Showing posts with label scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scotland. Show all posts

Friday, 31 January 2025

Dialogues Su a Lee at Mackintosh church Celtic Connections 2025

 



What a glorious setting for her rich, glowing tones and the depth of character on Su a Lee’s cello! The concert explored Lee’s astute journey of her compelling musicianship and celebrating her collaboration work with Duncan Chisholm, one of Scotland's most revered fiddlers, celebrated multi-instrumentalist/composer/producer Donald Shaw, and husband and composer Hamish Napier. The cream of Celtic musicians Lee’s work ranges from classical, experimental and folk traditions.


The Concert

Lee explored her years playing the rhythmic drive of Scottish traditional music within the landscapes of classical music. She performed tracks from her album Dialogues 2023, including mostly original compositions. She was accompanied by pianists Hamish Napier and Donald Shaw and violinist Duncan Chisholm. (Shaw is also Celtic Connections festival director since 2006). 

Tonight rather than the fiddle or voice centre stage, it was the deep tones and dynamic range of the cello. Lee began with a poignant cello solo of Burns ‘Ae fond Kiss’, followed by the emotive drama of Donald Shaw’s Baroque suite, with three dance forms and a slow air – ‘Baroque March Mull’, ‘Cathedral of Trees’, ‘Malpica’ ‘Ocean Poem’. As well as performing Shaw’s renowned music ‘Islands on the Edge’.


“Shaw’s tunes are all bangers” she exclaimed! Her welcome and informed chat between sets added a personal note. With violin and cello, we were treated to Chisholm’s poignant slow airs ‘Prince Charlie’s Last View’ and ‘Precious Place’. Also Phil Cunningham’s ‘The Wedding Celebration’. Hamish Napier’s joyful strathspeys and reels on piano, flute and cello, with ‘John Stephens of Chance In’ and ‘Windsong’. All four musicians performed a moving Gaelic song ‘Mo Rùn Geal Òg’, (sung by Julie Fowlis on the album)They finished this lovely concert with the energy of upbeat tunes such as ‘The Wound and the Gift’.

Su a Lee celebrates her many collaborations. This wasn’t a concert about Lee’s classical music roots (via the New York’s Julliard school) but about her journey through Scottish musical traditions and it’s innovative new directions. The cello is the original Scottish folk rhythm section, long before guitar or piano and is now enjoying a revival through artists like Su-a Lee. The leading fiddle players of their day, Neil Gow and Peter Milne, had cellists that toured with them. Lee is a lead cellist with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. 


The Album:  Her album Dialogues (2023) is about her musical connections from this expressive musician, with her accomplished fellow musicians. While Lee has played on many albums over her thirty year career, this is her first solo album of 15 compositions. Dialogues is both grounded in traditions and new compositions: exploring Scottish traditional music from reels and strathspeys, slow ballads and Gaelic song ending with the solo setting of her Burns Ae Fond Kiss. 

"As much as this album is about finding my own voice and a voice for Scottish folk cello, it is also about the interaction of two voices…..Welcome to our dialogue." Su-a Lee

(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. Her work ranges from classical, experimental, folk traditional. 




Su-a Lee is a cellist born is Seoul, South Korea and resident in Scotland. She is known for her wide-ranging collaborations across classical, contemporary, jazz and Scottish traditional music. Through her prolific career as lead cellist in groups like the Scottish Chamber Orchestra & Mr McFall’s Chamber Su-a has constantly explored the role of the cello in folk & world traditions.

Hamish Napier is a folk musician, composer and tutor who taught Stagecraft on the Trad Music degree course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for many years; Merryn Glover is a writer, workshop leader and storyteller, with a teaching degree in English, drama & dance.

Duncan Chisholm is a Scottish fiddle player and composer. He has released seven solo albums as a solo artist. His studio album, Affric 2012, was longlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. In 2022, he released a seventh studio album, titled Black Cuillin. He tours with the Scottish Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis band. He is also a founder member of the folk rock group Wolfstone, He played fiddle for Runrig. .

 

Donald Shaw,  is a Scottish award winning musician, composer, producer, and one of the founding members of Capercaillie Shaw has composed for film and TV. In 2004, he composed Harvest, a commission for the opening night of Celtic Connections festival. He won the Scots Trad Music Composer of the Year award in December 2006.



CC Mackintosh Church Setlist

1.  Ae Fond Kiss 

2.  Baroque Suite
(i) Baroque March Mull (ii) Cathedral of Trees (iii) Malpica
 (iv) Ocean Poem 


3.  EbytheC 


4.  F Strathspey Set
(i) John Stephen of Chance In (ii) Windsong 

5.  Duncan Slow Airs
i) Prince Charlie’s Last View (ii) Precious Place 

6.  Water Set
(i) The Dance 
(ii) Waltz of the Grey River (iii) Corryvreckan 

7.  Bach Bourrées 


8.  Mo Rùn Geal Òg Instr 

9.   Donald’s Set 
(i) Madame Lulu
(ii) Islands on the Edge 

10. Hamish Tune Set 

(i) Bagh Seannabhad (ii) Speyside Line 

11. Paths Finale Set 

(i) Phillippa’s Tune (ii) Josianne
(iii) Speyside Way (iv) The Deer Path 

Encore The Wound and the Gift   62 mins   6 mins applause 

Su-a, Duncan, Donald, Hamish 



Friday, 24 January 2025

Change Forward Scotland Needs for 2025

 

Education is the key and foundation. Without a solid, well educated workforce how can any country move forward? Many new independent countries recognised this – specifically Ireland and Estonia. Apart from funding, there are several ways to achieve solid education for all

1. All teachers should have a masters degree.

2. Teach to the higher average, not the lower average, to raise standards. Yes slower learners and late starters need to be encouraged and a good start at kindergarten or pre-schools is the key to giving ALL children the right start in education - with a focus on personal development and structural play. 

With many 4 year olds now held back to start P1 until they are ta least five and a half - this can make the more formal learning of reading books mean children are more emotionally and developmentally ready to learn having developed concentration skills, an interest in books, number and size skills, oral language etc. 

 

3. Eliminate private schools. Private schools mean a secure network and privileged bubble. They mean a two tier society. Those educated privately have only limited understanding of the rest of society that they have often never met or worked with. They believe they are a “cut above” the rest. 

 

4. A good start. Without a good start to education, the rest of the 10 years of school can be wasted.

The focus must be on quality early years. 

 

 ‘The Age of disruption needs a different kind of Scotland’ Gerry Hassan writes we needs radical ideas to move Scotland forward with independence, Sunday National 29th December 2024. He writes of the unequal opportunities and expectations. While I agree we need new ideas – why vote for independence if it will only be more of the same failing economic models. He doesn’t offer concrete details of priorities, but mostly theoretical views. 

 

Its important to set priorities to move forward. But a sound economy needs to underpin this – otherwise where is the money to fund public service? While Scotland is rich in resources, we also need to harness our potential for innovation, business education, opportunities for all, immigration (we need young workers), and prioritise education for all. Finland decided to abolish private education, as they felt this system was holding the country back. 

 


Glasgow 850


Del Amitri

Glasgow is a city of surprises. Dotted around the city centre are many impressive, architecturally interesting buildings. The city also boasts several unique areas that offer culturally fun walks. Glasgow is a vibrant city of the arts. Its a challenging, dynamic place. There are many historic Victorian buildings, art galleries and tenements.

 

Glasgow is the City of Music and boasts world famous venues including the Barrowlands  King Tuts, Oran Mor, old Fruitmarket. 

 

First there is Glasgow’s Westend. With its university spires atop Kelvingrove park, where there is the dominate Kelvingrove galleries. Close by is the up and coming Finnieston with its unique cafes and shops and close to the new Glasgow Hydro arena and SECC exhibition centre. Up the hill is the lively and picturesque Ashton Lane. Glasgow’s university is one of the UKs oldest and here its worth seeing the cloisters and the Huntarian art gallery. 

 

On the east side there is the Merchant city, with the Old Fruitmarket and City halls venues, and busy night life. There are reminders here of Glasgow’s links to the tobacco and sugar trade. Glasgow was once the engine room of the British empire.  

 

The city’s main street, Buchanan St has the Lighthouse and the concert hall with Donald Dewar’s statue looking on. Just across from this street is the modern art galleries and the cone atop the Duke of Wellington’s statue. Then along Sauchiehall St are Macintosh’s famous tea room. There’s also Glasgow’s cathedral further east and the Acropolis views. 

 

Glasgow is a city of steep hills and long skylines with its many bridges over the river Clyde to Govan, once the world’s ship building centre where the Queen Mary liner was launched in 1934. 

 

Elaine C Smith
Eddi Reader


*There are major artists, writer, scientists, innovators, actors and musicians from Glasgow. 

Most well known Rennie Macintosh, The Glasgow Boys, 

William Macgregor, James Guthrie, Arthur Melville,

Glasgow Girls – Margaret & Francis MacDonald, Bessie Macnicol,

 

Actors - James McAvoy, Robert Carlisle, Kelly Macdonald, Peter Mullan, Elaine C smith, Gary Lewis, Janey Godley, Billy Connolly, 

 

Lord Kelvin, professor or maths & Physics, kelvin temperature scale, important for thermo dynamics.

 

Writers – Alasdair Gray, James Kelman, Jackie Kay, peter may, Debi Gliori, Edwin Morgan, 

 

Musicians -  Simple Minds, Del Amitri, Texas, Deacon Blue, Blue Nile, Wet Wet Wet, 

Franz Ferdinand, Lulu, Mogwai, Mark Knopler, Dick Gaughan, Eddi Reader, Donovan, Emma Pollock,

 

(Gerry Rafferty - Paisley, John Martyn, grew up in Glasgow)




Dick Gaughan

Mogwai

 

Thursday, 16 January 2025

Gaelic Singers and Fiddlers


Celtic Connections makes me think of the wonderful Gaelic singers, fiddlers and unique collaborations. I’ve see it as pulsating, joyous, uplifting and colourful concerts. Celtic musicians of the British isles, Canada, France, Spain and the international musicians from Finland, India, Africa, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Brittany and many more..

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, 

 



The Scots diaspora across the world is around 28 to 40 million. Scots have for centuries been great travellers, being an island nation. Scotland is one of Europe’s most ancient nations (begun 9th century)

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, 

 

 

Tuesday, 31 December 2024

Tom Nairn, Scotland missed Europes national revivals

 Tom Nairn, Scotland’s greatest political theorist of modern times. 

He writes on why Scottish nationalism is different to the rest of Europe. 

“All I’m arguing for is nations, minus the dratted “ism”; democratic natural, independent, diverse, ordinary, even boring rather than the museum pieces, or dictatorship or hustlers like Blair of Berlusconi.” Tom Nairn, Free worlds End, opendemocracy, Dec 4th 2004. 

 

Nairn writes of the misfit of the British state to the modern world and not from the express of romantic tartanry, which the author excoriates – and the centrality of the nation in political change. 


"Break Up of Britain" (1977), one of the best reads on how and why the archaic institutions of the British state and its pre-democracy are failing us. How Scotland lost its way and its literary voice over the 1800s and of the fake tartanry of Walters Scott’s novels, of a Scotland that’s lost and can never return - “the heart regrets, but never the head.” Of the destructive and false nature of the Labour party. 

 

That the Scottish Enlightenment was very much a Tory project. While Scotland prospered during the 1800s with manufacturing, its literary voice became bereft. He sees Walter Scott’s work of a mythical Scotland and Scots heroes, as very much glorifying a past that was gone and to be forgotten. Scotland became north Britain. While Scott’s romantic and mythical novels were highly successful across the world. 

 

**Those Myths of Blood and spirit, such as Jacobites, Rob Roy, Robert the Bruce.

 

Nationalism, Nairn argues is always both good and bad. ’ 


And originated from that derived in – the impossibility of escape from the uneven development of capitalism.’

Nationalism is not a question of simple identity, but rather of something more – a catalyst.

 

Nearly all modern nations have a myth – a key to their nationalism and regeneration. But not England… :with an astonishing resistance of a fossilised and incompetent political order.  


“England’s peculiar form of nationalism  hopelessly stultifying inheritance of the state.…The main character of English history since 1688 “of which English ideology most proud is, her conditional and parliamentary revolution. “

“the mobilising myth of nationalism is an idea of the people … an emotive notion anchored in popular experience of love” – the revolution, war of liberation.”

 

He writes, “What counts is later mass beliefs. These are amplified into an inheritance, broadcast in ballads, written into documentary history text-books, novelized, sermonised and institutionalized into street-names and statues. From the process there derives an always latent conviction of popular will and capacity. That the people could always do it again.” 

 

**By contrast in Europe 1800s, nationalism took hold with the demise of empires, and the rise of nation states. “Only one country “stepped over before the Europe of 1800s – Scotland politics and culture was decisively and permanently altered by the great awaking of nationalist consciousness – Scotland or north Britain …due to the uneven development of capitalism. “

 

“After the black the unspeakable 17th century was 1688 which marked the real dawn of Scotland, after the dark bloodshed years of religious conflicts across Europe. – William Robertson, in his book History of Scotland. When the Scottish bourgeoisie exploited the results of the English revolution. Scotland progressed from fortified castles and witch burning, to Edinburgh new town and Adam Smith in only a generation:”

“The most influential book on British politics to be published in the last half century,”  writes Anthony Burnett


Highlander Adam Fergusson, saw this contrast around him. “The Highlands were under-developed and didn’t have pre-requisite for nationalist existence. The Highland life was destroyed after 1745

The Scottish Enlightenment ended early 1800s. The Scottish literary tradition paused 1825 – 1860. Instead there was the Industrial Scotland of Glasgow-Edinburgh- Dundee – engineering, shipbuilding and iron stone. 

 

Scotland reverted to being a province in the 1800s Victorian times, while prosperous and imperial.  Why – because of the absence of political nationalism and a literary voice. The Scottish bourgeoisies pre-possessed the country’s distinctive and proto-national features – they believed in a universal and enlightened civilization .Therefore Scotland remained stuck betwixt and between - too much a nation to be a mere province, yet it could not develop into a nation-state on the basis either via nationalism. :

Friday, 29 November 2024

Scotland is not listened to

Scotland is not listened to III ….and neither are ordinary voices across the UK 

(We need voices of Reform)

 

I have been told by some – ‘at least we live in a democracy’. But is it really I have to wonder? How is it? When Scotland’s voice and votes are ignored. Scotland has not voted Tory since the 1950s yet a Tory government has been imposed on us. Scotland has voted for an SNP mandate 8 times, who’s main purpose is our self-determination, which we are refused by Westminster. 

 

After Quebec (Quebec is a region and not an ancient nation like Scotland) also voted in a close fought referendum in 1995, on their independence, Canada offered Quebec self-government and guess what, they actually delivered on their promises! Quebec state runs their own immigration, broadcasting, trade, economy, taxes and more. As do US states. Scotland does not control its immigration, broadcasting, trade, economy and more....In fact Quebec can hold a Referendum when ever they choose, plus they have protections for their Quebec culture and language. Scotland has none of these things – so how is this union consensual?

 

By stark contrast, before Scotland’s 2014 referendum, there were many false promises - vows even – that Scotland would have full self-determination, more business and industries, and be an equal partner (well by Gordon Brown, how was he supposed to deliver this full federalism exactly?) More like lies. Because none of their promises have happened and its even worse than that - devolution has gone backwards and into reverse with powers being taken away since Brexit. Its unbelievable all these ‘better together’ folks now telling us that the British state is failing us!

 

Anglo Scot Tory MP Michael Gove, says the union is or should be the UK governments top priority – why? Because of course they need Scotland’s resources to exploit. (Also with Labour’s GB energy plans) to exploit (again) Scotland’s resources, what’s in this plan for Scotland’s benefit?

Part of the issue is that the Scots vote for a centre left social democracy – while many in England still hanker after and believe in the empire days, class superiority, central control and trickle-down economics etc. Part of these divides here in Britain is the class-driven part, and is religious even (with Orangemen on the streets). It is not often addressed that Scotland’s independence is a complex set of issues and class is definitely a factor. Many middle class Scots feel they have more in common with the middle classes across England than with their fellow Scots. Many continue to believe the UK is a major global player. 

 

However with regard to recent scandals, not only are Scots ignored, but ordinary folks across the British state are not listened to either. There have been so many scandals towards ordinary people trying to make a living here UK that have been totally ignored – Windrush, Grenfell, Sub Postmasters, Blood scandal, Waspi women. The truth of these stories of Broken Britain is also that people across these islands are not listened to. 

 

And its only been getting worse in our fake British pre-democracy - of a broken voting system, where the crown is used for unlimited powers to the PM and is about an unassailable hierarchy and an enforced so called ‘stability’. One where the public’s ‘real’ concerns are often ignored – over Gaza’s genocide, tax havens, land reform and our resources being unfairly exploited.  

 

Detoxify the political narratives – how do we do that? Who decides? So much flack and not enough truth and reality. 

It seems that part of the problem is that for most people here in Britain and Scotland, including the political system itself, they have only known this highly centralized governance, unless they have lived elsewhere in the world and are able to see that Britain is the outlier here. This centralising British state is not normal. Journalist Lesley Riddoch writes that the route of Scotland’s independence is through giving all local areas a say in their futures. I recommend her excellent new book Thrive. She is an advocate for de-centralising and ‘real’ local government.  We don’t need Holyrood to emulate Westminster!

 

The unionist’s negative media blitz on the SNP, have cast Scotland’s independence movement adrift and we must urgently take action. There has been enough dithering and delays. As some say this is a civil rights movement to protect our rights for economic justice, social justice, our rights to protect Scotland’s many resources, our right to democracy and self-determination. The Scottish people’s right to sovereignty. I’ve begun to wonder some, if not most, of the UK government’s belligerence towards Scotland is due to incompetence above all else. Britain’s media attempts to project a semblance of its ‘democracy.’ But the British state is a more subtle dictatorship: one where the power of the Crown in Parliament is abused, where there is little if any balance or opposition, an unworkable and undemocratic first past the post voting system, and one where anyone can be anointed to the second chamber (House of Lords). The voting system fails us all, where only a few marginal seats matter.

 

Top theorist Tom Nairn writes that broken Britain’s institutions are crucial to enforcing the myths of empire and crown stability – established with the all-powerful sovereignty of the 1690 British Constitution of the crown in parliament. I wonder after watching two TV dramas on the US Opiod scandal (Dopesick and Painkiller) when it took a photographer to fight for the Sackler name to be removed from major Art galleries – we are now living in a time of great exploitation by multi-national corporations and with corruption at high levels, Well done to Channel Four News for their scoop of Paula Vennell’s voice saying she knew about the Horizon failings way back in 2013. Globalization has many drawbacks.

 

A Sunday Times editorial April 21, 2024, was about the dreadful Contaminated Blood Scandal, much of it brought from US prisoners and drug addicts 70s and 80s. Medical records were falsified and children were knowingly given infected blood. Around 4,000 died with no compensation given. Tony Blair’s Freedom of Information act has led to cover ups with secrecy a sickness at the heart of Britain … “a culture of secrecy set the state against the individual. It makes it almost impossible for citizens to recover the truth and right wrongs. This contributes to apathy, spreads disillusions and encourages conspiracy theories. An official apology must be made. It’s a bloody disgrace.”

 

So how can this Broken Britain system be reformed? Labour are not a party of reform – in previous governments they have only tinkered at the edges and they view stability as the bedrock of the British system they support and are part of. Starmer’s ‘ordinary hopes’ and his aim to address the fallen myths of England are all wrapped in the union jack flag, really offers little. They’re part of the liberal elites.

We need to reach out to others across these islands who also believe in a modern progressive democracy. I saw this happening at the Break up of Britain conference. Voices across Britain are also being ignored and they recognise the need for reform and change – such as the academic Anthony Seldon who wrote recently in the Times about how Whitehall needs major reforms. 

 

In Wales they are calling for more powers – in fact Labour in Wales wrap themselves in the Welsh flag and Welsh language, unlike Labour in Scotland who reject the Saltire! Ireland did not only want independence “for its own sake” – their independence was about wanting their land and resources for the people and not an elite. To protect all their rights as a free people and nation. 

 

Independence isn’t given, it has to be taken. So we must act and act now. Labour set up fake devolution to stop indy and keep Scotland stuck. For the elections ahead the SNP need a positive message of hope for social justice, reform, education and for the empowerment of local voices. I agree with others, that we need a Constitutional Convention to galvanise the yes movement focus (why wait?) – in order to move the debates forward and to reach out to those crucial undecided. Also to find common ground. For many of us this is a fight for democratic rights. 

 

The only real route I can see is for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to take to lifeboats – sooner rather than later – there is a better way ahead. One where citizens at local level can secure their own futures and offer hope. The fight against the centralising control of the global elites is about smaller more adaptable nations. Being small is a benefit not a drawback, and Scotland’s is an average European state. Scotland has abundant natural resources and sits in an important strategic position. 

 

I often wonder why Scots have so little faith in themselves to run their own country – as we once did. The most ancient in Europe. Why do we have so little faith? When once we led the world with enlightened thought and innovations. This is not about division – its about ordinary people being heard. Scotland’s independence must be about Scotland’s voice and the rights of ordinary people. Imagine a Scotland that could control its own resources!!

 

Scotland’s Seas

 

Windy seas near Skara Brae Orkney

Norway makes 60% of its wealth from its seas

Scotland’s seas are over 7.5 times Scotland’s land area.

Scotland has 32% of UKs landmass and 62% of UK sea area with over 900 islands. Scotland’s coastline is double England’s. With over 900 islands, Scotland has a coastline which is approximately double that of England.

 

The Minch water towards the Outer Hebrides are where the Trident submarine patrol. The Scapa flow waters of Orkney is where the British navy were station during the world wars. Scottish waters and rivers host world-famous salmon, langoustines, oysters and lobster. Scotland’s many lochs (over 25,500) and machairs host unique and quality marine life. 

 

Seas north coast

west coast seas

Canada has the longest coastline of any country in the world, but among Scotland, England, and Ireland, Scotland has the longest coastline. 

Scotland's coastline measures approximately 18,000 km, including its many islands, while England's coastline is around 12,400 km and Ireland's is about 7,500 km. 


How big are Scotland’s seas?  We estimate the area of Scotland’s seas to be 462,315 km2 using the definition of the “Scottish zone” in the Scotland Act 1998. Scotland’s seas are nearly six times larger than the land area of Scotland. The figure above reflects the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) adjacent to Scotland, which accounts for 63% of the UK EEZ.

How many islands does Scotland have? Scotland has over 900 islands, of which 118 are inhabited. The most remote Scottish island is Rockall, which is around 300 km from   in the St Kilda archipelago. 

Scotland’s rivers and streams? Scotland has more than 125,000 km of rivers and streams varying from small highland burns to deep, wide lowland rivers such as the Tay. There is also a 220 km canal network in Scotland. There are over 25,500 lochs in Scotland, with the Western Isles and Sutherland having the highest concentration of lochs. SEPA

Scottish waters are a special place for marine habitats and wildlife, thanks to the combination of: 

-  our position at the edge of the European continental shelf

 - Scotland’s long coastline and large area of sea

-  the mixing of warm Gulf Stream currents and cold currents

Seas Oban to Castlebay Barra

Ayrshire coastlines


IslI  Islands. Glacial activity created our highly intricate coastline, which includes around 800 islands mostly off the west and north coasts. 

Coastal habitats including sand dunes, cliff habitats, saltmarsh and saline lagoon are thus a very big part of the Scottish landscape. Machair is a remarkable living landscape that’s unique to Scotland and Ireland.  Scotland’s territorial seas (up to 12 nautical miles from the coast) cover an area greater than the Scottish mainland and islands added together. 


Scotland’s inshore and offshore waters combined make up 13% of all European seas and contain a staggering 8,000 species or more.

The area covered by Scotland's seas is $608,000 km 2 from MHWS out to the limit of the claimed UK Continental Shelf.   With 8.4% of the UK population, Scotland has 32% of the land mass and 62% of the UK sea area.