Elsa McTaggart, a true folk musician and singer/songwriter in every sense of the word, has waited a long time to finally present this stunning show. A feast of folksong both traditional and contemporary and a tribute to some of the greatest female folk singers of our time. Having performed her five-star, sell-out show Eva Cassidy: The Story for the last five years, Elsa now delves into the lives and songs of other great folk artists such as Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Mary Black, Sandy Denny, Emmilou Harris and many more.
ARTS REVIEWS EDINBURGH
Fringe 2023
Great Women of Folk theSpaceUK 16th August Review
Review by Tom King © 2023
www.artsreviewsedinburgh.com
Great Women of Folk is a new show from Elsa Jean McTaggart at theSpaceUK @ Surgeons’ Hall and, as the title tells us, this is a celebration of the women who have left their unmistakable imprint upon folk music.
Folk music is a genre that encompasses so many different strands of music and story telling under one generic name and it can be so many different things, a record of true events that often those in authority would rather we do not remember, songs of love lost, love found, protest songs, religious praises and so much more, the possibilities of what can be called a “folk song” appear to be endless.
In this show, we find out that it is in part this never-ending story told in song that has attracted Elsa Jean McTaggart to folk music pretty much all of her life, but the biggest attraction of all for Elsa has been, and still is, simply that joy of being able to sing these songs both in private, with family and close friends, and with her audiences across the many countries that her music has taken her to so far. Growing up in a large family where music was always somewhere around her has obviously left its indelible marks on Elsa as you cannot be this comfortable singing on stage unless you have music in your blood. This show is very much carrying on a family tradition as Janet Russell, Elsa’s aunt, has also left her own mark on Scottish folk music over the years too.
The 50 or so minute time slot of a Fringe show means of course that Elsa only has time to pay musical tribute to some the Great Women of Folk and their music, but the set list is a carefully thought out one and features some very recognisable names – from Wales Mary Hopkin (no guesses what song is sung here), from Ireland Mary Black, from Scotland Jean Redpath, and of course iconic names that you simply cannot miss out in any tribute like this one – Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Mary Black, Sandy Denny and Emmylou Harris.
There are some well-known songs in this set list including “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”, “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”, but there are also a few surprises too including a new song written by Elsa Jean McTaggart.
Some of the voices that have created many of these songs are absolutely unique (Sandy Denny for example), but Elsa is not attempting to copy any one singer here, simply adding her own very unique voice to the many different arrangements and interpretations that many of these songs have had over the years. This is also an acoustic set that allows us all to hear and see that Elsa’s skills on guitar should not be overlooked in favour of her voice – the two go together.
This show is Elsa Jean McTaggart at her best, singing songs that she loves and sharing her joy at being able to share them with her audience.
