Folk Connections

[johncorrigan]

Plenty Verity coming up this weekend on 3 including a programme about folk collecting and lots of folk inspired things including more from Kathryn Tickell. Some good looking choices.

[Globaltruth]

Plenty Verity coming up this weekend on 3 including a programme about folk collecting and lots of folk inspired things including more from Kathryn Tickell. Some good looking choices.

Yes, we should have a thread on this - although to be honest, I did find Verity's LJ folk-fest on Weds nights a tad wearisome, maybe it was all that instrumental; even though Leveret are a fine band and Sam Sweeney has a great story to tell about his violin
and Andy Cutting is my all time favourite melodeon player.
Maybe a wider look at 'folk' to include other parts of the UK may have been better. Anyway, here's a synopsis of what is coming - which IS a wider look.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03fh25d

including AK's return to the r3 airwaves.
and one of the songs collected by Cecil Sharp 100 years performed again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03gnqv6

[Lat-Literal]

Yes, we should have a thread on this - although to be honest, I did find Verity's LJ folk-fest on Weds nights a tad wearisome, maybe it was all that instrumental; even though Leveret are a fine band and Sam Sweeney has a great story to tell about his violin
and Andy Cutting is my all time favourite melodeon player.
Maybe a wider look at 'folk' to include other parts of the UK may have been better. Anyway, here's a synopsis of what is coming - which IS a wider look.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03fh25d

including AK's return to the r3 airwaves.
and one of the songs collected by Cecil Sharp 100 years performed again:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03gnqv6

Many thanks for the information GT.

A couple of clips of Stef Conner who like RVW was brought up at Leith Hill.

She was featured on Michael Portillo's recent railway programme in which he visited Leith Hill Place.

And she also has links with the Unthanks which from my perspective completes the circle.

The Flood - New Music in Sumerian and Babylonian:

http://www.stefconner.com/videos/the-flood-mini-documentary/

GBRJ - The Very First Folk Song Discovered by RVW:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06z8lcp/great-british-railway-journeys-series-7-17-east-grinstead-to-guildford

(from 14.30)

[johncorrigan]

Was listening to Kathryn Tickell on Saturday Classics and she played some fine stuff in there. Loved her finishing piece of Concerto Caledonia doing 'Sir Simon the King'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avqxmKRRjtU

[johncorrigan]

Just listening to 'Voice of the People' which has been interesting and enjoyable, and especially Irish singer Thomas McCarthy who talked about his family songs and the need to get them out there lest they disappear. Fantastic performer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06yjdp4

[Lat-Literal]

Celtic Connections 2016

Comments:

My intention today was to do a review of Celtic Connections 2016. A tall order given the considerable line-up and the fact that I wasn't exactly with this event at the time it was broadcast. Still, I have viewed the two programmes that went out on BBC2 and most of the links on You Tube. All very enjoyable although there wasn't a stand out track or act and I am not sure that it was one of the classic years. First, a mention for those who appeared to put in a solid enough performance. That list includes Kris Drever, Bella Hardy, Julie Fowlis, Gretchen Peters and Teddy Thompson who with Kelly Jones has been reasonably successful in creating a male/female version of the Everly Brothers. From what I have seen of the footage of Jason Isbell, he continues to impress as one of the trailblazers in modern country. I was less convinced by Angaleena Presley of the Pistol Annies who has some way to go before meeting the high standard of Reg or even Elvis. And as was witnessed on "Later", Rickie Lee Jones may be best described as doing her own thing these days!

Of the traditional fiddle acts, I don't claim to be an expert, being from England. Often what stands out to me is outside the box. Hence, Calan for being Welsh and I found all the individual young trad finalists more entertaining than most of the bands. Every one was exceptional. The tribute to Bert Jansch seemed to be successful although the sound was murky on the clips featuring Robert Plant as it was for a well staged "Songs of Separation". Sadly, I was unable to locate anything by the Chieftains, Lucinda Williams or James Robertson in his venture to cover Joni Mitchell's "Hejira". Ditto Bwani Junction's take on "Graceland". However, world music was represented ably by Baaba Maal, Canadians La Poules a Colin and Trio da Kali from Mali and the indie folk of This is the Kit was effective. In respect of mainstream indie, I wasn't wholly convinced by the Turin Brakes' cover of Orange Juice's "Rip It Up" - it needs Edwyn's voice - but Idlewild's "American English" was as interesting as it was unexpected. It is a great song from a half decent album. The rendition was good enough. But I felt that the celtic strand which for all of the guitars is very evident in the original could have been brought out more given the instrumentation.

Links:

On the grounds that there are only so many links one can include in a post, I have selected eight which is more than enough. All stand out in one way or another although several come with reservations. The first two are more about the people than the songs. I cannot help myself but include one by Karen Matheson and another by Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn. The third is of Gaelic supergroup Daimh who I felt were pretty good. The fourth is by Moh! Kouyate who has worked with Fatamata Diawara and Ba Cissoko and put in one of the best world music performances. The fifth is by Emma Pollock who was in indie band the Delgados, a favourite of John Peel in his later years. She certainly has a voice and an ear for classic popular music, albeit there has always been wobble in the song structures which I guess is part of the appeal for some. Link six is to JR Green who to my mind have a "here today, gone tomorrow" modern folk inflection in their vocals that is not especially attractive. But what is notable is their presence. Notwithstanding that we have been here before with "boy band" Manran, they certainly have confidence and musicality though often with the profanities of youth that requires the label "parental guidance".

Another who has significant presence is Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops who features in the seventh link. She has plenty of attitude and when I see her I am reminded a little of Buffy Sainte-Marie. I am not sure that I take to what she does totally but it is impossible to ignore and one interesting aspect of her background is that she is married to an Irishman. Another is that in 2014 she recorded for "Lost on the River: The New Basement Tapes" alongside Elvis Costello, an album that was produced by T-Bone Burnett and is a compilation of partial songs written by Bob Dylan that were never released. Finally, if proof were ever needed that it's sometimes the older folk who can be the most moving, Barbara Dickson who I last saw on the excellent tribute to Gerry Rafferty. A wonderful live performance that might to my surprise just be my pick of the bunch:

Karen Matheson (Capercaillie) - Aragon Mill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmumHXHqqEA
Fleck/Washburn - His Eye is on the Sparrow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMA7zRCaASo
Ellen MacDonald and Daimh - Cuir-a-Nall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOB-fOZ6SmY
Moh! Kouyate (Guitarist from Guinea) - Kakiife - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqi1Etj3pgA

Emma Pollock - Old Ghosts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0pIH6oo0W0
JR Green - For The Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDjUk_aHNUY
Rhiannon Giddens - Mouth Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEqBw2N8L7A
Barbara Dickson - My Donald - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-WN_lbCdRE

[Lat-Literal]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314TQj0J7bL._SY355_.jpg

ST PATRICK'S WEEK:



Van and the Chieftains - Carrickfergus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSngcH-TVWU
Turlough O'Carolan - Ramble to Cashel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoP_eErTTK0
Iarla Ó Lionáird - Glistening Fields - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9LoL6sVqTE
Mary Coughlan - My Land Is Too Green - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FxfbRDKakw

[johncorrigan]

ST PATRICK'S WEEK:



Van and the Chieftains - Carrickfergus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSngcH-TVWU
Turlough O'Carolan - Ramble to Cashel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoP_eErTTK0
Iarla Ó Lionáird - Glistening Fields - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9LoL6sVqTE
Mary Coughlan - My Land Is Too Green - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FxfbRDKakw

Thanks Lat
I post this out of curiosity. Dexy's do Carrickfergus (ill-advised I would suggest)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r49s57Hpst8

and this out of delight, though I was looking for them doing 'Im Long Me Measaim'
Peadar Ó Riada & Cór Chúil Aodha - Aoibhinn Crónán https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3oLCzTwPos
and then there's Donal Lunny - April 3rd - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP1uJDj9BNA
and as an afterthought 'The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (In Galway Bay) - DeDannan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB8NhXtgG_A

[teamsaint]

I saw Mary Coughlan a few years ago, and very entertaining she was.

Definitely one to catch live , if you get the chance.

[Lat-Literal]

I saw Mary Coughlan a few years ago, and very entertaining she was.

Definitely one to catch live , if you get the chance.

Many thanks for the recommendation.

I have never seen her live -and would like to do so - although I'm sure she was at various Fleadh festivals I attended.

The track I picked out is in many ways a strange one for an Irish celebration.

But I like it and felt that it was right for providing something unexpected.

[Padraig]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riIHaj5-J4o

[Padraig]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riIHaj5-J4o

The Henry Girls, a group of three sisters from Donegal, have been on the go for some time. I came in contact with them twice last weekend. On Thursday night I was at a concert of Irish music where I knew two of the young performers (whistle and melodeon). There were 5 harps in the ensemble who were taught by Joleen McLaughlin - one of the Henry Girls, whose group employs three-part singing, harp, fiddle, accordion and guitars for their normal appearances.

Then on the Sunday I was at an afternoon concert in Derry - Poem for a Song, with The Henry Girls. An amateur choir and their resident poet recited and sang a wide selection of poems, while The Henry Girls both accompanied them and performed their own programme of Irish and folk items. The Ol' Cook Pot was included and the video above reveals The Henry Girls' connection to a dance group Echo Echo whose studio is located on the Derry Walls.

An insignificant previously untold little story.

[johncorrigan]

Thanks Padraig...good stuff...was reminding me a bit of the Caroline Chocolate Drops.
The ever excellent Stick in the Wheel have taken White Copper Alley by Nic Jones and given it a new twist, as I heard on Radcliffe's folk show tonight. Can't find it on youtube but here's the Nic Jones' version (twice).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rhyp7EOjbg

If you want to hear the SITW version you can listen on the Radcliffe programme about halfway in.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07bkjb6

[Globaltruth]

The Henry Girls, a group of three sisters from Donegal, have been on the go for some time. I came in contact with them twice last weekend. On Thursday night I was at a concert of Irish music where I knew two of the young performers (whistle and melodeon). There were 5 harps in the ensemble who were taught by Joleen McLaughlin - one of the Henry Girls, whose group employs three-part singing, harp, fiddle, accordion and guitars for their normal appearances.

Then on the Sunday I was at an afternoon concert in Derry - Poem for a Song, with The Henry Girls. An amateur choir and their resident poet recited and sang a wide selection of poems, while The Henry Girls both accompanied them and performed their own programme of Irish and folk items. The Ol' Cook Pot was included and the video above reveals The Henry Girls' connection to a dance group Echo Echo whose studio is located on the Derry Walls.

An insignificant previously untold little story.

A swing thing! An uplifting performance Padraig -thanks for posting. Always good to see and hear a harp virtuoso in action.

JC quite rightly points out the similarity to the Chocolate Drops - turns out they were driven by Rhiannon Giddens who has since gone solo. She possesses a clear, fine and v powerful voice which can be heard here to good effect, singing a Geeshie Wiley song from 1930

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6UrSOTMiOE

Oh, we'd better have the Geeshie Wiley original too. Wonderful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAKfy2W70Qg

Who was it once said 'Comparisons are odorous?' Oh yes, Mrs Malaprop.

In this case, not the thief of joy but an opportunity to listen to a fine song interpreted twice.

[Lat-Literal]

The new Lambert and Nuttycombe?

Ninebarrow - For a Time - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZTrkhIrjY

To Tyneham.