Newfoundland music

Subject: Newfoundland music
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 02:10 PM

A caller on a dance forum has asked this

"I need suggestions for five CDs that will acquaint newcomers with the richness of Newfoundland traditional music, ASAP. Source and revival performers both -- I'd like to give the newspaper which is asking information on the contemporary bands but also on the source performers they learned from."

Can anyone help him?

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 03:25 PM

Well, I've never been able to get hold of this record - but I'm dead sure it ought to be one of the number five.

Emile Benoit - Vive la Rose - here is more about him.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Beer
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 05:48 PM

Harry Martin   all his c.d's
Ron Hynes c/d self titled Ron Hynes

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 06:28 PM

Maybe an old Minnie White, the famous accordian player...or if you can get a copy of an old tape by Hank Williams (geology professor...outstanding fiddler) and Geoff ??? who later played with Figgy Duff.

An old Figgy Duff of course and one of the cds by Anita Best and Pam Morgan (guess I am showing my age here). Emile Benoit for sure...don't know the newer bands...great big sea? mg

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Jim Lad
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:12 PM

Jim Payne & Fergus O'Byrne would be great sources. I think it was Jim who produced the "Newfoundland Gold" & "More Newfoundland Gold" compilation albums.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:16 PM

When it comes to contemporary artist playing traditional Newfoundland music the answer is.... Great Big Sea! (Sorry to all the regulars who over the last weeks must be sick of my drumbeat, and OK it is odd how many NFLD threads there have been this month) They also play their own Pop/Rock/Maritime tunes and are despite that, commercially successful. Not many Newfoundland bands can claim that. I recommend any of the following CDs. Up, Play or Turn. All have a good mix of traditional and original tunes. More info at GreatBigSea.ca

Shanneyganock is another group to consider. They just put out a CD Called Fling Out The Flag. Jim Payne and Fergus OByrn also do a great job with traditional and are I think still alive, look for the CD Wave Over Wave.
Whack Fall The Day
Nick

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 08:25 PM

Here's a better link for Emile Benoit's Vive la Rose - with a sound file of the title track, which I think is magic.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Effsee
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 09:52 PM

Jim Payne has available a DVD recording of hundreds of Newfoundland source singers.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:09 PM

McGrath, thanks for that link. What a magical and poignant sounding voice and song. Just beautiful. That's one CD I intend to get, soon.

Nic, the more the better, imo!

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Jim Lad
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:19 PM

GUEST,Nick: Just a guess here... You like the Pogues, right?

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: number 6
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:41 PM

Good to see Figgy Duff mentioned in this thread, but surprised to see no has mention of Ryan's Fancy.

Here is a site that some of you might find interesting.

St.John's Folk Art Council

biLL

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: mg
Date: 15 Feb 07 - 10:44 PM

They are wonderful and quite an influence but they are all from Ireland. mg

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: number 6
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:54 AM

Yes but they made Newfoundland their home.

biLL

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:16 AM

The three CD anthology "Our Songs" from Avondale Music presents a highly listenable selection from the core repetoire of traditional and contemporary folk-singing from Newfoundland and Labrador.

But isn't Emile Benoit is more of an Acadien than a Newfie, musically speaking?

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Beer
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 08:59 AM

You are correct Bob. Emile was born in the Port-au-Port area which is mostly all of Acadian descent. And a fine fiddler to booth.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 11:09 AM

Jim I have heard the Pouges and I do like them, but the have a bit of a dark streak to the music, it's like they have the bright and cheery outlook on life of someone adicted to heroine. One of the things that I love about GBS is the optimistic and upbeat feeling I get even when they are singing, somtimes about some grim situations as in the song The Old Black Rum. (" The Old Black Rum's Got A Hold On Me Like A Dog Wrapped Round My Leg!")

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 11:13 AM

I think I also need to point out there is also a strong country music sound present in alot of contemporary Newfoundland music, Jimmy Rankin leaps to mind. I just wanted to dispell the impression that it is all Celtic/Maritme music they play.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Beer
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:01 PM

Nick.
Also Bluegrass like "Crooked Stovepipe"

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Bee
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:07 PM

Jimmy Rankin is from Mabou, Cape Breton, unless you mean another JR.

Buddy Wassisname and the Other Fellers, great mix of Nfld. comedy, trad. music and original songs.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 12:23 PM

"A Dog Wrapped Round My Leg!"
Funny you should quote that line, Nick.
It's the first thing I think of when I hear their name and it completely puts me off.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 01:39 PM

Port-au-Port area which is mostly all of Acadian descent

So? Port-au-Port is in Newfoundland, and all Newfoundlanders are descended from people who came from somewhere else.

Here's a link with some good video clips of Newfoundland music - including Emile Benoit playing for a dance (with Figgy Duff backing him, unless I'm very much mistaken).

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:40 PM

Singsong Inc is another good source. Minnie White available here, and Rufus Guinchard, dean of Newfoundland fiddlers. I like Snotty Var, featuring Frank Maher on accordian.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 07:53 PM

BobtP, would that be Mudcat's own Frank Maher?

McGrath, thanks for another great video link!

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Beer
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 09:09 PM

Omar Blondell a great traditional Newfoundland singer. But than again I guess he's from out of town as well.
How about Dick Nolan? Great stuff there.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 09:29 PM

Bee.
Sorry . Been listening to a station from St Johns ,-wcjyq I think-(that for some reason is legaly obligated to play at least 75% Newfoundland music acording to Wikopedia and they play 85% )and they play lots of Jimmy Rankin. I thought he was a Newfoundlander.
Nick

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 09:53 PM

Jim, if that line is the first thing you think of hats off to the band, for that is an original tune. A line that strikes a chord eh? Don't, please, let it put you too far off because this band is truly great! I wish they could gain commercial traction in the US, they have fans but little to no radio exposure. I'm not as crazy about some of some of the more recent releases but Up, Play and Turn are going to hook most folks. And the concerts they give... WOW, WOw WOw!
Just the best thing I have been involved with since a Dead show, and more upbeat!
Nick

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Jim Lad
Date: 16 Feb 07 - 11:05 PM

Well, I'm glad that you have found a group whose performances inspire you the way any performer would wish to inspire their audience.
Have fun with that.
Jim

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Beer
Date: 17 Feb 07 - 08:20 AM

Ron Hynes up for 4 awards this Sunday evening.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GEST
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 04:34 PM

GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 05:14 PM

Two Newfoundland songs on our famine CD...three or four on upcoming cannery one.

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: oldhippie
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 05:57 PM

Phyllis Morrissey
The Kilkenny Krew

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Nov 12 - 08:09 PM

Rufus Guinchard

video

Subject: RE: Newfoundland music
From: ollaimh
Date: 07 Nov 12 - 12:08 AM

remember pamela morgan and figgy duff. the group figgy duff were groundbreaking and the lead member pamela morgan has done great traditional cds since. her"ancestral songs" is one of my top ten favourite traditional cds. she also recorded a few cds with singer and folklorist anita best.

the other seventies group that broke new ground was the wonderfull grand band. ron hynes was their singer and songwriter.

did anyone mention baxter wareham? a great traditional player. jom byrne and his brother did a great cd with baxter.

for upbeat folk rock --great big sea.

ed kavanagh is a fine harp player with several trad cds, and there duncan cameron, hasn't recorded much but very talented.

but don't miss figgy duff

among the old guys there's also rufus guinchard.he was a back woods trsditional fiddler with lots of influence