Festival 2006 Reviews
SATURDAY | FRIDAY | THURSDAY | WEDNESDAY
FRIDAY
The Crooked Jades
The Crooked Jades are an intriguing band and last night I was treated to a fascinating gig. The concert took place in the Seallam! Centre in Northton, Harris. This choice of venue was an organisational masterstroke for so many reasons.
Not only did it show the festival's commitment to take music to as wide an audience as possible, it also gave visitors the chance to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes the islands and indeed Scotland has to offer. The trip will stay with me for a long time: the soaring mountains, turquoise seas and stunning beaches.
And this remote part of the Hebrides proved to be the perfect context for the Crooked Jades. This American five-piece describes themselves as "old-time revivalists." They play a range of instruments from fiddles to banjos in the style of rural American music rooted in the 1900's.
That said, they do this with a modern edge. They openly reject bland commercial music, choosing instead to "see the beauty of difference." This is manifest not only in their off-kilter rhythms and flattened, sliding notes but also in the initial adjective of the band's name. Against the backdrops of Southern Harris, it felt like the band was coming face to face with some of the traditions they so fervently want to revive. As one local surmised, "they certainly fit in here with their flat tweed caps!"
The venue itself provided another link between this American folk act and the small Western Isles enclave. The recently opened Seallam! arts centre displays genealogical information about the long standing history of immigration between the west coast of Scotland and America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. This is a fitting setting for songs which tell, amongst other things, of slavery and migration.
The extensive set consisted of a mix of barn-dance jaunts and poignant, innovative ballads. The bluesy 'Goodbye Trouble, The Soul of Man' was a stand out track and a firm favourite with the crowd.
Indeed, although the small audience seemed initially uncertain about what to make of this quirky act, a strong, appreciative bond had formed between the two camps by the end of the night. A bond, which given the brilliant match of music, values and venue, seemed wholly inevitable.
For me, this concert was one of the most captivating performances of Heb Celt Fest 2006.
Susan Szymborski
Saltfishforty - Friday 14th July
Last night An Lanntair was rocked by the sheer power and volume of Saltfishforty. This little band is all about big music.
In just three years Saltfishforty have released two albums - Goose Music (2003) and Orkney Twister (2005), been nominated for a Scots Trad Award and toured Europe extensively, including an appearance at the Cannes Film Festival.
While staying true to their Celtic roots they call their work "a mixed bag" and admit to being influenced by rock and blues.
With only two players, Brian Cromarty on the guitar and mandolin and Douglas Montgomery on the fiddle, you could be forgiven for thinking the music would be on the quiet, subtle side. This could not be further from the truth. The band blasted out an upbeat and uplifting mix of traditional and original tunes and An Lanntair was stuffed full of a noisily appreciative audience.
The highlight for me was Beef n Tatties, a song with a title that suggests the mundane but evoked in me far more primal feelings. The wild and feverish music conjured up images of a desperate and deadly chase and I was swept along with it.
This morning it was the song Breadbin Blues that I can hear at the back of my mind, one line in particular I can empathise with: "Oh well it's too early, I need some tea and toast."
Sarah Hunter
Buille - Friday 14th July
Who could follow the range of rhythm and style that is Saltfishforty? Irish band Buille were well up to the challenge.
Buille are another band short in history but in no way lacking in talent. Formed two years ago they feature Niall Vallely on the concertina - an instrument he picked up at the age of six or seven because he "liked the look of it", Paul Meehan on guitar, Caoimhin Vallely on piano, and Frank Torpey on the drum.
The band have a huge amount of experience with Celtic music, Niall formed Nomos back in 1990 and Paul was a member of North Cregg with whom he recorded three albums.
However, it was not their past accomplishments that the crowd and I were interested in but the here and now.
Buille gave the audience fast and furious reels and jigs but it was their slower more emotive tunes that sent shivers up my spine. The concertina really is a magical instrument and it came into it's own in these more measured numbers, long drawn out notes tugging at half forgotten memories; hazy images of days gone by.
With these musicians there was an intensity and concentration that I hadn't yet seen. For me great music takes you away and stirs you up. With Buille, players and audience alike were caught up - ever so slightly on edge - until the incredible journey was over.
Sarah Hunter
Hothouse Flowers - Friday 14th July
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Even a seasoned Hothouse Flowers fanatic couldn't be sure what to expect at last night's gig in the marquee, and that was exactly the band's intention. "We never play the same show twice," Fiachna o Braonain said on Isles FM yesterday, "we are always searching for different ways to lift the music and lift the crowd".
Hothouse Flowers impressed last night with their beats, big guitar and drum solos throwing out deep and dirty sounds. Singing along to every chorus the crowd danced up a storm, evidently elated to have the band back on Hebridean soil.
The band were clearly enjoying themselves too as they jumped and jammed together with lead singer Liam O Maonlai constantly engaging with the crowd: "Way oh! Sing way oh!" He called and they echoed it back to him. "Stand up! Stand up! Stand up!" He shouted and they shouted joyously back.
For an encore the band took us back their roots as Fiachna sang an old Irish Gaelic song, his gruff throaty voice accompanied only by Liam on the didgeridoo.
Far too soon the party was over. Hothouse Flowers: Rocking Celtic music as its very best.
Sarah Hunter
