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July 3, 2008
Review: Cape Breton Live: Take 02
By Kerry Dexter,
Music Road
The music
of Cape Breton is a music of community, a joining of hands,
hearts, melody and tradition formed and forged by life in
the northeastern reaches of Atlantic Canada. For one thing,
that makes it often joyous and lively, an aspect in full
force in the CD Cape Breton Live radio take 02.
Internationally known musicians are included here, among
them Natalie Macmaster, Buddy MacMaster, Mary Jane Lamond,
Jerry Holland, Donnell Leahy, and Kimberly Fraser. The key
word, though, might be included: each and all, they join
with fellow Cape Bretoners in sets that celebrate and carry
forward the Celtic/Canadian mix that is Cape Breton music.
There are fourteen sets on this disc, all recorded live at
places ranging from the Civic Center at Port Hawkesbury to
St. Mary’s parish Hall in Glendale to Andrea Beaton’s house
in Judique. All of the tracks are worth hearing, and more
than once, for the great melodies and the interaction
amongst the players. That is true whether you are an old
hand at the music of Cape Breton or exploring it for the
first time -- either way, you’ll be drawn in by the spirit,
creativity, and generosity of these artists as they share
there music. There’s an especially fine set of strathspeys
and reels on highland pipes and piano by Kenneth MacKenzie
and Jackie Dunn MacIsaac, respectively, a really nice set
taken in full energy during square dance, West Mabou Jigs,
the voice of Gaelic singing from Jeff MacDonald back by Mary
Jane Lamond and Rona Lightfoot, and to close things out,
that session in Andrea Beaton’s house, with, among other
things, six fiddles.
You may
find out more about this CD, and its predecessor, Cape
Breton Live take 01 at Cape Breton Live’s web site
There’s
more about that earlier CD
on our website too.
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Above photo:
Margaree (by Victor Maurice Faubert)
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 Cape Breton Live: Take 02
Various Artists (live)
Released: May 2008
BUY CD
($20 CAD)
Track Listing & Sound Clips
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