[Our monthly correspondent Paul Castle is a songwriter and
journalist from London, England. Even if you aren't there to follow
these concerts and tours, this column is a goldmine of information
about the British folk scene and of URLs for artist and venue
websites. Enjoy.-HB]
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Across the Pond # 4, January 2000
by Paul Castle
A Happy New Year to everyone out there. Thanks for all your good wishes.
Over here, if it's January it must be Glasgow. The 'Celtic Connections' Festival, which started modestly in 1994, has grown into something quite magnificent, with just the best Celtic musicians on earth arriving in Scotland every January for a three week stay. It must be great to live in that community, as the festival performances and workshops spread out from the main city Concert Hall (http://www.grch.com) into the local schools, community centres, cathedrals and bookshops, etc.
Here's a list of performers with websites. If this lot can't keep the tradition alive then nobody can!
CELTIC CONNECTIONS FESTIVAL 2000
Tue 11th - Sun 30th January
Glasgow, Scotland
Full listings and venue details at
http://www.grch.com/celtic_connections_index.html
Tue 11th The Opening Gala Concert
Anuna
http://www.anuna.ie
with string ensemble and dancers and the Savourna Stevenson Quintet
http://www.cookingvinyl.com/savourna/
Anuna is a 16 member choral group based in Dublin, with a pool of 30 singers from the North and South of Ireland, best known for its contributions to the original video, album and stage-show 'Riverdance', now specialising in both medieval and contemporary Celtic music.
Savourna Stevenson is acknowledged as one of the finest and most versatile exponents of the small harp. "Stevenson draws together strands of ragtime, funk, Scots folk traditions, blues and even African influence with invention, virtuosity and joy...a talent which deserves to be shouted from the rooftops." The Sunday Times [UK]
Wed 12th The Boys of the Lough
http://www.ceolas.org/artists/Boys_of_the_Lough.html
Flautist Cathal McConnell's band with top fiddler Aly Bain has been one of Scotland's most popular for over 30 years and is now recognized as one of the best in the tradition.
Thurs13th De Dannan
http://www.ceolas.org/artists/De_Dannan.html
Over the last 30 years fiddler Frankie Gavin and bouzouki player Alec Finn's De Dannan has probably produced more great Irish singers than any other . Dolores Keane, Mary Black, Maura O' Connell Johnny Moynihan and Eleanor Shanley have all spent time as lead vocalist (which augurs well for current vocalist, Tommie Fleming). Alec Finn holds one of several claims to introducing the bouzouki to Irish music (Johnny Moynihan and Andy Irvine being two others).
Fri14th Dougie MacLean
http://www.dunkeld.co.uk/dougiemaclean/dougie.html
At the forefront of the Celtic music revival since the early '70s, he has established a reputation both as a contemporary songwriter and sensitive interpreter of old Scottish songs.
Sat 15th La Bottine Souriante
http://www.millepattes.com/Anglais/bottine/index.html
Big band entertainment at its most mighty with guest dancer Sandy Silva who has immersed herself in the study of traditional percussive dance forms, mastering the techniques necessary to be the visual and acoustic instrument that each style demands.
Mon 17th Frances Black
http://house-of-music.com/frances/index.shtml
The youngest member of The Black Family, she joined Arcady (with
Sharon Shannon, amongst others) in 1988, leaving in 1992 and teaming
up with Kieran Goss. That year, two of her songs were included
on the best-selling compilation of Irish women singers, 'A Woman's
Heart' and she has since made several solo albums produced by
Arty McGlynn and more recently Declan Sinnott, which have been
hugely popular in Ireland.
Tue 18th Arlo Gurthrie
http://www.arlo.net/
with the Alison Brown Quartet
http://www.compassrecords.com/alison.htm
Arlo, who is still perhaps best remembered over here for his lengthy anti-war pro-Thanksgiving ballad 'The Alice's Restaurant Massacree' and susbsequent film, now runs The Guthrie Center, honoring the lifes' work of Woody & Marjorie Guthrie.
For her latest (5th) solo album 'Out of the Blue', increasingly jazzy banjo player Alison Brown (who, along with her producer and bass player Gary West, formed Compass Records in 1993) had a special instrument - an electric, nylon-string banjo - designed and built for her by "mad scientist of the banjo", Tom Nechville. "The result is not a banjo sound at all, but rather an astonishingly warm, smooth tone reminiscent of the jazz guitar sound created by the likes of Wes Montgomery, Earl Klugh, Joe Pass etc."
Tue 18th Dolores Keane
http://www.doloreskeane.com/
'Unlike almost all the other great female singers who've emerged
from Irish traditional bands to pursue solo careers over the last
couple of decades, Dolores is the one who's remained truest to
her roots....... Fortunate indeed is the songwriter who gets a
song covered by the blessed Dolores
......the sheer depth of her artistry makes it mesmerizing."
Folk Roots
Tue 18th Barachois
http://www.barachois.com/
"This bouncy quartet of acadian musicians from Prince Edward
Island have got it all - enery, high spirits, wit, charm, and
musical dynamite" Stephen Pedersen, The Mail Star, Halifax
NS
Wed 19th Altan
http://www.altan.ie/
with Tim O'Brien and "The Crossing" project featuring
Kathy Mattea
http://www.adastra-music.co.uk/timo.html
"Thought by many to be the finest traditional Irish combo working today, Altan seamlessly blend dazzling instrumental prowess and the gorgeously delicate vocals of Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh." Chicago Weekly. Their new album, 'Another Sky' is due to be released in February.
US singer songwriter Tim O'Brien's project "The Crossing" brings together such diverse yet historically related styles as Bluegrass, Country and Celtic from North America, Ireland, England and Scotland and pays tribute, not only to the growth and development of these on the far side of the Atlantic, but as importantly on their journey 'back home' to their origins. Tonight's set features country singer, Kathy Mattea http://www.mattea.com/
Wed 19th Kate Rusby
http://www.purerecords.demon.co.uk
"...a wonderful traditional singer. Really, really fantastic. I think she'll be here to stay." - Richard Thompson
Thur 20th John Prine
http://www.jpshrine.org/index.html
& Iris Dement
www.irisdement.com
Prine's 1999 album 'In Spite of Ourselves' (OhBoy)
http://www.ohboy.com/inspite.htm
features duets with guest vocalists Lucinda Williams, Emmylou
Harris, Dolores Keane, etc plus 4 tracks with songwriter Iris
Dement.
"...Iris DeMent's songs talk. They talk about isolated memories of life, love and living. And Iris has a voice I like a whole lot, like one you've heard before but not really. So listen to this music, this Iris DeMent. It's good for you." - John Prine
Thur 20th Alasdair Fraser
http://www.culburnie.com/artists/AlasdairFraser/profile.htm
"Widely acclaimed as a top performer, recording artist and teacher of the rich fiddling tradition of his native Scotland. His vast repertoire spans several centuries of Scottish music and also includes his own compositions, blending a profound understanding of the Scottish tradition."
Thur 20th Shooglenifty
http://www.shoogle.com/
"Setting the world on fire with their super trippy blend of celtic staples, and everything from acid jazz to Latin shuffles" Rick Overall - The Ottowa Sun
Thur 20th Alison Brown Quartet
http://www.compassrecords.com/alison.htm
see above
Fri 21st String Sisters
featuring Catriona MacDonald
http://www.innotts.co.uk/~buck/cat_ian_web/cat_ian.html
Winnie Horan (from Solas)
http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/may/mainpage.html
Annbjorg Lien
http://www.concertedefforts.com/nordic.htm
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh (from Altan)
http://www.altan.ie/band.html
Eileen Ivers
http://www.historyoftheworld.com/music/blue/home/ivers.htm
and
Natalie MacMaster
http://www.macmastermusic.com/
Six of the world's best Celtic fiddle players together for the first time - hope this is being recorded.
Fri 21st John Wright Band
http://home.wxs.nl/~graafw/index2.html
"Sensitive and delightful interpretations of contemporary folk songs" - Steve Caseman, Rock 'n' Reel Magazine
Fri 21st Jimmy Crowley
http://www.irishtrad.com/crowley/
"He is a consummate stage performer as well as a song writer,
adding colour to his songs by weaving stories about Cork characters,
maritime exploits and daily life into his act. His singing style
is truly unique - nobody hearing Jimmy could possibly mistake
him for anyone else. He accompanies himself on bouzouki, mandola
and mouth organ." Mick Maloney
Sat 22nd Old Blind Dogs
http://www.stoneyport.demon.co.uk/bio/obd98bio.html
Now including Scottish singer and songwriter, Jim Malcolm.
Sat 22nd The Whistlebinkies
http://www.sol.co.uk/w/whistlebinkies/whistle.htm
The Whistlebinkies are the first modern Scottish group to eschew
the strict tempo of the danceband. While partly influenced by
O'Riada in their instrumentation and arrangements, their sound
is uniquely Scottish, underpinned by Rab Wallace's piping.
Sun 23rd Brian Kennedy
http://www.briankennedy.co.uk/
Sweet voiced Irish singer, recently working with Van Morrison, has just released a new album, 'Now That I Know What I Want'.
Sun 23rd Natalie MacMaster
http://www.macmastermusic.com/
with the Scottish Stepdance Company
"Her precision fiddle playing and toe-tapping step-dances, combined with her friendly, Maritime girl-next-door appeal, have captured the hearts of audiences the world over." - Ian Nathanson - Ottawa Sun (in a review of her latest album 'In My Hands")
Mon 24th The Tannahill Weavers
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/tannahill_weavers/
Popular Celtic band started by Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie back in 1976.
Tue 25th Runrig
http://www.runrig.co.uk/
Long established Scottlish band with new Cape Breton singer, Bruce Guthro.
Tue 25th Anam
http://www.anam.co.uk/anam/
Their new album Tine Gheal/Bright Fire will be released in March 2000.
Tue 25th Donal Lunny's Coolfin
http://www.ice.el.utwente.nl/~han/bouzouki/lunny.html
One of Ireland's most successful musicians and producers, Donal Lunny was an original member of infamous Irish bands Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. His 1998 album under the name 'Coolfin', included Sharon Shannon, Marta Sebestyen and Maighread Ni/ Dhomhnaill.
Tue 25th Flook!
http://www.flook.co.uk
Flute led four-piece, with Sarah Allen, a founder member of
popular British band, The Barely Works. "The force, power,
virtuosity, exuberance and sheer joie de vivre of her playing
had
the audience on their feet from the opening bar." - The
Shetland Times
Wed 26th Davy Spillane
http://historyoftheworld.com/davy/davy.htm
An original member of 'Moving Hearts, Davy is probably Ireland's best known Uilleann piper.
Wed 26th June Tabor
http://members.aol.com/cynthiafta/jt.htm
"One of the most stunning solo voices in folkdom."
The [London] Times
Her latest album is 'A Quiet Eye' (Topic)
Thur 27th Savourna Stevenson & Friends
http://www.cookingvinyl.com/savourna/
see above
Fri 28th Phil Cunningham's 40th Birthday Concert
http://www.greenlinnet.com/bios/phil-aly.htm
A member the highly acclaimed Scottish band Silly Wizard until 1983, accordianist Phil has produced albums for the likes of Dolores Keane and Altan and has played as a duo with Boys of the Lough fiddler, Aly Bain. He has recently toured with Bonnie Raitt and with Kepa Junkera
Fri 28th The Guitar Concert featuring
Pierre Bensusan
http://members.aol.com/pbensusan/index.html
Tony McManus
http://www.onqueueartists.com/mcmanus/
Colin Reid
http://www.stoneyport.demon.co.uk/bio/reidbio.html
Alain Genty
http://www.bretagnenet.com/celticsons/artistes/genty.htm
Tony Cuffe
http://www.lismor.co.uk/11.html
and
Soig Siberil
http://www.bretagne-brittany.com/boutique/musicstore/siberil.htm
An extraordinary array of some of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world. See below for Pierre Bensusan's January 2000 UK tour dates. Tony McManus has recently been playing with fiddler Alasdair Fraser resulting in their recent album 'Return to Kintail'. Of young guitarist Colin Reid, who hails from Belfast, Bert Jansch said "Colin reminds me of myself and John Renbourn fused together." Alain Genty from France is best known for his fretless bass adaptations of "mélodies bretonnes et gaîliques, traditionnellement jouées à la flûte ou à la 'cornemuse'. Scottish World described Tony Cuffe as "a great solo performer" and Soig Siberil is one of Brittany's best guitarists, particularly known for his open tunings.
Fri 28th Sharon Shannon Band
http://www.ceolas.org/artists/Sharon_Shannon.html
The wonderful County Clare accordionist continues to play solo, as well as with her new band The Woodchoppers (with Mary Shannon) and with the rocked up Coolfin, fronted by Donal Lunny. Her latest album 'Spellbound' consists of a good collection of her earlier pieces, and a few new cuts.
Sat 29th The Poozies Party
http://www.cutting-tweed.demon.co.uk/poozies.htm
With Poozies past present and future including Mary McMaster, Patsy Seddon, Karen Tweed, Sally Barker, Kate Rusby and Eilidh Shaw
Sun 30th Sileas
http://www.stoneyport.demon.co.uk/bio/sileasbio.html
Scottish harpists, Patsy Seddon and Mary Macmaster, who currently also form half of The Poozies
Sun 30th Eric Bogle
http://www.windbourne.com/ebogle/
Archie Fisher
http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicArtistsF/fisher_archie.html
Dick Gaughan
http://www.dickalba.demon.co.uk/main.htm,
Brian McNeill
http://www.b-mcneill.demon.co.uk/Brian_McNeill_Biography.html
&
Tom Paxton & Jez Luton
http://imusic.com/showcase/contemporary/tompaxton.html
A pretty incredible gathering by any standards. Eric 'And the
Band Played Waltzing Matilda' Bogle was born in Scotland but emigrated
to Australia at 25. Archie Fisher has been called a "folk
father figure" whilst The [London] Times describes
Dick Gaughan as "One of Scotland's finest folk voices..".
Brian McNeill, who formed 'The Battlefield Band', in 1969, is
now established as one of Scotland's leading songwriters. And
Tom Paxton from America, the songwriters'
songwriter, with English fingerstyle guitarist, Jez Luton. Quite
a night to round off the Festival!
go on to page 2->
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