Transatlantic Sessions musical co-directors Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas

Transatlantic Sessions is the collective title for a series of musical productions by Glasgow-based Pelicula Films Ltd, funded by- and produced for BBC Scotland, BBC Four[1] and RTÉ of Ireland.[2] The productions comprise collaborative live performances by various leading folk, bluegrass and country musicians from both sides of the North Atlantic, playing music from Scotland, Ireland, England and North America, who congregate under the musical direction of Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas to record and film a set of half-hour TV episodes.[3] The Television director is Mike Alexander[4] and the producer is Douglas Eadie.[5]

In addition to the TV productions, public performances of the Transatlantic Sessions have been staged recently by some of the participating artists, receiving critical acclaim in the press,[6][7][8] and six series albums have been released in both CD and DVD format by Whirlie Records.[9]

Background

The first (Original) Transatlantic Sessions episode was produced in 1995 - a project conceived at that time by Douglas Eadie, Mike Alexander and Aly Bain.[4] Subsequent sessions were produced in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013. To date, the series comprises the six sessions shown below in the History (listed in reverse-chronological order).

For each session, the producer and directors select a special setting - typically a country manor, lodge or hotel in Scotland where the musicians perform and stay while the session is recorded (see also below). Each session was filmed in a different location with the exception of Series 4 and 5 which were both filmed in the same house, the hunting lodge at Glen Lyon near Aberfeldy in Perthshire. Series 6 was filmed and recorded at a location on the banks of Loch Lomond.

History

Participating musicians vary from session to session but, since the first session, a format has been followed where a core of musicians forms the House Band and each session features additional guest artists.[1]

Transatlantic Sessions 6

TS6 artists on set (left to right: Jerry Douglas, James Mackintosh, Teddy Thompson, Aoife O'Donovan, Julie Fowlis, Karen Matheson, Mary Chapin Carpenter; Aly Bain)

(2013 / directed by Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain). Recorded at Loch Lomond, Scotland.[10]

TS6 Programmes

For each track, the main performer's name is shown in brackets (they are not necessarily the composer).

Transatlantic Sessions 5

Group photo of the TS5 crew

(2011 / directed by Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain). Recorded at a hunting lodge at Glen Lyon near Aberfeldy in the Perthshire Highlands of Scotland.[5]

TS5 Programmes

For each track, the main performer's name is shown in brackets (they are not necessarily the composer).

Transatlantic Sessions 4

Musicians preparing to record during the TS4 sessions

(2009 / directed by Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain). Recorded at the Glen Lyon hunting lodge in Perthshire.[11]

TS4 Programmes

Main performers in brackets (not necessarily the composers).

Transatlantic Sessions 3

(2007 / directed by Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain). Recorded at Strathgarry House in Perthshire.[12]

TS3 Programmes

Main performers in brackets (not necessarily the composers).

Transatlantic Sessions 2

(1998 / directed by Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas). Recorded at Raemoir House Hotel, Banchory, Aberdeenshire.[3]

TS2 Programmes

Main performers in brackets (not necessarily the composers).

The Original Transatlantic Sessions (TS1)

Montgreenan House, where The Original Transatlantic Sessions production was recorded in 1995

(1995 / directed by Aly Bain and Jay Ungar). Recorded at Montgreenan Mansion House Hotel in Ayrshire.[4]

TS1 Programmes

Main performers in brackets (not necessarily the composers).

References

  1. ^ a b "Transatlantic Sessions". BBC Four. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Transatlantic Sessions". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b Eadie, Douglas (2011). Transatlantic Sessions 2 (Media notes). Series 2. BBC Four.
  4. ^ a b c Eadie, Douglas (1995). The Original Transatlantic Sessions (Media notes). BBC Four.
  5. ^ a b Eadie, Douglas (2012). Transatlantic Sessions 5 (Media notes). Series 5. BBC Four.
  6. ^ Denselow, Robin (7 February 2012). "Transatlantic Sessions". Review. The Guardian. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  7. ^ Chilton, Martin (2 February 2011). "Transatlantic Sessions, Royal Festival Hall". Review. Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  8. ^ Rycroft, Emma (8 February 2023). "Transatlantic Sessions Live At Celtic Connections, Feb 3, 2023". Review. Songlines. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Whirlie Records". Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  10. ^ Transatlantic Sessions 6 (Media notes). Series 6. BBC Four. 2013.
  11. ^ Transatlantic Sessions 4 (Media notes). Series 4. BBC Four. 2009.
  12. ^ Transatlantic Sessions 3 (Media notes). Series 3. BBC Four. 2007.

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