The warmth and bright colors of Africa swept through snowy Glasgow in a gust of beautiful music, delighting a standing-room-only crowd at the lovely St Andrews in the Square.  This Celtic Connections experiment with mingling musicians from different traditions was a magnificent success.

Combine the Pride of Manchester’s Michael McGoldrick, Capercaillie’s (and Celtic Connections’s artistic director) Donald Shaw on keyboards, Irishmen Gerry O’Connor on banjo and Tony Byrne on guitar, and Scotsman James Mackintosh on percussion and you have an instant powerhouse Celtic band, which opened their set with a set of driving reels and gave the crowd an excellent selection of trad and near-trad tunes.  And then, just when you settled into that groove, enter Fatoumata Diawara, a Malian musician currently living in France, and enjoy one of those Celtic Connection twists that makes you sit up and experience music with a new delight.

She changed the game, crowding the traditional sounds closer to R&B, teasing the audience with her brilliant smiles and knowing chuckles that punctuated the chorus of “Sowa.”  The band rose to meet her music’s challenges.  Who knew that O’Connor’s banjo could put out that kind of African/rock melody?   McGoldrick’s whistles twined beautifully into her vocals, and Shaw’s keyboards added a kind of African undercurrent.  But it was Diawara, smiling happiness at everyone, who captured the audience’s imagination.  They hung on her every note and gave her their hearts.

It can’t be easy coming on after such a fiery and crowd-pleasing set, but the trio of wisecracking ace fiddlers from Ireland, Fidil, were more than ready for the challenge.  Between jokes, they tore through a tune or three, showing off their innovative stylings, complete with string-plucking, violin-drumming, and full-on bowing.  That was lovely, but the audience needed more African sunshine, and dressed in warm yellows and rust, Senegalese kora master and griot singer Solo Cissokho obliged.

At the start of the set, the lads of Fidil promised us music “from County Senegal and from County Donegal.”  They hadn’t let on that the mix was going to be so much fun.  As they pointed out, Solo taught them songs about “the woman,” and in exchange, they taught him tunes about sheep.  No matter the subject, each tune and song was a joy to experience.  Solo’s kora, a gourd-based stringed instrument, inserted a sense of mischief and fun into every plucked note; and his obvious joy pervaded the room.  Most of the audience spent this set dancing in their seats, except when a few couldn’t stand it any longer and danced in front of the stage, including Diawara.  To give us all a rest, Solo took a few moments to explain how one masters the kora in “seven paragraphs,” showing how a simple instrument can create complex tunes. They tried to end the set with “Glory Reel,” but the crowd refused to let them go that quickly, jumping to ther feet to demand an encore, wanting to hang onto the warmth of Solo’s smile and the fun that Fidil brought.

–Catherine Keegan

Artists’ websites:
Cissokho Solo www.leopardmannen.no/s/system.cissokho.asp
Fidil fidilmusic.com
Fatoumata Diawara www.myspace.com/fatoumatadiawara

Michael McGoldrick www.prideofmanchester.com/music/michaelmcgoldrick.htm
Gerry O’Connor www.gerryoconnor.com/”>www.gerryoconnor.com/
Tony Byrne
James Mackintosh www.shoogle.com/biogs.htm

Pick how you want to celebrate Burns Night: eating haggis or listening to a trio of Gaelic singers from the Islands.  The full house at the Rennie MacIntosh-designed Glasgow Art Club didn’t seem to be missing their traditional Burns Suppers, when the first performer of the night, Lewis-born Norrie MacIver, stepped onto the stage.  Two songs into the set, he had the audience singing along to “Faili Faili” and nodding to the rhythm.  Next up was “An Eala Bhan,” a song he performs with Manran, but in this intimate setting, with only his guitar for accompaniment, the love song sounded sweeter than ever.  MacIver charmed us with his music and the tale of how he disappointed his granny.  He certainly didn’t disappoint the audience, many of whom joined their voices with his on the last song of the set, “A Ribhinn Og.”

Next up was Alasdair Whyte from Mull, one of the youngest Mod Gold recipients.  With a guitar and piano to back (and occasionally overwhelm) him, it took two songs before Whyte relaxed into his set and the full beauty of his voice could be appreciated on ”Mo Chaileag Shuaineartach.”  The last two songs in his set continued to show off his depth and range of his voice and a hint of his personal charm.

Gillebride MacIllemhaoil from South Uist was the last performer on stage, bringing with him a pianist, a guitarist and fiddler.  The grand piano may have been one instrument too many in the small confines of the Art Club, and while the fiddle was a sweet addition, it sometimes tended to cover rather than support the vocals.  Nevertheless, MacIllemhaoil’s beautiful voice and phrasing came through.  “An Teid Thu,” a very sad love song written during the Clearances, was especially fine, and there followed excellent renditions of “Air Forladh” and a Gaidhlig version of the trad favorite “Norland Wind” (aka “The Wild Geese”).  And while I enjoyed his set at the Art Club, it was by a fortunate accident at the House of Song where I had the great pleasure of hearing him sing unaccompanied and heard the real depth and emotion of his voice.  A very great talent, he needs no instruments save his voice and his presence to hold you rapt.

– Catherine Keegan

Artists’ Websites
Gillebride MacIllemhaoil www.myspace.com/gillebridemacmillan
www.gillebride.com
Norrie MacIver www.myspace.com/norriemaciver
manran.co.uk
Alasdair Whyte

First up was the new Irish supergroup At First Light, a six-piece band band that grew from the collaboration of John McSherry and Donal O’Connor.  Their initial album, Tripswitch, caught attention for its distinctly original arrangements and energetic playing; this new formation only amplifies both characteristics.  In addition to McSherry (Uileann pipes, whistles) and O’Connor (fiddle), the band now includes  Tony Byrne (guitar), Michael McCague (bouzouki), Francis MacIlduff (pipes, bodhran), and Ciara MacCrickard (fiddle, vocals).  The power and complexity of this expanded lineup was evident from the first set, which began with a spare, plaintive sound from Byrne, O’Connor, and McSherry (on low whistle).  McCrickard came in with fiddle while McSherry switched instruments, and then he and MacIlduff and McCague all came in at once; the sudden leap of intensity brought whoops and cheers from the audience as the band tore into the reels.

Tripswitch, the title track from McSherry and O’Connor’s first release, started as a slow reel or march, and ended as a fast reel – the transition marked by another of those sudden jumps of energy, provoking more whoops and shouts of approval.   On a slow air, McSherry and MacIlduff doubled up on pipes and seemed to be tossing the melody back and forth between them; the effect was mesmerizing.  Especially notable was a tune from Brittany (learned from the band Pennou Skoulm) where the doubled instruments played call-and-response in the Breton tradition with a distinct Irish accent and another from Galicia (El Garrotin).

Singing in both Irish (Gaelic) and English, MacCrickard’s vocals provided a counterpoint to the powerful instrumentals, slowing the tempo and lowering the energy, but avoiding the breathy whispering style affected by many Irish vocalists in recent years.

And then all too soon, At First Light finished their set and left the stage.  After the break, something completely different:  Jaadu with Faiz Ali Faiz, a Pakistani qawwali singer performing Sufi poetry to the accompaniment of buzuq, tabla, handclaps, shruti boxes, frame drum, dumbek, cajon, accordion, and some kind of weird bass stringed instrument whose name I didn’t catch.  The music was powerfully rhythmic and complex, the vocals eerie and alien to my ears.  Titi Robin on buzuq and guitar led off each set with some marvelous playing, and each set built in complexity and intensity, rising and falling in mysterious (to me) cycles.  I don’t know what the Celtic connection is, but it was strong stuff.

- Reviewed by Tim

Whoever came up with the idea of combining the talents of Rachel Walker, James Graham, Fiona Mackenzie and Brian O’hEadhra into a group was brilliant.  The group put on a smooth show for their debut performance.  And what a debut!  The harmonies these four manage are glorious.  Strong vocal performances from all four are supported by O’hEadhra on guitar or shruti box and Walker on accordion or piano.   They breathed new life into the waulking song “Fhalbh Oirre Ho,” sang a KZYX favorite “Tàladh na Beinne Guirme” (Lament of the Blue Mountain), and finished their set with “Fuigfidh Mise an Baile Seo,” a song about a woman who flees an arranged marriage, leaving the audience ready to take on the world.  We wanted more!

Four of the greatest Breton talents have come together in Empreintes.  Led by guitarist Gilles Le Bigot, Empreintes started  the second half of the show with two sets of jazzy marches and dances, showcasing the skills of master flautist Jean-Michel Veillon and saxophonist Bernard Le Dreau.  Then singer Marthe Vassallo took the stage and wowed the audience with her strong vocals.  The combination of mesmerizing Breton tunes and Vassallo’s powerhouse vocals produced an amazing performance that the audience did not want to end.  The band was kind and gave us a wonderful two-song encore, ending a magical night on just the right note.

– Catherine Keegan

Artists’ websites:
Empreintes
Gilles Le Bigot gilleslebigot.com
Jean-Michel Veillon www.jmveillon.net
Bernard Le Dréau www.skolvan.com/eng/ledreau.htm
Marthe Vassallo www.marthevassallo.com

Cruinn www.cruinn.net
James Graham www.jamesgraham.net
Fiona Mackenzie www.fionamackenzie.com/
Brian O’ hEadhra www.brianoheadhra.com
Rachel Walker www.myspace.com/rachelwalkergaelicsong

9:00

Rory Cambell-Tangsdale-The Piper’s Whim-Lochshore

Cara Dillon-Donald of Glencoe-Cara Dillon-Rough Trade

John Williams-The Humors of Kilcloger-Steam-Green Linnet

9:15

Kate Rusby-The Duke and the Tinker-Sleepless-Compass

Kinnel-Dans Loudeac-Donald’s Dog-Lochshore

Poozies-Sorrows Away-Infinite Blue-Compass

John Hicks-Em Jigs-Chasing the Bear-Tall Tree Records

9:30

Jim Malcolm Lochs of the Tay-Live in Glenfarg

Old Blind Dogs-Portobello-Wherever yet may be-Compass

Cara Dillon-Craigie Hill-Cara Dillon-Rough Trade

Ross Kennedy-Sandwood down to Kyle-Scottish Voice & Guitar-Green Trax

9:45

Susan McKeown-The Moorlough Shore-Lowlands-Green Linnet

McGuffins-Toss the Feathers-Wake Amusements

Jim Reid-The Band O Shearers-Yont the Tay-CD Trax

Troy Macgillivray-Live at the Music Room-Trolley

10:00

Karen Casey/Soals-Aililuna na Gamhna-Sunny Spells-Shanchie

Michael Black-Little Pack of Tailors-Michael Black-Compass

Nuala Kennedy-Hop Jigs-New Shoes-Compass

Pauline Scanlon-Rain & Snow-Hush-Compass

10:15

Old Blind Dogs-Waterloo-The World’s Room-Grn Linnet

Sharon Shannon-Rathlin Island-Each Little Thing-Compass

John Doyle-North Sea Holes-Evening Comes Early-Shanachie

Jeff Moore-The Dove’s Perch-Fleagull Records

10:30

Kris Drever-Braw Sailin on the Sea-Black Water-Compass

Solas-Paddy Tailor/McFadden’s Handsome Daughter-Sunny Spells-Shanachie

Grey Larsen-The Gathering-The Gathering-Sugar Hill

The afterglow of that stunning performance kept the audience happy for what should have been the normal duration of a break, and then time passed, and some more time passed, and with no emcee to keep them focused on the stage, the people stopped being an audience and turned into a crowd, which got louder and less interested in music.

The “third half” eventually began.  Allan MacDonald and Griogair Labhruidh took their places on the stage, tuned their pipes, and lit into their first set.  The crowd turned back into an audience, whooping and cheering.  Then came a long break while the duo explained what they had played, first in Gaelic and then in fragmented English, with the helpful audience supplying a variety of word choices that more or less meant the same thing.   The energy generated by the pipe tunes began dissipating during a digression into the date of a keening song; chatter commenced, and never quite vanished.  As the performance continued, cell phones appeared, people drifted into their conversations, both in person and via texts.  Despite some beautiful playing and singing, this third half never quite came together.  An exciting pipe tune or emotive Gaelic song would get the audience going, but then the magic would slip away during a halting set break or missed lyric.  There were several flashes of brilliance, such as Griogair’s keening song, Allan’s piping, and a delightful whistle duet. Griogar’s last two songs were a reminder of how powerful of an entertainer he truly is.

Submitted by Catherine Keegan

Links to the artists’ websites:
emmasweeneyfiddle.com
www.matheuwatson.com
griogairsmusic.webs.com

Cuairt nan Eilean (A Tour Around the Islands)  features Gaelic singers Jenna Cumming, Darren Maclean, and Linda Macleod backed by fiddlers Patsy Reid (Breabach) and Fiona MacAskill, piper/flautist James Mackenzie (Breabach), and multi-instrumentalist Matheu Watson.  Described by Darren as a “ceildh concert,” this was a formal performance with an informal charm and talented musicians.  The vocals filled the nave of St. Andrews in the Square to the gilded ribs of its roof, growing stronger with each song, alternating with brilliantly arranged instrumental sets.

Trading leads and sharing choruses, as they did with Runrig’s “An Dealachadh” or the second half’s “Mi le m”uillinin,” the singers brought the audience into the songs while demonstrating their own mastery on the solo leads.  The instrumental sets, especially the “retreats” set in the first half and the fiddle set in the second half, were pure genius, providing a different kind of energy to complement the beauty of the Gaelic songs.

More subtle, but perhaps more impressive, was the way the ensemble blended instrumental support with the vocal performances throughout the concert. These are musicians confident not only in their own abilities, but in each other’s as well, and it was fun to watch.

Artist – Tune – CD – Label
9:04
Tony McManus – The Laird of Drumblair/The Margaree Reel – The Maker’s Mark – Compass
Rua MacMillan – Glasgow Spike – Tyro – Greentrax
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – The Jig Runrig/The Ramnee Ceilidh – Highlander’s Farewell – Culburnie
9:20
Rachel Walker – Fada Bhuam – Air Chall [Lost] – Skipinnish
James Walker – Maili Dhonn – Greisean Greine – Skipinnish
MacGregor, Brechin, oHeadhra – A Chailin Alainn – Sonas – Brechin All Records
9:35
Kathryn Tickell – Rothbury Hills – The Northumberland Collection – Park Records
Dervish – Lord Lovett – Travelling Show – Whirling Discs
John McSherry – Atlantic Drive – Soma – Compass
Andy Irvine – My Heart’s Tonight in Ireland – Rain on the Roof – independent
Jarlath Henderson & Eamonn Coyne – Craig’s Pipes set – A Celebration of the Music of Gordon Duncan – Greentrax
10:04
Genticorum – La Grondeuse Opossum – La Bibournoise – Mad River Records
Maggie MacInnes – Baisteadh Breith – Oran na Mna – Marram Music
Corquieu – Eita – La Barquera – Discos l’Aguanaz
Breabach – Good Drying – The Desperate Battle of the Birds – Breabach Records
10:26
Vasen – Kapten Kapsyl – Whirled – NorthSide
Le Vent du Nord – Rosette – Mesdames et Messieurs – Borealis Records
Catriona McKay & Chris Stout – White Nights – White Nights – McKay Stout Music
10:40
Julie Fowlis – Hug Air a Bhonaid Mhoir – Live at Perthshire Amber – Machair Records
Michael McGoldrick – Mickey’s Reels – Aurora – Vertical Records
Manran – Puirt – Manran – Manran Records
Croft No.5 – Phat Jigs – Attention All Personnel – Foot Stompin’ Records

9:00

Aidan O’Rourke-Alyth-Sirius-Vertical

Terry Conway-Felton Lonnan-North Umbrian Collection-Park Records

David Brewer and Rebecca Lomnicky-The Lights Below-Inspired-Brewer & Lomnicky

9:15

Orla-An Mhaighdean Mhara-The Water is Wide-Manhatten Records

Ian Bruce-Johnny Gallacher-Hodden Grey-Green Trax

Franco Morone-Geordie/Johnny Barycorn/Ye Jacobites by Name-Road to Lisdoonvarna- Acoustic

9:30

Anna Murrey-Ailean Duinn-Three Things-Lochshore

Ed Miller-Aye Waukin’ O (Robert Burns) -Wellfield Records

Fiddler’s Bid-Christ Church Catherdral-Naked & Bare-Green Trax

9:45

James Malcolm-Jeannie Reid’s Hoose-Belatane

Old Blind Dogs-The Brenton & Galician Set-Gab O Mey-Green Linnet

Michael Black-The Willow Tree-Michael Black-Compass

10:00

Dougie-MacLean-Distant Son-Riof-Dunkeld

Dochas-Castle Kelly-The Crossing

Ad Vielle que Porra-Chanson a la Mariee-Come What May-Grn Linnet

10:15

Cherish the Ladies-The Cameronian Set-Out & About-Green Linnet

John Doyle-The Arabic-Shadow & Light-Compass

Niamh ni Charra-Cailleach An Airgid-Happy Out-Imeartas

10:30

Julie Fowlis-A Chatrion’ Og-Uam-Shoeshine Records

Brendan Power-The Drunken Landlady-The New Irish Harmonica-Green Linnet

Battlefield Band-The Bank of Red Roses-Happy Daze-Temple

Dervish-Swallow’s Tail-Spirit-Compass

10:45

Cara Dillon-Hill of Thieves-Hill of Thieves-Proper

John Doyle-Butter Brew-Shadow & Light-Compass

Joe McKenna-Echo’s Calling-The Irish Low Whistle-Shanachie

Artist – Tune – CD – Label
9:04
Skyedance – Year’s Turning – Auld Lang Syne (compilation) – Culburnie Records
John Doyle – The Arabic – Shadow & Light – Compass
Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas – Jig Runrig/The Ramnee Ceilidh – Highlander’s Farewell – Culburnie Records
Robin Laing – The Wee Cooper o’ Fife – Whiskey for Breakfast – Greentrax
Julie Fowlis – Tha Brochan ur agam a-Nochd/The Cat and the Dog/Mo Chuachag ‘s Laghach Thu – Live at Perthshire Amber – Machair Records
Molly’s Revenge – Bart’s Rant – Aged Ten Years – Molri Music
9:38
Session set with Chris Norman, Shelley Phillips, Rod Cameron, and Jim Malcolm
Paddy Keenan – 3 Hornpipes – recorded live at Matheson Performing Arts Center, April 2011
David Brewer & Rebecca Lomnicky – The Tartan Gypsy – recorded live at Matheson Performing Arts Center, July 2011
Anonymous – recorded live at Matheson, October 2011
10:04
Dick Hensold – Dad’s Fantastic! Jig/Winnifred Foley’s/Bruce Bowers/DF!J – BIG Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes – Ten Thousand Lakes
10:08
Dougie MacLean – The Osprey – Fiddle – Dunkeld Records
Susan McKeown – The Wee Birds have All Come and Gone/Fisherman’s – Sweet Liberty – harmonia mundi
The Bothy Band – The Blackbird – Out of the Wind Into the Sun – Compass
Silly Wizard – The Blackbird of Sweet Avondale – A Glint of Silver – Green Linnet
Sharon Shannon – The Mighty Sparrow – Out the Gap – Green Linnet
10:20
Jim Malcolm – The Bonny Ship the Diamond – Sparkling Flash – Beltane Records
Brizeus – Lark in the Morning – Brizeus – Tidy Cottage Records
Moya Brennan & Cormac deBarra – An Seanduine Doite – Voices and Harps – Beo Records
Manran – Glaodh an Iar – Manran – Manran Records