@michael-marra
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Category: Review
"The Big Noise Effect" Researchers tracking the lives of a generation immersed in music
By The_Meenister, 2015-05-18
First findings from a long term study of the charity Sistema Scotland's Big Noise orchestras in Stirling's Raploch and Glasgow's Govanhill show convincing evidence of positive change to children's lives. Researchers conclude the programme represents a good investment for society.
The findings, from a team led by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, include evidence that Big Noise:
Improves confidence, pride and self-esteem
has the potential to support participants to lead fuller and healthier lives
has the potential to quickly generate greater social benefits than the costs of delivery
participants have higher school attendance
offers respite and protection to the most vulnerable
Read the full press release from Sistema Scotland at their website to read more positive information on the research findings.
Optimistic Sound continues to raise funds for the establishment of a Big Noise Orchestra in Dundee.
Fearghas Kelly has written a wonderful piece on an encounter he had with Michael at a gig in Paisley back in 2008. He has kindly agreed for us to use it here. You can read it at Fearghas's blog website
Frida Kahlo has taken up residence at The Tay Bridge Bar on the Perth Road, Dundee. The portrait of Frida titled Frida Kahlo's Visit To The Howff and painted by Michael was presented to Jimmy Marr mine host at The Tay Bridge Bar by Michael's wife, Peggy and his children Alice and Matthew. The portrait will hang in the Bar as a memorial to Michael. Full story can be read in The Courier
Frida Kahlo is the subject of one of Michael's most popular songs "Frida Kahlo's Visit To the Tay Bridge Bar" which was first recorded on Michael's 2000 album Posted Sober. The song has been a been a feature of Michael's live set for a number of years and also appears on Michael's live album with Mr McFall's Chamber. Tom Mitchell recorded a version of the song on his 2010 CD " Paper Thin Walls"
Alice Marra performing at All Will Be Well - Pauline Keightley Photography
Reviews of the sellout All Will Be Well Tribute Concert having been appearing in the national and local press and social media.
Pauline Keightley's review and wonderful photographs of the concert can be found at her website
Alan Wilson's rare review in The Courier - " We were proud to know him, proud to have shared his music and finally, proud to have been there"
STV's Jennie Macfie - "Alice Marra singing "Monkey Hair" is a standout moment and there are few tears unshed; any resisted being overcome by Liz Lochhead's valedictory poem. "As if they were ospreys and Angus was Africa...". Thousands of voices were raised in "All Will Be Well"- and it will.
In The Scotsman's Brian Ferguson reported "Noakes told the audience that although Marra was renowned for celebrating ordinary characters, he was an "extraordinary man" himself."
Rob Adams wrote in his blog - "The songs were the stars in this celebration of the Bard of Lochee; the songs and his children, and that's as it should be for someone whose art - visual,spoken, written and sung - and family were his life."
On the BBC Celtic Connections website Richard Bull commented "This evening brilliantly demonstrated that Michael's uniquely creative and generous work will live on and on."
The Daily Record's Joan McAlpine wrote in her column "But so many of his songs were anthems. Here Comes The Weak sung last week by Eddi Reader, would be an ideal theme for the human race. It praises the efforts of workers to overcome mighty barriers through organisation and education."
Donald Cowey in the Sunday Herald summed it up nicely "If it's still hard to accept that the opportunity to see Michael perform again will not come round again, then this was the next best thing."
The Mackenzie Sisters at All Will Be Well - Photograph courtesy of Pauline Keightley
Just for the record the singers and musicians who appeared at the concert were -
Mackenzie - Fiona, Eilidh and Gillian
Sylvia Rae Tracey
Liz Lochhead - Scots Makar (The National Poet of Scotland)
The Hazey Janes - Andrew Mitchell, Alice Marra, Matthew Marra, Liam Brennan
The House Band were -
Christopher Marra Guitars and Steel Guitar
Gregor Philp - Guitars
Kevin Murray - Guitars and Mandolin
Hilary Brooks - Piano and Accordion
Steve Kettley - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone
Duncan Chisholm - fiddle
Christine Hanson - Cello
Kevin McGuire - Upright Bass
Dave Haswell - Percussion
Michael Marra was asked to sit as the subject for a recent 3 day masterclass given by Scottish artist Calum Colvin titled Portraits for the Future as part of V&A at Dundee series of events..
The final portrait can be is on view at The McManus, Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum until
9 December 2011. A video presentation is also available here
For more information on the event visit V&A at Dundee - Making It Happen website
You can also see some of the images used in the process including the final portrait by visiting The Unfolding of Portraits for the Future Facebook page.
Calum Colvin has worked with Michael before when he created the artwork for Michael's Candy Philosophy album.
The Fiddle Tree at Inver near Dunkeld in Perthshire where Niel Gow was inspired to write many of his wonderful fiddle tunes.
The bench at the base of the tree is inscribed with the lyrics of Michael Marra's "Niel Gow's Apprentice" and you can " sit beneath the fiddle tree with the ghost of Niel Gow next to me"
***** - Review by Rob Adams from today's Herald
It may seem strange to talk about new-found confidence when considering a musician who has some 40 years’ experience of treading the boards and a substantial body of recorded work, but the recent flowering of Michael Marra as not just a songwriter of singular gifts but as a performer, indeed entertainer capable of bringing these songs to vivid life has to do with belief in himself and his talent.
They were always brilliantly observed songs but these days, to hear Marra sing of General Grant visiting Dundee with haughty disdain or Dr John laying his voodoo groove on Blairgowrie is to be transported right to the heart of the action and reminded just how many ingenious lines Marra can invoke in one verse.
He sings these lines with fabulous relish in that distinctive foggy growl to his ever-concise piano accompaniments, bringing out every nuance of characterisation, and as a man of persuasive wit, he revels in the Dundonian art of geein’ cheek.
His use of acronyms in the love-in-the-personal-columns mischief of She Said, He Said is superbly funny, his unaccompanied ballad-styled Muggie Sha’ scarily hilarious and if anyone else could have an audience community singing “butchers’ hough and tinkies’ gochles, wha can tell the diff’rence?”, tell me their names.
A by turns mad, touching and historically diverting performance from a true master.
From the Perthshire Advertiser - A review of the Perth Theatre gig with Mr McFall's Chamber -
From the Edinburgh Guide - Review of Queens Hall Gig
You Can Take The Boy Out of Dundee.. ... Rob Adams Review
From the Scotsman - Jan Fairley's Review
From Musical Criticism.com - Peter Cudmore's review
Hamish has been recorded by the pupils of St John's High School. The recording will raise funds for the school's community enterprise project, with donations also going to United for Kids.
"Hamish the Goalie" will be sung by 6th year pupil Afioe McGuigan-O'Brien with instrumental backing by pupils and staff and also input from songwriter Michael Marra.