Albums

For his latest album Jez Hellard managed to herd some of his favourite collaborators back into the pen he calls the Djukella Orchestra. A superb album – you won’t be able to keep your feet still!

This was an immense show, great performances by all, but it will inevitably now stick in the memory of all present for Rhiannon Giddens’ stunning performance who brought the house down with the perfect combination of soulful vocal and explosive delivery.

With their harmonies steeped in southern moss, Appalachian colours and the old school influence of the Carter Family still firmly nailed to the mast, Freakwater’s new album’s been worth the ten year wait.

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!