Reporting from Celtic Connections 2015 in the small hours of 16th January – its underway tonight in a vibrant Glasgow – free of slush and storms.
The amazing festival, now in its 22 year and running from 16th January – 2nd February just gets better and better under the direction of Donald Shaw. So there was no- one better than the Argyll man himself to stroll onto the Royal concert hall stage to welcome a packed palace ready to be entertained.
The Opening Concert for 2015 was a much anticipated live world premiere of Martyn Bennett’s final masterpiece Grit, originally released in 2003, and widely recognised as a towering landmark in contemporary Scottish music – the 2015 festival coincides with 10th anniversary of Bennett’s passing.
I never met Bennett, indeed I never knew the man.
Truth be told, I had not even heard of him until fairly lately when I took an interest in the fusion of dance rhythms of the club scene and fusion with our own traditional music. Bennetts name kept coming up – and Grit kept being touted as the seminal and original version of the genre. They were right. Here was an album of unique music telling our story. Tonight’s performance was the recreation of an almost entirely studio-created album that has been lovingly reconstructed by conductor, violinist and composer Greg Lawson for a custom designed orchestra of handpicked folk, jazz and classical musicians.
Mr Shaw did not let the full might of this magnificent Orchestra loose on us immediately – instead lulling is with tasters of Bennett’s work – performed by lusty Québécois quartet Le Vent du Nord, who had a day earlier entertained passers-by on the stairs of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Legend of Folk, Rab Noakes, young Lewis Gael Isobel Ann Martin, and Malinky trad heroes, Fiona Hunter and Mike Vass. The Quebec foursome amused treated us to a couple of foot tapping Canadian tune to honour the land that Bennett spent his first five years. A happier band of revellers you have not met and they bookended the first half with The Donald Shaw all-stars band sending us off into the break for liquid refreshments at the other end.
Raring to go we returned to a full stage – a cast of 72 and the Glasgow University chapel choir for backing vocals! You could not make this up!
Conductor Lawson arrived to a rousing welcome – and set the scene. He had got an ultimatum from Mr Shaw after many years of cajoling to create the spectacle – it was ‘now or never’. He chose now. Move, Blackbird [the sound track to trick cyclist Danny MacAskill’s latest adventure on the Cuillins of Skye] and Chanter completed round one. When the audience applause settled the word ‘WOW’ was heard and set off deserved encore applause.
Annie Grace, Catherine Joan MacDonald and Karen Matheson joined an array of well-known folk musicians including James Mackintosh, Sorren and Gordon MacLean [from Tobermory], Ross Ainslie, Ali Hutton, Catriona McKay, David McGuinness, Calum MacCrimmon and Fraser Fifield. The audience thrilled to the whole ensemble of tracks including two that never made the album and finished off with Paisley spin – which had the audience singing along. We were well taught by Rab Noakes in the First half – as we honoured Gerry Rafferty with the intertwining of his lyrics and Martyn Bennetts melodic genius.
The Audience went into raptures and two encores later – including a reprise of Paisley Spin, so we might sing again, we went home delirious. The next 18 days have a lot to live up to – but they will.
The Shaw team smorgasbord of musical performances includes sets ranging from African diva Angélique Kidjo raising the roof of the concert hall with the backing of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, to Hollywood’s most sought after composer Craig Armstrong playing well-loved hits from scores he’s composed for The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge, and then the extraordinary Congolese band Konono No.1 who will be making music from salvaged car parts and other junkyard finds. Skerryvore, DaimhMor, Hayseed Dixie, and Mike Vass and his venture “In the wake of Neil Gunn” are just a few of my adventures in store until February dawns.
As Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, said: ‘Here we go again – Celtic Connections is underway for its 22nd year! As ever we can’t wait to showcase the very best of Scotland’s traditional music alongside a huge array of eclectic international acts such as Brazil’s Criolo, Mali’s Songhoy Blues and India’s Ganesh Kumaresh.’
Eclectic? You bet!
Campbell Cameron, Mr Music
Note: Celtic Connections 2015 tickets are now on sale:
- Online here.
- By phone: 0141 353 8000
- In person from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at 2, Sauchiehall Street.
In person Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
