EIF: Karine Polwart
Old College Quad
There was a merging between the old and the new on Sunday afternoon at the Old College Quad, as Karine Polwart sang to a captivated audience. Polwart and her accompanist, Dave Milligan, incorporated traditional folk songs with a collection of new and original work written during the pandemic - accomplishing this with both warmth and skill. The venue itself provided a similar contrast with the juxtaposition of the old university building and the modern gazebo-style performance area.
Polwart’s voice is rich and perfectly matched to the lyrics she sings - often thickly layered with images of nature. Indeed, many of the songs chosen for the concert addressed the relevance of the natural world in our lives. For example, she showcased a number of songs from her upcoming album (‘Still As Your Sleeping’), which had been inspired by the Scottish geologist James Hutton and his work in determining the age of the earth. These came across as earnest and somewhat profound, though it could be said that Polwart’s original and recent material hardly packed as much power as her musical covers in the concert. This could be due to their more experimental nature, or because they did not come with the coveted nostalgia that more traditional folk music provides for its audience. Saying that, however, Polwart’s lyrics are helpful in so far as revealing her own personal and poetic insights into her subject matter. She returned to the nature motif with a response to Burns’ ‘The Wren’s Nest’, which though simplistic enough, was successful in uplifting the audience with its heart-warming message of hospitality.
Also recurrent throughout the concert was the solemn tone set by many of the songs. Polwart began early on dedicating a tender and heartfelt song to her grandfather and mother. She sang this beautifully and created a very special, serene atmosphere in the venue. Later, Polwart bested this with a masterful rendition of ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ - Burns’ famous song about parting with a lover. Once again, the audience was engrossed and doubtless moved (as I was) by this addition to the concert. For such a charming and joyful performer, Polwart is truly at her best with these soulful ballads which she delivers with dedication and passion.
A special mention must be given to Dave Milligan, whose accompaniment on the piano was entirely skilful and complemented the singing well. Although there was one song in which the use of instruments was more unconventional and possibly disconcerting for the listener, Milligan was able to demonstrate his talent on the piano in an instrumental introducing the ‘geological’ section. This was highly accomplished and very well received by everyone - including Polwart herself who seems to be a great fan of his.
Therefore, though periodically disturbed by the perils of such outdoor venues, the concert made for an enjoyable, endearing afternoon. It was a warm welcome back to live music for lovers of traditional folk music, but also made for an exciting initiation to those unfamiliar with the genre. It is certain that no one left the Old College Quad downhearted or disappointed.
