Kirsty McGee & Mat Martin (Karine Polwart & Inge Thomson supporting) Tall Ship 8th June 2008.
The gig had a calm feel good vibe. These artists are soul-warming and moving. Mat kindly invited me to this gig months ago – it seems odd it has rolled around now. I had a magical evening…
On the most perfect June day - I made my way to the Tall Ship that sits on the River Clyde
SCOTTISH ARTS & MUSIC since 2007. Imagining SCOTIA! Photographer & Blogger - Musicnotes, Poetrynotes, Histories, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh festivals.
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Karine Polwart! Tall Ship Gig June 2008
Tall Ship Gig Karine Inge Kirsty and Mat magic evening - Karine Polwart! I had a chat with Karine. She writes brilliant songs –and has a wonderful voice. One of the best. She keeps it simple. Also Kirsty & Mat Martin wonderful fun young duo who do acoustic blues-jazz tunes. After the gig the sky was the most perfect deep blue, the street lights like fairy lights, the moon a tiny sliver. It was light a dream or like a Picture book cover.
*Karine is an astute, caring and thoughtful writer of memorable tunes. Her songs, with their direct yet careful simplicity hit home with her clear unaffected soothing tones. Karine has an engaging voice. She sang songs from her wonderful new album – ‘This Earthly Spell’ – Firethief ‘down where I cannot go’ , ‘Rivers Run’ and the touching ‘Sorry.’ Karine sang a song ‘ Bonecrusher’ that she said she had written for her favourite Tv series Deadwood. She also sang 2 of my favourites ‘ Daisy (‘There are people in this world who don’t think like you do.’) and the moving Hole in my Heart. Karine finished her set with a haunting lullaby songs ‘Beow’ which means ‘Alive’. Her music has joyful moving directness and sincerity. As Karine’s sings - ‘hearts can sing.’ Thank you guys for such a memorable evening.
*Karine is an astute, caring and thoughtful writer of memorable tunes. Her songs, with their direct yet careful simplicity hit home with her clear unaffected soothing tones. Karine has an engaging voice. She sang songs from her wonderful new album – ‘This Earthly Spell’ – Firethief ‘down where I cannot go’ , ‘Rivers Run’ and the touching ‘Sorry.’ Karine sang a song ‘ Bonecrusher’ that she said she had written for her favourite Tv series Deadwood. She also sang 2 of my favourites ‘ Daisy (‘There are people in this world who don’t think like you do.’) and the moving Hole in my Heart. Karine finished her set with a haunting lullaby songs ‘Beow’ which means ‘Alive’. Her music has joyful moving directness and sincerity. As Karine’s sings - ‘hearts can sing.’ Thank you guys for such a memorable evening.
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MICHAEL MARRA at Mugdock Festival theatre
The theatre highlight was Michael Marra. Marra is a Scottish songwriting legend from Dundee. Out of this small grey haired man with the weather beaten face came this huge gravely voice and clever songs, with a strong Scottish and American favour to them. With his clever wit and playful way with words, his songs talk about the eccentricities of the Scottish character. He writes about women’s choirs, meeting artist Freda Kahlo at the pearly gates -well more exactly at a pub on the Tay Bridge because she’s held up! He sang ‘If Dundee was Africa’ ‘Maggie Shae’ ‘Wa can Tell the Difference’ Jersey Kitchen Partner’ ‘Hamish’ and Dylan’s ‘Tomorrow wasn’t such along Time’. He’s the real deal! He finished his set with a perfect version of a Burns classic - ‘Green Grow the Rashes O’
While Marra’s voice draws from jazz, blues, pop and folk with the likes of Tom Waits, Randy Newman and Dylan, he keeps it essentially Scottish in flavour. In 1985 he released his solo album, Gaels Blue, on his own label. .’.
MARRA's music is soaked in the Scottish experience, strained through a gauze of ragtime blues-piano and shot with filaments of traditional folk and American voices ... ‘; Scotland on Sunday
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Celtic Connections Glasgow 2008
I had an amazing few weeks at the 'Celtic
Connections' traditional music festival here in Glasgow. It's massive - with
workshops, concerts, clubs, a multitude of venues...more, for 3 weeks. Met many
other photographers, felt overwhelmed, and had much fun. Some amazing singers,
poets, artists, musicians from all over the world. Been busy editing my Celtic
photos.
One of the world's biggest traditional folk festivals,
Celtic Connections is in it's 13th year, and attracts musicians and visitors
worldwide. It is jammed full of outstanding musicians and singers. The opening
concert at the Royal Concert Hall is a showcase for the artists. It is good to
see the many young artists excited to be playing here. The festival embraces
many musical styles - bluegrass, country, classical, Blues, jazz, Celtic, world
and more. Artists range from Scottish traditional singer Dick Gaughan (a
Scottish legend) to 90s band Teenage Fanclub.
I enjoyed some younger artists also.
In particular Kirsty McGee Hobopop Collective who were
supporting Capercaille – a new band with Mat Martin and the bluesy rhythms of
Nick Blacka on double bass and tight with Rob Turner on drums. They do a mix of
laid back jazz-infused acoustic tunes. I had no idea this was their debut gig,
but I felt an energy and excitement and got some top photos. They had Karine
Polwart, Inge and Annie all singing backing vocals on their last few songs,
impressive! (Photos never lie!) They are a live project around Kirsty's Songs,
check them out. The festival also focuses on traditional folk and new Scottish talent,
with Showcase Scotland which is held over five days.
Favourite artists for me were (this isn't easy after
hearing so many!) - the fun Scottish ceilidh band Session A9 who got the dance
floor hopping; Joan Osbourne from the US
rich vocals; Karen Mathieson's haunting Gaelic voice; the top band at the
TransAtlantic Sessions; the excitement of the Common Ground concert; Kristy
McGee and Mat Martin Hobopo Collective (impressed with this new band's debut
gig re my photos).
Sold out events included – Steve Earle, KD Lang,
Teenage Fanclub, Peatbog Faueries, Capercaille, Dick Gaughan's 60th.
I had a wonderful time at the Celtic Connections
festival and I saw many quality artists. Some artists do one or two reasonable
songs and then struggle to produce anything nearly as good for years and years.
What matters here is having momentum rather than consistency. A few singers
have voices that make you sit up and notice, that grab you deep inside.' Over 19 days, more than 300 events, 14
venues, over 1,000 artists.
Celtic Connections Opening Concert "Common
Ground", Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Main Auditorium 2008 and with
festival artistic director Donald Shaw on piano. The 17 piece band took over
the main stage to open the 15th annual celebration of folk, roots and
traditional music - and a showcase for young Scots and Irish folk
musicians.
Singers performed songs with American Chris Thile on mandolin who
performed with plenty of character. Scots singers were, Karine Polwart, Kris Drever from the Orkneys,
Mike Scott (The Waterboys), Julie Fowlis, James Mackintosh and Ewen Vernal.
Karine Polwart, with her clear beautiful voice sang a traditional air.
Also Irish performers - Heidi Tolboot, Sharon
Shannon, Luka Bloom, Damien Dempsey, Karan Casey, Michael McGoldrick and Jim
Murray. Karan Casey sang unaccompanied and beautiful harmonies with Julie
Foulis. She sang 'Washed up on a Distant Shore'. By contrast Damien Dempsey was a big guy with a booming voice over the packed audience. Irish singers have a grounding introducing
their songs with quick wit down at their local pubs!
Kate Rusby sang John Barberry and High on the hill -
she has a still presence and a clear stirring voice. For their encore the band,
led by violinist John McCusker, performed 'Will Ye No Come Back Again' to an
Irish Air.
There were perhaps too many reels for an audience bound to sit in
their seats! There was plenty of vivid colours to entertain, from the deep reds
to the moving blues. It was fun to see so many artists perform on the one stage
in this casual, well rehearsed jam session, and it was clear how much of music,
or any art, is about the 'personality'.
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