THE BOUNDARIES OF ‘CELTIC' ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY ELASTIC
Bela Fleck
Beyond the boundaries
As Celtic Connections kicks off, Kenny Mathieson revels in the willfully eclectic nature of the festival, an idea Béla Fleck knows all about
What‘s in a name‘.’ In the case of (‘eltic (‘onnections. not much. or at least. nothing too literal. Anyone who insisted on the strict application of the name would have found themselves left well behind almost from the launch of the festival back in 1994. liven in that inaugural programme. which included country singer Kathy Mattea. the boundaries of what might he regarded as (‘eltic were being leased. and in subsequent years those boundaries became increasingly elastic.
It was something that neither (‘olin llynd nor his successor. Donald Shaw. was remotely apologetic about. The Celtic/folk core of the festival has always remained. but eclectic expansion rather than rigorous adherence to generic classification has been the hallmark of the event. and big names from jazz. rock and classical music all take their place alongside the traditional singers and instrumentalists from the heartland (‘eltic traditions in a celebration of music.
lnclusiveness is the guiding principal in this three— week extravaganza. and one that Donald Shaw readily embraced even in his first festival as artistic director in 2007. when he mounted a very prominent focus on American musicians. 'l‘hat included banjo virtuoso Bela lileck. whose l‘lecktones features jazz-fusion bass star Victor Wooten. saxophonist Jeff (‘oflin and Future Man on synth-axe drumitar — not an instrument regularly found in (‘eltic music. l‘leck is back this year in an even more eclectic project that underlines the trans-globzil nature of the festival.
lileck has moved a long way from his bluegrass roots. His latest album. Jingle All the Way, opens with
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a group of 'l‘uvan throat singers performing ‘Jingle Bells‘. lior this visit to (ilasgow. he will join up with three musicians from the west African music stronghold of Mali. singer ()umou Sangare. kora maestro 'l'oumani Diabate and Bassekou Kouyatc. who plays an instrument called the ngoni. cited as a kind of lute—like antecedent of the banjo.
Such collaborations are meat and potatoes to the banjo wi/ard. He is also scheduled to tour with bass virtuoso lidgar Meyer and tabla player Zakir Hussein in 2()()‘). playing a combination of trio music and a Triple ('mzr'cr'm with orchestra. His collaborations with jazz musicians have included working with Mc(‘oy 'l‘yner and (‘hick (‘orea are a major draw.
The African project is being promoted as ‘Bela lileck brings the banjo back to Africa‘. llis travels to Uganda. 'l‘an/ania. The (iambia and Mali to meet and perform with musicians there was charted by Sascha l’aladino. The resulting film. 'I'lirrm' [)0er Your“ Heart. premiered at SXSW last year. where it won an audience award (see more at at www.thrt)wdownyourheart.com).
An album is scheduled for release in late February. and the film -- so far limited to festival screenings — will be more widely available. l’Ieck plans to tour the project with the Malian musicians in the USA. so Scottish listeners will have a sneak preview in this concert. which will also feature a collaboration between Scottish Gaelic singer Kathleen Maclnnes and Ireland‘s Liam () Maonlai .
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 17 Jan.
The Cape Breton Connection The 16th Celtic Connections kicks off with an
opening concert of fiddlers and singers from the Canadian island. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Thu 15 Jan. (Folk) Little Joy The clues in the name. Expect upbeat, summery indie rock sounds from The Strokes' drummer's new band. Stereo, Glasgow, Sat 17 Jan. (Rock 8 Pop) Shoeshine Showcase Francis ‘Shoeshine’ MacDonald flags up the talents of sunny surf-poppers Attic Lights joined by the BMX Bandits and Norman Blake. ABC, Glasgow, Sat 77 Jan (Rock & Pop)
‘ Bela Fleck with Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabate and Bassekou Kouyate See preview, left. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 77 Jan (Folk) The Burns Unit It's a Scots-folk Who's Who night with Karine Polwart, King Creosote, Emma Pollock joined by Drever, McCusker and Woomble. ABC, Glasgow, Fri 16 Jan. (Rock & Pop, Folk) Malinky Take four girls, one boy, ten years of folk song success and expect a whole lot of Scottish—accented harmony going on. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 1 Jan. (Folk) Mariza The queen of fado will be getting hips swaying with her Latino fusion of jazz and African rhythms. Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Tue 20 January. (Folk)
3%: Abigail Washburn a. the Sparrow Quartet China meets Nashville, with Appalachian folk melodies blending with gospel and Celtic sounds. ABC, Glasgow, Wed 21 Jan. (Folk)
2%: Damon and Naomi Formed out the ashes of Galaxie 500, this duo sing psychedelic Iullabies to the heartbroken. Stereo, Glasgow, Wed Jan 14. (Rock & Pop)