NORTHUMBRIAN MUSIC
NIGHTS
What we said about
Bart Ramsey & Neti
Vaan'
Rural scheme brings out
the best in local talent
It's always exciting hearing a new talent. Part of that excitement comes from realising that, until the fledgling is ready to leave the nest, the careful nurturing and appreciation of that talent may have been as important as the intrinsic capability of the songbird.
In similar ways, new performers of traditional music are emerging from incubation in local nests. Tynedale has been, and continues to be, an impressive incubator for nationally remarked traditional talent.
So it was a double pleasure last Friday in allendale to enjoy the intriguing mix of traditional and original music, from a variety of musical genres, by New Orleans' Bart Ramsey on keyboard and Neti Vaan' on fiddle.
These artistes are part of the North Pennines Rural Touring Scheme which brings the stimulation of exciting quality performance art right out into the new talent nest.
Firstly the engaging duo filled the room with a dynamic, flowing performance that moved from Balkan ballads to Cajun shuffle, and original compositions in a unique new idiom.
Bart's songwriting skills, as showcased on the group's album, Zing-Zang, are well cued to questions of contemporary adulthood, while Neti's prancing fiddle filled the air with infectious melody.
Secondly, the workshop the pair conducted on Saturday in Sparty Lea for emerging fiddle talent was a mix of experienced and novitiate players, some of whom are providing a lively palette of dance music in Northumberland today, and others of whom may well provide that music for tomorrow.
