Celtic Connections Review

Well that's the first three concerts of the year attended all courtesy of Celtic Connections.
One which I suspect may not be surpassed, one which will hopefully be the worst one I go to and one somewhere in the middle.

Monday 20th January - Iris DeMent - Royal Concert Hall  7/10
Surprisingly the Concert Hall was not quite sold out for Iris DeMent.
The support was from Pieta Brown who seemed very nice but who's music was instantly forgetable.
You wouldn't forget Iris' unique voice. She alternated between piano and guitar.I was not familiar with any of the songs as none from the two albums I have featured. She ws joined by Celtic Connections stalwards John McCusker and Mike McGoldrick who performed with their usual aplomb
Folk Radio UK wrote that she gave  a profoundly satisfying performance at the crossroads of country, folk and gospel, playing intricate melodies and singing in an edgy, versatile voice that sounds alluringly rooted in the past.

Sunday 26th January Roaming Roots Revue presents: Born to Run:70th Birthday Tribute to Bruce Springsteen. 10/10
Roddy Frame's annual tribute concert where he is joined by his band the Lonsesome Fire and a handful of guests
This year he was joined by Lisa Hannigan, Ryan Bingham, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, The Rails,Karine Polwart , Jonathan Wilson and Phil Campbell the former  frontman of The Temperance Movement.
Every one of them were absolutely brilliant with Craig Finn and Phil Campbell for me being absolute revalations. And kudos to Karine Polwart for her choice of songs the originals of which are featured below.
Such was the demand that an additional concert was put on on the Monday in the Old Fruitmarket.
Here is a great review from Murray over at  Everything Flows on that one complete with setlist

Thursday 30th January - Kacy& Clayton - CCA  4/10 (and that's me being extremely generous).
They were appallingly bad - totally disjointed and disorganised and for cousins there was a total lack of chemistry between them.
Clayton can't sing, the guitar riffs were all the same with only the harmony vocals being just about passable.
This was a huge disappointment to me as The Sirens Song is avery good album and we went to see them on the strength of that.
Support act Avocet were much better but then again that wouldn't be hard
As we were leaving early (we were by no means the first) Kacy announced "we are the most unprofessional band in the world" which just about sums it up.

All in all an intersting start to the year!

Bruce Springsteen - The Ghost of Tom Joad

Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

Separation Sunday (on a Friday)

 

2024 Charity Shop Purchases # 8 - The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday

Not for the first time I was pretty late to the party when it came to The Hold Steady.

Seeing Craig Finn , who looks like your average bank manager, at a Roaming Roots Review concert celebrating Bruce Springsteen's 70th birthday plus them being championed by Rol and George led me to picking up their Stay Positive album

It remained their only one on the shelves until I picked up Separation Sunday their 2nd album from 2005 on the Frenchkiss label on my last charity shop outing. 

It was not released in the UK until 2007 and is a concept album following the stories of several fictional characters. Had I know it was a concept album I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Having said that had I not read that I would have been none the wiser.

I've learnt a new word - Sprechgesang -  which is German for spoken singing which is the style that Craig sings. The sticker that adorns the jewel case gives some quotes with saves me looking them up

Epic and huge and molten and beautiful - Pitchfork  8.7/10

Finn's l-hoarse holler sits atop a fat barroom stomp that recalls The Band and pre-arena Springsteen - Spin.

Pre- arena Springsteen is a good thing. As things stand the jury is still out but it is one I feel will grow on me after a few listens.

The Hold Steady - Your Little Hoodrat Friend

The Hold Steady - Multitude of Casualties

Roaming Roots Revue

We are off to the Concert Hall again tonight for  the annual Roaming Roots Revue concert.
This year the Roaming Roots Review presents: Born to Run:70th Birthday Tribute to Bruce Springsteen.
As usual it will be hosted by Roddy Hart and his band the Lonesome Fire.
I think the drill goes along the line of guest artists joining them singing a cover of one of the Boss' songs plus one of their own.

Roddy will be joined by Lisa Hannigan, Ryan Bingham, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, The Rails,Karine Polwart , Jonathan Wilson and Phil Campbell the frontman of The Temperance Movement.
A pretty promising line up as I'm sure you'll agree . Match report to follow.

Wonder if there will be anything off Western Stars?

Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars

Jonathan Wilson - There's a Light

The Hold Steady - Sequestered in Memphis

Stay Positive

2020 Charity Shop Purchases 67 - The Hold Steady = Stay Positive 

The more sad   eagle -eyed among you may be thinking "what's going on here? He only featured Stay Positive the 4th album by The Hold Steady from 2008 on Vagrant/Rough Trade as recently as February  last year. Why so soon again?"

The reason is simple. The last time round it was a  copy which George had very kindly pushed in my direction. I was familiar with the name but not the music and was pretty impressed especially with the track Sequestered in Memphis.

Then I saw Craig Finn appear as past of the Roaming Roots Review tribute to Bruce Springsteen and was totally blown away.

Therefore it was pretty much a no -brainer to upgrade my  copy when I saw it during my last charity shop foray.

I've featured Sequestered in Memphis twice already here and although I am sorely tempted to post it again there are a number of other good songs such as the two below which deserve an outing.

Eyes now peeled for other albums by them

The title of the album is something we should all be aspiring to no matter how hard that currently is.

The Hold Steady -Constructive Summer

The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress