Albums

In the second part of The Big Music Society’s evening of music that aims to help find a place for Piobaireachd in a modern setting, Fraser Fifield takes to the stage and demonstrates just how adaptable our indigenous music can be in the right hands.

For newcomers to Diana Jones’ music this might not be the best introduction, but it’s bound to be snapped up by those attending her forthcoming shows which include UK dates in April 2016.

New York band Blarvuster take to the stage at Celtic Connections – Just because it’s bagpipes doesn’t mean it’s trad; just because it’s Piobaireachd doesn’t mean it’s classical…

Featuring Martin Simpson, Karine Polwart, Robert Plant, Ryley Walker, Jacqui McShee and more, a Bert Inspired proved to be an excellent show, and a fitting tribute to a folk legend.

The album comes across vividly as a courage-of-his-convictions / labour-of-love and not in any way a showing-off / vanity exercise. It’s genuinely therapeutic, and a brilliant achievement; I’m so glad to have made its acquaintance.

The gravelly-voiced, heavily bearded Oklahoma songwriter John Moreland sees his third album, In The Throes, and latest ‘High On Tulsa Heat’, get a joint UK release.

Yet another example of the outstanding collaborations that Celtic Connections brings to its audience. Six of highland Scotland’s finest musicians join forces to provide an evening of song, music and, of course, the usual banter.

Talisk clearly enjoy, indeed thrive on, injecting some fire into their sets, every bit as much as the audience enjoy hearing it. Although they’re also very capable of taking their music along a more sedate route, that pace is quite remarkable.

On Everything Behind Us Is A Dream, We/Or/Me, the musical alias of Bahhaj Taherzadeh, demonstrates how clarity and simplicity can create a beautiful album. Don’t miss his London gig this month!

These songs are shape-shifting beasts that twist as soon as you think you’ve got them pinned down, and it is Nielsen’s bewitching voice and playful spirit at their centre which ensure that Feet First will take you to unexpected places, but in the most enjoyable way possible.

Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston, two virtuoso musicians, have created a wonderfully balanced album – that rare combination of immediacy and longevity – a class affair from start to finish. Read our review and watch the video premiere for ‘Good Natured Man.’

Ahoy Hoy is a remarkable collaborative album which respects its roots in the folk music traditions of Scotland and Norway while making good use of innovative and contemporary approaches. The result is a unique and absorbing blend of old and new, exploring both the differences and similarities between the two cultures in innovative and accessible ways.