MacNeils: ‘Christmas is celebrated big time’
It was produced by Declan O’Doherty and recorded and mixed by Jamie Foulds. The album crossed generations of material from songs in the Gaelic milling song tradition celebrating a Challiun, the celebrating the raucous, superstitious rituals of bringing in the New Year to a special appearance by Tommy Makem reciting Leonard Clark’s Singing In The Streets. The album was a sampling of instrumental music from Cape Breton, Galicia, Ireland and Scotland balanced with the family’s vocal harmonies. Jamie Gatti “the adopted brother” provided support on upright and electric bass along with sparse percussion by Mathew Foulds. Local Gaelic singers and fiddlers, both family and extended family from Iona, Washabuck, Barra Glen and Boisdale were also brought in for live party sets. From midnight mass to the kitchens and pubs and dance halls of Cape Breton, we tried to sample it all.
How did you avoid making it too syrupy?
I don’t think being too syrupy was even a consideration. Some tracks are very polished; some are rough as they should be. Even Christmas In Killarney, a song from Tin Pan Alley was well “salted” in the band’s early days at Dec. 23 warm-ups at Monty’s in Sydney Mines and Boxing Day marathons at Daniels pub in Sydney. I’ve had people tell me that they listen to The Christmas Album year round. That’s a credit to the culture we were raised in and very much at the core of what this album has achieved.
Explain the deep connection between Christmas and the Gaelic music tradition.
A big part of celebrating Christmas for the Gaels in Cape Breton was Christmas Eve. In rural areas especially, horses would be hitched to sleighs and everyone would dress in their finest clothes and would make their way to the local church for midnight mass. After the church, all would go home and feast and stay up till the wee hours. Christmas trees weren’t necessarily the norm. Gifts were simple: an orange or a piece of candy. Ornaments were homemade usually made from something recycled like shiny foil from the box of tea. It was certainly a time of thanksgiving and a celebration of their new life in a new land.
Did you sing carols as a child. What was your favourite?
It was impossible not to sing carols as a kid. We sang in choirs in school and in church. Dean Martin was always popular. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. Dermot O’Reilly’s Children’s Winter. Jose Feliciano’s Felice Navidad blaring over the radio that never seemed to ever be turned off. Even people who couldn’t carry a tune knew all the words.
What’s special about an East Coast Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated big time on the East Coast. Even if you’re an atheist. You’d be a fool to miss out. Food. Drink. Music. Tears. Laughter. Joy. Remembering those who passed before you. Praying for something better. Call it Christmas. ‘Tis the season. It’s no accident. Share your love. Why fight it?
What is the spirit of Christmas?
The spirit of Christmas is different for each of us. I think letting go of bitterness and trivial issues is a good start. Let bygones be bygones. Share your joy. Console the needy. Give to charity. And don’t forget your family. We all need each other. Sing. Skate. Pray. Eat. Repeat as necessary.