www.list.co.uk/music
Celtic Connections Friday 22
Ticket information For all Celtic Connections tickets call 0141 353 8000, Ticketmaster on 0844 499 9990 or online at www.celtic connections.com. Thursday 21
Glasgow FREE Danny Kyle’s Open Stage Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 5pm. See tomorrow’s talent, today. ■ The Legendary Gypsy Queens & Kings Royal Concert Hall: Main Auditorium, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £20 (£18). Expect fiery passions and heartfelt songs of suffering from this line-up of the stars of Balkan and Mediterranean gypsy music traditions, including singer Esma Redzepova, brass band Mahala Raï Banda, French rumba/flamenco trio Kaloome, and many more singers and dancers. ■ Texas Songwriters in the Round O2 ABC, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £15. Glasgow’s Fallen Angel’s Club brings you a foursome of top rootsy songwriting talent from the Lone Star State: Tom Russell, Kimmie Rhodes, Sam Baker and Slaid Cleaves present original compositions inspired by their lives and musical upbringings. FREE Archie Fisher’s Travelling Folk BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, 353 8000. 8pm. Free but ticketed. Archie is the well-known and highly respected singer and seminal figure in the Scottish folk revival – here he presents his pick of the best musicians from this year’s festival, live on BBC Radio Scotland. ■ Long Gone Lonesome Tron Theatre, Trongate, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. Duncan McLean’s new piece of musical theatre tells the story of the fascinating Thomas Fraser, a Shetland fisherman who, inspired by his American blues heroes, recorded his own versions of their songs on the most rudimentary of equipment and handed them out as gifts to close friends. Only after his untimely death did his passionately performed music reach the public realm. Long Gone Lonesome combines storytelling, music from The Lone Star Swing Band and improvisations, to tell Fraser’s story. ■ The Shetland Bus and The Alan Kelly Quartet Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. The Shetland Bus is a new project from Shetland musician sisters Jenna and Bethany Reid, commemorating the dangerous covert missions to ship people and equipment between Shetland and Nazi- occupied Norway in World War Two. They are supported by Irish accordionist Alan Kelly and his quartet, who have just released an album entitled After the Morning. ■ Songs of Scotland: Songs of Birth, Marriage and Death The Universal, Sauchiehall Lane, 353 8000. 8pm. £10. A cosy upstairs folk club, hosted by Doris Rougvie and featuring Kathy Hobkirk, Barbara Dymock and Naomi Harvey. Tonight’s songs are on the theme of life’s universal milestone events. ■ Ceol’s Craic CCA, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8.30pm. £12.50. A special Celtic Connections edition of the monthly Gaelic club and platform for Gaelic art and culture, with mother and daughter duo Grinn (Fiona and Katie Mackenzie) and Lewis singer Norrie MacIver. ■ Celtic Connections Late Night Session Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 10pm. £5. The informal, musical anything-goes jam session.
Glasgow FREE Danny Kyle’s Open Stage Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 5pm. See Thu 21. ■ Fiddle Summit Royal Concert Hall: Main Auditorium, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £20 (£18). No understatement. Among those world-class fiddle legends appearing are US/Irish player par excellence Liz Carroll with guitarist John Doyle, American legend Darol Anger with guitarist Mike Marshall, Shetland’s Chris Stout with harpist Catriona McKay, Scotsman Alasdair Fraser with cellist Natalie Haas, Ireland’s Martin Hayes with guitar minimalist Dennis Cahill, and Swedish trio Vasen. ■ Johnny Dickinson and Malcolm Holcombe Classic Grand, Jamaica Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. Northumbrian Johnny Dickinson’s unique, engaging slide and picked guitar style used to be heard in Brit Blues star outfit Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes, and is complemented by his rich, soulful voice. He is supported by the tempered, tarry vocals of Appalachian guitarist Malcolm Holcombe. ■ The St Kilda Tapes & Alasdair Roberts St Andrew’s in the Square, St Andrew’s Square, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. Using, electronics, zither, uke and acoustic (with pedals and effects) guitar, BBC reporter David Allison plays his self-penned music over footage from the Scottish Film Archive, as well as his own documentary footage of octogenarian Norman Gillies, who left the island, aged 5, at it’s evacuation and now lives near Ipswich. Before Allison’s multimedia show, Alasdair Roberts, a unique and quirkily talented purveyor of balladry both ancient and retro, plays and sings. See 5 Reasons, page 69. ■ Holly Williams and Blueflint Oran Mor, Great Western Road, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. As his granddaughter, she’s carrying Hank’s genes, but has won respect as a songwriter in her own right. From the Edinburgh area, the two very talented young women in Blueflint pick banjos and sing their own songs in beautiful harmony. ■ Wolfstone 21st Anniversary and Felpeyu O2 ABC, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £15. Celebrating 21 years of wild Highland tunes, beautiful airs and powerful songs with a unique folk/rock blend of guitars, fiddle, bagpipes and percussion, the Dingwall six-piece are in exuberant form. Continuing the mix of traditional and contemporary idioms is Asturian (north Spain) band Felpeyu. ■ Angélique Kidjo The Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 8pm. £16. Beninoise singer Angélique Kidjo’s powerful and emotive voice is the key instrument in an oeuvre that explores the entire African diaspora with energy and optimism. She has worked with Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Carlos Santana and Branford Marsalis and is now returning to her musical roots, in a mainly acoustic new album, Oyo. ■ Guidewires and Anarkali Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. Multicultural musical mélange from fiddler Tola Custy, concertina ace Padraig Rynne and the guys in this Irish/Breton four-piece, whose music combines Balkan, Middle Eastern and Irish influences with guitar, flute, whistle and bouzouki. Support is provided by young Glasgow-based Danny Award- winners Anarkali. ■ Long Gone Lonesome Tron Theatre, Trongate, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. See Thu 21. ■ Roddy Hart City Halls: Recital Rooms, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 8pm. £10. Glasgow country-tinged singer- songwriter Roddy Hart has shared studio time with Ryan Adams, and has an album with performances by Kris Kristofferson
Celtic Connections Music
and Eddi Reader under his belt. His 2009 album Sign Language has drawn more attention to his talent. ■ Ceol’s Craic CCA, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8.30pm. £12.50. A special festival edition of CCA’s regular Gaelic culture night, with performances from RSAMD graduate Rachel Walker, Gaelic singer Fiona Dunn, and Irish singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy and their respective bands. ■ Celtic Connections Late Night Session Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 10pm. £5. See Thu 21. FREE Claudia Winkleman Live Radio Broadcast BBC Scotland, Pacific Quay, 353 8000. 10pm. Free but ticketed. Claudia Winkleman presents her BBC Radio 2 show live from the festival, with performances and chat from special guests. ■ The Celtic Connections Festival Club The Art School, Renfrew Street, 353 8000. 10.30pm. £8. Get ready for some seriously late bedtimes – the legendary Celtic Connections Festival Club is the place to be for live stage shows, spontaneous performances, one- off collaborations, lots of late drinking and some major jam sessions. It goes on into the wee small hours every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Saturday 23 Glasgow ■ Traditional Strings Weekend Masterclass hosted by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas Royal Concert Hall: Dressing Room 7, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 10.15am. £55. A masterclass for players of fiddle, viola, cello and string bass. The emphasis will be placed on playing traditional Scottish music in a group. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: Beginner Accordion Royal Concert Hall: Clyde Foyer, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 11am. £7. John Carmichael helps piano accordion players to develop techniques and skills. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: Learn the Small Pipes in a Day Royal Concert Hall: Lomond Foyer, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 11am. £35. Dave Shaw covers the use of bellows, blowing and fingering techniques and the tuning of drones. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: come&try Bodhran & Spoons Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 11am. £7. Eddie Scott and Norman Chalmers lead their annual clattering workshops. Glasgow Fiddle Workshop players will provide the tunes. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: come&try Traditional Scots Song Royal Concert Hall: Buchanan Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 11am. £7. The great Angus ballad singer Maureen Jelks leads a workshop for people who want to sing but lack the confidence. ■ The Future of our Past Goes Large! Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 1pm. £10.50. Folk and Traditional music students from Newcastle University perform under the guidance of Phil Cunningham and Catriona Macdonald. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: Mandolin for Improvers Royal Concert Hall: Clyde Foyer, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 1.30pm. £7. The Lanarkshire Guitar and Mandolin Association aim to extend your skills on the mandolin. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: Singin’ on yer Mammy’s Knee Royal Concert Hall: Buchanan Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 1.30pm. £7. A workshop for parents, childminders, play-leaders, grannies and the like. Chrissie Stewart- Skinner teaches action songs and singing games for the Under 5s. ■ Celtic Connections Public Workshops: come&try Djembe Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall,
Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 1.30pm. £7. Allan Hughes shows you how to get the most out of your African drum. FREE Danny Kyle’s Open Stage Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 5pm. See Thu 21. ■ Aly Bain and Karen Matheson with The Scottish Ensemble City Halls, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £16. The Scottish Ensemble, which comprises twelve exceptional string players, will be joined by Capercaillie’s singer and Shetland’s fiddle legend. ■ Brian Finnegan Quartet and John Mulhearn Classic Grand, Jamaica Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. Astonishingly inventive Irish flute/whistle player from Flook, Finnegan (with fiddler Aidan O Rourke and a rhythm section) plays from his forthcoming solo album. Piper/producer John Mulhearn combines uillean pipes with electronics, vocals, cellos, whistles and guitars. ■ Cork Singers Night with Mick Flannery and John Spillane Oran Mor, Great Western Road, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. Much-loved Cork traditional balladeers and contemporary singer-songwriters John Spillane and Mick Flannery draw on the rich singing heritage of their native country. ■ Dick Gaughan with Jason Wilson & Dave Swarbrick and The Magic Lantern Show O2 ABC, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £15. Veteran English fiddler Dave Swarbrick collaborates with Canadian reggae star Jason Wilson and Scotland’s star guitarist and singer Dick Gaughan and Wilson’s own band. The show evolved from an impromptu joint performance at the 2009 Edmonton Folk Festival. Danny Kyle Open Stage winners The Magic Lantern Show splice folk with pop, rock and funk. ■ The Family Connection: Na Caimbeulaich and The Byrnes St Andrew’s in the Square, St Andrew’s Square, 353 8000. 7.30pm. £12.50. A family reunion featuring a rare joint appearance by The Campbells of Greepe, with revered Gaelic singer Kenna Campbell, her daughters Mary and Wilma Kennedy, brother Seumas and niece Maggie MacDonald. Six-piece family band The Byrnes includes Scottish, French and Gaelic songs. ■ Boo Hewerdine and Kim Richey Tron Theatre, Trongate, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. Versatile singer/songwriter and guitarist Hewerdine performs alongside the country/folk singer/songwriter. ■ Catriona McKay & Olov Johansson City Halls: Recital Rooms, Candleriggs, 353 8000. 8pm. £10. Brilliant Shetland harpist McKay (Fiddler’s Bid) is joined by one of the innovative younger players (Vasen) on the Swedish keyed fiddle or nyckelharpa. ■ Ceilidh Dance with The Occasionals Pearce Institute, Govan Road, 353 8000. 8pm. £8. Freeland Barbour’s piano accordion, with mandolin, fiddle and drums, make up one of the most in-demand dance bands in Scotland. ■ Republic of Strings and Anghjula Potentini Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8pm. £12.50. Republic of Strings partners Darol Anger (fiddle) and Scott Nygaard (guitar) encompass folk, world, jazz and classical influences, whilst enthralling Corsican singer Anghjula Potentini draws on her native Island’s rich traditions. ■ Ceol’s Craic: Griogair Labhruidh and The Catriona Watt Band CCA, Sauchiehall Street, 353 8000. 8.30pm. £12.50. Gaelic Singer and songwriter Labhruidh has a particular interest in preserving Gaelic’s older, more localised vernacular traditions. Moving Gaelic singer Catriona Watt was 2007’s BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, and she’s here with Fiona MacAskill (fiddle), Gillian Chalmers (whistle/pipes) and Lauren Tait (piano). 21 Jan–4 Feb 2010 THE LIST 77