Celtic Connections, Glad Cafe
24/01/24
Celtic Connections is a yearly music festival in Glasgow and beyond. This year it turns 30 continuing its live music revelry. The Glad Cafe in the south side is a favourite for the festival, where there was a good buzz for the evening. It was to be a dedication to US music they call ‘Old Time’, that has a swinging hip rhythm and foot tapping vibe. The Connections warmth was welcomed in much appreciation.
Set to play was one Sarah Jane Scouten, telling tales of her time in Canada and developing as a singer/song writer. The support performance came from the first duo of the evening Jeri and Ruth. When they appeared through the door with their banjo and violin they started and there was that sound of strings and style. It’s a 120 capacity room and the medium sized yet roomy stage was to enjoy a high standard in songs of quick simplicity.
The production of the evening had a great flow as instruments changed and on came Sarah and Robbie with guitars in hand. The ‘Old Time’ rhythm had an original quality, as it sparked from the stage, playing songs from the heart and she had an ability to mean it. We were absorbed by his plucking action from Robbie’s guitar, and its bond with Sarah’s. ‘Old time’ stories are still fresh they involve, reminiscing, and life’s experiences, she shared them of Montreal, she was so personal, how it has guided her in her musical roots.
January’s cold nights turn into a celebration in the hands of a Connection’s show. So much is absorbed by its friendliness, and it’s (indeed) Connection with the audience, something Sarah did
very capably, lovingly and joyfully. She has released 4 albums since 2014, Her new, 2023, ’Turned to Gold’ is fresh writing from someone on an endearing musical, artistic and life journey throwing caution to the wind with a voice steady in an unsettled sea.
She had wanted to be on a Connections stage for ages, and her storytelling ability was grabbing, cheerful and genuine. Their onstage partnership worked well, with pristine finger work and gently played rhythm. She was so present, her smile and their interaction something close.
The two pulled off great music with a classicality of a high standard, something we can always thank the Connections for. We got an evening of an unmistakable sound, a night of wistful and powerful songs written by a highly talented musician/ writer. Whose intensity was in making them out there for the crowd, singing with a voice with something interesting out of it.
It was for a fascination few hours we sat with praise going to the professionalism from sound engineers and lighting that gave the music and its soul a very comfortable place to play from. Effortless technical abilities on guitar, powerfully soulful lyrical ascents, a burning drive for at least something honest, truthful, with fun and joy in their faces. The larger than life genre lifted off from a festival show as its larger than life personality exhumed a steady rapture well felt by these two.
Daniel Donnelly
Mumble Music 