Homecomings and New Celtic Talents at Celtic Connections January 18

01/17/2006 08:47PM

Contributed by: WMC_News_Dept.

Glasgow, Scotland - The Old Blind Dogs, one of Scotland's favorite acts, returns to its homeland to participate at Celtic Connections. Other major acts scheduled are Gráda from Ireland, and American band Cherish the Ladies with special guests Karen Matheson, Kate Rusby, Eddi Reader, Liz Kane, Laoise Kelly and Phil Cunningham.

The Celtic Connections Press Office has confirmed another guest for Altan’s 21st birthday concert on Saturday 21st. Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Paul Brady joins Mary Black for this special concert.

Wednesday, January 18th program:

11.00am Schools Concert with Gráda (Ireland/New Zealand) and special guests
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Main Auditorium
2 Sauchiehall St, G2
Tickets free on application from the Box Office

01.00pm Iain Anderson in conversation
The Piping Centre
30-34 McPhater St, G4
Ł1 - tickets available from the Box Office

Daily talk with BBC Radio Scotland presenter Iain Anderson featuring discussion with interesting local and national figures and musical interludes from festival performers. Today’s talk brings together Pat Kane of Hue and Cry fame, Janet McBain from the Scottish Screen Archive and Herald columnist Jack McLean.

2.30pm Celtic Music Radio Live
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall
2 Sauchiehall St, G2
Free

05.00pm Danny Kyle’s Open Stage with Gibb Todd
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Exhibition Hall
2 Sauchiehall St, G2
Free

Hosted by Danny Kyle’s good friends Gibb Todd and Liz Clark, the Open Stage is a chance to see new musical talent as they try to win a coveted support slot at next year’s festival – and all absolutely free.

07.30pm Cherish the Ladies ‘Woman Of The House’
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Main Auditorium
2 Sauchiehall St, G2
Ł18, Ł16 - tickets available from the Box Office

With special guests Karen Matheson, Kate Rusby, Eddi Reader, Liz Kane, Laoise Kelly and Phil Cunningham

07.45pm Songs of Scotland, The North East
hosted by Elspeth Cowie
Universal Folk Club
Sauchiehall Lane, G2
Ł8.50 - tickets available from the Box Office

A new venue for 2006, the intimate Universal Folk Club brings together the great tradition bearers of Scottish Song, with each evening throughout the Festival dedicated to the unique musical characteristics of a region of Scotland. Representing the North East region for tonight’s session are Shona Donaldson, Jock Duncan and Geordie Murison.

08.00pm Show Of Hands
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall: Strathclyde Suite
2 Sauchiehall St, G2
Ł14 - tickets available from the Box Office
onstage: 08.00-08.50pm / 09.10-10.00pm

08.00pm Old Blind Dogs & Crooked Still
The Arches
253 Argyle St, G1
Ł14 - tickets available from the Box Office
on stage: Crooked Still (08:00-08:50pm) The Old Blind Dogs (09.10-10.30pm)

The Old Blind Dogs’ status as one of Scotland’s best-loved acts was resoundingly affirmed when a public vote named them Folk Band of the Year in the 2004 Scots Trad Music Awards. Since signing to top US folk label Green Linnet, the Dogs have become a somewhat rare sighting on Scottish shores such is the demand for their music in the United States.

Their latest line-up features founder member Jonny Hardie (fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bouzouki), Jim Malcolm (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Rory Campbell (pipes, whistles), Aaron Jones (bouzouki, guitar, bass) and Fraser Stone (percussion).

A debut Celtic Connections performance comes from hot young American bluegrass group, Crooked Still, who mix old–time mountain melodies and soul with hard-hitting beats and the energy of a rock group. But don’t be fooled into thinking this is a typical mix of electronic beats and traditional music. Their line-up is an alternative combination of banjo, cello, double-bass and soaring vocals that uses the lower instruments as the rhythm base. Citing influences as diverse as ACDC, Bill Frisell, Bruce Molsky and Greig, there can be no doubt that this young band bring a new edge to bluegrass music and are definitely ripe to cause a storm of interest at this year’s festival.

08.00pm Maggie MacInnes and Colum Sands
The Seed Boat
The Piping Centre
30-34 McPhater Street, G4
Ł12.50 - tickets available from the Box Office

08.00pm Soundsfine and Rounder-Zoë Records present
Caroline Herring, Lynn Miles & Dar Williams
Tron Theatre
63 Trongate, G1
Ł12.50 - tickets available from the Box Office

08.30pm Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers with Daniel Lapp Trio
Old Fruitmarket
Candleriggs, G1
Ł14 - tickets available from the Box Office
on stage: Daniel Lapp Trio (08.30-09.20pm) Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers (09.40-11.00pm)

10.00pm Late Night Session
Universal Folk Club
Sauchiehall Lane, G2
Free

Informal music session.

10.30pm Festival Club with Gibb Todd
The Holiday Inn - City West
Bothwell St, G2
Ł7.50 - tickets available from the Box Office