Lúnasa/Le Vent du Nord, January, Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow Despite its much-publicised travails, Celtic Connections 2006 delivered the customary galaxy of highlights, prominent among them being this Irish/Québecois shindig to reopen one of Glasgow's best-loved venues, after a two-year refurbishment. A sellout crowd was delighted to find that, apart from increased capacity and much-improved facilities, the Fruitmarket had kept all its unique character and atmosphere - the perfect foil for thrilling performances by both bands. Other standouts included two inspiring concerts in memory of the late Martyn Bennett; the percussive frenzy of the Dhol Foundation and English 11-piece Bellowhead.
James Ross: James Ross (Greentrax)/ Anna Massie Trio: The Missing Gift (Greentrax) The Scottish young team shone brightest on the album front this year. January's solo debut from Caithness pianist James Ross reinforced his fast-growing reputation, aligning original compositions with reworkings of traditional tunes, equally distinguished by lyrical depth and exquisite delicacy of touch. Multi-instrumentalist Anna Massie charmed fans old and new with her sparkling second CD, capturing the supple musicianship and joie de vivre of her trio's live shows. Later in the year, Borders fiddler Shona Mooney - Massie's successor as Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year - released an outstanding debut, Heartsease.
Julie Fowlis, Horizon Award winner, Radio 2 Folk Awards Since their inception in 1999, the Radio 2 folk awards have perpetuated the Anglocentric bias that also characterises the playlist of the BBC's "flagship" weekly folk programme, The Mike Harding Show - produced by the same company, Smooth Operations, which stages the awards. This annual dearth of Celts among the nominations makes North Uist singer Julie Fowlis's victory in the Best Newcomer category all the more impressive, especially since she was the first Scottish Gaelic artist even to be shortlisted.
Greentrax 20th Anniversary Without question, Greentrax Records' evolving catalogue has been a vital mainstay of the Scottish folk world over the last 20 years. Floated in 1986 on the pension fund of newly-retired policeman Ian Green, the erstwhile cottage industry has grown into one of the country's most important independent labels, as committed to its specialist niche recordings, such as the landmark Scottish Tradition series, as to discovering new talent. The anniversary was celebrated at a merry knees-up at Edinburgh's Queens Hall in July, with a line-up reflecting the full gamut of Greentrax's output, from teenage firebrands Bodega to revered veterans such as Jean Redpath and Adam McNaughtan.
Cambridge Folk Festival, July Cambridge marked its 43rd year in July with a typically sure-handed yet adventurous bill, lining up Emmylou Harris alongside Cerys Matthews, Malian duo Amadou and Mariam with firecracker guitar twosome Rodrigo y Gabriela, and Richard Thompson with his son Teddy. Scottish acts accounted for almost a quarter of the bill, including excellent performances by Julie Fowlis, Bodega and Anna Massie Trio, as well as powerhouse trio Lau and Capercaillie and Salsa Celtica. Croft No. Five rounded off the weekend in epic style, with - sadly - one of their last ever gigs.
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