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Celtic Connections 2024: 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.

Glasgow Scotland. Joshua Burnside. Irish folk singer-songwriter, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. His debut album Ephrata was awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for Best Album. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

Young Irish folk singer-songwriter Joshua Burnside gave a strong performance with his thoughtful songs Louis Mercer and 26^th Street. He is influenced from contemporary electronica and traditional Irish songs, evoking lush landscapes, bad dreams and wistful vistas. His debut album Ephrata was awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for Best Album.

Glasgow Scotland. Kim Carnie, Scots/ Gaelic singer songwriter, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. She is lead singer of Mànran and Staran and winner of the Scots Trad Music Awards Gaelic singer of the year. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

We were then treated to Scots singer songwriter, Kim Carnie engrossing and pure Gaelic voice. She is also lead singer of Mànran and Staran and winner of the Scots Trad Music Awards Gaelic singer of the year.  While American singer songwriter Lindsay Lou’s silky smooth and rhythmic voice mixes bluegrass with modern Americana. Her performance was magnetic as she danced along to her emotive songs, Nothings Working and Love Calls. New album Queen of Time released 2023

Glasgow Scotland. Lindsay Lou, American bluegrass and Americana singer songwriter, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. New album Queen of Time. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

Canadian duo Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves returned on banjo and fiddle with their jaunty tunes!. They were winners of Instrumental Group of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards. We enjoyed hearing the talents on double bass of Daniel Kimbro, on the humorous song Michael Collins.

Glasgow Scotland. Carlene Carter, American country singer songwriter, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. She is the daughter of music legends June Carter and Carl Smith. Carter has recorded 12 albums, mainly on major labels. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

A highlight was Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Carlene Carter­ – daughter of music legends June Carter and Carl Smith, and Johnny Cash’s stepdaughter – who performed her songs, Every Little Thing, Wildwood Flower – as well as June Carter’s Ring of Fire, for a rousing sing along finale.

Glasgow Scotland. Jerry Douglas, American dubro player, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

The two music directors with their fun chat kept the show and the band grounded – Jerry Douglas with his expressive dubro and Aly Bain with his moving Shetland fiddle. Alongside the other excellent players they were appreciated by the packed audience. Stand outs were Phil Cunningham’s tune Melody for Eve and Aly Bain’s Smuggler’s Set

This concert stirred so many emotions, with thoughtful songs and joyful playing. This kind of vibrant playing takes us out of those everyday struggles for a while. It’s all about how good the collaborative vibe is between the artists, from youthful exuberance to the experienced traditional players. I’ve attended the Transatlantic Sessions since 2008 and while they are always excellent, tonight’s was one of the best! Tremendous fun!

Glasgow Scotland. The Transatlantic Sessions band, performed at the Glasgow concert hall at Transatlantic Sessions 2024 as part of Celtic Connections. The Celtic and roots musicians
band, is led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, and includes Phil Cunningham, John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh and Daniel Kimbro. Photo Pauline Keightley/ Alamy.

The house band, was led by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, features renowned Celtic roots musicians Phil Cunningham, John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker, Donald Shaw, James Mackintosh and Daniel Kimbro. 

Photos & Review Pauline Keightley

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