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My TOP FOLK songs
Jock O Hazeldean, Walter Scott
The Blacksmith, traditional
Ye Banks and Braes, Robert Burns
Westlin Winds, Robert Burns
Gently Does It, Rab Noakes
Scotland Yet, Davy Steele
Garden Valley, Dougie MacLean
Both Sides Now, Joni MItchell
The Times they are a changing, Bob Dylan
While Burns loved the lassies, his legacy is much deeper and more wide-ranging poetically than his love life. Some of his songs are so familiar, perhaps we can overlook his literary significance – both of his time and of ours. The musicality of his song writing and poems, is unmatched and many famous poets and songsmiths name Burns as a favourite writer– from Bob Dylan to Wordsworth.
In his short life he touched hearts, wrote of the worth of man (and woman), respect for the natural world, of freedom fighters, and he was a man o independent mind.
“Poetry hold s mirror to a nations heart and soul. “ Jackie Key
“Its the language of being human”
*Famous Scots Poems 20th century
Memo for Spring - Liz Lochead
Drunk man looks at a Thistle – Hugh MacDiarmid
In my Country – Jackie Kay
A Man in Assynt – Norman McCaig
Gaelic Song
A rare beauty, or the big sky of Lewis.
Gaelic poems were songs, tunes and words intertwined. The connections to place.
Norman McCaig
“Who owns this landscape – has it anything to do with love? Even the dead are part of it. Land is a character…Landscape is my religion, I feel at home. My substitute for religion and politics.“
Drunk man looks at a thistle – Hugh MacDiarmid – Where extremes meet
His poem, revolutionized Scots poetry ’to be yoursell”
“He showed us that small nations are better than large ones, and the possibility of a new Scotland.” Alan Riach. “A revolutionary vision of what society can be. To rethink the Burns cult for a multi-faceted identity. Language matters.”
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| Loudon Wainwright III |
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| Julie Fowlis |
Celtic Connections 2025 closed on a high note, presenting the world’s best trad, folk, world and roots music to Glasgow each winter. The 32nd edition of Scotland’s premier winter music festival reached attendances of 110,000, 125 sold out shows across 18 days. (Despite rescheduled events, the festival made a triumphant return after Storm Éowyn to match 2023 festival attendance figures.) For three weeks, Glasgow – a UNESCO City of Music – reflected the richness of Celtic traditions and demonstrated the power of global cultural exchange and innovation. From a spectacular birthday celebration to mark Glasgow 850 for the festival’s Opening Concert, to 300 community choir singers joining Karine Polwart on stage for an emotion-fuelled show.
1,500 musicians from 40 nationalities took part in 300 events in 24 venues, celebrating the unifying power of live music and vibrancy of Scotland’s cultural scene. Over 7,000 pupils travelled to Glasgow Concert Hall for the festival’s Schools Concerts and music workshops were delivered to every primary 7 pupil across Glasgow. 900 people of all ages took part in ceilidhs and family events, and 1,500 took part in music and song workshops.
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| Lake Street Dive |
Concerts such as Transatlantic Sessions proves the size of the audience for this kind of traditional, acoustic music. Celtic Connections music festival has taken the closed off live local pub sessions on to the bigger stage. And also taken Celtic music forward, while respecting the traditions. In particular certain folk musicians aim to keep carrying the stream.
*Highlight concerts for me included - Dialogues Su a Lee, with Donald Shaw, Duncan Chisholm and Hamish Napier. Su a Lee celebrated her many collaborations. This wasn’t a concert about Lee’s classical musical roots (vie Julliard school) but about her journey through Scottish trad folk journeys and through it’s innovative new directions.
Blue Rose Code gave an assured performance at the Pavilion with his emotive, soulful songs and backed by his accomplished band. Lake street Dive from Boston at the Old Fruitmarket venue, got everyone in party mood with their upbeat soul, good times vibes. The 30th Transatlantic Sessions was led by impressive artists – Niall McCabe from Ireland, accomplished Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams from Tennessee, Loudon Wainwright III who commanded the concert hall stage with his gritty character and story telling songs, plus the wonderful Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, with her latest album ‘Following the Thread.’
Another highlight was the diversity on display with the anticipation of the festival’s Opening Concert – with notably Madison Cunningham, James Grant, Siobhan Miller and Oswali Project. While I might have wished to hear from some of Glasgow’s outstanding poets.
There is always also an accomplished international flavour at the festival. CC hosted q concert of a Palestinian/Scottish collaboration with Palestinian pipers. Unfortunately three pipers had their visas refused by the Home Office. Bethlehem Calling: An evening of stories, music and pipers from Palestine. Bethlehem Calling champions artists and young people from both nations to tell a vital story of our time; sharing the experiences of girls in Bethlehem during the 2nd Intifada (2000-05) alongside to present-day testimony from students 20 years on. Performance integrated with music.
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| Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams |
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| Niall McCabe |
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| Duncan Chisholm |
The program remained concert based, with enough to satisfy the broadest of tastes, whether it’s the Hebridean punk of Peat and Diesel at the Emirates Arena, the inspired Gaelic pipe and song collaboration Canntaireachd, at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (GRCH), country hero Lyle Lovett at the same venue, or KT Tunstall reprising her Eye to the Telescope album 20 years on at both the Concert Hall and the Barrowland Ballroom.
Sometimes (if not often) culture leads the way for new visions. And new collaborations of how to view the world today and how our futures might be. Celtic Connections shines a light on this vision, after all music is the universal language. CELTIC CONNECTIONS - https://www.celticconnections.com
Keeping the Celtic Traditions Alive!
Sixty years ago the folk revival followed on from the Scottish Cultural Renaissance from Montrose in the 1930s – with figures such a Hugh MacDiarmid, Edwin Muir, William Soutar, Edwin Morgan, Neil Gunn, Eric Linklater, Lewis Grassic Gibbon, Willa Muir, Nan Shepherd, Catherine Carswell, George Blake, Iain Chrichton Smith, Sorley MacLean,
Later 1960s poets, writers, song smiths, song collectors, such as Hamish Henderson, Margaret Bennet, Dick Gaughan. Just as poets – Allan Ramsey, Robert Fergusson, Robert Burns - wrote to keep the Scots language, culture, ballads and heritage alive, in 1700s after the union 1707 (and the suppressions of Scots musical instruments and highland dress after Culloden)
Celtic Connections music festival has brought folk music (and indie, world, roots, Americana) onto the bigger stage. Back in the 70s I had little idea when I attended Sandy Bells bar Edinburgh, and folk festivals – that there was a revival happening. I feel so fortunate to have enjoyed this experiences of the wonderful live music. So odd looking back.
Today there are Celtic musicians keeping Scotland’s musical traditions alive such as – Julie Fowlis, Kris Drever, Karine Polwart, Manran, Braebach, Duncan Chisholm, Ross Ainslie, Glasgow Trad Collective and many more. My impression is that many younger musicians are highly aware of the traditions.
Sadly troubadours such as the folk legends Dick Gaughan, Rab Noakes, Michael Marra, Gerry Rafferty, are no longer with us or performing. I remember Noakes saying – ‘A present with no past has no future.’ Scotland has a centuries old tradition of believing in the rights of all people. From the clan system, Declaration of Arbroath, scholars such a George Buchanan, Enlightenment, and Robert Burns humanity. This matters for our views of the world. Music without any hinterland lacks substance, soul and depth.
The voices of the ordinary folks. In 1960s Hamish Henderson wrote, ‘Freedom Come All Ye’
Blue Rose Code is led by Ross Wilson who was on top form and gave an assured and joyous performance of his heartfelt and rhythmic songs. They are a top quality band and tonight were celebrating their sixth studio album. Their influences include folk, Americana, jazz, soul and contemporary.
The concert was a tribute to Wilson's musical hero John Martyn. Fifteen years after Martyn’s Glasgow gig to start his 2010 tour, his concert inspired Wilson to head for London to pursue music. He grew up in Leith Edinburgh and he talks of his troubled time growing up. For those of us who have known difficulties, music can offer a life line and Wilson’s soothing soul voice often hits the right notes and tone.
Wilson sang his popular songs - ‘Grateful’, ‘Love a Little’, ‘Red Kites’ ‘Love is Action' and ‘Stardust.” He performed an expressive Jackson Browne cover ‘Something Fine’ and a moving, poignant and soulful ‘Amazing Grace’.
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| Rhona McFarlane |
Tonight’s welcome return Opening Concert of Celtic Connections the world leading folk and roots music festival, began with the dramatic horn blowing of an ancient Celtic instrument the Carnyx, (a wind instrument used by the Celts during the Iron Age, between c. 200 BCE and c. 200 CE), brought over the heads of the venue.
Glasgow 850 Opening concert, heralded the start of the city’s year-long 850th birthday celebration. ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’ is the motto on the city’s coat of arms, and this special concert paid tribute to the city’s rich artistic heritage and flourishing future through a concert incorporating music, spoken-word, dance and film.
This concert was hosted by Siobhan Miller and Roddy Hart, and celebrated the breadth and talent of musicians, artists and poets Glasgow has produced and how this has fed into the very heart of Celtic Connections. Glasgow is a diverse, multi-cultural and vibrant city.
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| Glasgow Trad Collective |
First there was energetic reels and jigs from the Glasgow’s Trad Collective (of Ben Nevis bar). We had nostalgia with the Bluebell’s 80s song 'Young at Heart'. Behind the stage were projected black and white images of Glasgow by photographer – Oscar Marzaroli.
Glasgow was celebrated with performances by the Joyous choir of Maryhill, While the Indian collective Qawali Project raised the energy levels with warm applause. The talented pipers Ross Ainslie and Finlay Macdonald impressed as did the string ensemble who performed world-renowned Glasgow composer Craig Armstrong’s Immer (Forever).
Grammy award-winning American singer songwriter Madison Cunningham impressed with her haunting vocals on her song ‘Home’.Glaswegian James Grant, performed several Glasgow songs – and along with Siobhan Miller and Paul McKenna delighted us with their rendition of Michael Marra’s song “Mither Glasgow.” After which we were treated to a grand finale of multi-instrumentalists and uplifting tunes.
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| James Grant |
Glasgow has world class art galleries, and an ancient and leading university. Glasgow is the city of music and boasts world famous venues including the Barrowlands King Tuts, Oran Mor, Old Fruitmarket.
Image: 'Playing Ring, Gorbals, School Playground’ 1963, © Oscar Marzaroli Collection, courtesy of Street Level Photoworks.
From the permanent exhibition ‘Oscar Marzaroli’s Gorbals’ at Gorbals Library.
CELTIC CONNECTIONS - https://www.celticconnections.com
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Gaelic is a soft, flowing, dream-like language and very popular at Celtic Connections.
Best known Gaelic singer is Karen Matheson of Capercaillie band. Also Julie Fowlis who tours worldwide and sings on movie soundtracks. Kathleen McInnes,
**Impressive fiddlers include – Aly Bain, John McCusker, Duncan Chisholm, Chris Stout,
And has strong ties to Flanders, France, Italy.
This year the world famous Celtic Connections festival is celebrating women musicians, with headline concert with Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis,
The world’s leading folk, roots and world music festival Celtic Connections has unveiled its ambitious program 2025. Glasgow UNESCO City of Music- 25 venues, 300 events across 18 days, anticipating 110,000 visitors and 1,200 musicians and artists
The premiere winter festival will illuminate stages across Glasgow. Eclipsing dark winter nights with a kaleidoscope of internationally-renowned music, exciting new performances, unique showcases and one-off collaborations. Around 1,200 musicians from 20 countries will descend on Glasgow for the international celebration of Celtic music.
*Celtic is about the most unique and inspired collaborations, emotional tribute concerts, beautiful Gaelic song, traditional ballads and instruments, exciting ceilidh bands, and accomplished musicianship. Plus international and Celtic music.
Highlights include – Grammy-award winner Lyle Lovett, Katie Tunstall,
**Opening concert – celebrates Glasgow 850, “Let Glasgow Flourish” the city’s Coat of Arms, to pay tribute to the city’s rich artistic heritage of music, art, poetry, dance and film. How this has fed into Celtic Connections. With unique collaborations, from well-kent faces and emerging talent.
Bluebells Barrowlands; Peat & Diesel Emirate; Braebach with Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO);
celebrated Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis will undertake her first orchestral commission at the festival with the Scottish Orchestra and her Scots-Irish quartet Allt, alongside Zoe Conway, Eamon Doorley and John Mcintyre.
Malinky 25th anniversary concert. Frigg, Finnish band, Scandi folk with BBC Symphony Orchestra. Old Fruitmaket – Glasgow trad scene TRIP headline show; Gaelic song and Hebridean music with Ceolos @30 from South Uist.
New Voices Commissions – BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2021 pianist Michael Biggins, Skye born harpist Clorstaidh Beaton and promising banjo talent Ciaran Ryan.
Showcase Scotland partners with Ireland, with Niamh Bury Trio, Nuala Kennedy and Eamonn O’Leary, Corar Trio, Florock, Grainne Hunt and Leonard Barry Trio.
The SNJO hosts Nu-Age Sounds: PLANET WORLD, The Old Fruitmarket, with Mercury Prize nominated pianist Fergus McCreadie and jazz singer kitti. And SAY Award shortlisted corto.alto folk-infused jazz Barrowlands, with Scots jazz talent Bemz, Pippa Blundell, Becky Sikasa and JSPHYNX.
Canntaireachd with Gaelic singers Kathleen MacInnes, Kim Carnie, and pipes.
Celebrated Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis will undertake her first orchestral commission at the festival with the Scottish Chamber Orhestra and her scots-Irish quartet Allt which, alongside Zoe Conway, Eamon Doorley and John McInytre.
*Transatlantic Sessions celebrates 30 years of the roots of Americana, with popular house band led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas - and featuring vocalists Loudon Wainwright III, Julie Fowlis, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams and Ireland’s Niall McCabe. Plus American folk-roots pop singer-songwriter Josh Rouse celebrates the 10th birthday of his famous album Nashville, Bluegrass sensations Hawktail, Boston’s Lake Street Dive share their avant-garde Americana sound.
Tradition series, plus ceilidhs, late night sessions, Festival Club, screenings, workshops, the Scottish National Whisky Festival and education program.
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| Duncan Chisholm |
The very best in world music acts will once again be welcomed to the Celtic Connections line up. Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, Ibibio Sound Machine will play the Tramway. A clash of African and electronic elements, the outfit is inspired by the golden era of West-African funk and disco and modern post-punk and electro. Femi Kuti & The Positive Force will also bring their iconic live show to Scotland. The eldest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, Femi will showcase his jubilant energy and distinctive voice to a Glasgow Royal Concert Hall audience.
From small beginnings in 1994, the festival now attracts international artists, and this year will welcome artists from 20 countries - Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, France, Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Wales, Ireland, Republic of the Congo and more. This year will see the launch of under-26s pass, and ensuring the magic of the festival continues to be accessible.
Ceiran Ryan
Glasgow’s much-loved venues, famous for having the “best fans in the world”, are set to give artists a warm welcome - The Old Fruitmarket, Barrowland Ballroom, SWG3, Saint Luke’s and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Celtic Connections and Peat and Diesel will become the first band to play at the Emirates Arena in the city’s east end.
TICKETS - Wednesday 16 October 2024 at www.celticconnections.com.
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| Karine Polwart |
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| Julie Fowlis |
