Music Reviews.

Celtic Connections 2024: Transatlantic Sessions

Transatlantic Sessions

Photos and Review by Pauline Keightley This was a concert of memories, escapism and also expectations – as well as the fun banter, expert musicianship, high quality vocals and top songs. Session bands don’t come any better than this TS band. Young Irish folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside gave a strong performance with his thoughtful songs Louis […]

Read the full article: Celtic Connections 2024: Transatlantic Sessions

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2024, Music Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog, Pauline Keightley

Free Candy Sessions, The Liquid Ship review Pat Byrne

patrick monaghan

The Free Candy Sessions Review Butch Ross, Brigid Kaelin and The Reptile House, 28th May, 2010 Invariably we enjoy a night out at The Liquid Ship and last Friday was no exception. Jim and I were looking forward to catching up with our friends Dochan and The Bluesbunny and seeing a couple of acts on tour from USA Brigid Kaelin and Butch […]

Read the full article: Free Candy Sessions, The Liquid Ship review Pat Byrne

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 | Filed under: Music Reviews, West End Festival Glasgow

Kim Carnie at Celtic Connections 2023

Kim Carnie, Celtic Connections 2023. Photo Pauline Keightley

Kim Carnie, Scots singer songwriter review by Pauline Keightley Glasgow Concert Hall Charming with her soft, mesmerising voice Kim Carnie was the support artist to Duncan Chisholm and was backed by the strings and piano and Megan Henderson on vocals and violin. She performed Gaelic heritage songs from her 2022 album And So We Gather […]

Read the full article: Kim Carnie at Celtic Connections 2023

Le Vent du Nord, Celtic Connections 2023

La Vent du Nord

Le Vent du Nord brought their Joie de Vivre to the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow! Le Vent du Nord, Canadian folk group from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu Quebec. performed at the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow, at Celtic Connections music festival on 19 January, 2023. The award winning band celebrated their 20th year with their 11th album 20 Printemps and are […]

Read the full article: Le Vent du Nord, Celtic Connections 2023

Saturday, February 4, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Celtic Connections 2023, Music Reviews

Rura at Celtic Connections 2022

Rura

Review and Photographs by Pauline Keightley For RURA’s Celtic Connections gig on the final weekend of the festival it was clear the band were glad to be back performing to a live and packed theatre audience. Their previous gig had been in 2020, when the band celebrated their ten year anniversary with a rousing and […]

Read the full article: Rura at Celtic Connections 2022

Saturday, February 26, 2022 | Filed under: Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog

Boo Hewerdine and Darden Smith at the Fallen Angels Club, Admiral Bar

Boo Hewerdine and Darden Smith

(Photo by Jim Byrne) The Fallen Angels Club in Glasgow’s Admiral Bar played host to Boo Hewerdine and Darden Smith–a night of song, wry banter and even a reading from Darden’s new book, ‘The Habit of Noticing: Using Creativity to Make a Life’. The audience was rapt. So relaxed was the atmosphere that it could […]

Read the full article: Boo Hewerdine and Darden Smith at the Fallen Angels Club, Admiral Bar

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | Filed under: Music Reviews

Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2019 review and photography by Pauline Keightley

Transatlantic Sessions

The unique blend of Shetland fiddle and West Virginia song, dubro and Irish pipes is always a joy to hear at the Transatlantic Sessions. Warm fires appeared to chase away the winter chill at the Glasgow concert hall and this concert is always a major highlight at Celtic Connections – celebrating folk and roots music from […]

Read the full article: Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2019 review and photography by Pauline Keightley

Thursday, February 14, 2019 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2019, Music Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog, Pauline Keightley

New Traditions: Talisk, Vishtèn and Xabier Diaz at Celtic Connections 2019

Xabier Diaz and JNoró Adufeiras de Salitre

Old Fruitmarket, Celtic Connections 2019 These three bands lit up the warm fires of live music! The audience at the wonderful Old Fruitmarket venue was treated to an international line up of award-winning Celtic musicians. They did a fine job interpreting the musical traditions of Galicia, the French Canadian Acadia islands and Scots Celtic. Xabier […]

Read the full article: New Traditions: Talisk, Vishtèn and Xabier Diaz at Celtic Connections 2019

Saturday, February 9, 2019 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2019, Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Celtic Connections: Lizzie Reid at King Tut’s

lizzie 6

Lizzie Reid and her band at King Tut’s, Glasgow part of Celtic Connections 2 February, 2019 For a twenty-one year old, Lizzie Reid is mighty impressive. What a joyous gig at King Tut’s. Playing to a house full of adoring fans, Lizzie (vocals and guitar) and her band: James Harker (guitar), Chris Dickie (drums), Bobby […]

Read the full article: Celtic Connections: Lizzie Reid at King Tut’s

Monday, February 4, 2019 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2019, Music Reviews

Yvonne Lyon and Eilidh Patterson at The Glad Cafe review Pat Byrne

yvonne-Lyon-with-eilidh-patterson

Another great night at The Glad Cafe in Glasgow – 8 September, 2018 Yvonne Lyon and Eilidh Patterson treated a full house at The Glad Cafe to a brilliant night of music and fun.  An excellent atmosphere was created by the relaxed format with Yvonne and David Lyon being invited onto the stage to join […]

Read the full article: Yvonne Lyon and Eilidh Patterson at The Glad Cafe review Pat Byrne

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 | Filed under: Music Reviews

Starry Skies Album Launch, OranMor Review by Pat Byrne

‘Be Kind’ Warren McIntyre Album Launch OranMor – review Pat Byrne ‘Warren McIntyre’s gig to launch his album, ‘Be Kind’ –  a night to remember.’ Special guest Woody Pines, Nashville troubadour in town for Glasgow Americana Festival, kicked off this memorable gig. He entertained the audience with great roots music, his dobro guitar and the […]

Read the full article: Starry Skies Album Launch, OranMor Review by Pat Byrne

Monday, September 3, 2018 | Filed under: Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog

Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2018 photographs and review by Pauline Keightley

Transtalntic Sessions

Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2018 Golden highlights of another memorable festival.  The Transatlantic Session are the jewel in the Celtic Connections crown – led by musical maestros Shetland fiddler Aly Bain and US Dubro master Jerry Douglas. We were treated to wonderful music from Phil Cunningham, Russ Barenberg, John McCusker and Michael McGoldrick, backed up […]

Read the full article: Transatlantic Sessions Celtic Connections 2018 photographs and review by Pauline Keightley

Dick Gaughan Tribute Concert at Celtic Connections 2018 – photography and review Pauline Keightley

The Wilson Family

Songs of Defiance and social conscience and an evening of contrast, quality, and sincerity The Old Fruitmarket, Celtic Connections,January,2018 This concert was a celebration of the music that matters to Dick Gaughan. It was hosted by actress Elaine C Smith, who introduced an incomparable line up of Gaughan’s long time friends and collaborators. This included […]

Read the full article: Dick Gaughan Tribute Concert at Celtic Connections 2018 – photography and review Pauline Keightley

Blue Rose Code at Celtic Connections 2018 photos and review Pauline Keightley

Blue Rose Code

Blue Rose Code (aka Ross Wilson) performed at Celtic Connections supporting Beth Orton. Ross commanded the ABC stage as he sang with a full band line up. He performed songs from his new 2017 album Water of Leith, as well as other fan favourites. In some memorable songs he connected to his Scottish roots and […]

Read the full article: Blue Rose Code at Celtic Connections 2018 photos and review Pauline Keightley

Beth Orton at Celtic Connections  2018 review and photographs by Pauline Keightley

Beth Orton

Short stories with some beautiful sounds Beth Orton the Brit award-winning, English singer-songwriter, known for her fusion of folk and electronica sounds (folktronica), performed a concert at the O2 ABC at Celtic Connections 2018. She played guitar and was backed by Grey McMurray, on electronic keys, guitar and bass. During her set she was brightly […]

Read the full article: Beth Orton at Celtic Connections  2018 review and photographs by Pauline Keightley

Session A9 Celtic Connections 2018 review and photographs by Pauline Keightley

Session A9

An entertaining night!  Session A9 are a multi-talented band led by fiddler Charlie Mckerron –  striking music with four top fiddlers. The band treated us to a variety of  slow airs, songs, reels and jigs, with feet dancing rhythms and bows swinging with powerhouse dynamism! There were also slow melancholy tunes. Included was a Ross […]

Read the full article: Session A9 Celtic Connections 2018 review and photographs by Pauline Keightley

Max Richter at Celtic Connections 2018 review and photography by Pauline Keightley

Max Richter

A night to remember! Max Richter, renowned composer of stage and screen, performed his eight album of classical and electronic sound ‘Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works (2017)’ at Celtic Connections.  The music is from the score he composed for the ballet Woolf Works in collaboration with choreographer Wayne McGregor. The work follows a three-part […]

Read the full article: Max Richter at Celtic Connections 2018 review and photography by Pauline Keightley

Alela Diane and Mick Flannery, Celtic Connections 2018 review by Pat Byrne

alela diane

The Mackintosh Church at Queens Cross provided the perfect intimate setting for these talented, laid back performers. Celtic Connections fans were treated to Alela Diane’s first concert since the birth of her second daughter. It was also her first opportunity to play songs from her new album ‘Cusp’, due for release 9 February, 2018. Playing […]

Read the full article: Alela Diane and Mick Flannery, Celtic Connections 2018 review by Pat Byrne

Shawn Colvin Celtic Connections 2018 review and photographs Pauline Keightley

Shawn Colvin

Shawn Colvin, is a Grammy award-winning American singer-songwriter, best known for her song ‘Sunny Came Home’. The concert at Celtic Connections was opened with a welcoming and accomplished duo from Colvin’s band, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams. Colvin is celebrating 20 years since the success of her ‘Few Small Repairs’ album and the re-release of a […]

Read the full article: Shawn Colvin Celtic Connections 2018 review and photographs Pauline Keightley

Dave Arcari album launch – Live At Memorial Hall

dave album launch memorial hall

Jim and I had a brilliant time this evening (Thursday, 24 August, 2017) at the Scottish Music Centre for the media launch of Dave Arcari’s new album ‘Live at Memorial Hall’. Sponsored by Glengoyne Distillery, it was a very enjoyable event with delicious nibbles served along with nips of Glengoyne and kilt lifters, Glengoyne, Drambuie […]

Read the full article: Dave Arcari album launch – Live At Memorial Hall

Thursday, August 24, 2017 | Filed under: Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music Reviews

Raging Twilight Album Launch 7July, 2017 – Review by Paul Kerr, Blabber ‘n’ Smoke

raging twilight 2

‘Jack Law and his henchmen turned in a fine performance to a capacity crowd in the Southside’s Glad Cafe last Friday as they presented their first album to the public. The album, reviewed here, is a fine collection of songs with a definite American bent with many of Law’s lyrics inspired by recent trips to […]

Read the full article: Raging Twilight Album Launch 7July, 2017 – Review by Paul Kerr, Blabber ‘n’ Smoke

Sunday, July 23, 2017 | Filed under: Gig Guide plus Club Events, Music Reviews

LIV On in Concert with Olivia-Newton John, Beth Nielsen-Chapman and Amy Sky, Celtic Connections 2017 review by Pauline Keightley

olivia newton john celtic connections glasgow 2017

LIV ON in Concert Celtic Connections 2017 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 24 January – review by Pauline Keightley A hopeful and life-embracing evening of song to lift the spirits.  Australian, American and Canadian, singer songwriters Olivia Newton-John, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky shared their personal journeys of grief in song from their collaborative LIV […]

Read the full article: LIV On in Concert with Olivia-Newton John, Beth Nielsen-Chapman and Amy Sky, Celtic Connections 2017 review by Pauline Keightley

NICK TURNER & DAMAGED GOODZ “The Hangman” Single Download May Day

NICK TURNER & DAMAGED GOODZ “The Hangman” Single Download Release Date Friday 1st May   Also “The Hangman” You Tube video release   Producer Nick Turner and Scottish HIP HOP pioneer DAMAGED GOODZ release “The Hangman” This one-off single release is based on Maurice Ogden’s 1950 poem of the same name. Perceived by many as […]

Read the full article: NICK TURNER & DAMAGED GOODZ “The Hangman” Single Download May Day

Friday, May 1, 2015 | Filed under: Music Reviews

Noakes and Barbara Dickson – Milngavie Folk Club May 2014, Review Pauline Keightley

Rab Noakes and Barbara Dickson – Milngavie Folk Club May 2014 Songs by Rab, songs by Barbara. Songs together. Rab and Barbara gave us a real treat with a showcase gig of their favourite songs. They both looked well, Rab in a smart suit and Barbara glamorous in black. They clearly enjoyed sharing the stage […]

Read the full article: Noakes and Barbara Dickson – Milngavie Folk Club May 2014, Review Pauline Keightley

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 | Filed under: Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Lyla Foy at Nice n Sleazy’s Glasgow March 2014. Review by Pauline Keightley

 Lyla Foy at Nice n Sleazy’s Glasgow March 2014  Lyla took to the Nice N Sleazy stage after a fine set by Scottish duo Turtles, who have a strong front singer and play powerful electronic melodic post rock. Worth checking out. Lyla sang her memorable songs in her subtle haunting country voice, along with her backing […]

Read the full article: Lyla Foy at Nice n Sleazy’s Glasgow March 2014. Review by Pauline Keightley

Saturday, March 29, 2014 | Filed under: Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Dick Gaughan at Milngavie Folk Club, 22nd March, 2014, review by Pauline Keightley

Dick Gaughan Milngavie Folk Club 22nd March 2014   The folk club was busy for Gaughan’s return gig with both younger and older fans in the audience. Dick Gaughan is a Scottish traditional folk singer, guitarist and songwriter. He sings of Scottish heroes and of stories of our lost past. He has been playing the […]

Read the full article: Dick Gaughan at Milngavie Folk Club, 22nd March, 2014, review by Pauline Keightley

Friday, March 28, 2014 | Filed under: Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Mogwai: Concert Hall Celtic Connections 2014

 When I arrived at the concert hall it was very unusual to see the place busy with thirty something rock and indie fans rather than the older audience that more often attend Celtic gigs.  The air was full of anticipation as people waied for this iconic Glasgow band.  This was a gig of two parts […]

Read the full article: Mogwai: Concert Hall Celtic Connections 2014

Tuesday, February 4, 2014 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2014, Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

Review: Live Music Glasgow – Burns Night Special at The Roxy171

Burns Night Special at The Roxy171 Martin Stephenson, Scott MacDonald, The Optimystics and Jim Byrne Scott MacDonald pulled together a great night at the Roxy 171 on Saturday 25th January, 2014.  It was anything but a traditional Burns Night but I reckon the Bard would have enjoyed the party. Jim (that’s Jim Byrne) was up […]

Read the full article: Review: Live Music Glasgow – Burns Night Special at The Roxy171

Thursday, January 30, 2014 | Filed under: Music Reviews

Celtic Connections 2014: Del Amitri Reunion Gig, The Glasgow Hydro – review P. Keightley

Del Amitri Reunion Gig review by Pauline Keightley After a twelve year break this reunion gig, by Del Amitir, one of Glasgow’s favourite bands, kicked off a twelve date tour. Celtic Connections’ biggest show so far – it attracted a crowd of over 8.000. It was also the first Celtic Connection gig to take place […]

Read the full article: Celtic Connections 2014: Del Amitri Reunion Gig, The Glasgow Hydro – review P. Keightley

Celtic Connections 2014: Roaming Roots Revue – review by P. Keightley

Roaming Roots Review by Pauline Keightley I was at a Laurel Canyon concert Sunday, such great songs came out of this era – and this was all about the young people keeping the groove alive today….  The concert was a journey with through the California sounds of Laurel Canyon with some of the newer Scottish […]

Read the full article: Celtic Connections 2014: Roaming Roots Revue – review by P. Keightley

Monday, January 27, 2014 | Filed under: Celtic Connections 2014, Music Reviews, Pauline Keightley

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