The Low Anthem Oran Mor 7th April 2011

I first saw the Low Anthem perform at the Old Fruitmarket during Celtic Connection Festival Glasgow 2010 - where they played their many instruments, performed their melodic songs, and sang their finely-tuned harmonies with a contemporary American country feel. Their sound ranged from subtle soft lows to a big crashing wall of sound, and lead singer Ben Miller took his voice from sweet to harsh. So tonight I expected another great concert and I was not disappointed.

The concert was held in the Oran Mor Church auditorium with it's coloured stain glass and high ceiling gallery. American band 'Head an Heart' were the support and they had fun as they performed their strong harmonies and quality songs. 

The Low Anthem set their stage for intimacy and arranged their instruments in a circle with an open area in the middle.  I noticed that they had set a vase with 2 daffodils and a glass of Rose wine on top of a small wooden organ which gave relaxed ambience to the stage.  The band began their set in a close circle around an old radio-style microphone, and with only their soothing voices and guitar they brought a hush to the crowded hall.

Head and Heart

'Head and Heart' supported the Low Anthem at the Oran Mor Glasgow 7th April. They had fun on stage and performed strong harmonies and quality songs. More Photos on my website -  http://pkimage.co.uk/ 

Karine Polwart Milngavie Folk Club

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The Fraser centre offered a cosy packed setting for intimate songstress Karine. 

She started her set with the lullaby 'Beoww- Beoww' (I hope this is the correct spelling, and I forgot to ask Karine for a set list) when she sat and played her small pump organ.  She sang some of her better known songs 'Daisy Darling' and 'Rivers Run' and also a song set to an Edwin Morgan's poem called 'The Good Year'. 

Between songs she chatted about her song-writing collaborations, including her involvement with the Shropshire 'Darwin Project'.  After which she sang a poignant song entitled 'We're Already Leaving' which was about the loss of Darwin's daughter Emma. Other songs included 'Tinsel Show' (The Eyes of the Ages), 'Resolution Row', and 'Sorry Won't Wish It All Away'.     

Karine has a warm, sincere personality and a huge smile! Inge Thomson provided perfect backing on accordion and vocals, along with Karine's brother Steven Polwart on guitar and backing vocals.  Her songs provided many moving thoughtful moments that offered both comfort and hopes. Karine has a philosophy degree and she spent six years working for the 'Scottish Women's Aid' movement on issues such as domestic and child abuse and young people's rights and these experiences have influenced her songwriting

Paul Malcolm provided good support.

Karine Polwart is a Scottish singer song writer. She writes and performs music with a strong folk and roots feel.  She has been recognised for her solo career, winning three awards at the BBC Folk Awards in 2005, and was previously a member of Malinky and Battlefield Band.

*Michael Marra Milngavie folk club

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'He paints with Words'

I have heard Marra twice at the Mugdock theatre, which with the grand piano off to the left is simply the perfect venue for him, and I list his concerts there as some of my favourite ever small venue gigs.  The first thing that I noticed at his gigs was how frail he looked, but then when he performed he surprised me with this deep gravelly voice. 

With endearing heart and ironic dry wit Marra led us through his medley of songs which were brim full of unforgettable characters and carefully crafted images of places and time.  Oddly he props his keyboards on top of a small ironing board.  He has a strong character for photos with his humour and expressive eyes.

In March the Milngavie Fraser centre was packed for his gig for the Milngavie Folk Club.    

Marra played piano and guitar during his set here and he sang songs with grand titles such as -  'If Dundee was Africa', 'Bob Dylan's Visit to Embra', 'Grace Kelly's Visit to Dundee,' 'Muggie Shaw', 'Freda Kohl's Visit to the Tay Bridge Bar', and 'Lonesome Death of Francis Clarke'.  In 'Schenectady Calling', Marra paid tribute to Peerie Willie Johnson, a noted folk musician from Shetland.  He finished his set with a Burns song ' Green Grow the Rashes O' and an encore song 'Mary Skeffington' by the late Gerry Rafferty of Paisley.  

Marra's songs often mix Scottish places with a fantasy of American celebrity. He writes songs about such diverse topics as football, ladies choirs, and American idols!  At times his stories and songs are highly amusing, while other songs are thoughtful and touching. He derives his musical influences from the likes of Tom Waits, Randy Newman and Bob Dylan.  His music has grown out of both his Dundee Scottish roots and his American musical tastes, and he calls his sound 'groovy traditional music.'

Although predominantly known as a songwriter, Marra has worked extensively in theatre, radio and television.  Marra's children, Alice Marra Clark and Matthew Marra, are are members of The Hazy Janes. Marra was in a band called Skeets Boliver in the late seventies.

'There's Love in this world for everyone, Every precious smile you make, Be sure love is out there looking for you.'   Michael Marra