Category Archives: Concert And Event Reviews

Moishe’s Bagel

Moishe’s Bagel: Acoustic Music From Scotland And Beyond

Date: August 24, 2017
Venue: The Queen’s Hall (UK/Edinburgh)

Review by  Fiona Mactaggart

In a relatively small city of less than half a million people, Edinburgh-based musicians not infrequently can find themselves playing in bands of mixed musical genres. Since 2003 Moishe’s Bagel, or “The Bagel” as they are affectionately known locally, are perhaps one of the most successful products of this fortuitous melding of musics, with four CD releases to date on the labels Eachday Music and Moishe’s Bagel, under their belts.

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Xylouris White

Xylouris White: Crete/Australia Duo of Master Musicians

Venue: The Dissection Room, Summerhall, Edinburgh
Date: August 28, 2017

Review by Fiona Mactaggart (Photo by James Duffy )

As often happens at uber hip Summerhall, the gig starts somewhat later than billed, no doubt contributing to some first night nerves for Jamie Sutherland. Known locally as singer/ guitarist in indie folk band Broken Records and for his love of 1970s open-tuned guitars, tonight Sutherland presents for the first time mainly solo, with some of his latest self-penned numbers, with occasional unelaborated backing from Ian on keyboard, Robyn on violin and Anna on bass. A brave outing, Sutherland should also be congratulated for his informed choices, in his capacity as Music Programmer for Summerhall.

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Gnoss

Glasgow’s Folk Band Gnoss Performing “Fresh” Celtic Music

Concert Review by Fiona Mactaggart (Photo by Dougie Coulter)

Date: August 11,  2017
Venue: Acoustic Music Centre, Ukrainian Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

This year Edinburgh hosts the 70th iteration of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (EFF), showcasing music and theatre from most regions of the world. Gnoss…this young band, however, hasn’t had far to travel: original members Graham Rorie (fiddle, mandolin) and Aidan Moodie (guitar, vocals) both from the Orkney Islands, nowadays augmented by Connor Sinclair (flute, whistle) and Gregor Kincaid (bodhran). Together they present a highly accomplished, charming and well – paced one hour set, demonstrating a maturity in their play significantly beyond what might be expected from their relative youth.

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Arturo O'Farrill, Dr. Cornel West & Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi @ Brooklyn College, May 17, 2017

Concert Reviews: Arturo O’Farrill w. Dr. Cornel West

Two Nights with Arturo O’Farrill & the Legendary Dr. Cornel West: Path of Sweet Resistance

Arturo O'Farruill & Lindsey Wilson

Photo by Lindsey Wilson

Date: May 13, 2017
Venue: Symphony Space (NY)
It’s a rainy Saturday night. I skirt into Symphony Hall where I sit amongst a sea of appreciative audience members. Suddenly, I am surrounded by a cacophony of confectionery sound just five rows away from a bombastic event of horns, drums and percussive delight inviting us to move along with its Afro-Latin sway. This musical collaboration was laced with sacred moments dipped in cane sugar as the rhythms proudly strutted between the beats of Bahia and the Caribbean. Powerful! Last year, I  had the pleasure of seeing four-time Grammy winner and Musicians For Musicians (MFM) Board Member, Arturo O’Farrill perform at Symphony Space and I’m happy to say that his brilliance still stands.

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