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Transatlantic Sessions

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 9th February
Website: http://thesagegateshead.org/

I have to say that it still feels incredible to me that this is the third consecutive year in which Transatlantic Sessions has come to The Sage. Originally part of the annual Celtic Connections Festival and spawning TV shows and CDs/ DVD's through the BBC, someone (who in my opinion deserves the Nobel peace prize!) 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 fulfilled a dream for me, and I'm sure countless others, who have always wanted to actually experience this unique event for ourselves.

The premis 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.

Hall 1 was full to capacity, as was the stage - I have never seen so many instruments up there, not to mention musicians! Over the course of three hours and two sets, we were indulged by some incredibly talented musicians, from an incredible line up.

Several of the artists remarked on what an amazing week it had been and how sad they all were that this was the final night. With this in mind, they intended to make it a great last night, which it was, full of music, banter, humour and full of evidence of the very obvious friendships which had been formed.

Jerry Douglas welcomed us and compered most of the evening. He also played us a piece on guitar which cleverly merged Paul Simon's American Tune with two other pieces of music.

Several of the musicians took centre stage to show us their craft. John Doyle, Tim O'Brien, Bruce Molsky ( who has a long connection to the North East since long before we had The Sage, which he referred to as 'this glorious edifice.') and Michael Goldrick, who played a stunning piece which evoked a balmy evening on a Southern porch.

Another group played some rousing string band music, before slowing the pace once more. As each artist or group of artists played, others sand harmony, played accompanying instruments or sat on sofas around the stage to watch. Some danced and some even wandered around the stage with their cameras and video cameras to capture the moment; seeing artists enjoying each others' perfomances in this way is really quite special.

Michael Goldrick stepped forward for a fabulous piece and Russ Barenburg blew us all away with his guitar solo. He just gets so into the music, he almost enters a different plane. John McCusker, long associated with the Sessions, shared his wonderful, 'The Wreck 'em Set,' with some help from his musical friends. Aly McBain and Phil Cunningham then played us their wonderful Lake Charles Waltz, which led to some impromptu waltzing on stage.

There were several stunning collective pieces, some, with more of a ceilidh sound, made me want to get up and dance!

Additionally there was a typically strong collection of guest artists sharing the stage. Ireland's Declan O'Rourke played us three of his songs, the standout being Time Machine. Scotland's Karen Matheson performed twice; once entirely in Gaelic, so fast, that like Julie Fowlis last year, she left me wondering how on earth it is possible. The other piece was a stirring song called Aragon Mill, about the closure of a South Carolina cotton mill.

The fabulous Tim O'Brien, if not familiar to you for past involvement with Transatlantic Sessions, may be more familiar for his collaborations with Kathy Mattea, most notably, Battle Hym,n of Love. He took us back to his native West Virginia, for a two song set, which he peppered with humour about the state he calls home; one, a West Virginia folk song about the logging game and the other took us briefly into bluegrass. He is an incredibly talented musician and equally as strong vocally.

Canadian Ruth Moody, of The Wailin' Jennys, took some good natured teasing when she uttered the dreaded words 'It's Great to be in Newcastle.' (The Sage is across the river in Gateshead…) Unfazed, she told us about her new CD, recorded with Crooked Still, before playing us three songs. Nest, I particularly enjoyed. Her voice at various times brought to mind Alison Krauss and Sinead Lohan.

Ex Fairground Attraction lead singer, Eddi Reader, who by now was dancing barefoot all over the stage, stepped to the front, to huge applause. She sang a Robert Burns song, Green Grows the Rashes, encouraging us to '…join in, in your gorgeous, sexy accents.' Declan played guitar as she sang one of his songs, Love is the Way, before she ended with a gorgeous song I hadn't heard previously, Rising Footsteps. The thing about Eddi Reader, other than that voice, is her infectious enthusiasm.

Whilst the time and song allocations were arranged very fairly, so everyone got their chance to shine, I think it is safe to say that the headline was The Mavericks' Raul Malo. He appeared so down to earth, it was impossible not to warm to him, especially as he seemed so at home at The Sage, having recorded his new CD in Hall 1 with the Northern Sinfonia, when he performed as part of the annual SummerTyne Americana Festival. He clearly also felt it was a privilege, rather than a right, to have been asked to take part in the Sessions. Whilst I will admit to not being overly keen on the CD's title track, a cover of All Around The World, it did show his impressive vocal range to good effect. When You're Only Lonely was absolutely stunning, as was Every Little Thing About You, which sounded distinctly Hungarian. He even had those not singing with him dancing across the back of the stage.

Sadly there was only time for a one song encore, and Raul was asked to take the lead, to 'rectify a wrong, that a Hank Williams song has never been sung at Transatlantic Sessions.' Everyone was asked to clap, sing and enjoy Hey Good Lookin' which ended the night on a high.

However, the absolute standout of the night for me, was the ending to the first set; all present joined forces to create the most amazing version I will ever hear, of Woody Guthrie's This Land is My Land,' where four of them stepped forward to take lead vocals on a verse each. I thought we would never get closer to defining the phrase 'Transatlantic' with music last year, when Allison Moorer embraced a beautiful version of Carrickfergus, but I think Eddi Reader delivering her verse of this legendary American song at least matched it.

Three hours flew by and there was, without a doubt, a sense that none of them were ready to end the night, or the tour, just yet. Part of the magic of the night lies in seeing them share and enjoy each others' music so much, and Raul Malo actually remarked on the 'care, love, respect and dignity', with which his music had been treated. This somehow sums up Transatlantic Sessions - very much a bringing together of artists and audience out of love and respect for music.

I do feel I can't end without again thanking all involved; Celtic Connections, those who worked so hard to put Transatlantic Sessions together and of course The Sage, for again giving us the opportunity to be a part of this incredible event; indeed for having the vision to host it in the first place. Thankfully, as Jerry Douglas left the stage with the words, 'See you next year,' it would seem that Transatlantic Sessions at The Sage, Gateshead, is becoming as much an annual event as Celtic Connections itself. So, any thoughts as to who might guest next year…?

Helen Mitchell
pics Neil King, illustrative only not take at Gig