Live Performance Review: Toumani Diabate & Sidiki Diabate,  The Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thursday 29.05.2014, 19:30

I had seen Toumani perform at the same venue a couple of years back, though had never seen his son, Sidiki before. Toumani is the 71st generation on his family to play the Kora, and Sidiki the 72nd to do so. Toumani is regarded as the worlds greatest living exponent of the Kora, and Sidiki is no mean shakes either. 

There has been an L.P. released of the two of them duetting together on the Kora, and the gig was the live promotion of this. Their skillful playing together was sublime and dreamily meditative. The hall was not jammed, though those lucky enough to be present appeared to be in raptures. 

It feels hard to convey the beauty of this music, if you don't know what the Kora sounds like in the hands of such skilled musicians. The performance felt transcendent with a conveyance of so much more than just perfect music. 

I'm trying to cut down on the number of gigs I go to, and had felt 'well I had seen Toumani before, so...', though I decided he was good enough to warrant repeat viewing. I don't think I was wrong. I'm a lucky man.

Rating: 10/10.

+ I managed to meet them briefly after the gig and was able to express my thanks.      

Live Performance Review: Scottish Chamber Orchestra,  The Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Thursday 08.05.2014, 19:30

I had gone to this performance due to the fact that Beethoven's 9th Symphony was being performed. My knowledge of 'classical' music is by no means extensive, though from what I know, this is by far my favorite piece and I have wanted to see it performed for some years. I am aware of having been introduced to the 9th in a more extensive manner than just knowing the 'ode to joy', from when I first saw Stanley Kubrick's 'A Clockwork Orange' (1971) when it was re-released in British cinemas in 2000. I was impressed enough that I got myself a recording of the ninth, rather than the film soundtrack, and have played it extensively over the years.

There was a very short 'first-half', where a couple of ditties by, I think Shostakovich, certainly began with an S, were played. This was pleasant enough.    

After the interval, it was the time for the glorious 9th by Ludwig Van. I had my eyes shut for most of the performance and had waves of colours appearing as the music built over-n-over to it's many crescendos. I was having parts of it taking back to specific visual images from Kubrick's masterpiece, which caused rye smiles. I experienced goose-bumps literally all over and my breathing was affected. There were little flourishes I had never noted before which intrigued.

On a quibble note, there was one instance where there appeared to be a couple of bum notes from the French Horns. I would not class myself as musical in the sense that I can't read music, though I would say that I have a fair sense as to something sounding right or not. My friend who was there with me, and who is musical, had the same sense of this, so I would suspect we are right. Having said this I don't feel this really detracted from the performance.

I am very glad to have experienced this live, though feel sated by the experience and by this have no sense of needing to see again.

Rating: 09/10.