FRANK CASSIDY and JAMES STEPHENS
In Honour of the Life & Times of Thomas D’Arcy McGee
In the time of my boyhood
I had a strange feeling
That I was to die in the noon of my day
Not quietly into the silent grave stealing
But torn, like a blasted oak, sudden away
– Thomas D’Arcy McGee
A journalist and a poet as well as a politician, Irish-born, Thomas D’Arcy McGee was a gifted speaker and strong supporter of Canadian Confederation. His views regarding Irish republicanism may have resulted in his assassination in Ottawa, Ontario in 1868, as he was returned home to his rooming house after attending a late-night session in the House of Commons. He was Canada’s first political assassination.
Patrick James Whalen, a young Irish tailor, was accused and hanged for the killing in 1869. He continued to proclaim his innocence even as he was lead to the gallows. He was also the last man to be hanged in Ottawa.
Frank Cassidy and James Stephens of Ottawa have composed a brilliant album of “traditional style” Irish, Scottish and Quebecois music of the 1800s. The music was originally written for a new play on the life and times of Thomas D’Arcy McGee by Padraig Finlay. They have tried to use only instruments which would have been used in 1800s on the recording.
The music not only reflects the highs and lows of McGee’s political career, but of the Ottawa area. Today, the traditional music of the Irish, Scottish and Quebecois remains alive and thriving, due in part to the dedication of musicians such as Frank Cassidy, James Stephens, and all the traditional musicians on this album.
Martin Burke, the Irish Ambassador to Canada, offered his congratulations to Frank Cassidy and James Stephens on this album saying, “these original compositions are a fitting homage, whilst also being a joy to listen to.”
Guest musicians on the CD include Debbie Quigley on uilleann pipes; Greg T. Brown on concertina and accordion; Denis Lanctot on piano; Duncan Gillis on Highland ceilidh pipes; Mary Gick, on five-string banjo; Ken Harper on bodhran; Jeremy Keddy on snare drum; and Don Kavanagh, whistling (Don has also recorded a CD of whistling...a dying art).
For more information about the album, and to hear sound clips, visit: www.mcgeemusic.ca.
mailto:Cassidy@rogers.com
TOP
COLCANNON
The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry
In today’s jaded world, where there seems to be little time to enjoy the simple things of life, let alone time to dream...where shock and awe and star wars have replaced the magic of awe and fantasy...I wonder if children have any time to enjoy the simplicity of our beautiful folk tales of yore.
I was prompted by these thoughts when I received a new CD by the Denver, Colorado-based group, Colcannon. Their new album album entitled The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry reminded me of a summer that I spent in Donegal at the Gaeltacht area (Irish-speaking area), learning the Irish language and folklore.
These wonderful old Irish folk tales take us back to a more innocent time. A time when adults and children sat around the fire and listened intently as the senachie (storyteller), wove mystic tales. They took the listeners to Tir na Nog (the eternal land of youth) or some other such enchanted place.
Mick Bolger of Colcannon has done a fantastic job relating the tales, just as you might hear the senachie tell the story. But now the stories have been set to music by Colcannon, which adds even more dimension. As with most folk tales, there is usually a message or a moral to the story and The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry are no exception.
The Pooka and the Fiddler tells the story of Sean Seamuisin and his life-altering meeting one night with a magical Pooka (goat). Sean Seamuisin’s life is one of lying in bed all day, and dancing and playing the fiddle all night at the crossroads. Every morning, he would arrive home at dawn to go to bed, and start all over again at dusk.
Sean’s poor mother wasn’t able to get him to do anything to help her around the house because all he did was sleep all day and party all night. And his fiddle playing left a lot to be desired, since he only knew one tune. The neighbours knew him as a murderer of music.
Listeners are held spellbound as the Pooka transports Sean to another world, where he discovers his hidden musical talents and becomes a beautiful fiddle player. When he returns from his magical journey with the Pooka, he has a new and exciting life. Needless to say, his mother is delighted.
As with most folk tales, listeners are left wanting to hear more such as, “did the Pooka ever visit Sean again?” But the senachie will generally end his story with, “ah...but that’s for another story and this one’s at an end.” But, in the mind of the listener the story doesn’t end because imagination takes over about what it might be like when the Pooka visits Sean again.....but that’s for another story.
The Pooka and the Fiddler & Happy as Larry are great listening stories for both children and adults. Fore more information about Colcannon, visit: www.colcannon.com.
TOP
TROY MACGILLIVRAY
Eleven
Whether playing piano or fiddle, or showcasing his step-dancing talents, Troy MacGillivray displays intense commitment to the Celtic heritage he inherited from his Highland ancestors. Troy’s bloodline is equally as impressive. The Lanark MacGillivarys and MacDonalds have lived in Gaelic traditions in northeastern Nova Scotia for generations.
In the late Eighteenth Century, the Bogainn MacDonald siblings emigrated to Nova Scotia from the Isle of Eigg in Scotland, bringing with them a rich tradition of music, folklore, language and culture.
Some settled in Inverness County, Cape Breton, while two chose to make their homes in Cape George, Antigonish County. This bloodline proved to be quite strong as many of the contemporary fiddlers from North Eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton descended from this one family.
Troy’s mother, Janice Anne, was not only dedicated to her family but also to her culture which she nurtured and passed on to her family. She was a big part of Troy’s career and of his recording project for his CD, Eleven.
Sadly she passed away last July, before Troy had the chance to record this album. “I’ve played these tunes with her many times,” Troy said, “so I know she approved of them. I’ve done my best to play piano on her cuts, but she can never be replaced.”
When Troy was trying to decide on a title for the CD, he turned to two of the most important elements in his life – family and tradition. His grandfather, fiddling pioneer Hugh A. MacDonald, was known by the name ‘Hughie No. 11'.
With so many MacDonalds in the area, this nickname identified him as a MacDonald from lot No. 11 in Lanark, Antigonish County where Troy’s ancestors first settled when they emigrated from Scotland. Plus, this is also Troy’s eleventh album release.
There are 15 tracks on Eleven and listening to the album is like taking a musical train trip – there are highs and lows, valleys and turns, as the train gathers speed with the reels. All the while, the listener is absorbing the culture and scenery of beautiful Nova Scotia.
For more information about Troy MacGillivary and Eleven, visit: www.troymacgillivray.com.
|
