Here are five top picks for Celtic Connections...
Savourna Stevenson and Steve Kettley
The National Piping Centre, Sunday, January 22, 7.30pm
Stevenson and Kettley are choosing Celtic Connections to launch their album Wine of Life.
Stevenson is well known to the Scottish traditional music scene through her clarsach and pedal harp virtuosity, as well as her orchestral, chamber and choral works including her String Quintet.
Known for her collaborations with Aly Bain and Eddi Reader, her choral setting of Psalm 121 was heard by one of the largest global audiences last year – the St Giles Cathedral memorial service for Queen Elizabeth.
Kettley is also used to working with royalty. But in this instance the Liz in question is Liz Lochhead. Apart from his regular work with the poet, the saxophonist is a founder member of Salsa Celtica also leads several groups playing his own compositions.
An Tobar 25
Drygate Brewery, Saturday, February 4, 2pm
AS Gordon Maclean opens a new recording studio in Tobermory, this concert celebrates the 25 years he spent at the An Tobar Arts Centre.
The Tobermory centre has been a draw for musicians across that time, either to the recording studio, with Maclean recording Michael Marra’s mini-albums such as Silence, Quintet and Houseroom. The stage has also seen gigs of all genres across those years.
This is quite an afternoon gig, featuring Roddy Woomble, Karen Matheson, Duncan Chisholm, Hannah Rarity, Mull Historical Society, Liz Lochhead, Andrew Wasylyk, Seonaid Aitken, Raymond MacDonald, Hector Shaw, Andy Samson, Hannah Fisher, Sorren Maclean and Joe Peat on sound.
Schenectady Calling
The Mackintosh Church, Sunday, February 22, 7.30pm
CELEBRATING the legacy of Shetland guitar hero “Peerie” Willie Johnson, who died in 2007 at the age of 86. It references a song written by Michael Marra called Schenectady Calling Peerie Willie Johnson, where the young man in Shetland would tune into a station on his home-built radio set. Here he heard the likes of Django Reinhardt and developed a unique guitar style.
Headlining is jazz guitarist Martin Taylor, one of the world’s great solo players, who says Johnson among his inspirations. Joining Martin are pianist Dave Milligan, Shetland-born saxophonist Norman Willmore, Shetland fiddler Bryan Gear with pianist Violet Tulloch.
Song Circle with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis and Robert Vincent
Theatre Royal, Friday, January 27, 7.30pm.
SONG Circles are always magical nights, bringing together talent from across musical genres. Where they cross over is the talent for songwriting.
One of only 15 female members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Mary Chapin Carpenter crosses the country/folk/pop genres beautifully.
Karine Polwart is a Celtic Connections favourite of course; a songwriter, folk singer, composer and theatre-maker with Wind Resistance.
Another Celtic Connections regular, Julie Fowlis will also take part, a multi-award winning singer who brings the magic of her Outer Hebridean roots and her current Highland home to Glasgow.
Finally one of the great new voices in Americana (from Crosby on Merseyside) Robert Vincent has the storytelling and warmth that comes from his musical home city.
Lisa O’Neill and special guest Cormac Begley
The Macintosh Church, Thursday, February 2, 7.30pm
CAVAN-BORN Lisa O’Neill has been quietly moving her way through the Irish folk scene for the past decade. Consistent touring has put her in front of international audiences.
An uncompromising style and a respect for tradition in her contemporary themes sets her apart.
Lisa’s last release Heard A Long Gone Song was on the Rough Trade imprint River Lea and her voice will be familiar to anyone who watched Peaky Blinders. In fact, she’s the last voice you hear in the final episode.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel