Two Christmas CDs available
Centre 200 anniversary show was a great evening of music
Christmas is not all that far away so I want to mention a pair of new seasonal CDs that I picked up in the past few weeks.
Let’s start with the 10th recording from the Men of the Deeps called “Christmas in the Mine.”
There is lots of familiar material here, from the opening notes of “Joy to the World” to the final sounds of “Christmas In Kilarney.”
There are also songs that really hit close to home for these former miners, including Tony Aucoin’s “Coal Dust on the Snow” and Paul White’s “Christmas in the Mine.”
This recording will have you singing and clapping along with joy in some parts and quietly shedding a tear in others.
The rough, tough miners bare their souls and share their voices in this project, a CD that will likely become a staple for many Christmas seasons to come.
I recently attended a concert featuring Lunch at Allen’s at the Highland Arts Theatre in Sydney. While there I picked up their Christmas CD, an interesting mix of new and well-known seasonal songs called “Zuzu’s Petals.”
Most of the CD is material written by the four members of the group — Murray McLauchlan, Ian Thomas, Cindy Church and Marc Jordan.
“Zuzu’s Petals” is a CD with enough old music to please most listeners and enough new music to give you a fresh outlook at the season. If you can find it, grab it. I know you’ll enjoy it.
It’s hard to believe that Centre 200 is 30 years old.
Opened in 1987, it has hosted the greats — Rod Stewart, Elton John, Kenny Rogers, Céline Dion — along with many local and east coast stars.
On Sunday, the anniversary was celebrated with a concert that featured the very best of what Cape Breton has to offer.
Hosted by Bette MacDonald and Maynard Morrison, it started with the Men of the Deeps (who played at the venue’s opening 30 years ago), followed by Robert Bouchard, Còig, the MacArthur Dancers and Bruce Guthro. And that was just the first half.
The second half featured the Barra MacNeils and Port Cities, with Matt Minglewood rockin’ it to a big finish.
With a lineup like that, everybody got their money’s worth.
It was quite the night, but I have to say, I was disappointed with the size of the audience. An event of that calibre, with all that world-class talent, should have been sold-out.
If you didn’t go, you missed a dandy.
I want to note the passing of two Antigonish area residents.
Jimmy MacPherson was the organist at St. Ninian’s Cathedral in Antigonish for almost 50 years and the musical director for CBC’s Ceilidh TV show. He performed for more than 20 years with Winnie Chafe and Friends. Winnie MacDonald (just past her 100th birthday) was the wife of the late fiddler Hugh A. MacDonald and the grandmother of musicians such as Troy, Kendra and Sabra MacGillivray and Cassie and Maggie MacDonald. A strong supporter of her family’s music, I last saw her at a Celtic Colours concert in 2016.
Jimmy and Winnie both left their mark and will be missed.