Scottish A Cappella National Championships

Tone Up

The Killers Quinns

enjoyed a fun night at the Scottish A Cappella National Championships St Andrews University on Friday 4th March - with The Accidentals, The Belles, Aberpella, the Killer Quines, The Other Guys, The Hummingbirds, Tone Up, Edinburgh University A Cappella Society

The Belles

The Accidentals

Aberpella

Black & White Photos Celtic Connections

 Celtic Connections 2016 galleries - http://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections2016

Rab Noakes at Milngavie folk club

Noakes was among old friends and new on Saturday at Milngavie folk club.

He has many song gems in his studied repertoire - as well as his own quality songs - some unexpected such as Cliff Richard's sing along Dynamite; some hoped for with Dylan's Time Out of Mind outtake track Mississippi; some remembered with his radio hit of the 70s Branch. 

He spoke of Nashville, Lindisfarne, Hank Williams, Joe Strummer, Kathleen McInnes, Monroeville, Alabama.. when he made the comment - 'Where it is easier to get in with a rifle than a guitar!' He holds a relaxed friendly banter with his audience.

Noakes gets to the heart of songs in a real and natural unaffected way. He is a massive Dylan fan and this came over in his interpretations and mood of the songs. It was good to hear him sing the Twa Corbies; his Michael Marra song and his other cover song choices.

SONGS tonight:

Out of Sight, It Happened All The Same, I’m Walkin Here, Branch, Goodbye Blues, Where Dead Voices Gather, Your Clear White Light, Standing Up (Blue Nile song), Slipping Away, Roll on Saturday, Highway 61, Hard Cash The Guernsey Kitchen Porter (Michael Marra song), The Twa Corbies, Mindful, By the Day, Dynamite (Cliff Richards song) Don’t Say Money Doesn’t Matter, Mississippi (Bob Dylan song)

I'm a fan of Rab's older songs …but his new material steps things up several notches and there are many classics in his newer songs. 

His song evolution is interesting and his song writing has evolved and deepened with more subtle undertones and story-filled lyrics. From his Americana and rock n' roll country blues, to his east coast Fife influences - they are all here.

I strongly recommend the new album for the song quality and the live one take recording standard. Rab's music challenges in a subtle way and his songs gets under your skin along with his melodic quality guitar playing and vocal expressions. 

Noake's NEW ALBUM has the title I'm Walkin Here - based on the Dustin Hoffman film midnight Cowboy when Hoffman says to a taxi driver , I'm Walkin Here'  - and has collaborations with Barbara Dickson, Roddy Hart, Jill Jackson, Jimmie Macgregor, Alice Marra, Emma Pollock, and more.  This is a 2 CD - one with new material the other with older songs. http://rabnoakes.com

Noakes was ably supported by guitarist and songwriter Rowan Ross. http://www.rowanross.com/

Noakes is a Scottish singer songwriter who played with Stealers Wheel with Gerry Rafferty and also with Lindisfarne.

Celtic 2016 Review

Blazin Fiddles

Now another #ccfest is over for another year. I've walked to the venues, tapped my foot many times, clapped with enthusiasm and been on warm tides of musical pleasures! 

I reflect and am sad too now it is over.  

While the core of the festival is around folk traditions it also welcomes and incorporates world music, indie, country, bluegrass, contemporary and is on an international scale..

New Scottish artists – Karine Polwart, Idlewild, Chvrches, C Duncan, Lau, Braebach, Rura, Rachel Sermanni, Kathryn Joseph.

Jerry Douglas at Transatlantic Sessions 2016

The festival reaches out to encourage both collaborations and new talent. 

The Danny Kyle Open Stage encourages new talent –  Rura, Rachel Sermanni, Gennessee, Karine Polwart and many others - have been discovered there; Also the Showcase Scotland which attracts industry people worldwide. And the Celtic education program brought in school to several concerts.

**The Danny Kyle Open Stage WINNERS 2016 - Bella and The Bear; Quick; Northern Company; Ross Miller & Charlie Stewart; Charly Houston; Bella Gaffney.

RURA and the Canadian East Pointers

I’ve enjoyed top class fiddle bands, beautiful singing, quality tunes, excellent musicians.

Joe Newberry

Cara Dillon

My concerts this year included –

Opening concert Celebrating 50 years TSMA, Traditional Scottish Music Assoc; Ireland 2016 with The Chieftains; Pilgrimer Re-imagining Joni MItchell's Hejira; Lucinda Williams; John Grant & Rachel Sermanni; RURA; Blazin Fiddle; Transatlantic Sessions.

Stand outs in 2016 were the singers Rhiannon Giddens and Cara Dillon, the young band Rura, the quality Transatlantic Sessions, the character of Lucinda Williams, the fun at the Irish concert.

I attend concerts for the music I hope I will enjoy and for new artists I've not heard before. 

A big thanks for all at the Press office for all their kind assistance!

My CELTIC CONNECTIONS 2016 Photos
http://pkimage.co.uk/celticconnections2016

RURA

18 days of concerts, ceilidhs, talks, art exhibitions, workshops, free events, late night sessions and a host of special one-off musical collaborations

“Celtic Connections brings together musicians from across the world for a celebration of musical traditions, the best of contemporary folk and world music, and the ways in which different musical cultures interweave and inspire and, always, entertain.

  “The expertise and skill that drives Celtic Connections also shines through in a education programme that benefits thousands of children across Glasgow and Scotland. Invaluable opportunities enrich lives and offer chances to learn, to enjoy, to be part of the always unique, always brilliant musical happening which is Celtic Connections.”   http://www.celticconnections.com/

Blazin Fiddles