Port Cities releases new CD at MTCC
Lots of picking at Loaves and Fishes fundraiser
Once again, there was some wonderful music on the go over the past few weeks.
This past Sunday evening I was at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre for the CD release by Port Cities, just home from a cross-country tour with Rose Cousins. The trio of Cape Breton singer-songwriters, (Breagh Mackinnon, Carleton Stone and Dylan Guthro), had successful solo careers but collectively they are far greater than their individual parts.
They kept mainly to cuts from their self-titled release but did add a few extras, such as a couple of country songs (one written by Gordie Sampson and the other written with Gordie), as well as some solo material. The variety ranged from country through pop and rock, all the way to R&B.
Collectively, their music is tight, with wonderful harmonies and carefully placed backing vocals. Instrumentally they shone as well (with Breagh on keyboard and the boys on guitar), aided throughout by Mike Ouellette (bass) and Brian Talbot (drums). After two months on the road it was a well-polished act as they moved seamlessly from song to song, usually with the briefest of intros in between.
This was an excellent show played before a packed house. They had a large draw from the younger set but their fans ranged through three generations, most who were familiar with them as soloists or from hearing their collective material on radio. Not a bad way to build a fan base. I predict that their music and their presentation will take Port Cities far, not only on the East Coast but across Canada and beyond.
Last Thursday I was at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion for the Second Annual Cape Breton Guitar Night, a fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes. It was scheduled to have taken place at Centre 200 but an ice problem delayed a Screaming Eagles playoff game and forced the move.
The lineup was great, starting with Keith Mullins, followed by Decota McNamara, Jordan Musycsyn and Pretty Archie before finishing up with JP Cormier and Dave Gunning. It was a powerful show with everybody spot-on with their presentation.
I was particularly taken by several guitar groups that Decota did. I knew that he was a good performer but didn’t realize that he was that good a picker. JP and Dave played a lot of material from their upcoming CD, a duet effort which sounds like it will be a dandy. The whole group finished off with a classic Lester Flatt tune that sent everyone home happy.
Two Saturdays in a row I was at Governor’s for their afternoon fiddle session and both times Mabou’s Daibhidh MacFhraing, (known in some circles as David Rankin) did guitar backup. This past week the fiddler was Mike Barron while Hailee LeFort was there the week before. Both are great players and I hadn’t heard either of them in a while.
Mike was labouring under the difficulty of a sore finger on his left hand which (he said) limited his playing. I couldn’t tell that there was anything wrong from where I was sitting. Don’t forget that
there are sessions of fiddle music at Governor’s every Saturday afternoon and again on Wednesday night.
On April 8, I also stopped in at Ziggy’s to catch Full Circle, a group with some great vocals. I had heard them at a private function last summer and was impressed and that opinion hasn’t changed. They are very good instrumentally with a nice mix of old and new music that ranged from Elvis to The Lumineers, and quite a bit more besides. The music continues every Saturday afternoon. Drop on by!
Coming up:
Old Triangle, Sydney Live music from Wednesday to Saturday.
Blue Mist, Bras d’Or Every Thursday evening Traditional fiddle music session.
Frolic & Folk Pub, Iona Saturdays, 5 p.m. - Ceilidh. Embers, Sydney Sunday, 7 p.m. - Keith Mullins.
Membertou Trade & Convention Centre Wednesdays, 6 p.m - Kiju’s Restaurant: Celtic Serenade Jam Sessions.
Thursdays, 6 p.m. - Kiju’s Restaurant: Live & Local.
Friday, May 5, 8 p.m. - Mike MacDonald.
Wednesday, May 10, 7:30 p.m. - Corb Lund.
Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m. Songs of the Rat Pack.
Friday, May 5, 7 p.m. - Matt Earhart CD Release Party.
Centre 200, Sydney Wednesday, April 19, 8 p.m. - Music Hall of Fame Inductions for Joella Foulds and Natalie MacMaster: Bette MacDonald, Maynard Morrison, Bruce Guthro, Meaghan Blanchard, Jessica Rhaye, Kim Dunn.
Highland Arts Theatre,
Sydney
April 19-23 7 27-29, 8 p.m. The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence.
Sunday, May 28, 7 p.m. Salute To Canada: The Cape
Breton Chorale, Northside Honour Choir and more. John J. Nugent Firemen’s Centre, Sydney Mines Friday, April 21, 9 p.m. - The Privateers.
Cedars Club, Sydney Saturday, April 22. 8:30 Square dance: Howie MacDonald, Ian MacDougall, Shelly Campbell, Allan Dewer. Black Spoon Espresso Bar, 7 Convent Street, North Sydney Saturday, April 29, Noon Feis Cape Breton Music Mentorship Jam Session, led by Kimberley Fraser. Everyone welcome - all levels. Youth encouraged.
Holy Rosary Church, Westmount Saturday, May 13, 7;30 PM - Nova Voice: Nova Scotia’s Provincial Men’s Choir.