gig.

From the outset, the band decided not to be locked into a group structure. They used their surnames to ensure independence and so the band could not continue without one of them.

There is today a resurgence of harmony singing with the popularity of a cappella choirs, and the popularity of films like Pitch Perfect.  

*CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2015!

Transatlantic Sessions

Fred Morrison

Julie Fowlis

CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2015 starts next week on 15^th January!

Celtic is one of the music highlights of the Scottish calendar, with many top musicians worldwide and such interesting collaborations. Celtic is the world biggest folk music festival - with over 2000 performers, 300 shows, over 18 days and 20 venues.

Van Morrison is the biggest name this year.

Other highlights include, Fairport Convention, Eddi Reader, King Creosote, Skerryvore, Roaming Roots Revue, Braebach and more.

The main concerts are held at the festival.s centre, The Glasgow Concert Hall, which will host many of the bigger names and concerts;

Glasgow Concert Hall

The Opening concert will feature the music of Scottish composer Martin Bennett's Grit album with the full orchestra.

There is a tribute concert to celebrated songwriter and folk legend Ewan MacColl (1915 - 1989) hosted by his sons Calum and Neill - with Dick Gaughan, Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Jarvis Cocker and Eliza Carthy.

A show of the award winning Hollywood composer Craig Armstrong new album it's Nearly Tomorrow with singers Paul Buchanan, and Brett Anderson. His cinema scores include Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and Romeo and Juliet.

Other highlights include - Fairport Convention, Eddi Reader, King Creosote, and world music with the exuberant soul of African singer Angelique Kidjo and the Scottish National Orchetra.

And of course the sold out Transatlantic Sessions with top musicians form Scotland and America joining forces – led by fiddler Aly Bain and dubro player Jerry Douglas. 

Nicola Benedetti

Rab Noakes

The Old Fruitmarket often hosts fun celeidh bands; The City Halls for seated concerts; The O2 ABC Sauchiehall street for some of the younger indie bands. The Oran Mor and St Andrews on the Square will hold smaller concerts – which can also be outstanding events with creative and top artists. You can check the festival’s online brochure for more details. http://www.celticconnections.com/

Angelique Kidjo

It is also well worth checking out the open mics at the Danny Kyle stage for new talent and also the Late Sessions which so many of the performers turn up for.

 Celtic Connections 2015  - 'music that is personal and unique'. Music that holds hundreds of stories like the big old tree.  http://www.celticconnections.com/

 

RM Hubbert Concert Hall Celtic Connections 2014

Guitarist and singer songwriter RM Hubbert supported Glasgow band Mogwai at the Glasgow concert hall. I had read that Hubbert's 2013 album had won the SAY (Scottish Album of the Year Award) 2013, so I came with some expectations to this concert. Even so, some artists take you off guard and as I have followed music over many years it can be all too easy to become jaded hearing samey songs.

Hubbert appeared genuine and unassuming musician, whose music was all about his guitar.

He played mostly instrumental tunes. For his second song he played his own very good interpretation of I Once Loved a Lass, a favourite folk song of mine. His next tune had moody beating drums guitar and a husky voice. He showed a clear understanding that music is firstly about what moves us and secondly about techniques and using those skilled to best ability.

He played his tunes with unexpected subtleties, strong strumming, dancing fingers, slow pauses, hesitant steps guitar strings plucking and questioning notes. He also managed to hold the packed concert hall attention throughout with both his informal chat and well crafted tunes.

On one particularly emotional tune, entitle For Joe, he spoke first about his parents death and that he felt able to speak to an audience - and I guess he gets to speak through his music too. This tune had talking guitar and expressed the many complex feelings of grief and loss – from  missing you to happy memories and returned to missing you feelings.

 

The singer Aiden Moffat joined Hubbert on stage of Car Song which was another highlight.    

I was truly impress and even bought the CD - this doesn't happen a lot! 

Hubbert is a member Scottish post rock band El Hombre Trajeado, and also a member of the Glaswegian DIY music scene since 1991.

Piper Finlay MacDonald and Shetland fiddler Chris Stout

Shetland Fiddler Chris Stout

Piper Finlay MacDonald

Piper Finlay MacDonald and Shetland fiddler Chris Stout played a blistering fun set at the opening concert for the 20th celebration night at Celtic Connections 2013 concert hall Glasgow. 

321 views

Celtic Connections 2014 concerts announced!

Celtic Connections 2014 concerts announced today!  - Del Amitri, The Hydro/ MOGWAI, concert hall / Celtic Connections International Burns Concert, The Hydro. 

I am looking forward to NEW HYdro venue here a LOT...it is teired and spaceage looking and much better than the SECC. The new venue opens with Rod Stewart 30th Sept.  http://www.celticconnections.com/

(also love this photo come painted image!) 

I look forward to it! Some CELTIC PHOTOS.

Eddi Reader, Rab Noakes, Dougie McLean

Martha Rafferty and Rab Noakes at concert for Gerry Rafferty

Celtic Connections 2013 20th Celebration concert, Concert Hall Glasgow

A stellar cast of Scottish folk artists took to the concert hall stage Thursday night for a 20th celebration concert of Celtic Connections. Some had taken part in the first ever Celtic Connections in 1994 - such as the talented singer Sheena Wellington and the New Rope string band. This was a quality line up with some of the best that Scotland has to offer as well as Irish singer Cara Dillon and American folk band Flook.

The concert was led by two accomplished musicians - piper Finlay MacDonald and fiddle player Chris Stout. Alongside Scottish pipers were some of the best from the present Scottish folk scene - including Eddi Reader, Michael McGoldrick, Phil Cunningham, John McCusker and Capercaille. 

We were treated to the traditional Burns song Westlin Winds tonight beautifully interpreted by Rod Paterson. Next was the singer Julie Fowlis who sang two Gaelic songs with her flowing and lovely voice. 

The folk band Flook had flown in from America and they joined Irish singer Cara Dillon on stage with her husband Sam Lakeman. Cara and her husband are a perfect musical partnership - Cara with her natural, quietly gentle yet strongly moving voice, while Sam accompanies with quality piano and guitar playing. She sang Avalanche and Parting Glass with Sam on piano. 

The New Rope string band provided a lighter set with some fun comedy routines as they sent notes flying in the air while beating themselves over the head!  Then folk singer Archie Fisher sang Song For A friend. 

Capercaille (Donald Shaw and Karen Matheson) finished the first half with a rousing set of Scottish tunes -  backed by the Scottish Power pipers.

For the second half we were treated to more fine playing from the pipers and fiddlers 

http://pkimage.co.uk/celticcelebrationconcert

Well loved Scottish singer Eddi Reader sang Willie Stewart and the song Mountainside. 

Accordionist Phil Cunningham was well received when he performed one of his own compositions with fiddle player, John McCusker. Also popular was Sheena Wellington, who sang a very personal version of Burn's best loved song My Love is Like a Red Red Rose.

For the second half of the concert Finlay MacDonald and Chris Stout were joined by a unique festival string ensemble led by Greg Lawson and along with the Scottish Power pipers they created a big wall of sound. After which all the singers took to the stage to sing Hermless.. 

The finale was what Donald Shaw, Festival Director, enjoys best – a traditional folk sessions of reels and jigs with all the folk musicians on stage and building to a full on flourish of energetic playing, enough to warm the coldest of hearts at this very cold time of year!      

This was a proud-to-be-Scottish night and an enriching concert to start the festival with!  It also gave a true taste of what the festival has to offer.  

Celtic Connections 2013

Celtic Connections 2013 line-up was announced last week, with some of the biggest names in folk, blues, jazz and traditional music landing in Glasgow to celebrate it's 20th year. Across two weeks, 2,100 artists from across the world will play at 300 events. Celtic is one of the world's biggest folk festivals with many sell out events.

The festival will host some big names in the folk world - Kate Rusby, Cara Dillon, Salif Keita, The Mavericks, Jerry Douglas, Aly Bain and Dougie McLean. Its well renowned Transatlantic Sessions; Gaelic concerts; Showcase Scotland; World Music; Americana; Blues and Jazz; ceilidh nights at the Fruitmarket venue and much more!
Plus younger folk and Indie artists - Bellowhead, Aimee Mann, Roddy Hart will perform.  
The festival is also a stomping ground for new talent with open mic sessions at the concert hall with The Danny Kyle Open Stage which is well worth checking out. The Glasgow concert hall is the central venue for the three week festival. The festival includes many dynamic and unusual collaborations, so watch out for those.  

Artistic Director Donald Shaw -  At no other festival do musicians embrace the opportunity to collaborate with acts from different countries and musical genres quite like they do at Celtic Connections. As ever in our 20^th year trad and folk will be at the heart of the festival but other musical genres such as world, jazz, blues, electro, Americana and Country will also be showcased.”  Celtic is promoted by Glasgow Life. 

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE -  http://www.celticconnections.com/

Celtic Connections gallery - http://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections
Salif Keïta. Salif is famous for taking his West African roots and infusing them with pop, jazz, Latin and Islamic influences, for a truly unique performance.