Swamp Dogg’s ‘Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St’ is a warm and absorbing mix of the new and old, an attention-grabbing seamless blend of bluegrass/country and soul, topped off with Swamp Dogg’s underrated persuasive vocal delivery and unique presence.
Live in Kyoto captures the energy and inspired playing that typically infuses a Lúnasa gig, with the sparkling sound of their unique combination of instruments, and the added freshness of great tunes that are not so familiar.
Six years after their last release, Traditional Irish band Altan return with Donegal, an album packed with energy, freshness, and virtuosity. The quality of the tunes, singing, and playing that they serve up on this release is unsurpassed.
We chat to The McGoldrick Family about ‘One For The Road’…we’re in total agreement with Brendan McGoldrick, his son, Michael McGoldrick and their three granddaughters have made “a mighty record”.
Michael McGoldrick and Family put on a great show at Celtic Connections for the launch of their debut album, One For The Road. The passion, talent, and exceptional versatility meant they all had much to be proud of.
Transatlantic Sessions never fails to deliver, and with Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves now members of the house band, alongside guests that included Lindsay Lou, Kim Carnie, Joshua Burnside and Carlene Carter, it was another unforgettable evening.
An exceptional and quite mesmerising performance by Amy Laurenson, a pianist from the Shetland Isles, followed by Celtic Fiddle Festival’s top-class musicianship, all made for a highly engaging and enjoyable evening of music.
For Damien O’Kane and Ron Block’s Celtic Connections set, the dividing line between band and guests was appropriately blurred at this highly anticipated banjo-fest gig at the magnificent Barony Hall.
Hannah Rarity delivered a composed and confident excellent set before Galician musician Carlos Nuñez delivered what can only be described as an unforgettable top-class performance and jubilant extravaganza.
Angélique Kidjo proved to be a force of nature at Celtic Connections with a powerful stage presence throughout, gripping, insistent vocals and almost always a beat that had to be danced to.
Allison Russell’s highly anticipated Celtic Connections show exceeded all expectations – supported by her powerhouse Rainbow Coalition, it was an unforgettable evening of first-rate music and songs inspiring resilience and hope.
Julie Fowlis delivered a compelling and entertaining Celtic Connections set, supported by Duncan Chisholm, Éamon Doorley, Innes White, Alice Allen, Patsy Reid and Binneas, a Gaelic harmony collective.
