Northings Event Reviews
MUSIC: THE VATERSAY BOYS (Village Hall, Ullapool, 6 March 2010) MUSIC: THE VATERSAY BOYS (Village Hall, Ullapool, 6 March 2010)

ELIZABETH SINCLAIR catches up with a favourite band in a favourite place.


MUSIC: NIK KERSHAW (Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer, 5 March 2010) MUSIC: NIK KERSHAW (Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer, 5 March 2010)

JENNIE MACFIE reckons this 80s stars can still deliver.


MUSIC: BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Empire Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 5 March 2010) MUSIC: BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (Empire Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 5 March 2010)

JAMES MUNRO has some reservations over the SSO’s latest Inverness visit.


MUSIC: GRAEME STEPHEN SEPTET (OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 3 March 2010) MUSIC: GRAEME STEPHEN SEPTET (OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 3 March 2010)

JENNIE MACFIE hails outstanding musical excellence and an open-minded attitude to genre.<br />


MUSIC: NORTH SEA GAS (Hootananny, Inverness,12–13 February 2010) MUSIC: NORTH SEA GAS (Hootananny, Inverness,12–13 February 2010)

SUSAN SZYMBORSKI is thoroughly entertained by these Edinburgh-based folk veterans.


MUSIC: OPERA HIGHLIGHTS (Universal Hall, Findhorn, 13 February 2010, and touring) MUSIC: OPERA HIGHLIGHTS (Universal Hall, Findhorn, 13 February 2010, and touring)

JAMES MUNRO is tempted to take to the road for another helping of Scottish Opera’s scaled-down highlights package.


MUSIC: SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE – TOBY SPENCE SINGS JACQUES BREL (OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 9 February 2010) MUSIC: SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE – TOBY SPENCE SINGS JACQUES BREL (OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness, 9 February 2010)

GEORGINA COBURN wonders of Toby Spence might have let go just a little more.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – ANDY M STEWART / SHONA DONALDSON (Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 30 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – ANDY M STEWART / SHONA DONALDSON (Tron Theatre, Glasgow, 30 January 2010)

NORMAN BISSELL wonders why we are not hearing a lot more of the former Silly Wizard singer these days.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – BBC YOUNG TRAD MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2010 (Grand Hall, City Halls, 31 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – BBC YOUNG TRAD MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2010 (Grand Hall, City Halls, 31 January 2010)

JENNIE MACFIE admires the contributions of the younger generation.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – THE MHAIRI HALL TRIO (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 29 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – THE MHAIRI HALL TRIO (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 29 January 2010)

BARRY GORDON reckons pianist Mhairi Hall is set to make her own mark.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS - NEW VOICES: MIKE VASS (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS - NEW VOICES: MIKE VASS (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 January 2010)

BARRY GORDON reckons Mike Vass’s New Voices commission fits the man perfectly.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – CÈOL IS CRAIC (CCA, Glasgow, 22-23 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – CÈOL IS CRAIC (CCA, Glasgow, 22-23 January 2010)

FIONA MACKENZIE enjoys a celebration of authentic Celtic connections.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – THE AN TOBAR SESSIONS (Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 19 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – THE AN TOBAR SESSIONS (Strathclyde Suite, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 19 January 2010)

NORMAN BISSELL reckons the An Tobar Sessions is not to be missed when it tours later this year.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – TUNES FOR GORDON (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 17 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS – TUNES FOR GORDON (Strathclyde Suite, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 17 January 2010)

JENNIE MACFIE enjoys a diverse tribute to the late Gordon Duncan.


MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS - CHRIS STOUT’S BRAZILIAN THEORY / HELENE BLUM & HARALD HAUGAARD (City Halls, Glasgow, 17 January 2010) MUSIC: CELTIC CONNECTIONS - CHRIS STOUT’S BRAZILIAN THEORY / HELENE BLUM & HARALD HAUGAARD (City Halls, Glasgow, 17 January 2010)

SUE WILSON sees the joins disappear in a classy collaboration.