WITH such luminaries as Beth Nielsen Chapman, Richie Havens, Railroad Earth, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Rosanne Cash, the Americana strand at this year's Celtic Connections brings an interesting new dimension to the festival.

It's a pet project of new artistic consultant Donald Shaw, who wanted to broaden the horizons of the festival and also underscore the historical links between Scottish and Irish folk music that formed the bones of the American traditions.

With a frontline of artists such as those above in the vanguard of this new development in the festival programme for 2007, even the staunchest of Celtic/folk purists could not argue against their inclusion.

Richie Havens has become a musical icon, with his place in history bolstered by his three-hour opening set at Woodstock - not to mention appearances at the seminal Newport, Monterey and Isle of Wight festivals, plus the first Glastonbury festival in 1970.

On his latest album he collaborates with Indian, Turkish and Argentinian musicians.

Catch Richie at the ABC on January 18 at 8pm. Tickets cost £15.

Rosanne Cash will be presenting a tribute to her father, revered country legend Johnny Cash, while also taking a trip back through her family's ancestry, from Scottish sea-farers to musicians, with The Black Cadillac Show.

She uses songs from her latest album, Black Cadillac, as a road map, and through spoken word, storytelling and songs from her 25-year career traces the Carter-Cash heritage.

Arrive early to catch talented Scottish singer-songwriter Roddy Hart supporting Rosanne. (Royal Concert Hall, February 2, 7.30pm, tickets £24).

Relative newcomers Railroad Earth formed six years ago in New Jersey and have become bluegrass sensations (ABC, Jan 28, 8pm, £15), while Beth Nielsen Chapman needs no introduction.

She's the eclectic artist who has penned hits for Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Bette Midler and Ute Lemper (Concert Hall, Jan 21, 7.30pm, £18).