The performers on stage tonight were among the cream of Cape Breton and Nova Scotian musicianship. They include: Jackie Dunn, Gordie Sampson, Doris Mason, Dave MacIsaac and of course, Wendy herself. I missed the first set, getting there around 10:30, but they were going strong. Wendy, Jackie and Gordie. Later, Doris took a turn with Gordie and Wendy, singing songs like Strathlorne. Gordie did a few songs as well, very well received pieces such as Wild Mountain Thyme.
Keeping the party going all night were Wendy and Jackie back and forth on the piano and fiddle with Gordie on guitar. Almost all of the strings on Gordie's guitar broke at one time or another. Hard Drivin'!
Many of the crowd were from Antigonish, which isn't surprising. Saw Monica MacDoughall, the Celtic Saxiphonist, there as well as her sister who teaches music in the local school system. Tom Roach was there as well. Tom is a percussionist who worked on the That's What You Get recording. Some odd instruments on the list. He's also doing the same work for the Barra MacNeils.
Many of the familiar tunes were played through the night inspiring a number of set dances, led by John Robert Gillis and his wife, Jeanette who had danced a set for the recording. Also saw K.C. Beaton from Mabou dancing sets there too. All of this very energetic dancing certainly showed any non-Capers in the audience what a Cape Breton Ceilidh is like!
We also had a number of individual step dancers perform. Starting things off relatively early was John Robert Gillis. There was someone who Tracey Dares brought out onto the floor who was quite good. Didn't get the gentleman's name. Later Tracey took a turn stepping as well.
The last square set was fabulous. There was Tracey, Natalie MacMaster, Bruce Guthro and the rest I don't know up there dancing. This was the last set with Jackie on piano, Wendy on fiddle, and both Gordie and Dave on their respective guitars. Part way through this set, the two guitar players thought up something VERY fun to watch. Both are right handed so they were playing on their right hands, however each of the two had their left hands on the neck of the other's guitar. Doubt you'll see that too often.
The crowd was certainly wanted to continue this party, no one wanted to leave at 1:30AM. The crowd had thinned out a bit, but there were still people coming in the doors at 1:40AM!!! Guess they heard what was happening. The energy was overflowing. Hmmm, don't tell NS Power about it, they'll want to take control and charge 5 times higher than now.
As we were leaving, during the space of 1 hour, the Word on the Street tents had gone up and Spring Garden Road blocked off. That should be excellent as well.
The recording itself? Well, there are 12 cuts totalling over 60 minutes of wonderful tunes. There are too many to list individually here. The list of cuts and the CREDITS I will give though. It's really interesting:
Wendy MacIsaac
Gordie Sampson
Fiddle 1 - 9, 11 and 12
Guitar 2-6, 8-10, and 12
Piano 10
Electric Guitar 12
Feet 5
Ashley MacIsaac
Dave MacIsaac
Piano 1-4, 6-9, and 11
Guitar 1, 7 and 11
Willie Kennedy
Jamie Gatti
Fiddle 6, 10
Stand Up Bass 5 and 12
Tom Roach
John Alphonse
Djembe and Soft Shakes 5
Drums 3 and 12
Congas and Cabassa 12
Set Dancers
Kyle and Cheryl MacQuarrie
Jackie Dunn
John Robert and Jeanette Gillis
Harvey Beaton
Donald and Geraldine MacIsaac (Dad and Mom)
The cuts are:
1 Lady Madalina 5:04
2 Jigs in G and D 3:50
3 Mrs Ferguson 7:02
4 Dr. Shaw 6:48
5 Short Grass 3:11
6 Willie and Wendy 6:01
7 The Studio Square Set 5:16
8 Bell Piano 5:32
9 Jigs in the Key of G 4:14
10 A Dandy Group by Willie 8:37
11 A Minor Jigs 3:49
12 Two Polkas and a Reel 3:44
All arranged by Wendy MacIsaac, except for:
5 and 12 - arranged by Wendy and Gordie Sampson
6 - arranged by Wendy and Willie Kennedy
10 - arranged by Willie Kennedy
One of the unique elements to this recording is cut #7. This was an
actual square set performed for the CD! Wow! Must have been fun to
arrange and set up! There is a nice introduction of Wendy by Archie Neil
Chisholm. This recording is dedicated to her brother Glen MacIsaac who
passed away in June of this year.
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