Soundhouse @ Traverse Theatre
15/02/2024
Playing host to Soundhouse Music Events at the Traverse Theatre on a wintery Scottish night was the renowned poetic folk singer-songwriter, Cahalen Morrison. Originally treading the paths in Northern New Mexico, USA, Cahalen has put down roots in Scotland, and now lives in Glasgow where he seems very much at home.
Cahalen has a folk singing background with an endless list of collaboration’s with artists like Hot Rize, Crooked Still and Transatlantic Sessions, and more recently with his folky country rock band “Western Centuries”. Cahalen has also been lucky enough to experience a lot of the UK’s festival scene over the years, such as the “Shetland Folk Festival”, “Celtic Connections” and “Kilkenny Roots Festival.”
Encouraged and injected with deep American country music roots from an early age, Cahalen has adopted a heart felt approach to his music which is delivered with a tranquil execution. Travelling across the expanse of the Atlantic ocean, Cahalen brings with him to Scotland his love of traditional folk- country-rock music in his own unique style.
As the quaint and intimate Traverse Theatre filled up, it wasn’t long until Cahalen’s guest support act took to stage. Cera Impala is a honey-husked singer-songwriter who has graced many a stage throughout out Scotland. I first had the pleasure of Cera Impala’s company at Kelburn Garden Party some years ago, and was gushing to see her supporting Cahalen in her new home town of Edinburgh. Cera treated us to songs such as “Hide & Seek” and “Sunflower”, and with her beautiful distinctive voice delivered a memorable start to the evening.
Received with a warming applause, Cahalen Morrison was about to do his first gig in 18 months, and what an honour it was to be part of it. Here is a musician that is a multi-instrumentalist, and is never happier than when surrounded by a Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, and Mandolin. Changing instruments to suit his songs, Cahalen threw in a few acapella numbers split the set well. With a voice that would stop a thousand rioters dead in their shoes within a moment of hearing him, Cahalen undeniably has a calming effect on the collective soul when he sings.
Music tells a story, but folk music storytelling tells a different tale. It brings to life forgotten tales of heroism, fatal deeds, storms and tragedies and many a distant echo from times past. That’s what Cahalen has in abundance. My favourite example of this is “Those Mighty Beasts of Holm”, about a ship that meets with a tragic end. Moving through other songs like “Turquoise and Jade”, “Nancy Fancy” and “Little Sachel”, we were engulfed in an evening of relaxation, peace and tranquility.
Tell me a story and I am hooked, but tell it in this fashion and I am fully 100% in. A beautiful evening and a beautiful gig.
Raymond Speedie
Mumble Music 