Notes from the North

John MacLean   Violets in the spring   It is generally quite hard not to feel the weight of things i n the short, cold days of a northern new year . But this new year is especially heavy, bringing as it does daily news of more deaths, more hunger, and so much more depravity and mediocrity in the actions and speeches of our so-called leaders.     We’ve been reminded often enough these past months of the importance of poetry, music and of the arts in general during wartime. So it is good to be able to report that, despite the dark, Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s annual Celtic and world music event, is about to storm back into action again.  From 18th of this month until 4th February over 300 artistes will be playing in all sorts of combinations in concert halls, churches, art centres and clubs right across the city.    It feels particularly apt that one of the first events in the festival will be a centenary concert for John MacLean, one of Scotland’s gre...