Mumford & Sons ABC Glasgow 3rd March 2010

Mumford & Sons, an indie folk band from London, warmed the winter chills as they took to the ABC stage amid red and atmospheric lighting and a cheering sold out venue. They play with soaring keys, pumping banjo, and pristine vocal harmonies. Their lead singer Marcus has dark good looks and a glint in his eye, along with a voice that aches and moves with energetic passions. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (guitar, drums, mandolin), Country Winston ( banjo, dobro), Ben Lovett (keyboards, organ), Ted Dwane (double bass). They formed in late 2007 out of London's folk scene, along with other artists such as Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale, and they have supported Marling at concerts. Mumford and Lovett met while attending King's College School alongside Noah and the Whale bassist Matt Owens, whilst Marshall attended St Paul's School along with Charlie Fink, lead singer of Noah and the Whale. The band are signed to Island Records and their debut album, Sigh No More, was released in the UK in October 2009, and in February 2010 in the US. The band has achieved success in Australia, and also played live on CBS Late Show with David Letterman.

Danny Thompson and Friends Old Fruitmarket 30th January 2010

Renowned bass player Thompson introduced an all-star line up that included - Darrell Scott, Luka Bloom, Donald Shaw, Michael McGoldrick, Eddi Reader, Martin Simpson, Mollie O'Brien, and Tim O'Brien. They each recalled memories of Martyn and included several of Martyn's best loved songs, finishing with his best known , May You Never. This concert was part of the Celtic Connections festival and a tribute to John Martyn who died in January 2009. Thompson came out firstly for a short bass solo centre stage. He is known best as a double bassist, who over his long career has played with among others, respected folk/rock musicians Richard Thompson, Gerry Rafferty and John Martyn. Thompson has played with nearly every major artist all over the world, over his fifty five year career. He received a Lifetime achievement award in the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. One aspect that I enjoy at the Celtic festival is the artists collaborating, and its clear how much fun they were all having working with each other on stage at this gig. Many of the artists at this gig and others, talked about their writing with other artists, and being inspired by them. In this world it is the norm to co-write or cover others songs.

**Celtic Connections 2010

This year I went to more eclectic or world music shows. In fact, looking at the brochure it can be hard to find the authentic Scottish roots music. It can be a funding thing also - as inclusion and world music are the big buzz words.

I attended a to a few 'Open Mic' sessions/The Danny Kyle Stage. These are held each day at 5pm at the Royal Concert Hall - and have a packed audience and the standard is very high. This is the place for new talent and to get a support slot at Celtic. The first day I was there, there was a beautiful dark haired violinist from France who had travelled especially to Glasgow for the open mic. On Thursday a young girl singer called Rachel Sermanni caught my attention there when I stopped in briefly. I found out that she has been working with none other than respected song writer Boo Heredine for her first album and Liz (who introduces the open mic) said this girl is going places - I thought so too.

My highlights at Celtic this year were -

Fyfe Dangerfield ABC 16th Jan 2010 - Dangerfield stormed the ABC Glasgow with his latest solo album 'Yellow Moon'. He is a vibrant, energetic and expressive performer.There were shades of the Beatles and other musical influences here. Fyfe is also the leader of the pop alternative band the Guillemots.

Kirsty McGee & the Hobopop Collective, Classic Grande January 16th 2010 - for an evening of new folk traditions Live album No 5. - Kirsty McGee sings in several styles - roots, Americana, jazz and blues. She has a soothing and engrossing vocal as she sings her hopeful love songs.

Thursday the Old Fruitmarket - The Low Anthem from New York State. There is 'lots' of space and freeness in their music. They made me think of hippies and various influences from Conor Obrest, The Shins to the Eagles.

Danny Thompson the Old Fruitmarket - Renowned double bass player Thompson introduced an all-star line up that included - Darrell Scott, Luka Bloom, Donald Shaw, Michael McGoldrick, Eddi Reader, Martin Simpson, Mollie O'Brien, and Tim O'Brien. This was a quality and stately gig - and uplifting and heartfelt by the performers.

The Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2010 - Royal Concert Hall 31st January 2010. The standard of all the artists involved is extremely high, and includes the top Celtic and Americana artists - including - Michael McGoldrick (flute), James Mackintosh (drums, Donald Shaw (piano), Danny Thompson (double bass), John Doyle (guitar), Russ Barenberg (guitar), Bruce Molsky (fiddle), Tim O’Brien (banjo), Sara Watkins (fiddle), Dan Tyminski (guitar and mandolin) - and the musical directors Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas. Then the lady singers were introduced - Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson and Cara Dillon. A heart-warming, emotional quality concert. Later we stopped at the Late Sessions and heard the winner of the BBC2's Young Folk Musician 2009 played. He had the audience clapping enthusiastically.

Collaborations - One aspect that I enjoy at Celtic is the artists collaborating and it is obvious how much fun they have on stage (presumably backstage too!). Many of the artists at the gigs spoke about their writing with other artists and being inspired by them. In the folk world it is the norm to co-write or cover others songs.

It is worth tasting the buzz of it especially over the final weekend. I know how much I got from the folk festivals in my twenties and it was an enormous eye opener about music and so very different to the pop/rock music worlds. It is more organic and the influence of the huge media conglomerates is less obvious. There are many younger artists here who are not at all about the stuffy folk image and their music expresses many genres and cultures. For example - Laura Veirs from Canada, Fyfe Dangerfield (of the alterative band the Guillemots), Speed Camera from Algiers, Hobopop Collective from Manchester and The Low Anthem from New York State. My twenty year old musician son, who plays in a rock band, came some Celtic gigs with me and I am now hopeful that not all young people view folk music as 'stuffy' or mainly for older people!

This was the 17th year and another successful one for the festival. I notice my photos change each year - I am not sure if it is me improving or the festival changing. I had a wonderful couple of weeks of music from such a wide variety of places, cultures and influences. 
Big thanks to all involved, and especially the many talented artists and their music. Celtic Connections gigs 2010 - Laura Veirs, Hobopop Collective, Fyfe Dangerfield, Stornaway, Beth Nielsen Chapman, The Future Trad, Angelique Kidjo, Speed Caravan, Gypsy Kings and Queens, Justin Adams and Juldeh Camera, Bellevue Rendezvous, Catriona MacDonald, The Low Anthem, Danny Thompson, Rachel Harrington, Diana Jones, The Transatlantic Sessions with Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain.

The Low Anthem, the Old FruitMarket 28th January 2010

Haunting and even spiritual - they play their music with flexible bass and lots of space. Their lead singer has one of those perfect high tenor voices. They describe their music as Alternative or folk rock. The Low Anthem played their enriching Americana and minimalist rock to an appreciative audience at the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow. The band consists of Ben Knox Miller, a folk musician, Jeff Prystowsky, a jazz bassist and composer Jocie Adams.

They played tracks from their third self-released album, 2008's Oh My God, Charlie Darwin. This album was named Album of the Month by Uncut and was also nominated for the 2009 Uncut Music Award. For me the stand out songs were "Charlie Darwin" " To Ohio" and "Yellowed by the Sun." The band also picked the energy of the set up and performed some jazzier and rockier tunes.

They play around 30 instruments between them – including zither, pump organ, Tibetan singing bowl, trumpet, banjo and clarinet – and have influences such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Tom Waits. To give you an idea the Low Anthem is now travelling with - WWI portable pump organ, harmonium, AJ & HH 29" thunder drum, nipple gong, 3 clarinets, a really big fiddle, E flat marching horn, sizzling set of crotales, electricity aided guitar, rusty saw, accordion, 2 fiddles...and enough harmonicas to summon a swarm of locusts - apparently!

They met at Brown university and the band made me think of hippies and various influences from Connor Obrest, the Shins to the Eagles. I enjoyed the ethereal and atmospheric nature of their live performance - low key yet also uplifting. There was very much a student/indie music crowd at this gig. It was worth seeing them live, and I recommend checking them out.

They were ably supported by Fraser Anderson a singer-songwriter from Edinburgh who is now living in France, and is due to release his third album, 151, in January 2010.

Angélique Kidjo Old Fruitmarket Glasgow 21 January 2010

Angélique Kidjo had the Old Fruitmarket dancing on Friday night. Kidjo and her band brought rhythmic delights and the vibrancy of Africa's sun- with songs such as 'Hush Now Child,' several rumba's, and afropop dance tunes. She also sang the song La Petit Fleur with simply bass accompanying her heart-stirring voice. She is known for her wide-ranging musical influences - she mentioned James Brown, Steve Wonder, Santana and Otis Redding. Her musical influences include the Afropop, Caribbean, rumba, jazz, gospel and Latin.

Kidjo is a grammy award winning Beninoise singer-songwriter. She studied at a Jazz school in Paris and she has recorded four albums for Island Records and in 2000 she was signed by Columbia Records. She has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002. She has also recorded songs for movies, Tv and documentaries.

Later during the concert Kidjo danced through the packed audience, and it was surprising to note how tiny she was, as on stage she has a big presence. She then invited around15 audience members up to dance behind her on stage, and along to her drummer's exciting dance beats. An exhilarating and upbeat gig.

Fyfe Dangerfield ABC Glasgow Celtic Connections 20th January 2010

Fyfe was FUN! That's the first thing to say. He really puts so much into his performing. His songs are quality, and he draws from the Beatles, but with is own personality stamped on them. I really enjoyed this gig - from the heartbreak of 'Barricades' to the joy of 'Faster than the Setting Sun'.

Dangerfield stormed the ABC Glasgow as part of the Celtic connections festival with his latest solo album 'Yellow Moon'. He is a vibrant, energetic and expressive performer, who brought the audience with him with fun and interactive chat. This is an album of love songs, that covers all the high euphoria and depths of feeling that the first rush of love can bring. Fyfe plays guitar and also for several songs he had violin strings with him as he played piano. With Fyfe on piano he performed a tear jerker called 'Barricades' which moves the heart with stirring emotions. Other stand out songs were the light guitar song 'Livewire'; the very quiet 'Firebird' that sings of 'that bicycle made for two'; the comforting lyrics of 'my memories ring like telephones' in the sunshine feel of 'She Needs Me'; and the instant feel of 'Don't Be shy' with lyrics such as 'Ask her to sing for you, adore you.'
For the rock song 'Faster than the Setting Sun' Fyfe used a foot pedal and managed a truly tight professional sound.

Pearl, King Tuts Dec 2009

Pearl (aka Katie Sutherland) has a melting, soulful voice and catchy tunes. She always has fun on stage with her gigs. After the first song she took her high heels off and relaxed into her set. For three songs she had violin and cello, as well as her Puppets - that is her band!

Pearl and the Puppets entranced a packed crowd at King Tuts Wah Wah hut Dec 21 2009. The band consists of Pearl (vocals/guitar), Blair McMillan (drums), Gordon Turner (Guitar), Scott Clark (Bass) and Michael Abubakar (Keyboard) - and are tipped for big things. Pearl is a singer songwriter from Kirkintilloch Scotland whose sound has been described as a being similar to that of Regina Spector. She is signed to Universal and headlined at the Wickerman Festival Scotland 2009. Her song "Because I Do" was featured on a Vodaphone advertisement in Australian and New Zealand.

Magic Hat:Jazz Bar Edinburgh Nov 2009

All accomplished musicians. The Magic Hat are a top class band and produce sexy energy charged with lots of blowing and synergy, nad with strong and deep interactions.

I took photos for this very accomplished and fun jazz band from Manchester at the Bar Brel (Ashton Lane Glasgow) and the Jazz Bar Edinburgh in November 2009. They mix it up and also play recognizable jazz tunes. I enjoyed their gigs very much. All accomplished musicians. Steve Chadwick on turmpet, Tony Ormesher guitar, Andrzej Baranek piano, Nick Blacka on double bass and Rob Turner on drums. QUOTE 'The Magic Hat Ensemble take tunes from the standard jazz repertoire and use them as a vehicle for high energy, elaborate arrangements often delivered with a tongue in cheek approach. Tipping their hat to the jazz greats along the way the band are renowned for re-workings of many classic jazz tunes employing the use of metric modulations, odd time signatures and blistering solos.' Check out their new album 'This Conversation Is Over' - they are touring in 2010. They invited me along to take shots - and Nick Blacka on double bass is one of my portfolio images - well double basses are such sexy instruments!

Late afternoon at the Bar Brel Ashton lane Glasgow there were some die hard jazz fans there to hear them - ands one guy said they were one of the two best jazz bands he'd heard in the past ten years. He talked of the Americans coming in by ships and bringing beebop.
Last Saturday (28th Nov) I was at the Jazz Bar to take photos for this incredible jazz band - and for their first album. So many memories of the 2007 jazz bar gigs, and my first time there since then. The images on the walls had changed from the large sepia photos to bright coloured art work. Otherwise it was exactly the same and I had very strange feelings standing at the bar and taking the photos - thinking about it all.

Hobopop Collective - Live album No 5

Hobopop Collective - Live album No 5

'banjo-dominated americana from its tom waits-like washboard blowouts'

I was thrilled to travel down to Manchester to shoot for the bands live album. Mat met me at the Manchester station so I missed the BMP March.

Kirsty and Mat have a flowing and engrossing vibe to their upbeat tunes. Kirsty has moving soul-filled vocals and Mat provides the energy with his stringed instruments. Her songs feel light and easy, but are full of mystery and clever meanings. They do a mix of laid back jazz-infused bluegrass acoustic tunes. Kirsty sings her travelling songs that draw close affinities with nature – ‘Your Under My Skin’ (songs about dust!) ‘Killer Wasps’, the fun ‘Sandman’, the bluesy tones of ‘Easy’. She draws inspiration from her travels hobo style. She and Mat have been performing together the past 4 years and are based in Manchester.

McGee's evolving band is named the Hobopop Collective. With a diversity of musicianship the Collective consists of on drums Rob Turner ( jazz band Magic Hat Ensemble), on double bass Nick Blacka (Magic Hat Ensemble), and for this live recording on guitar James Steel (from the rock band Brute chorus) Chris Cundy on clarinet ( Fyfe Dangerfield's band the Guillemots and the Gannets) For her recent album - 'Live Album No 5' - McGee decided to have it recorded in one live take in a Manchester theatre to have that special live audience vibe.

Edinburgh EIF 2009

Edinburgh festival was fun, with its manic, packed crowds, too many shows and lots of dynamic colours! The book festival and the poetry reminds me why I do this and I met lots of highly interesting people. Love it!

Sunday 16th August
This is my fourth trip to photograph the EIF. It changes each year and the venues move, yet the festival remains very much the same as it always has been since the forties that I grew up with. The street performers seem more colourful and professional and there is more photographers now. As I walked past some colourful graffiti I decided my trip this year would be about the colours and sounds of the festival.

Monday
I immersed myself in the flurry of sounds. A taxi driver entertained me with tales of the 14 miles of tram track from the Ocean terminal to Saughton – he was not sure what it is for and the work is over six years in the building. Edinburgh puts on a good face though. 

As I crossed the wide barricaded path over Princes Street to the Mound Art galleries, I noticed the rest of the street is now dug up also. At the Edinburgh book festival I decided to have an ice-cream and sitting on the wooden bench beside the central green statues, I felt a bit like Forrest Gump as I watched dandelion wishes float up on the warm breeze. I watched Iain Banks having a photo shoot. I was not entirely sure why only this one photographer is taking the shoot. I had a chat with him after. Visiting the book festival and reading poetry reminds me of what inspires and motivates my work.

The Broken Records Queen Hall gig Edge festival was an upbeat and dynamic energetic gig. And great fun for music photography! Their music makes me feel on a rollercoaster and their songs move from slow to the adrenalin rush of the ride. They are led by two brothers and their cello, violin and trumpet lend a distinctive Scottish feel.

Tuesday. I saw some shows today. Ihayami Indian dance which was graceful. Later a Brazilian show was vibrant, with extremely fit guys! At the Book festival there was Raj Persaud and Mingus Campbell. While music gigs are my favourite thing, I get energy and colour from dance. There was a wealth of events going on and it is a good idea to visit a few venues and pick up their brochures. At the Book festival there was Raj Persaud and Mingus Campbell.

Wed 19th Aug
Mercy Madonna of Malawi. The Malawi actors, singers and dancers are excellent with their subtle rhythms. No easy answers here? I’m sure Madonna feels she is offering a child a chance of a better life. One answer is to improve the infrastructures and education.  Venezuela Viva! with energetic salsa flamenco… offered all the sunshine colours. 

 
The High street entertainers: No Martians this year. Maybe this is a year of creativity rather than performance. Being creative is a wonderful gift and if you believe you have something to offer it’s worth it – I hope!

www.pkimage.co.uk
*Check out my Dance and Edinburgh festival 2009 gallery.

The Clan Gathering

My Edinburgh Experience - The Clan Gathering Edinburgh 2009
A year or so back I saw a photo in the Scotsman – it was an old b & w photo of a clan parade about 50 years ago in Princes Street Edinburgh. I thought it was interesting. Many ex-pats had returned to take part and celebrate their Scottish heritage. As I arrive July 25th, my birthday, I am struck by the contrast in cities, behind the cobbled stones. Here the bin men are on strike – yet again. There are delays with the trams. Still Edinburgh always put on a good show.

This was a unique affair, several years in the making and the clan Gathering offered expats a chance to come to Scotland and celebrate a shared heritage and shared roots.

Mugdock Music Festival 2009

This year the festival was held in a marquee in the walled garden, which seemed much simpler while missing the activities in the courtyard. The Mugdock festival brought together a broad range and depth of artists and had a strong international flavour. The Shawlands, Chinese and belly dancer dance groups brought colour. The flamenco dancers and musicians brought energy and colourful African drums with Arawarra. Seylan Baxter and Cheyanne Brown played their warm flowing harp and cello tunes. The Sighthill Project was a fresh, well taught group of talented youngsters from different countries, who sing and play violin together.

Headlining this year were John McCusker, Michel Marra, and the Battlefield band. The Battlefield band played a fun energy-filled set of Scottish tunes. McCusker. Woomble and Drever, three talented artists plus Heidi Talbot, have joined forces to produce a class album of contemporary tunes with folk influences. To our delight Scottish singing royalty Eddi Reader turned up and sang on a couple of songs with the group! 

Some artists are both unassuming and also brimming with talent and they play intelligent, insightful and instinctive music. Michael Marra and John McCusker both fall into the category in different ways. McCusker has that ability to sink into the emotion and grip you with his music through his expressive dynamic fiddle playing.

 

Michael Marra at Mugdock theatre

When he arrived at Mugdock he discovered the perfect small theatre. The theatre is fairly new and seats about 50 in a tiered semi circle and with a shiny grand piano to the left of the small stage. There is one side entrance and the door to the back stage room. It has been built with music lovers in mind. 

I managed a chat with Marra and he appeared to recognise me from last year. I sense he doesn’t miss a beat. He had his green shirt laid out on the side table and he said how much he loved the Mugdock theatre and the beautiful piano. You could feel his excitement. Last year in 2008 he said he had travelled through the rain and the winding country roads wondering where he was coming to. 

Marra's is unforgettable playing the small Murdock theatre. His songs are both very humorous (as is his chat) and insightful and his clever use of words and images in his songs, he takes himself into the others heads. There are echoes of his poet and musical hero, Bob Dylan. He cleverly uses humour and irony to describe the truths of the diversity of human nature. He draws on Dundee his home town often and of the football team Dundee United FC. All eyes are fixed on Marra throughout. 

Marra finished with the Robert Burn's song Green Grow the Rashes O and his smile said it all. For his encore he sang a beautiful, moving song, He talked about an uncle he never knew who died and about family being in the huff with each other 

He sang the words, ‘Did you forget the world and did the world forget you?’ 

You could feel Marra’s joy of it after his encore song. A perfect ending to the Saturday.

Whenever I think of the special audience connection this has to be the perfect small venue where that magic can happen. Buckley calls it the 'romance of the small venue'. 

Songs & Music that make me cry

Many of these songs below are piano songs (not all) - just piano, and powerful, direct, clear vocals that are deeply moving. I play piano myself so maybe that's why piano gets me. Minor keys make us feel sad – oddly sad songs make us feel better because we know we are not alone.
Let It Be – written and sung by Paul McCartney (one of the best songs ever written, simple yet so emotional, about his mother who died when he was 13)
A Heart Needs Home - written and sung by Richard Thompson
This Cruel Country – written and sung by Richard Thompson (most moving lyrics)
Who Knows Where the Time Goes – written by Sandy Denny and sung by Fairport Convention
Persuasion - written and sung by Richard Thompson
Blue - written and sung by Joni Mitchell
River – written and sung by Joni Mitchell (can't praise Joni enough she's my musical hero)
Both Sides Now – written and sung by Joni Mitchell (my favourite all time song)
Always on My Mind – old song sung by Willie Nelson ( amazing emotions)
Clarinet Concerto In A, K 622 – Mozart (whenever I feel down the best therapy)
Nocturne In E Minor, Op.72, 1 – Chopin
Sonata Pathetique - Beethoven
Visions of Johanna – written sung by Bob Dylan ( immersing love song)
Bridge Over Troubled Water – written and sung by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkle
Tears in Heaven – written and sung by Eric Clapton (about his young son who fell to his death)
Fix You – Coldplay (wonderful mood the way it builds momentum)
Sometimes You Can't Make it on your own – written and sung by Bono and U2 (about Bono's father)
Probably more…..!!

Elton John: Music Magic Rocket Man SECC

Elton – Music Magic from the Rocket Man SECC Glasgow June 2009
Elton John was fabulous – dynamic vocals and piano and even after all these years performing he seems to thrive on it, while his voice gets better and better. Elton appeared up the steps and paused to bask in the audiences thrill to see him there!

Elton John...- I had forgotten how much I love ‘Your Song’ –  Great gig!.  Adrenalin rush to the head..I’m still standing!  

These photos of Elton were such an honour for me and I was hugely excited about my first time shooting at the SECC. It seemed quite restrictive and they were surprised I was there to shoot the support artist too. I always shoot support artists too, well you never know they might be big one day! Other press snappers turned up and we were all taken into the arena, where there was more waiting about in the dark at the front of the wide stage. Elton’s piano was the only shape lit up and then suddenly through the darkness he appeared up the side steps. We were only allowed the one song and the adrenalin rush was incredible and the knowing you only have such a short time to get that one shot. Nerve wracking!!  I thought after what an honour to shoot Elton.

Elton was wearing a pink shirt and pink glasses and a black jacket covered in colourful music notes and a keyboard and with the words ’music magic’ embroidered on the back. He ran through his back catalogue of hits and the packed SECC loved him. 

He built up the energy with strong renditions of 'I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues' and 'Daniel'.  Followed  by a full fifteen minute arrangement of his well known hit ‘Rocket Man’ which took the energy up after which he performed 'Sad Songs' and 'Sorry' which took the tempo down. 

The most moving moment was ‘Candle in the Wind‘ when you could hear a pin drop  in the dark with only Elton and his spot lit piano it felt like candles blowing in the air of the vast arena.  I heard echoes of Norma Jean and of Diana both beautiful ladies who shone for a brief time. He also sang 'I Need Love', 'Fly Away', 'Are You Ready For Love' and more from his wonderful back catalogue. He had his long time band members with him and Nigel Olsen on drums.  I was pleased that for his encore he played my favourite Elton song 'Your Song'. I had my Your Song piano sheet music with me with the vague hopes of getting it signed. I did get down near the front for the last songs and Elton was signing autographs, mostly gig tickets.

Elton writes piano melodies that touch people’s hearts and you could feel the love! Now this year I’ve taken photos of Richard Thompson and Elton both. If I could ever take shots of Paul McCartney (!!) I could die happy. I’d no idea what to expect and I guess the next time I take photos at the SECC I won’t be so nervous!

Broken Records - Oran Mor 2009

Broken Records are being spoken of as the next big thing. They played packed and popular gigs in Inverness where they picked up a following and also supported Sons and Daughters there.
They draw on influences as diverse as folk legends the Waterboys to Canadian rockers Arcade Fire – this young 7 piece rock band from Edinburgh command the stage. In one sense their music might be called Celtic rock with the feel and mood of Scotland matched with an energetic rockiness. From charismatic blond front man Jamie Sutherland and his brother on fiddle, who displays a rich and dynamic style – the band have then added extra oomph with trumpet and extra depth with cello. They also boast powerhouse strong drums - good drummers can be often overlooked – yet they are the centre core of any top band. 

Sutherland also plays keys and guitar, took the tempo down for a few songs. My thought is - watch out for this band and expect the music to match the hype.

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Old Fruitmarket

MARTHA WAINWRIGHT Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2009
Shimmers like the sun – Something very gentle yet surreal and very strong in Martha’s performance of her meaningful songs. They swoop, yet also carry a clarity and depth to them. Her influences are strongly folk (from both her parents) yet blend and converge with other song writing and vocal styles - such as contemporary pop/rock, alt American country and even cabaret chanson, as heard in the early 20th century vaudeville clubs of Europe. Honing her own very unique style.

QUOTE -
Hamish Henderson Poet, translator, Highland folklorist, campaigner for Scottish parliament and guiding light behind the Edinburgh fringe festival. The tryst of Hamish Henderson, who has died aged 82, was with Scotland. It was a meeting of high consequence - across the 20th century, in darkness and in sun, Scotland informed all that Henderson was as a man and a poet. And in his Nelson Mandela freedom song, Rivonia, when Henderson sings, "Spear of the nation unbroken", it is to Scotland as much as South Africa that he refers. Like Burns, Henderson was, first and last, a poet, and poetry was for them both language rising into song, responsible to moment, people, place and joy. (QUOTE GUARDIAN Timothy Neat March 2002)