Three very differing sets to this gig, which had been moved into the wider spaces of the main concert hall.
The opener brought some confusion. Two woman, a harp and a fiddle. I immediately recognised them as Rachel Newton and Lauren MacColl, but neither organisers nor the performers themselves made any introductions so if you didn't know who they were to begin with you were no better off by the end. A strange omission.
Rachel did introduce the work they were to play, four musical interpretations of Mairi Kidd's stories about Scots women who were persecuted as witches. Not the cheeriest of subjects, but the music, with Rachel's vocals, was accompanied by short films on the screen above their heads and provided some thought provoking moments about one of the darker corners of our history.
Another duo followed, and they soon made it know that they were Tim Edey (guitar and button accordion) and Ross Ainslie (whistles and bagpipes), in case you didn't know already (I did). Edey is well know, not just for his outstanding musicianship, but as one of the zaniest characters on the British folk scene, and he did not disappoint in providing entertainment. His grin was wide before they'd settled into their seats and expanded with joy as the set progressed. The giggling laugh is pretty infectious as well!
But it was music we were here for and these guys deliver. A well balanced set of differing tempos and styles, some of it lightning fast. Ainslie is always an imaginative and varied player, but it was Edey's guitar work that stood out most. Not just constant chord changes, but style changes too, so that one number might feature folk, jazz and blues guitar all jumbled up, but never inappropriate and always adding to the whole. Tunes of their own were joined by compositions from the likes of Donald Shaw (Mr Celtic Connections of course!), Charlie McKerron and Tommy Emmanuel (aka God according to Edey!).
Wonderfully entertaining, and Edey's smile would bring sunshine into a blizzard.
Finally the main act of the night, Brian Finnegan and band. The Irish whistle virtuoso performing material from his acclaimed new album, Hunger of the Skin. With him on stage were John Blease on percussion and Liam Bradley on drums, Sean Og Graham on guitar, Patsy Reid on fiddle, Paul Dunlea blasting out the trombone, and Conor McCreanor on bass. Plus, for a couple of numbers, being joined by Finnegan's Flook partner, Sarah Allen on Flute. All that and some recordings of poems, with images, being played in the background.
Brian, as he admitted from the off, likes to talk to audiences. Which is a plus, for he's an engaging speaker and keen to explain the thinking behind the various pieces of music and poetry, all on the theme of togetherness. The music provides strong melodies and even better arrangements, Finnegan's incredible flying fingers back by strong and imaginative rhythms, and lovely harmonies and solos from the others. We had a battle of the percussionists, which was fun, and Allen intrigued with her stance, a style tribute to Ian Anderson and a stork.
Life enhancing.
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