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The Transatlantic Sessions Feature the Best Musicians on Both Sides of the Pond
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What if your favorite musicians on both sides of the pond came together in a mansion in Scotland, just to merge their voices in perfect harmony? They did.
In 1995, Emmylou Harris, Guy Clark, Aly Bain, Jay Unger, and dozens of other greats recorded the original “Transatlantic Session” at Montgreenan Mansion House Hotel, in Ayrshire, near Kingsbridge, Scotland. Right now, I’m listening to Emmylou lead Kate and Anna McGarrigle, and Rufus Wainwright sing “Wild Mountain Thyme.” An hour ago, Aly Bain and Jay Unger played “Ashokan Farewell.” And in between I heard a plaintive “Let the Mystery Be” by Iris DeMent. It’s incredible that, before today, I’d never heard of the Transatlantic Sessions. But it’s a rabbit hole I’m willing to explore for days.
Aly Bain and Jay Unger directed Session 1, Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas directed the remaining sessions. Each of the six sessions contains half-a-dozen “programs” or mini-sessions, with too many greats to mention. The sessions, which took place from 1995-2013, were recorded in locations ranging from the original mansion in Scotland, to Perthshire, to Loch Lomond. From the previously mentioned Emmylou to Mary Chapin Carpenter to the McGarrigle…
