Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey: Tatiana Hargreaves & Allison de Groot
Celtic Connections - Glasgow

The annual Celtic Connections events in Glasgow are renowned for bringing together interesting combinations of fabulous musicians and enjoying the results thereof. Tatiana Hargreaves and Alison DeGroot, maybe unfamiliar names to many, but both individually and as a duo they are offering their own twists on traditional fiddle and clawhammer banjo folk and bluegrass tunes, well as more contemporary tunes. Both have been recognised for their talents from early ages, begging the question, at what age does a prodigy become a maestro (or maestra if you wish)? An interesting element of the wonderfully delivered set was to introduce the tunes, not only with reference to the provenance, but also to the key signature, with apparently jigs in ‘C’ particularly notorious for clawhammer banjo. I would ask who knew, but other than myself, the audience seemed a particularly knowledgeable group. The duo’s curiosity invoking mixture of music, history and social concerns is perhaps best summed up their inclusion of Aunt Molly Jackson’s ‘Prisoner’s Call’. Written by the 1930s political activist, originally an Appalachian a capella wish for solidarity, rooted in the wrongful imprisonment of Thomas Mooney.

Neither Tim Edey nor Mike Goldrick will need much introduction to many. Not simply maestros but world class instrumentalists on their own, and an irresistible force when combined. Is a strange thing when you take time to ponder it. For many an audience, the draw is to see artists because they expect to hear the songs they know and love and perhaps hear a few new, though often under sufferance. However, going to see an occasional duo such as Tim and Mike, despite the fact that they have an excellent new album on release, you have no idea as to what they will play, but merely a certainty of how they will play whatever they offer. The certainty is that it will be a musical experience of the highest order and, given that we’ve already established that this packed audience is a musically knowledgeable and, in many cases, a proficient one, then they will be disappointed to receive anything less.

However, this is so much more that a recital requiring technical excellence, as their instrumental virtuosity can been taken as given, what sets them apart and adds to proceedings is the spirit and joy that the two obviously take in playing in each other’s company, based on a friendship stretching back over 30 years. Musical proficiency may be one thing but delivery that embraces and includes the audience is something else entirely. We are taken through jigs and airs, stories and asides and even a cameo appearance from Festival Director and ex-Capercaillie member Donald Shaw before the duo becomes a quartet, with the reemergence of Allison and Tatiana. As they visit O’Carolan before a finale of ‘Touch Me If You Dare’ it was the twists and turns, interplay and sheer ‘what are they going to do and who will do it?’ that left the audience, as well as the music in a reel.

Virtue may have its rewards but virtuosity is a gift that keeps on giving.