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Transatlantic Sessions

Venue: Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 4th February 2013
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_Sessions

For the fourth consecutive Year, Transatlantic Sessions filled Hall 1 and the stage to capacity. Originally part of the annual Celtic Connections Festival and spawning TV shows and CDs/ DVD's through the BBC, someone, in a moment of genius, finally had the inspired idea to take it on tour to a select handful of venues around the UK. Thankfully, such is the vision of The Sage, that they were one of the first to support the idea and host the event, a sell out every time. With it, they have annually fulfilled a dream for me, and I'm sure countless others, who have always wanted to actually experience this unique event for ourselves, but have never been able to make it to Glasgow, for varying reasons.

The objective of Transatlantic Sessions is to bring together a variety of music artists from Scotland, Ireland, England, the USA and Canada, to rediscover not only their shared roots, but the common ground in their music.

Nineteen musicians, their instruments and mics filled the stage, along with sofas and armchairs to the side, so musicians not performing could kick back and enjoy each other's music; one of the more unique elements of this show.

Led as always by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, the Transatlantic band wowed us from start to finish, along with their special guests.

From the UK, pregnant Emily Smith, who vocally reminded me a lot of Julie Fowlis, as she delivered a Robert Burns song and the beautiful A Day Like Today. Added to the mix was accordion aficionado Phil Cunningham, John McCusker on fiddle and who only knows what else, and of course, Michael McGoldrick on flute and wind instruments.

Along with the rest of the band, Dirk Powell, Bruce Molsky, Phil Cunningham, Danny Thompson, Russ Barenberg, John Doyle, James Mackintosh and Donald Shaw, more instruments were played then anyone could possibly count. The musicians took us through an amazing selection of celtic music, many of which left me wanting to get up and dance.

Then came the USA representatives. Richard Thompson's son Teddy was a revelation, as he sang Delilah and Dear Mary, written with his mother. Both were stunning and left me wanting to look up more of his music. Eric Bibb and Dirk Powell delivered Blues and Cajun, taking me back to the Deep South for part of the evening; at least in my head. Aiofe O'Donovan from Crooked Still delivered some exquisite numbers, including one beautiful song along with Smith and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Chapin in turn performed stunning renditions of I Have a Need for Solitude (the irony of which was striking, as she was stood on such a crowded stage!) and the exquisite Transcendental Reunion, which seemed to really fit the evening.

All of this took place amidst banter, jokes, laughter and the wonderful sight of musicians enjoying each other's music, joining in, sharing the moment, an experience to behold in itself. How so many people play together so effortlessly and intuitively, is a mystery to me, testament certainly to their collected talent. When the audience is invited to sing along, there is something magical about knowing that we are sharing something so special with so many talented people. We can only imagine what madness must go on offstage. One of the funniest moments on stage was a moment of tongue tied confusion; " I was here the back end of last year, um, Jan this past year ago, um, oh, I'll draw you a timeline later!"

The highlight of the evening for me, however, was Mary Chapin Carpenter leading everyone onstage for the finale, inviting the audience to join in, with a roof raising performance of her hit song Down at the Twist and Shout. Sheer perfection, and the perfect way to end a mind blowing night of music. Chapin also offered the most insightful observation of the night; thanking everyone for coming out, she remarked on what a joy it was to be back in this amazing room with this group of musicians. She then stated that the nights they get to share their wonderful collaboration with us are the nights they as musicians fold into each other in the very deepest of places. That is exactly what Transatlantic Sessions is all about. I wonder whose collaborations we will share in 2014?

Helen Mitchell
Pictures Phil Carter, Neil King, not taken at gig

The Birmingham gig on the 7th is reviewed on the Three Chords & The Truth Blogspot