Le Vent du Nord, Alnwick Playhouse

It had been almost three years since we last saw LVdM (at this performance in London), and they remain as wonderful as ever. There's been a change to the lineup, and the album now being promoted is Voisinages (Neighbourhood), yet most of what I wrote back then still applies.

The lineup change is down to Simon Beaudry (guitar and bouzouki) becoming the mayor of his village, to be replaced by André Gagné. He's an excellent addition, with, if anything, a better voice, and clearly happy to be part of the band.

Voisinages brings interesting concepts about neighbours (and a bit of political comment about reckless country to the south of Canada, and Quebec's own struggle for recognition), plus some excellent new tunes. The playing, the vocals and harmonies, and the sense of joie de vivre reamina as strong as ever, and nobody leaves without a smile.

Ths was also a new venue for us, making the trip south to Alnwick fr the pleasure of seeing the band. The Playhouse is comfortable, has good viewing angles, and a welcoming atmosphere. Well worth the trip, especially when there was the pleasure of barter Books to visit the following morning!

KInnaris Q, Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow - Celtic Connections Festival

Support came from Sidiki Jobarteh, a hugely talented Gambian balafon player (a gourd based xylophone), with a percussionist and guitarist to provide the backing.  Jbarteh is also an impressive vocalist, and the others provided backing vocals too.

He is very much rooted in the Gambian folk tradition, with a mix of  old and new, including several self penned, and composition by his mother (Sona is a renowned kora virtuoso).  He has a sympathetic feel for the music, and the old rhythms that underly the melodies.  It's impossible to sit still when listening, this is music to move too.  The beat almost jazz like, Jobarteh's hands a literal blur at times, and the crowd were borought into play singing along to the final number.  This lad has a big future, and this was a great way to open the night.

The Kinnaris Quintet have now become, with the departure of Laura Wilkie, a quartet called Kinnaris Q.  But nothing else has changed.  Still the same high standard of musicality, still the origninality and variation in theoir m usic, and still having enormous fun with each other.  Aileen Gobbi remains as bubbly and hilarious as ever in her introductions, the music as complex as ever.  It was a shame that the sound balance sounded a bit off at times, but even that couldn't hide the quality of the music, or the way it engages their audience.

A wonderful gig.