Reviews / Wonderful music, great performers and a marvellous job well done
This past year has flown bye and here we are again celebrating the wealth of folk talent in Shetland as well as the wonderful visiting acts who come here from all over the globe, writes Carol Jamieson.
We are fortunate to have a crack team of dedicated people who pull it out of the bag successfully every time. Fronting that team on Friday night in an absolutely pinned Mareel, was Claire White who always does a great job of speaking to the audience and keeping everything flowing.
The first band on was The Annlynn Sessions. A local, all female group, two of whom I used to teach… but that’s enough about me.
Photo: Malcolm Younger/Millgaet Media
The old-style country music was rich with harmonies and beautifully balanced while sitting on some very good bass playing by Diane Wood. Karlyn Garrick – vocals, Leanne Johnson – vocals and guitar, Megan Nisbet – guitar, vocals and fiddle, Jennifer Nisbet – vocals, harmonica and guitar, while Jacqui Brown peppered the songs with very appropriate and lovely fiddle playing. A versatile and dynamic group and a great start to the night.
What we heard next was quite mind-blowing. Two striking looking young lasses from Estonia, Anne-Lisett Rebane and Katerina Kivi, and a large zither. You wouldn’t think there would be much to write home about but how wrong you would be.
Duo Ruut blew everyone away with their award-winning, original music. You would be forgiven for thinking there were four or five musicians onstage, it was such a full sound. They had various microphones and effect linked to the instrument and even had their own sound man.
They also both had beautiful voices and harmonised in an exciting and unusual way, not afraid of the odd dissonance which gave so much character to the music, also using drumsticks and other effects, the music was enticing and ethereal.
On top of all this, the banter between the pieces was very funny, they had the auditorium laughing. I would have been happy listening to them all night and the audience seemed to agree as they applauded for a very long time. The stage lighting and excellent sound from Mareel added greatly to the overall experience. Stunning!
Photo: Malcolm Younger/ Millgaet Media
The Traveling Janes were up next, led ably and professionally by Scottish-American jazz vocalist Ali Afleck. It’s not often you hear such an amazing voice, while playing washboard, snare and cymbals at the same time!
The band formed in London but brings together award winning musicians from all over. They concentrate mostly on early Twentieth Century American music honouring traditional jazz and blues. Fun and laughter accompanied their set as they strode effortlessly through the songs, and we were treated to some top-class jazz playing.
Photo: Malcolm Younger/Millgaet Media
Last on was Julie Alapnes from Norway. Another award-wining musician she is fiddler, singer and composer in this band who blend the traditional folk music of Northern Norway with modern influences. The tunes tended to be modal in design as well as dissonant in places, this helps to create her own personal style.
Dressed like a fairy Feather duster she was visibly dynamic as well as musically. She had a full band behind her ably supporting and creating a very dynamic set. Guitarist Petter Andreas Carlsen (who also had a captivating voice), Halvard Rundberg on guitar and harmonium and drummer Aleksander Kostopoulos. The music was invigorating and engaging and went down very well indeed. Such a full sound and something for everyone in the variety of styles they produced.
I also managed to nip along to the club a couple of times to see and feel the buzz and melee of the place. As usual, heaving with musicians and music appreciators. Can’t move for meeting people you haven’t seen in years. I was lucky enough to catch The Adam GuestBand on Saturday afternoon. Wonderful music very nicely played.
I am so delighted to have had the chance to see these amazing musicians and can’t stress enough what a marvellous job the folk festival team do in managing to find these wonderful players and then actually persuading them to make it to a little rock in the North Sea… some feat.
