Category Archives: Music

A National Theatre of Scotland recording, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, composed by Gareth Williams with lyrics by Oliver Emanuel. Performed by Emma Connell Smith, Stewart Webster, Sonia Cromarty, Steve Cooper, Aisling O’Dea, Elias Rooney, Wendy Somerville, Kirsty Findlay, Paige Peddie, Connie MacFarlane, Bethany Tennick, Amanda Wilkin and Peter Hannah,Continue reading “Lost Light : Music from the 306”

The stars align on the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s new video. With music by one of America’s greatest composers, Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by master wordsmith Stephen Sondheim, Somewhere is a classic vehicle for one of the most distinctive and most beautifully toned singers of the current age, Kurt Elling. Written for the multi-award-winning romanticContinue reading “Elling Finds Somewhere to Shine with Scottish National Jazz Orchestra”

Barbara Dickson       Time Is Going Faster            Chariot           Out Now Over a year in the making, Barbara Dickson’s new album reflects the care that has been put into it over that period of time. Nick Holland’s production puts a shimmer of gloss over proceedings, and brings out the best of the material underneath. Strong material, too,Continue reading “Album Selection for October”

Scottish pianist and keyboards player Steve Hamilton has used the enforced inactivity of lockdown to record his first solo album, Between the Lines. Like musicians across the world, Steve had all his work, including international tours with drumming legend Billy Cobham’s band, cancelled at a stroke in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Having appearedContinue reading “Top Keyboardist Reveals What Lies Between the Lines”

Feistiness, defiance, creativity, and down-home gospel-blues grooves fire up the latest video “single” from the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Courage: Jeep on 35°. Featuring special guest, Chicagoan vocalist Kurt Elling, the video is the orchestra’s third release during the pandemic and captures singer and orchestra in exuberant form in front of an enthusiastic Glasgow audience atContinue reading “Transatlantic Connection Inspires Fiery Orchestral Manoeuvres”

EDINBURGH TRADFEST ANNOUNCES ITS NEW ‘SPOTLIGHT’ SEASON Edinburgh Tradfest’s new Spotlight season kicks off this month with four new video concerts released online. Kicking off the season will be the legendary, multi-award winning Old Blind Dogs (Mon 12 Oct), playing some of their old favourites, (including the much-loved Earl O March’s Daughter and the Twa Corbies), plus some yet to beContinue reading “Edinburgh TRADFEST Announces Its New ‘SPOTLIGHT’ Season”

This time round, the spotlight falls on some of Scotland’s under rated singer/songwriters and their new releases. Stevie Palmer             We Become the Sunshine     Greentrax      Out Now It might seem strange to suggest that someone who has had as much praise heaped on him as Stevie Palmer is underrated, but there remains a lack of recognitionContinue reading “New Releases Episode 5”

Joe Edwards              Keep on Running                  Tiny Mountain          Out Now This debut album from Wiltshire singer/songwriter Joe Edwards gives him a pretty impressive start to his recording career. He admits to soaking up the influences of the great American songwriters while at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, but I have to say that even though heContinue reading “New Releases Episode 4”

 In line with Scottish Government’s latest route map out of the Covid-19 crisis, and in line with Scottish Opera’s on-going commitment to bringing the widest possible range of opera to the maximum audience throughout Scotland and beyond, Scotland’s national opera company announces a programme of seated outdoor performances. These include a special production of Puccini’s LaContinue reading “Programme of Outdoor Socially-Distanced Performances Announced by Scottish Opera”

Texan rising star singer Jazzmeia Horn made a big impression on Scottish audiences when she appeared with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra on tour last November. And now one of the highlights of her concert at the Usher Hall, her own song Free Your Mind, is set to feature in the orchestra’s latest video. ArrangedContinue reading “Singer’s Usher Hall Highlight Captured on New Scottish National Jazz Orchestra Video”