Willie Watson – Cottiers – Celtic Connections – January 29, 2025.

Even WILLIE WATSON – in brilliant form here – freely admits it feels weird to be touring a solo, self-titled, debut album when he has plenty of lauded, recorded music out there, on his own or with Old Crow Medicine Show.

The source of songs on his playlist really is incidental as this show is a stunning, virtuoso affair with many a track bringing people to their feet.

He’s relaxed and chirpy, and the music flows wonderfully. His evocative vocals are pure, his guitar and banjo playing magical. It’s a bewitching combination of boundless talent and skill, unrelenting in exuberant tones with a constant spirit.

Already Gone from the ‘debut’ is a gorgeous and elegant opener all about choices and repercussions. ”There’s no hearts to break here / they’re already gone’ is his devastating verdict.

He kicks up the storytelling dust with Slim And The Devil barely drawing breath as he rattles through the verses and then he fires out a stormy and sharpened Gallows Pole that is far removed from the Led Zeppelin version. Its dark theme is enhanced by Willie’s pin sharp delivery.

In impish fashion, he covers a Swedish pop hit (by Robyn in 2010), Dancing On My Own, which he pretends is an old folk song, still enjoyed in nightclubs by many in that country. The harmonica interludes and his warming vocals make it another track to savour.

Before delivering the truly beautiful song Real Love, written for his wife, he takes us on a wonderful monologue with dazzling guitar backing, which is all about how hopeless he was as a wrestler as a kid, despite his dad being a coach in the sport. It’s hilarious and the bit where he says he took up smoking, picked up a guitar and sang Neil Young snippets to his dad is clever-as-hell and moving at the same time.

A romping, stomping flat-out John Henry ends a remarkable gig that has zipped by and we are left longing for more. If we gave stars, he would get five of them.

MIKE RITCHIE