I may have mentioned that I picked up a number of new CDs during my Celtic Colours travels. I guess it’s time to start talking about some of them.
I’m going to tackle “Stories & The Graves” first, the third recording from Crowdis Bridge.
Many would peg them simply as a bluegrass group, and a lot of their music would be classified as such, but there is enough folk and Americana influences floating around that the music regularly wanders into these areas. Now a quintet, with Colin Grant providing fiddle backup and solo work, there’s a good Celtic influence in there as well.
I have to say that this appears to be one of the most democratic groups that I’ve seen in a while as they all shared in being out front on the cuts and four of the five shared the writing chores.
The only thing that appears on the recording that was not written by a band member is “Kim & Koady’s Nameless Reel,” one of Grant’s solo pieces written by Kimberley Fraser and Koady Chaisson.
The band has been together for 10 years or so and their vocals and harmonies are tight and crisp. They also have a distinctive sound, even with four voices sharing the leads.
Their instrumental side is wonderful, carefully balanced and controlled in spots, bursting forth with musical exuberance in others.
I’d consider “Long Long Gone” and “The Way Home” as perfect examples of the latter and the former is highlighted by “Lost River” and “Time & Key,” a perfectly romantic song in waltz timing.
All of the above are on my list of favourites and ironically all are done by different singers, but the quality is top-notch and the harmonies superb. And not to be outdone, Grant’s solo work is excellent.
“Stories & The Graves” is a lovely and very interesting CD, polished and professional, a result of the band’s almost constant touring across Canada. Whatever category you want to put them in, Crowdis Bridge makes good music and this is a recording that you’ll want to have in your collection.
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Last Saturday evening I was at the Savoy Theatre in Glace Bay for a wonderful production called “Remembrance,” the latest in the Legends series.
It featured the music of the Andrews Sisters (played by Jenn Sheppard, Margaret MacPherson and Emily Dingwall), Vera Lynn (Mackenzie Sechi), Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the comedy of Bob Hope (all done by multi-voiced Terrance Murphy). Under the direction of Stephen Muise, the house band, including the five-piece horn section, was top-notch.
The focus was on the vocals, but the story was narrated by Mary Anne and James (Bethany Reid and Dane Pedersen), two wartime lovers who wove a story throughout the show. James — a soldier who promised to come home — exchanges letters with Mary Anne, while trying to keep her from knowing the bitter and sometimes very dangerous realities of war.
The song selection was excellent and the carefully chosen and usually well-known material was done to a tee.
From the first notes of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” to the fading sounds of “White Cliffs of Dover,” the audience sat enthralled, singing along and enjoying the light comedy. The music was mainly from the Second World War but included songs that were more familiar in the First War War and the Vietnam War era as well.
The costumes and lighting were perfect and certainly matched the mood for each song. The audience — which included many people older than me — loved it, as it brought back memories to many of them.
All the performances were excellent, not unexpected considering the quality of talent.
I do want to single out Mackenzie Sechi in her role as Vera Lynn. I don’t believe that I’ve heard her solo before, but I was impressed and hope to hear more from her in the future.
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I dropped into Ziggy’s in Sydney River for the regular matinee a few weeks back to hear some music from The Three Amigos and I was surprised to see Terry Smith sitting in for the absent Stewart MacDonald.
It’s been quite a while since I heard Smith on stage, but he did a darn good job.
MacDonald, who works at Long & McQuade, was involved in their big move to the new store, the former Steelworkers Hall in Ashby. I dropped in to see the new location and I was impressed. It’s a more open and spacious location and they plan to carry a lot more stock.
Musician or not, stop in when you’re going by and check it out for yourself.
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Nova Scotia Music Week took place in Truro last weekend, a few days of workshops, music, connecting and fun.
Cape Breton was well represented with nominations and awards.
Congratulations to Port Cities and Keith Mullins, who both walked away with a pair of prizes, while Town Heroes, Villages and Maxim Cormier each got a single award. In addition, Gordie Sampson was presented with the director's choice award for his work with the Gordie Sampson Song Camp, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.
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I want to mention the surprising and untimely passing of Wilfred Prosper Jr., a talented multi-instrumentalist and music supporter from Eskasoni.
Like his father before him, he loved music and was a regular performer with the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association for many years. He also loved to dance and was often seen in square sets during Elmer Fraser’s dances at the Cedars Club in Sydney.
I saw him at the last dance I attended and at the fiddlers association concert in Whycocomagh during Celtic Colours.
A good family man, he was always involved with his church and his community. My sympathies go out to his mother, wife and family. He will certainly be missed.
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The Cape Breton stages continue to be busy places.
The Cape Breton Chordsmen are on stage at the Savoy on Sunday, with A Celebration of Song and special guests the Men of the Deeps, Doug Johnson, Quattro and Can’t Stand the Heat.
The Savoy also presents the Nutcracker Ballet Suite with two shows Dec. 1, 'Tis the Season 13 on Dec. 12, The Three Pianos Christmas perform two shows Dec. 15 and the Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas will also have two shows Dec. 21.
CBU Boardmore Theatre on the Cape Breton University campus features Dracula, Nov. 19-24.
Christmas with the Cape Breton Chorale with special guests Belkolora will be presented twice this year, Nov. 30 at St. Matthew Wesley Church in North Sydney and Dec. 1 at Calvin United Church in New Waterford, with both concerts starting at 7:30.
At The Highland Arts Theatre in downtown Sydney, it’s The Stanfields Acoustic Tour today, Best Brothers runs from Nov. 19-24, Rawlins Cross 30th Anniversary Tour on Nov. 30, A Gunning Cormier Christmas, Dec. 7 and A Christmas Carol 2019, Dec. 10-15.
Elmer Fraser has a dance coming up at Sydney’s Royal Canadian Legion branch 12 on Friday, Dec. 6.
Coro Cantabile and Friends present Glad Tidings at St. George’s Church in Sydney on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
The Gaelic College concerts continue Wednesday evenings and Bras d’Or’s Blue Mist hosts a fiddle jam session every Thursday.
Johnny Reid performs at Centre 200 in Sydney next Thursday.
The Membertou Trade and Convention Centre has the Country Wrap Up on Nov. 22, Dave Sampson’s Christmas Show Dec. 29, tickets are available for the convention centre’s New Year’s Eve celebrations and the Celtic Serenade Jam Sessions happen Wednesdays at Kiju's.
Dan MacDonald has been involved with the Cape Breton and East Coast music scene for almost 50 years. He can be reached at [email protected].
