As usual, Mike McGoldrick's band blew me away (last Friday). This was after seeing Wendy Weatherby's "Sunset song" in Glasgow Cathedral, a wonderfully atmospheric interpretation of the Lewis Grassic Gibbon book: the second of the trilogy "Cloud Howe" is on 28th Jan.
Also enjoyed the Whistlebinkies' collaboration with the Chinese musicians and dancers at the Tramway last Sunday.
Can't write this without mentioning the composition by James Ross "An Cuan": his fan club from his ALP class (mixed instrument group)were out in force and very much enjoyed it: our cellist wants to learn the cello movement!
Interesting to see some of the musicians involved in so many different groups and guises, e.g James Mackintosh on percussion in nearly everything I've seen so far!
And the comeback of the double bass - every group's gotta have one! (At Glenfarg festival earlier this year we were tripping over 3 of the beasts!!)
Looking forward to Shooglenifty on Sunday(more James Mackintosh of course)and Dougie Maclean's new work "Rural Images" on the final night.
Would go to more if I could get the time, but I live in Edinburgh so have to consider work the next day: Festival Club therefore out except at weekends.
I would recommend the "Friends" package if you can afford the £50: you get way over that value in concerts, T-shirt, free coffees and other drinks!
T B