This is a preview piece for this year's Celtic Connections, that was printed in the Morning Star on Thursday (19 Jan). The link to the article on line doesn't seem to be working, so here (with a little updating) is the article as written. Updating as well, prompts me to mention that fact that the Lions of Lisbon, has not only had to have an extra performance scheduled, but both are now sold out! Never mind, it will appear later in the year. Watch - as they say - this space!
 |
| Rab Noakes |
Having an embarrassment of riches is sometimes a mixed blessing. Imagine
being a concert scheduler with Celtic Connections – the very successful music
festival that started in Glasgow on Thursday. With the acts attending, clashes must be
a perennial concern. This year on one night (2 Feb) you could see Orchestre
Baobab, Eliza Carthy, Rab Noakes and Martin Green’s impressive collaboration, Flit, except you couldn’t of course,
because they’re all on at the same time.
Still, there are plenty of other shows that are worth seeing, in
particular the re-emergence of Shirley
Collins (4 Feb), who has released her
first new album for 38 years. She leads a strong female presence at this year’s
festival. Highlights include Mary Chapin Carpenter (30 Jan), Martha Wainwright (3
Feb), Sharon Shannon (3 Feb), rising star Siobhan Miller (26 Jan) and the
ubiquitous Karine Polwart - her Wind
Resistance performance spreads over four days (24-28 Jan) at the Tron. Even
the Roaming Roots Review this year concentrates on Women of Song (28 Jan).
 |
| Shirley Collins (photo Eva Vermandel) |
This year also has a sense of ‘back to traditional folk’, not just the
reappearance of Shirley Collins after 35 years, but a concert from Tom Paxton
(25 Jan) and both Fairport Convention (24 Jan) and Rab Noakes (2 Feb)
celebrating 50 years performing.
Having said that, there is also plenty of new talent performing at this
year’s festival. CDuncan (26 Jan) has already created a stir, and I’m looking
forward to seeing the Southern Tenant Folk Union (30 Jan). It is often the
‘outside’ venues that break these new acts, and this year brings a couple of
new venues to Celtic Connections in South Glasgow’s Glad Café and the West
End’s Hug and Pint.
Finally, if you are ‘all folked out’ and fancy something a little
different, two important British composers feature this year. Eclectic
composer, singer and clarinettist, Anna Meredith is on 4 Feb, and Craig
Armstrong and Calum Martin present the outcome of their collaboration to write
new music inspired by Hebridean psalm singing (3 Feb).
Too much music? How about a day at the footie? FairPley are reviving The Lions of Lisbon, the play by Willy
Maley and Ian Auld about Celtic’s triumph in the European Cup 50 years ago! (29
Jan - two performances). Get tickets on line at www.celticconnections.com
