American singer songwriter Lindsay Lou performed at the Transatlantic Sessions as part of Celtic Connections 2024
SCOTTISH ARTS & MUSIC since 2007. Imagining SCOTIA! Photographer & Blogger - Musicnotes, Poetrynotes, Histories, Celtic Connections, Edinburgh festivals.
Thursday 29 February 2024
Lindsay Lou
American singer songwriter Lindsay Lou performed at the Transatlantic Sessions as part of Celtic Connections 2024
Dougie MacLean’s intimate concert Celtic Connections 2024
An intimate evening of songs, chat, drums and pipes, through his tunes and songs with Dougie’s relaxed charm and banter - as he explored his Songbook of his 50 years in the music business. Maclean began the evening solo with some of his insightful songs - All Who Wander, and with guitarist Tim Edey, on his songs Broken Wings and Wild and Windy Night. He always enjoys on many songs to encourage the audience to sing his sing-able choruses.
There were several moving moments over those fellow musicians he’s lost along the way, with songs such as They Hide in the Wind – when he was joined by the considerable talent of Ross Ainslie on whistle and bagpipes. He was also backed by Alan Sutherland on piano for Mists of Time and Hide in the Wind.
For the concert climax the Dougie played violin on his dramatic tune The Gael from the film The Last of the Mohicans, backed by the Pipes and Drums.
After Dougie solo sang his positive song This Love Will Carry Me. Of course no Dougie MacLean concert is complete without his iconic song Caledonia – which has become one of our unofficial Scots anthems and is often played at weddings and other significant occasions. The concert was a celebration of one of Scotland’s songwriting legends. Many of his songs are highly emotional, connecting and uplifting. Songs of nostalgia, resilience and hope.
Dougie was also joined by musicians Chris Agnew on acoustic bass, and Ali Fergusson on electric guitar on Turning Away, Hide in the Wind, The Gael and Caledonia. And by Chris Smith on percussion, and David Duncan on harmonica, on Turning Away, Thundering In and Caledonia.
**SONGS All Who Wander, Broken Wings, Shadow of the Mountain, Talking with My Father, Rocket to the Moon, Mists of Time, Thundering In, Turning Away, Till Tomorrow, Pabay More, Charlotte, Not Lie Down, Wild and Windy Night, Hide in the Wind, Stolen From Me, The Gael, This Love will Carry Me, Caledonia,
He has received three prestigious Tartan Clef Awards, a place in the Scottish Music Hall of Fame, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an Honorary Doctorate and an OBE! “
Review & Photos Pauline Keightley - https://pkimage.co.uk
Dick Gaughan’s appearance at Red Clydesides John Maclean concert
Billy Bragg & Dick Gaughan at concert Celtic Connections 2024 |
One aspect of folk music is its inclusive, open culture – its for everyone. Its not about a few musicians on stage. All can sing the choruses, dance or clap along.
This year traditional Scots musician Dick Gaughan made a surprise appearance at the concert for Red Clydesider John MacLean to a standing ovation. Gaughan had a stroke a few years back and has been unable to perform or play his guitar. Gaughan has become something of a legend on the Scottish and world folk circuits for more than 40 years. He is an interpreter of Scotland’s traditional folk ballads with his distinctive style of guitar playing, with open chords and timing that he learnt from guitarist Davey Graham.
John Maclean socialist reformer 1879 - 1923 |
I remember Dick Gaughan standing near the Celtic Connections press office. He was happy to chat, maybe he remembered me from the intimate Milngavie folk club concerts, where some musicians there said he was a living Scots legend. My younger son came to hear him and was impressed with his dramatic guitar playing, and the strength of his guttural voice on his highly memorable and meaningful folk songs.
Dick Gaughan is a song collector, songwriter and traditional ballad singer and musician. I remember Gaughan singing telling his stories and songs - The Yew Tree, What you do with what you’ve got, The Flowers of the Forrest, Westlin Winds,
In 2018, Celtic Connections held a tribute concert for Dick Gaughan at the Old Fruitmarket. With the Wilson Family, guitarists Tony McManus and Martin Simpson, Karine Polwart ,The Bevvy Sisters, Mary Macmaster, Patsy Seddon and Dougie MacLean, They performed songs with a social conscience – of Grenfell tower monument to greed and selfishness, Aberfan disaster, miners strikes, Jute mill songs, Neil Gow’s fiddle. Where are the young voices of protest today to stand up for people’s rights? DickGaughan Tribute concert 2018
The first time I heard Robert Burns Parcel of Rogues was Gaughan’s interpretation at the festivals Auld Lang Syne concert in 2009. I had no idea before this that Burns was such a radical reformer and like many, I had thought he mostly wrote his love songs and poems.
Certainly an Outlaw and Dreamer like no other! An inspiration.
I have taken photos at Dick Gaughan’s concerts over the past years since 2006 and here are some of them.
Friday 23 February 2024
Transatlantic Sessions 2024 Review II
This was a concert of memories, escapism and also expectations – as well as the fun banter, expert musicianship, quality vocals and top songs. Session bands don’t come any better than this TS band.
Young Irish folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside gave a strong performance with his thoughtful songs Louis Mercer and 26th Street. He is influenced from contemporary electronica and traditional Irish songs, evoking lush landscapes, bad dreams and wistful vistas. His debut album Ephrata was awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for Best Album.
Joshua Burnside |
We were then treated to Scots singer songwriter, Kim Carnie engrossing and pure Gaelic voice. She is also lead singer of Mànran and Staran and winner of the Scots Trad Music Awards Gaelic singer of the year. While American singer songwriter Lindsay Lou’s silky smooth and rhythmic voice mixes bluegrass with modern Americana. Her performance was magnetic as she danced along to her emotive songs, Nothings Working and Love Calls. New album Queen of Time released 2023.
Kim Carnie |
Lindsay Lou |
A highlight was Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Carlene Carter - daughter of music legends June Carter and Carl Smith, and Johnny Cash’s stepdaughter – who performed her songs, Every Little Thing, Wildwood Flower - as well as June Carter’s Ring of Fire, for a rousing sing along finale.
Lindsay Lou |
The house band, is led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic roots musicians Phil Cunningham, John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh and Daniel Kimbro.
Photos & Review Pauline Keightley - https://pkimage.co.uk
Saturday 10 February 2024
Scots Gaelic Kim Carnie Transatlantic Sessions, Celtic Connections 2024, #ccfest2024,
Scots Gaelic singer songwriter, Kim Carnie, lead singer with Manran, performed at the Transatlantic Sessions, Celtic Connections 2024, #ccfest2024,
Saturday 3 February 2024
Ciaran Ryan Celtic Connections 2024
Ciaran Ryan played at the Old Fruitmarket, as part of Celtic Connections 2024, when he supported Kinnaris.
Ryan is a dynamic, high energy player. He is a Scottish tenor banjo player, one of the UKs top players and a founding member of folk band Dallahan, His second solo album, Occupational Hazards, was released 2024.
Wednesday 31 January 2024
Kinnaris Quintet PHOTOS at Celtic Connections 2024
Electrifying, genre-bending and joyous!
Kinnaris consists of five accomplished musicians - Jenn Butterworth on guitar, Aileen Reid on fiddle, Fiona MacAskill on fiddle, Laura-Beth on mandolin, and Laura Wilkie on fiddle.
The all female band sparkled on the Old Fruimarket stage! And the packed audience, with many well dressed female fans, were ready to party. This is as far from the decades old folk image of arran sweaters as we might choose to get!
Their set was begun with a toe-tapping tune This Too – after which the band were joined on stage by the ever-popular Celtic Connections singers Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart with a rousing Emeli Sande song, Read All About It and a poignant Gaelic song Puirt sung by the enchanting vocals of Julie Fowlis, while backed perfectly by the dynamic band.
Aileen Reid |
Karine Polwart, a festival stalwart and activist for inclusivity, had us all singing along to her emotive song, Come Away In. and them moved by a stirring song Lost Words Blessing.
This wonderfully escapist concert was brought to a fitting climax with the Kinnaris tunes Wonderful and Saltsprings. Kinnaris play with verve, with both a lightness of touch and also high energy. They mix many influences to great challenging effects, from traditional Scottish, Irish, Bluegrass, Classical, Scandinavian and Appalachian music; with which they create technically exciting arrangements, while their performances are filled with a contagious positive verve.
An upbeat evening to remember!
Karine Polwart |
Laura-Beth Slater |
II Kinnaris were very well supported by the dynamic, high energy playing of Ciaran Ryan, Scottish tenor banjo player, one of the UKs top players and a founding member of folk band Dallahan, His second solo album, Occupational Hazards, was released 2024.
The evening concert was opened by Norwegian band Gangar, with their fresh take on Nordic roots music and a modern rock take on traditional tunes.