[rpf]

Just got and finished listening to the CD of The Original Transatlantic Sessions, Vol. 1. (two more volumes are projected).

While this has been available on DVD (though it's now out of print in NTSC and currently only available in PAL - in DVD, not DVD-A as listed on the case), it has never been issued on CD before. I had to order it from Amazon UK as no one in the US has it.

The recording/sound quality is mediocre - these sessions were originally a circa 1995 BBC TV broadcast.

But the music, oh the music. The music is stunning. Celtic-Anglo-American Folk/Country via Aly Bain, Jay Unger, Molly Mason, John Martyn, Danny Thompson, Mary Black, Iris DeMent, Jerry Douglas, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, and many others.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RIn-ov1yJM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-tiGvMqpU8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km_S9pGSGQ8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm68kGuChcw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE8L843iUy4&feature=related

I haven't listened to the two volumes of the Third Transatlantic Sessions yet, while the Second Sessions are out of print in Europe as well as here. A Fourth Transatlantic Sessions is planned for 2009.

Now, does anyone know how to get a PAL DVD converted to NTSC?

Rob

[bprice2]

Thanks for the heads up.  I'd never heard of the Transatlantic Sessions...very nice.  You've inspired me to put on Cold Mountain Soundtrack.  It's the closest I can get in my collection. 

BTW...that Mary Black has some serious vocal chords.

[rpf]

You're welcome.

I've listened a bit to the Transatlantic Sessions 3, Vols. 1 & 2 (circa 2007) now, and while the sound is better than on The Original T.S. (Vol.1), the music is not as inspired. More Country, less Trad. Celtic and Folk. Some nice pieces by Joan Osbourne and Karen Matheson though, and, of course, Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas do their impeccable music making.

From samples, it seems like the out of print T.S. 2 (Vols. 1 & 2) would be better. It has Michael Doucet (Beausoleil), Ricky Skaggs, Roseanne Cash, Nanci Griffith, John Martyn, Karen Matheson, Jerry Douglas, and, as always, Aly Bain (the organizer of all of the Sessions).

I'm really waiting for Vols. 2 & 3 of The Original T.S. to be released. There is a lot more great music on those from what I've heard on youtube. Lots more Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Mary Black, and Emmylou Harris (who's not on Vol. 1).

Here's one of my favorites - "Wild Mountain Thyme", one of my favorite songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_AYAg9zPzc

[rpf]

A few more:

Iris DeMent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlaoR5m4L80

I.D. with Emmylou Harris:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghVAH_WX-9I&feature=related

Emmylou with Iris and Mary Black:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4y9sIk5jRo&feature=related

Karen Matheson and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ocA-T5Dyw&feature=related

Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh (a nice version of a song also done by Van Morrison with the Chieftains):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wybqAuaRWTw&feature=related