Looking forward to Celtic Connections

Nov 4 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

AMONG the 2100 artists from around the world beating a path to Glasgow this January and February for Celtic Connections 2012 will be some of Perthshire’s top musicians.

For the 19th Celtic Connections, artistic director Donald Shaw and his team have produced a star-studded programme with some of the biggest names in folk, roots, world, traditional, indie, blues and jazz performing in 300 events in 20 venues across Glasgow between January 19 and February 5.

The festival has a balance of looking outwards – among these inspirations are the Arab Spring and the Woody Guthrie Centennial– and to its own – including the music of the late, great Gerry Rafferty and the 40th anniversary of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilder Work-In.

This mega-music festival is also dipping its toes into the world of theatre: the Captain’s Collection in the Tron Theatre dramatises the life and work of Captain Simon Fraser – an influential collector of songs; Newtyle-based, Booker-nominated author James Robertson, pianist/composer James Ross and Gaelic poet Aonghas MacNeacail have united to write ‘The Boy and the Bunnet’, a Gaelic version of Peter and the Wolf; and Woody Sez is a theatrical journey through the life and music of Woody Guthrie.

Check out the full programme at www.celticconnections.com – but below is a snapshot of some of the local Glasgow-bound artists.

Blairgowrie and Rattray’s Sheila Stewart shares the stage with the likes of Archie Fisher, Cilla Fisher, Martin Carthy and Emily Smith for Celtic Connections’ tribute to the late and dearly lamented Ray Fisher (1940-2011).

Perthshire’s Ross Ainslie and Jarlath Henderson from Northern Ireland are fast earning a reputation as two of the greatest pipers of their generation, and they premiere a series of gigs entitled Deadly Duos at the Piping Centre, a venue which will also play host to some brilliant contemporary musicians including Wingin’ It, as well as a special Gordon Duncan Memorial Piping Recital.

Ross Ainslie again has a busy Celtic Connections to look forward to – this man of many bands will also appear with the 13-piece musical powerhouse The Treacherous Orchestra which celebrates the launch of their debut album, and roof-raising fusion outfit Salsa Celtica.

And helping to celebrate the art of songwriting will be Perthshire fiddler/vocalist Patsy Reid.

Donald Shaw said of this huge and amazingly varied Celtic Connections 2012 programme, sponsored by Scottish Power: “For artists and audiences alike, Celtic Connections is a chance to be adventurous.

“With trad and folk at the heart of the festival, this year we’re also featuring everything from world, jazz, blues and soul to political ballads and family events in the programme.”

Celtic Connections 2012 tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be booked online at www.celticconnections.com, by telephone 0141 353 8000 or in person at the festival hub, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.