Collaborative Shows at Celtic Connections 2012

Celtic Connections’ famous spirit of camaraderie will once again bring together in 2012 high profile artists from the worlds of folk, roots and rock for a string of one-off collaborative shows. Celtic Connections 2012 runs from Thursday 19th January – Sunday 5th February and comprises 300 concerts, ceilidhs, talks, workshops, free events and late night sessions taking place over 18 days in 20 venues across Glasgow.

The legendary American singer-songwriter and pianist Bruce Hornsby, famous for The Way it Is and Mandolin Rain, will visit Glasgow for a special Celtic Connections show, where he’ll collaborate with guest artists on his classic hits.

One year on from Gerry Rafferty’s much-mourned passing, his daughter Martha and long-term friend (and Stealers Wheel co-founder) Rab Noakes curate Bring It All Home: Gerry Rafferty Remembered. A commemorative gathering of the Paisley-born singer-songwriter’s friends, family, bandmates, collaborators and admirers, it’ll feature their pick of songs from his 40-year career. Artists include The Proclaimers (Rafferty having co-produced their 1987 breakthrough hit Letter from America); Barbara Dickson (who sang backing vocals on City to City and Night Owl, later duetting with Rafferty on her Dylan album); fellow 70s hitmaker Maria Muldaur; ex-Cream singer and bassist – and fellow Scottish small-town-boy-made-big – Jack Bruce; Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, Burns Unit/ ex-Delgados songstress Emma Pollock and soulful Irish balladeer James Vincent McMorrow. Two of Rafferty’s regular sidemen, guitarist Hugh Burns and saxophonist Mel Collins, will feature with the evening’s house band, Glasgow’s own Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire.

As well as appearing in Bring it All Home, the Bishopbriggs-born singer-songwriter (and founding member of Cream) Jack Bruce will rearrange some of his own material especially for a unique collaboration with Lau. With Jim Sutherland (percussion) and Mr McFall’s String Quartet, this promises to be a special one-off show.

The hugely popular Transatlantic Sessions returns once again to bring the festival to a sensational finale with the ultimate back-porch session. The 2012 line-up features Darrell Scott, Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, Ruth Moody (of the Wailin’ Jennys), Declan O’Rourke, Danny Thompson, John Doyle, Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker, Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas.

The Beat Bothy at The Arches brings big beats, blasting bass lines and boundary pushing music courtesy of Parisian violinist and sample pioneer Chapelier Fou, who concocts live arrangements using acoustic and electronic elements. Bringing west coast and Gaelic tinged electro are Skye’s very own Niteworks, and The Treacherous Orchestra’s Adam Sutherland, John Somerville and Barry Reid launch their new electro big beat project Halcyon. There will also be a full set from festival favorite and purveyor of aquatic funk, DJ Dolphin Boy.

The home of impromptu sessions and spontaneous collaborations, the Celtic Connections Festival Club will take up residency in Apollo 23 (formerly Jongleurs Comedy Club) on Renfrew Street, with the Late Night Sessions continuing in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Alongside the Late Night Sessions, the much-loved House of Song hosted by Doris Rougvie, will be held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

More at celticconnections.com