More Cape Breton Fiddlers & CDs

Celtic Colours International Festival - Volume VII (Odyssey Records 2003). This great festival has once again produced a superb and varied CD, 17 tracks, one each for a sampling of the great musicians that played at the festival this year. Included are great tracks from Irish group Lúnasa, the Scottish group Bachué, CB fiddler Brenda Stubbert, Mary Jane Lamond, The McDades, The Kane Sisters, CB pianist Mac Morin, Irish guitarist/singer Doyle, John Campbell and Doug MacPhee, English flute/whistle dominated Flook, celtic Baroque with Ferrintosh, Gaelic singer Donnie Murdo MacLeod, the great Irish group bohola, Wendy MacIsaac, Cajun players Christine Balfa and Dirk Powell, Gaelic singer Mairi MacInnes, and lastly Natalie MacMaster. There is clearly something for everyone to like on this

iIan MacDougall - From Foot Cape (self-published 2003). There is so much to like about this debut CD from this 22 year old fiddler, yet another from Route 19!  First and foremost the CD was recorded live at a friend's home with real people talking in the background, babies howling, and friends hooting and hollering when appropriate. This settng gives the music a bounce and energy so often lacking in studio CDs. Energy and drive are qualities that Ian's playing has in great quantities, a well as a lovely, sensitive lyricism in a couple of airs. For years Ian has been very highly regarded as a  fiddler for dances in Cape Breton, and I've seen him at the Mecca of CB dance - Glencoe Mills being very well received, and deservedly so -- you just try to keep seated when Ian gets to "driving 'em"!  This is the real stuff, played brilliantly. You want to know what makes Cape Breton fiddling so exciting, get this CD. (Very highly recommended)

Ashley MacIsaac - Ashley MacIsaac (Decca 2003) - Ashley, always a musician to surprise, shock and catch your attention for better or worse, has done it again -- by creating an album largely of songs - 6 sung by himself. Ashley is a better singer than one might have imagined. The other lead singers include his sister Lisa, Dallas Smith, Lara Gray, and Terry Radigan. The general tone of this album is aimed for radio play on rock stations, with lots of drums, synthesizers and over-dubbing. However, there is one straight-up track of traditional solo playing and lest anyone wonder whether Ashley has lost his touch with traditional fiddle music, this should lay that concern to rest. Interestingly, the fiddle tunes that back up many of the songs are traditional tunes arranged for the 21st century. There is also one lovely Gaelic song done by Mary Jane Lamond. The tune tracks tend to be over-produced for my tastes, but overall, this is an interesting, thoughtful album by a remarkable artist, that is growing on me with repeated listening, and may be an album that draws the younger radio crowd toward traditional music, and for that we all may owe Ashley a thank you. (Recommended)