The annual touring Transatlantic Sessions is a spectacular collaboration of Americana, folk and roots musicians from both sides of the pond. Starting out as a television program in the 1990s it has been a live event for the past 20 years. ABS caught up with these world-class performers at The Glasshouse International Centre of Music in Gateshead, England.
The format comprises a house band, led by Scotland’s Shetland Islands’ legendary fiddle player Aly Bain and American dobro and lap steel guitar maestro Jerry Douglas, interspersed by special guest appearances. Ohio-born 16-time GRAMMY winner Douglas takes center stage as the supreme master of ceremonies and orchestrator of the musicians’ journey through original material and new tunes. Aly and Jerry live 4000 miles apart but musically they are in complete harmony. Guests this year included Carter family royalty, June’s daughter Carlene Carter, alongside Nashville-based bluegrass and indie-folk sensation Lindsay Lou.
The sessions started with the nine instrumentalists complemented by guest banjo and fiddle players Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves respectively. The energy, synergy and sheer pace of the music hit the audience from the first of many jigs and reels, setting the scene for an evening of high excitement and enjoyment. The driving power and versatility of Michael McGoldrick’s uilleann pipes and Phil Cunningham’s accordion seamlessly blend with celebrated composer and producer Donald Shaw’s innovative keys and the tasteful guitar work from John Doyle. The mesmerizing rhythm section comprising bassist Daniel Kimbro and percussionist James Mackintosh underpins the animated fiddle pyrotechnics of the inspirational John McCusker.
The Celtic traditional music of Ireland and Scotland has historically influenced the Americana genre. Road warriors and influencers McGoldrick, Doyle and McCusker also tour separately as a trio to promote their unique music and keep it alive for generations to come.
Allison (originally from Winnipeg) and Tatiana (a teacher at North Carolina University) represent the new generation of acoustic musicians who draw on traditional roots but are taking it in new directions, winning awards and gaining widespread recognition in the process. Their guest appearance was greeted with rapturous applause in appreciation of mind blowing clawhammer banjo and fiddle playing. Not surprisingly the duo is popular on the US folk and bluegrass festival circuit.
Belfast singer, songwriter and guitarist Joshua Burnside’s edgy and thought-provoking set proves why he is a rising star. His debut album, Ephrata, has been deservedly awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for Best Album. Daniel Kimbro chose tonight to premiere his poignant tribute to astronaut Michael Collins, the forgotten spaceman who remained in lunar orbit while his two colleagues made history by landing on the moon. A consummate double bass and electric bass player, Daniel is well known throughout the UK and America from his appearances with England’s finest blues slide guitarist Martin Harley.
The three exceptional chanteuses all gave outstanding performances. Kim Carnie from Oban, Scotland sang the captivating “She Moves Me” plus the Gaelic “Nighean Sin Thall.” Her ethereal tones confirm that she is a worthy winner of the Scot’s Trad Music Award of Singer Of The Year. Lindsay Lou had the audience spellbound with her contributions including “Nothing Else Matters” and the title track of her latest album, Queen of Time which literally stole the show. Both her and Kim also provided gorgeous vocal harmonies for the house band.
The finale was country royalty in the form of Carlene Carter who strode like a colossus through some of her best known songs to rapturous applause. They included “I Fell In Love,” a Carter family standard, “Wildwood Flower,” and of course “Ring of Fire” from her stepfather’s repertoire.
To say that this 3-hour extravaganza was a memorable night in the lives of those privileged to be here is an understatement. The iconic venue never stopped reverberating to the sounds and rhythms of foot-tapping and hand-clapping. This was not just about the amazing music but also the sense of connection between people on both sides of the Atlantic through their shared traditions and love of music. Above all, the evening was a welcome celebration of happiness, peace and the unity of nations.
“Queen Of Time” – Lyrics and Music by Lindsay Lou:
What a thrill it is to not be needed
What a drag it is to be all thrills
I’m a wishing well, I’m a wishing well
Check it out, here’s a moment to be still
Call it loneliness, call it what you will
I’m the queen of time, I’m the queen of time
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
I have learned to love the work that I do
I have not yet learned to love it when you make it harder
I’m a wishing well, I’m a wishing well
Well well, well well
You want every girl to be like the one that you adored
I have seen that look before
I’m the queen of time, I’m the queen of time
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
Who are you?
