Fiddle me this
New recordings give listeners new music to consider
It’s time to talk about a pair of CDs that I’ve been sitting on for a bit. Finally have the time and space to try and do them justice.
“It’s Happenin’” is the first release for Hailee LeFort, an East Margaree resident in her early 20s. She has played around Sydney a fair bit and has been in demand for dances and concerts across the island for the past few years.
For “It’s Happenin.’” Hailee has reached out to friends in Prince Edward Island for support, with Ward MacDonald on piano and Brent Chaisson adding capable guitar backup. They did the recording at Studio Dimache. It includes several of her own compositions along with a great selection of locally composed and traditional material that will get your foot tapping.
The CD starts with a soulful version of Coilsfield House, using just the fiddle, before breaking into strathspeys and reels. That sets the tone for the recording, with much of it featuring close-to-the-floor tunes from the likes of Dan R. MacDonald, Howie MacDonald and Donald Angus Beaton. You learn quickly why they like her at the dances.
I’m very partial to the opening cut, “One Crow Sorrow, Two Crows Joy,” as well as “AGold Standard,” a very traditional set with a nice mix of tunes. “Over Time” also gives you a nice blast of jigs and “Double The Recipe” get the job done in style.
But it’s not all about dance music. Hailee also includes several other notable pieces such as Mairi Rankin’s “Lament for John Morris Rankin” which morphs into some down-and-dirty tunes, including “Hull’s Reel” written by John Morris and “A Happy Home,” a short and sweet piece composed by Ward MacDonald. Meanwhile, New Waterford’s Gillian Head takes a slightly different approach with her second recording, “Tidal.” While there are a number of great dance groups on the CD, she’s pushed the envelope somewhat in places, including tunes from Daniel Lapp, John Doyle and Martin Green (all well-known from Celtic Colours over the years).
This is not the simple, basic stuff. This is the twisty-turny stuff, tunes that get your attention and then makes you wonder just where it goes from here. It’s a challenge but Gillian is up to it, even through Gamma Ray, a slice of Celtic jazz from the piano of Jason Roach. Jason and guitarist Mary Beth Carthy provide most of the backup but they are also joined by Colin Grant and Donnie Calabrese in several spots.
There are a number of cuts that got my attention, including “Gamma Ray.” It’s different, but well done, certainly more of a concert piece than something for a dance hall. “Jigzilla” and “The Last Set” are in there as well, lively and close to the floor.
Both recordings have something to offer. Both fiddlers are young and are still creating their style and both will be around for quite a while to come. Grab the CDs and enjoy them.
*****
I had far too many things on the go this past weekend, so I didn’t get to see much of the Acoustic Roots Festival at the Two Rivers Park. I did get a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon to catch the last of NicNeil’s set, the Songwriters Circle and Jason Price. I also got a chance to chat with some old friends, make some new ones and enjoy the sunshine.
NicNeil are the MacNeil sisters from West Mabou and range in age from 17 on down. They are the daughters of piper Paul MacNeil and pianist Tracey (Dares) MacNeil, so they come by their talent honestly. All five are vocalists, both in English and Gaelic. Add fiddles and guitar (and Tracey’s piano) and you get quite a nice combination. They have just released a CD but more on that in future weeks.
The Songwriters Circle consisted of Jason MacDonald, Meaghan Blanchard (from Prince Edward Island), Ryan Roberts (originally from Glace Bay) and Naming The Twins (Robbie Smith and Kathleen Glauser from Bridgewater). It was great to see Meaghan and Ryan back and to meet Rob and Kath. They’re an acoustic duo with great harmonies. Rob has the distinction of have had a number of his songs recorded by Roger Whittaker.
I also caught Jason Price, another returnee, who did a nice country-based set. He did everything from Merle Haggard to his own compositions, including one called “The Chopper,” written for his father, a former military rescue helicopter pilot. I was chatting with Mira’s Joe Gillis when he introduced that song and Joe mentioned that both he and his brother had served with Jason’s dad.
Small world!
*****
The concerts continue every night at the Louisbourg Playhouse and so do the ceilidhs in Baddeck. On September 16, Bereaved Families of Cape Breton is hosting an afternoon concert at Sydney’s St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, featuring The Men of The Deeps and The Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus.
On September 17, it’s the Annual Terry Fox Concert / Ceilidh at the North Sydney Fire Hall. On September 25 and 26, the Savoy hosts Island Girls and The Barra MacNeil are at MTCC for a concert on September 27. Lumière 2018 happens September 27-29 and a month from now Celtic Colours will be underway. Do you have your tickets yet??