VA - Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic VI: Celtic Roots (2016)

The concert series 'Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic' has set itself the ambition to reflect current developments and shifts in jazz, and in European jazz in particular, ever since it started. A new configuration of musicians is assembled for each concert, the focus is placed on a different theme, and the results have invariably been truly memorable one-off concerts. 'Celtic Roots' was another in this line of triumphs. This concert re-traced the paths taken by celtic music as it traversed European culture, and also charted its influence on jazz. Modern celtic music in all its depth and breadth has a continuous tradition which manifestly pre-dates the nineties wave of world music and ethno-music. Turning the clock back again, jazz had also been influenced by folk music long before the revivals of the sixties and seventies. Following the waves of emigration from Ireland and Scotland in the nineteenth century, elements of celtic music were present in the origins of American country music and of the blues, above all in the southern states of the US, but also later in New York. Track by track, the illustrious group of quite exceptional performers finds myriad ways for tradition and innovation to coalesce, right from the first chant of the bagpipes in Fraser Fifield's 'Psalm'. 'Willie Murray s Reel' is given a wholly new character with a fascinating range of guitar sounds. 'Lament For The Children' is turned into a multi-layered and constantly changing improvisation. 'St. James Infirmary' has a truly celtic final section, and comes across with a new vigour and forcefulness. It is in moments like this that the excitement of the Berlin audience in the hall come through palpably to the listener of the CD.

Tracklist:

01. Opening (Live)
02. Mole in the Ground (Live)
03. Hymn and Sword Dances (Live)
04. Willie Murray's Reel (Live)
05. Lament for the Children - Den Forste Gang (Live)
06. Buck Ride (Live)
07. In the Pines (Live)
08. On the Big Sea (Live)
09. Shetland Medley (Live)
10. Two Sisters (Live)
11. St. James Infirmary (Live)
12. Right on Time (Live)

line up:
Knut Reiersrud / guitars, Weissenborn lap steel & harmonica
Ale Möller / mandola, trumpet, shawm (“skalmeja”), overtone flutes, hammered dulcimer & harmonium
Fraser Fifield / soprano sax, low whistle & Scottish border pipes
Tuva Syvertsen / vocals, Hardanger fiddle & harmonium
Aly Bain / fiddle
Eric Bibb / vocals & guitar
Olle Linder / percussion & double bass