Ryan MacNeil’s first solo CD gives us Celtic with a twist
The Barra MacNeils do another great show at the Savoy
I must admit that I’ve never received a CD from South Africa before, but that’s what the postage said. So, what it’s connection with Cape Breton? Or Celtic music in general, for that matter? Simple, “Shuffle” is the first solo recording from Sydney Mines native Ryan MacNeil, formally of Slainte Mhath and The Barra MacNeils, who now calls Benoni, South Africa home.
A skilled musician, particularly on pipes, whistles and keyboards, Ryan appears to have done all the music and vocals on the recording, with the possible exception of some highland bagpipe work credited to Simon Workman. While the liner notes are a bit sparse, Ryan indicates on his website that he arranged, recorded, mixed, and mastered the project himself. He also composed most of the included material, with only a few exceptions.
Ryan takes the music in new directions, giving traditional tunes new and interesting arrangements. The perfect example of this is his version of Robbie Burn’s “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose” which gets laid on top of a techno-beat and some horns but also includes some very familiar whistle work. The same can be said for his arrangement of “Wild Mountain Thyme.” In both numbers the essence of the song is still very present, and both are beautifully done. “Ceannbliadha sona, Mel!” (Happy Birthday Mel) and “If I Had A Sword” have a real Slainte Mhath feel to them while “Whistling Postman” adds in a jazz-sounding horn section.
“Moving Cloud,” “Diet Groove” and “A Summer Evening” are some of my favourite cuts on the CD, but all are great. “Shuffle” is a traditional recording but, in some cases, it’s traditional with a twist. Ryan has taken the music of his roots and added in a few extra influences to get the sound he wants, and I suspect it’s a sound that you will enjoy. I know I did!
And speaking of people from Sydney Mines, last Saturday evening I was at the Savoy to catch the Barra MacNeils for the final stop on their cross-country Christmas tour. Considering this was show 29 in just over a month, they were glad to be home and playing for a familiar audience, but road-weary or not, they put on a heck of a performance. It was a nice mix of seasonal and close-to-the-floor traditional
music which included everything from “Ave Maria” and “Oh Holy Night” (both beautifully done by Lucy) through to a fiddle jam that include the Barras, their children and friends. All in all, a heck of a show, enhanced in several spots by the dance stylings of The Arthur Dancers.
After the show, I was able to get my hands on a three-cut sampler for the Barras’ forthcoming CD (“On The Bright Side”), due out in the spring. It includes Stewart’s “Living The Dream,” a beautiful Gaelic song from Lucy, and a great slash of fiddle tunes. Just enough of a taste to leave a person wanting more. Guess we’ll have to wait a few more months!
I also caught a few more music sessions over the past few weeks. Last Saturday afternoon, I enjoyed The Men of the Deeps as they performed at Mayflower Mall. Recently back from a highly successful tour of Southern Ontario, they spent an hour entertaining shoppers and promoting their new Christmas CD.
The Saturday before The Men of the Deeps were part of the Savoy’s Happy Ha Ha Holidaze presentation, a show that included a list of great local entertainers. The music was wonderful, and the comedy was first rate. A wonderful evening overall.
Last Friday I did have tickets to see Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Family in A Celtic Family Christmas at Centre 200. Alas, something came up and I couldn’t make it but I understand that it was a great show. Maybe next time!
As we head into a brand new year, I hope that 2018 is good to you, maybe even better than what came before. See you in 2018!!
Coming up:
Old Triangle, Sydney
Live music from Wednesday to Saturday.
December 27-28, 8:30 PM - Ashley MacIsaac.
December 31, 9:30 PM - New Year’s Blast: Andrew Doyle, Cory Keeping. Blue Mist, Bras d’Or
Thursday evenings - Traditional fiddle music session.
Frolic & Folk Pub, Iona
Saturdays, 5 PM - Ceilidh. Membertou Trade & Convention Centre
Tuesdays, 6 PM - Kiju’s Restaurant: Jazz with Carl Getto.
Wednesdays, 6 PM - Kiju’s Restaurant: Celtic Serenade Jam Sessions.
Thursdays, 6 PM - Kiju’s Restaurant: Live & Local.
Friday, January 19, 8 PM - Membertou Decades Series – 50’s & 60’s: Terrance Murphy, Jenn Sheppard, Margaret MacPherson, Wesley Colford.
Saturday, February 3, 9 PM - Matt Minglewod Band.
Saturday, February 10, 9 PM - Port Cities, Dave Sampson.
Friday, March 2, 7 PM - Membertou Country Classics series – Trio (The music of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt): Ashley Buckingham, Jenn Sheppard, Jenifer Dingwall.
Highland Arts Theatre Wednesday, December 27, 9 PM - Jordan Musycsyn & Friends.
Thursday, December 28, 8 PM - Dave Sampson’s Christmas Show: Dave Sampson & Guests.
Saturday, January 6, 4 PM - CapeTrad: Dwayne Cote, Richard Wood, Colin Grant, Jason MacDonald.
January 16-21, 8 PM - Of Mice & Morro
& Jasp.
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Sydney Mines
Friday, December 29, 7 PM - The Miners’ First Noel: Kevin Evans, Bob Quinn, Cameron MacKenzie Clarke, Jenifer Whalen, Stewart MacNeil, Lucy MacNeil, Amelia & Kenna MacDougall.
TALO Cafébar, Glace Bay December 29-30 - Home for the Holidays: Drake Jensen.
Savoy Theatre
Sunday, December 31, 9 PM - NYE 2018 Masked in Mystery Masquerade Party. February 2-4 - Beauty and The Beast. Saturday, February 10, 7 PM - The Jim Cuddy Band.