It was quite ironic in this set that there was a track called "Haunted" as Rickie Lee Jones will certainly be haunted by this concert. A night riddled with guitar problems, a guitar roadie was as much as star of the show as the New Orleans based singer. Two songs into this concert which promised so much Rickie Lee Jones walked off stage due to continual sound problems with … [Read more...] about Rickie Lee Jones at Royal Concert Hall 18/1/16
I have to admit that I had never heard anything before from Kathryn and Sean, and it was curiousity to see them that I went as I have watched the other two Lakeman brothers at Celtic Connections in previous years. I am so very glad that I did......this is a duo who work together so well and seem to invite you into their lives with ease. They had not played in Glasgow for 10 … [Read more...] about Review : Kathryn Roberts; Sean Lakeman plus Bronwynne Brent @ Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Saturday 31 January 2015
I first came across this couple whilst researching songs for our themed show on a Sunday on Celtic Music Radio when looking for male/female related duos. So when I heard they were playing at Celtic Connections, I jumped at the chance of seeing them live. Their act varies from a duo to sextet and on this evening there were five of them on stage including also Kirstine Elise … [Read more...] about Review : Helene Blum and Harald Haugaard plus Barluath @ Òran Mór on Friday 30 January 2015
Question - take a five piece band from Wales with one of their members unable to be there and what do we get on stage?...six guys of course! The band did state before the concert that there would be a couple of surprises and we weren't disappointed. Adam Rhodes was the missing member, however instead we were treated to Ewan MacPherson (Shooglenifty) on guitar and Tom … [Read more...] about Review : Jamie Smith’s Mabon & Moxie @ Òran Mór, Saturday 24 January 2015
This was a night when two great bands were launching their new albums and the audience were not to be disappointed. Malinky are now onto their 5th album (produced by Donald Shaw) which has been some time in the making as their last one was launched in 2008. It also heralds 10 years that Fiona Hunter has been with the group. The others being Steve Byrne, Mike Vass and Mark … [Read more...] about Review: Malinky & The Jenna Reid Band, Mitchell Theatre, Friday 23 January 2015
My first experience of Carlos was two years ago - also at Celtic Connections - when I saw him in two completely different concerts highlighting his versatility as a piper. This concert only cemented this fact as he introduced us to the idea of connections between the celtic nations and South America, hence the title of the concert - The Atlantic Corridor. In association … [Read more...] about Review: Carlos Nunez and Rura @ GRCH on Wednesday 21 January 2015
The recipe for an evening's entertainment of Elizabethan themed songs and tunes, is to take eight very accomplished folk artists and put them in a house for five days with a remit of producing pieces which relate to Elizabeth I and her time spent at Hatfield House before her accession to the throne. And did they succeed? Most definitely Yes! The eight who were partipating in … [Read more...] about Review: The Elizabethan Session, The Mitchell Theatre, Sunday 18 January 2015
This Scandanavian trio were originally to play at the Tron Theatre, however, I would have missed them there and was so glad to hear them perform at the Mitchell. They are classed as Danish although the cittern player, Ale Carr, is from Sweden. They opened with a track from their last album before moving onto one from their upcoming one - and up to this point no words had … [Read more...] about Review: Dreamers Circus, The Mitchell Theatre, Sunday 18 January 2015