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 years, which must have been a great shame for their fans here, however that would all have been forgotten as soon as Kathryn started to sing!

They opened with a track called ‘Child Owlet’ from their new CD out at the end of February 2015.  Kathryn explained that their seven year old twin daughters wanted to make the video for this and it’s so good that you really have to watch it!

Other songs from the album were ‘Tomorrow Will Follow Today’, 52 Hertz Whale (about a forlorn whale in search of love!), The Robber Bridegroom, The Banishing Book and two songs written for thier daughters – ‘A Song To Live By’ which Kathryn wrote to help them understand that not everything goes right at school however they will always be loved at home, and Rusalka, written to prove that not all water nymphs are like Disney’s Ariel!

They also covered some traditional folk songs like The Red Barn, Lusty Smith and Joe Peel, which Kathryn has been singing since a young girl. Through the set, Sean accompanied her on guitar and although he doesn’t sing, is still an integral part of the duo.

What is very clear is that Kathryn loves story-telling through song and has such a great strong yet soft voice.  This was highlighted when she sang ‘The Huldra’ – acapello – sending a tingle up your spine. They finished with ‘The Wisdom Of Standing Still’  – very apt for today’s rushed society and giving an insight into their lives in Devon where life goes on at a more sedate pace.

It may have been one of the last concerts at Celtic Connections 2015, but was well worth the wait and was in my opinion, the best one this year for me and I look forward to seeing them again soon.

The evening opened with Bronwynne Brent, a singer-songwriter from Mississippi, whose voice belies her age. It is very emotive and doleful as she sings about broken hearts, loss and betrayal. She opened with ‘Don’t Tell Your Secrets To The Wind’ from her second album Stardust, accompanied on stage by Euan Burton on double bass and Jamie Sturt on guitar / vocals.

She has a voice which you think reminds you of another singer,  however you just can’t put a finger on that person! ‘Wrecked My Mind’ and ‘Devil Again’ were another couple which she sang from her album. By her own admission, she is very shy and as such doesn’t have much stage presence. The upshot of that being that she sang more songs!  A lovely start to the concert.

Ruth Roy

Presenter, Celtic Music Radio 95FM