4 FOLK & WORLD
Absolute Guitar Music .choi‘iu 'Ii'io. Nico/yon .St/Ilut‘i' .lli'lluultyl (ltttl‘i‘ll. 3.? 24 Aug. l/nn. .\ltisic for three guitars from South America and Spain.
The Acoustic Strawbs Assembly Rooms. 30 2.? Aug. //.5()/i/n. British progressiye rock act The Strawbs return for a few acoustic shows. They had many .sucecces in the 70s with their progressiye take on folk music across the 1S and liurope as well as at home.
Allan Taylor & Shine .llissing (iroup Nome. ('luirloltc Square (inn/ens. IS Aug. 8pm.
Antonio Forcione and Friends Assembly Rooms. until 27 Aug. (i/mi. See Rock.
Bert Jansch ('luu’lotlc Squurc (inn/ens. It) Aug. «S’..i'()/nn. Neil Young. Nick Drake and Noel (iallaglier make unlikely bedfellows. but they’re united in praise for one lidinburgh lad who sloped off to London iii the (ills atid re-defined the acoustic guitar. He also helped to define the iconic lifestyle of the narco-troubador loo much home. too many gigs. drugs. dissolving relationships. and not enough sleep. Well. that's all in the past and a good source of song material w hen underpinned by Jaiisch's fluent. filigree fiiigerpickiiig. a sound that's instantly recognisable to ey ery bedsit guitar wannabee who tried to get their fingers round ‘Aiiii'. At his Bookfest you might hear that. and maybe only Strolling [)ow n the Highway from that first classic of do/ens of albums cos' Janscli iiioyes on. still pickin'. still singing to his boots. and still one of the great guitar heroes. tNorman (‘halmersi
The Bongo Club Cabaret The Bongo ('luli out of t/ic li/uc. until 37 Aug. [UAW/nu. lidinburgh‘s legendary home of eclectic music. dance. comedy and clubs presents a cauldron of cabaret delights to keep you entertained into the wee small hours.
Calluna (‘lursucli tScolIiy/i llur/ii Society. SI .-liulrcii".\ A‘ St George's (’lnirc/i. 33 Aug. 7..\'U/nn. liour-piece playing traditional and original music on clarsach. flute. fiddle. cello and \oice.
Caramba ('uruinliu. Auguylinc'x. 2/ 37 tug. l/./5/mi. Latin. gypsy and flamenco intisic and dance from the l’iha-Vishiiick ('oiiipany.
The Cast & macAtias ( ‘lnu'lotlc Si/iuirc (iurilcns. l7Aue. «S/nn.
Ceilidhs At The Caley ( 'uli'ilmu'un llri'ii‘i'l'y‘. llli' (Ill/('(IUIllllll Ill‘cti‘i’rr. l7 :5 Aug. 7pm. (iet traditional at these ceilidli dances with live hands. All dances walked and called.
The Crow Road Band Uit‘t’l'yt' Attractions. until liS'Aug. l/..t’()uni. ('onteinporary Scottish folk mixed with a good dose of humour.
Crusaders, Courtesans and Capers lz'ilinliuigli chuisyuncc lluiul. St (‘muu \- llull. until Io’Aug. 7.30pm. l()() period instruments. ten musicians and three dancers come together for an evening of liiiropean. Scottish. .‘yledieyal and Renaissance masic. Cutumba - Cuban Extravaganza O... The Human Spicgcltcnt. I‘lAue 2pm. (‘utuiiiba who hail from Santiago. the heartland of ('ubaii iiiusic. haye brought to lidinburgh one of the most authentic shows to be seen in the world. :\\oitlittg any attempt to make traditional moy‘es more halletic like other companies. this is an exuberant group of dancers w hose naturally athletic and down right beautiful bmlies celebrate \‘ibrant dance traditions. ln gorgeous costumes whose swirls and frills accentuate the gamut of shapes and tnoy‘es their bodies make. they take us from sacred percussion w ith bata drums to rumba \‘ia da/lling lapateo foot tapping. supported by an astonishing group of percussionists and singers. and a scintillating ('hiiiese cornettist for the (’ariiiyal comparsas. Such a display of the salsa's earthy roots makes you want to head out dancing afterwards. (Jan l-aii'ley D David Paul Jones/DPJ Ensemble: Something There Illu' Qtu’clt '\ llilll.
l8 I‘lAug. tinu'y i'ury. 'l‘wo \ei'y special. late-night performances of this highly acclaimed new work by one of Scotland's most distiiictiye musical personalities. David Paul Jones/DPJ Ensemble: Something There the Quccn '\ Ilu/l.
lo‘ I‘lAue. IlIII(’\ run. 'l‘wo yery special. late-night performances of this highly acclaimed new work by one of Scotland‘s most distinctiye musical personalities. Deaf Shepherd 'I‘lu' I'iunouy S/iicec/tcnl. I‘lAug. ll/nn. ()ne of Scotland's most popular traditional bands. play mg beautiful island melodies. raging tunes and niouriiful low land ballads.
Dick Gaughan & Brian McNeilI .lliyyine (irou/i .Viunc. ('luir/ollc .Si/uui'c (iii/‘ilcny. living. SAW/int.
Walker (itllt't/Ullltlll l‘iIlls llllti'y ill the (iuilil/oril. (iui/i/tonlAnny. 33 3-! Aug. Spin. Step onto the porch for some finger- picking hillbilly .'\merican and British folk. Fiddle Harp and Voice (‘Im-me/i tScot/iyli llur/ii Soc/ch. SI AIu/i‘cii '\ A‘ St (icorgc'y (int/I'll. 3/ Aug. 7.30pm. lsobcl .\lieras and Jim l‘crguson with Scottish airs. iigs. strathspey s and reels.
Salsa Celtica 'l‘lu' l'illllHIM S/iicecltcnt. [7
A'- lo’Aug. I/pm.‘ Queen's Hull. .32 Aug. 8.30pm. The biggest test for any salsa baiid is how they fare with core l.atin audiences. Salsa (‘eltica's front man Toby Sliippey is embarrassed at his own name dropping as he tells who turned up to the twely'e gigs they just played in (‘anada and the States. ‘(itttl Latinos came just for the sound-check at 'I‘oronto llarbourfront which was nerve w racking. And then at the gig people went bonkers with the other Latin band supporting iis down the front dancing too. In New York Ricardo l.einyo introduced its at S.().B.'s club.’
This all attioltttls to some serious stuff lot the lidinburgh-based outfit. Their distinctiye blend of Scottish-Latin fusion has struck a chord in the [S and Shippey and his compadres are acutely away how important a nod from the Latin audience is. liyen so this celebratory set of shows back home pale in scale to their recent adventures. He continues: ‘\\'e played to (illlll) outdoors at the Lincoln (‘eiitre. And it flashed throuin my mind how we started out jamming at the Basement bar and there we were. with NB(‘ turning tip to film a TV feature. then MTV. and ey en ('elia ('rux's management asking its to sign a copy of the disc for her. It was a dream to play America but we simply ney er eypected this response at all.' (Jan l’airley i
48 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE ti: 1’1) Aug; L"(;t;t
Folk Songs of Allan Ramsay Scotch .llult Him/u- Socicty. until 2/ Aug. Spin. lidinburgh's 18th century poet laureate is uncoy'ered by lan Bruce and Dr Fred lireeinan. Folk Songs of Robert Burns Scotch .llult ll‘liiyly' Society. until Jo’Aug. Spin. lan Bruce provides the music and Dr l-‘red lireemaii the commentary on the life and songs of Burns.
4-Mality Live! 0... 4-.llulity'. The Bongo ('luli out oft/1c liluc. until 27Aue.
(i. l5/nn. See Ja/l.
Glamourie and Graveyards St‘ult‘ll .llull ll'liisly‘ Society; until 33 Aug. 8pm. Robin l.aing and lilspetlt (‘ow ie sing of Scottish witches. warlocks. ghosts. \aiiipires. hogies and other eldritch beings.
Jock Tamson’s Bairns Roy'ul Brillle llotcl. until 34 Aug. Ill/nu. The release earlier this year of .llur You .Vci'cr Luck A Scone t(ireentra\ i. the long awaited new album from the reunited Jock 'l'amson’s Bairns confirmed the band‘s standing as one of the major names in Scottish folk music. They made their initial mark on the lidinburgh folk scene which gathered around Sandy Bell‘.’s Pub in the 70s. a period coinmemorated with two escellent albums before they disbanded. ’l‘liey regrouped in 1006 for a concert in the lidinhurgh l‘olk l’estiyal. and lime remained acti\e since. playing traditional tunes and songs (featuring the contrasting \oices of Rod Paterson and John ('roalli with an energised hiit unforced assurance. nurturing the melodies and rhythmic nuances in highly musical fashion. tls'enny .\latliiesoni
John Peacock and Peter Michael Rowan Iii/Mule .llu\ic I‘cytii'ul. ll'liiytli'lii/ilicy. Soul/iln'ulec. lo Aug. f/nn. Acoustic l‘ndergi'ound present this afternoon's show including a performance from head honcho Rowan.
Kathy Stewart 8. Alan Bertram, Allie Fox 8. Neil Warden and Neil Dixon I’ll/Mule .lluyic I’cylii‘ul. lllllU/(l’lllklt't Sout/zln’iilec. l().'lllL’. N/nn. New acoustic music from this lineup.
La Bottine Souriante I'lic L)ltt’t’lll\ llull. .‘leue. N.."ll/iin. Sec prey iew for this world- renowned ()iiebccois band w ho mis their own traditions with (‘eltic. Latin and salsa styles and boast a foot percussionist. .\lichel llot'tleleatt.
Ricardo Garcia 8. Siroco: La Familia Flamenca [Ii/IF (it/item llill‘ llUli'. lllllll 3.; Aug. NH‘Vl/Hll. l'iiiqiie flamenco from :\l1tl;lltlc‘l;t iiii\iiig salsa. l.atin .-\inerican and ('uban rhythms creating an astonishing sound of the life and blood of Spain.
Mac Tontoh and the Kete Warriors 0... Iago. until 3...“!1’. uni/night. .\lac 'l‘ontoh and his band hit the stage running and ne\ er let up in the course of their 75 minute show. Dressed in colourful costumes and full of unbridled energy. the [-1 strong group played. sang and danced their way through an infectious fusion of jal/ and rock with rhythms from their natiye (ihana. 'l‘riinipetcr .\lac 'l‘oiitoh is an old hand at that game.
Iiay iiig led ()sibisa land play ed on The Rolling Stoncs's 'Brown Sugar". no lessl iii the ."fls. The contemporary \ersioii is a tired tip. ready to party outfit. led by 'l'ontoli's trumpet and ldris Rahmaii‘s strong tenor sa\ liiies. .-\ handful of traditional drummers collude with electric bass and key boards in the crucial rhythm department. augmented by singers and a striking dancer. although iiohody on stage stands still for long any way. ils'enny .\lathieson i.
Dougie MacLean 'I‘Iu’ (JIN'i'IIIy Ilu/l. I" .lue. “Hill/nu. l’erhaps best known for his song '(‘aledoniah .\lacl.caii performs.
Dougie MacLean l'lu- (jut-my l/ull. /.\' .lue. "Hill/int. .\lacl.can giyes a solo performance then is joined by a \aricty of guests to perform his composition 'l’ei‘thshire .'\inber'.
Magic in the l'l'tllllli /\)('tlll('(ltl l’roiliu liony. ('I‘oii nc l’ltl.'tl llolcl. 3!) 3/) .lue. “. ltl/nn. Scottish musicians perform traditional Scottish and (‘eltic tunes.
The McCalmans I'lu' (juccn'y llull. It) .lue. "Hill/HI]. Scottish folk trio music known for their Iiariiionics and humour.
Merri-May Gill in Concert I‘Iu I'll/Hill“ S/iicecllcnt. 33 .\ug. (lulu/UH. '\ ini\ of satirical acoustic songs. humour and stories from this way ward .'\ll\ll‘;lllf;lfl.
Merri-May! Doesn’t Everyone? l’lcusuncc .lrluxic. I’lcusimcc Home. unlil l‘) Aug. l/./()/mi. See Rock.
Mrigya 'l‘lic Bongo ('luli out of the blue. until ISAue. (i. lfi‘pni. Since the demise of (iraffiti. lidinburgh's August music scene has missed its dose of ear-opening. innoy'atiy'e and exotic music from around the world. But the Bongo ('lub now remedy that with what promises to a Festival hit in nine-piece Delhi-based fusion group Mrigya. Mixing liidiaii classical with blues guitar and harmonica. Latin and la”
gt‘ooy es with \‘il'ltltisti tabla. funk and rock keyboards and three great \‘tiL‘itllsls - .‘yli'igya produce a sophiticated high-energy music that also allows space for instrumental soloing and the spoken word. Raags and qaw wali. rendered pure by delicately -\‘oiced Sukriti Sen Bliattacliary a or the massiye \ocal presence of ()adar Nia/i. are turned inside-out in arrangements by the band. which includes members of star Indian outfit l’arikraiiia. So be warned. the name can easily fill up hook ahead. (Norman (‘halmersi
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers .llllNlll Experience. The (iuruec. until 37Aug. 7pm. liurope's leading 'l'aiko drum group giye a typically energetic performance.
Mystery Juice li'l'tli‘itl Rci'ol‘ily. The Queen 's llull. l7Aue. l/pni. See Rock. Naomi Dijkman and Malcolm McClusky I‘ll/Hlt/U .l/liyii' l‘cytii'itl. ll'liiytleliinlics. .SlflllI/llH'I-(lt't’. /7Au_e. 3pm. Acoustic sounds from this double bill. Neapolitan Songs \zi/i-onu A'- ('ml/u. I7 25 Aug. Spin. l’hilip ('ontini and his band play songs and tell stories from Napoli.
Neapolitan Supper and Show \iili'o/ui tk‘ ('rol/u. unlil ZUAug. (LAW/mi. .\ Neapolitan supper is seryed as l’liilip (‘ontini and his band play songs from the region.
No Strings Attached ('luryiu'li tScotIiy/i l/ur/ii Sociclr. l'lic .llueilulcn (ltll/N’l. ll) liS’Aue. Spin. 'l‘raditional. modern and iax/ music performed on fiddle. harp and flute.
None of the Above the Bongo ('luh out of [he li/uc. tutti/36.4112. SAW/mi.
'l‘oday 's show has performances from Bag o‘ ('ats and their soundscapes influenced by Scotland. liastern liurope. Africa and India: a Ittl\ of electric harp and yocals from Shine and authentic liiiglisli folk from \Vaterson (‘arthy.
Peatbog Faeries 'I'lu' I'iunouy .S/iicec/Icnt. l/i Aug. ///nn. lit the early day s of the Skye—based hand. some of the guy s decided lU help an Ultl liltl} get her peats in. got carried away. and brought the iicighbours'.’ in as w ell. The locals started talking about peatbog faeries and the name stuck. Now musically far from their rural roots. and on the festiyal circuit world wide. the pipes and fiddle are mi\iiig it with bass and drums. pi'ogramiiicd ambient sounds. ey en birdsoiig. flushing toilet and Mongolian throat singing. This may seem like a soundscapc more suited to clubland thaii ceilidh territory but hey. these guys turn one into the other either way. So go seek out some l'iicric .Slol'ics when they l‘la} the tent of iiiiri'oi's it’s their latest album. tNorman ('halinersi
Rory McLeod 'I'lic l’illllUlH .S/iicec/Icnl. Sllxlue. (Spin. l’lay iiig global melodies with politicallyricism.
Salsa Celtica /'/u’ Quccn "s Hull. 33 .lue. .S'..\'t)/mi. See panel.
Salsa Celtica llu’ l'tl/llt'll\ .S/iicec/lcnt. l," /.\'.\u;'. ///nn. .\ heady ton of ia/l. .-\frican. Latin and (chic rhythms from this li\ely group.
Samuel Oyediji ('iitc Ix’oiul li'inec llli'tlll't'. unlil 3!) .lug. “Inn. .-\n innoyatiye world music artist digitally nii\1ng liyc sampling. with special effects and rhythms. forming iiiiiltilayers ol sound. liyocatiye songs are deliy cred Ill liiiglisli. l.atin and Nigerian. as well as more obscure .\trican languages.
Scotland in Love .Scol/iuu/ III /.Utt' / .S’Io/y it l/iii‘li. I'lu' l)tll'lil )iiune (nil/cit (it .lliii'ic (.uric llousc. ItHl/l /t\'.lue. .i'. l5/nn. Story. harp and song are iised to share talcs of Scotland's past.