Making musical mark in Alberta
‘We’ve lost two great supporters of Cape Breton music’
There are Cape Bretoners everywhere. We are scattered to the corners of the Earth like leaves in a November wind.
Many of those who leave carry their music and culture with them and some even make music in their new homes.
One example is Robbie Fraser from Strathlorne, Inverness County, who I first saw perform when he was five years old.
Over the years, he has made a name for himself as a fiddler and pianist, much in demand on the local summer circuit and in concerts and festivals elsewhere. Like so many, he went job hunting with his hardearned degrees and ended up teaching in Alberta, just one of many who have followed the same route.
He didn’t leave the music behind. He guested with many East Coast musicians who played through the area and eventually linked up with a musical collective that became Cabot’s Crossing, a band popular throughout central Alberta. Besides Fraser, the band consists of a Newfoundlander, an Irishman and an actual Albertan.
Cabot’s Crossing recently released a CD, “Full Speed Ahead,” and it gives an idea of what they are and what they do. They are very comfortable with familiar pub music (“Star of the County Down,” “I’se the B’y,” “Leaving of Liverpool”), but they also venture into more serious material, including a nice version of Dougie MacLean’s “Caledonia” and a lovely instrumental rendition of “Dark Island.” Fraser also cuts loose with several solos, including a great group of fiddle tunes (compliments to the Chisholms) and Johnny Cope (done as a piano solo).
All in all, “Full Speed Ahead” is a nice CD, with capable instrumentals and good vocals. I know that you’ll find it for sale in Inverness County.
*****
I saw Colette Deveaux performing at Montana’s last Saturday evening. I didn’t realize the Sydney eatery featured live music on site every week.
Deveaux provided an interesting mix of covers and her own material. I particularly liked her version of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” a song about wishing and hoping and a darker reality.
Deveaux plays regularly around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Glad I got a chance to catch her (even in such a surprising venue). It’s been too long.
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I want to note the passing of two Americans with a strong love for the music and culture of Cape Breton.
The first is John O’Donnell, the retired head of the music department at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, and an influence on so many musicians over the years.
Born and raised in Maine, he was an ethnomusicologist and a trained pianist, a researcher, songwriter and music arranger, and the former conductor of the Men of the Deeps, who was associated with the choir for 50 years.
His devotion to the miners’ choir was such that he travelled hours every Sunday to be there for rehearsals.
A member of the Order of Canada, he was recognized with honorary degrees and other awards, including the Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. O’Donnell was 83 and will be greatly missed.
Earlier this week I was shocked to hear of the passing of Burt Feintuch at age 69. He was a professor of folklore and English at the University of New Hampshire and a true friend of Cape Breton Celtic music and traditions.
Feintuch was involved with the Smithsonian Folkways record label and the Rounder Records, both of which produced and carried a number of Cape Breton musicians and some interesting collaborative CDs.
He also was responsible for “In The Blood: Cape Breton Conversations on Culture,” a book that featured interviews with a good cross-section of Cape Bretoners from various backgrounds, including some like Jerry Holland and Kay MacDonald, who have since passed on.
I got to know Feintuch fairly well over the years and worked a bit around the edges of some of his projects. There’d be a call or an email, usually with a question, often with an idea or a story.
He was always such a pleasure to chat with, an outsider who was highly respectful of the island and the traditional culture, someone who loved it and tried very hard to do his best to pass along the right “vibe” to others.
Feintuch was a fine man who will be missed, by me and by many others.
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Tonight’s the final production of the return engagement of “Tough Call,” a two-act play at the Highland Arts Theatre in downtown Sydney. On Monday, “Menopause: The Musical” plays the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay.
Ironville’s Dan MacDonald returns to Cape Breton for a CD release at the Highland Arts Theatre on Thursday. That same night, Pretty Archie has their CD release at Centre 200 and the following night The Decades Series presents “The 50s & 60s” at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. And next Saturday, Donna Marie DeWolfe, Brent Aucoin and Joel Chiasson play for a dance at Sydney’s Cedars Club.
Jimmy Rankin’s “Moving East” tour hits the Savoy on Nov. 16. On Nov. 20, The Coast Radio hosts Donnie Campbell’s Celtic Serenade Ceilidh at the Savoy. Along with Donnie and Jinks, the show features Dawn & Margie Beaton, Joel Chiasson, NicNeil (Mabou’s MacNeil Sisters), Cindy & Shelly Allen, Leona Burkey, Wendy Owens Abbott and David Stone.
On Dec. 2, the HAT hosts a Camp Bretondean songwriter circle fundraiser featuring the songs and stories of Buddy MacDonald, Robert Bouchard, Carmen Townsend and Jason MacDonald. On Dec. 7, the Louisbourg Playhouse hosts its annual Heritage Christmas. And the Lyrics and Laughter crew are back at the playhouse for another round of Christmas music and mayhem Dec. 14-15.