Tonight’s onstage ensemble reads like a who’s who of contemporary Scottish music.
And the stage props of flutes, laptops and unpronounceable African instruments (along with obligatory acoustic guitars) hint at artists from across its spectrum.
In the wrong hands, this could have been a shambles. So step forward Norman Blake, the gum-chewing amiable uncle of jangle pop who exerts an audible influence on his younger, but no less talented, stage mates.
The 21-song setlist is packed with succinct three-minute gems and unlikely duets.
The unrivalled voice of L Marie booms out over delicate Jo Mango guitar; Louise Quinn’s voice blends seamlessly with Idlewild’s Roddy Woomble; and set highlight, ‘Books in the Library’, see Blake & Co. name-check Joyce, Beckett and Chekhov without an ounce of literary pretence.
It’s hard to believe that these tunes were written in just seven days in the annual Burnsong Song House experiment (think Big Brother with guitars).
Such is the creative spurt of the eight performers, they only just remember to sneak in a Rabbie Burns original – a rousing ‘Green Grow the Rashes’.
Celtic Connections continues to broaden its appeal and shake of its beards and tweed image by putting on such shows. Burns himself would raise a glass to Blake, the bard of Bellshill.
