Review: Andrew McFayden - Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind)

Andrew McFayden - Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind)
2007, Grian Culture And Language

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia has long been home to a community of Scots immigrants and their descendants who have managed in spite of time and technology to hold on to many of the old ways, customs and stories. Indeed, it's been said that in some ways the residents of Cape Breton are more Scot than the current residents of The Old Sod. The Elders of the Scots community of Cape Breton are moving slowly into the twilight, and the younger generations move on as they always do, but luckily there are still folks like Andrew McFayden striving to keep the music, culture and language alive. McFayden lives in Prince George, British Columbia and has a Masters Degree with a thesis about reviving Scottish Gaelic in Cape Breton Island. McFayden has been performing professionally since 2003 and has toured through several Canadian provinces, performing at events such as the Prince George Gathering Of The Clans. McFayden also teaches Gaelic as well as serving in an advisory capacity on several boards relating to the subject. In 2007, McFayden released his second album, Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Vinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) as a follow-up to 2004's An Rathad Cam 'S An Rathad Direach (The Crooked Road And The Straight Road). The album and resulting concert performances have won rave reviews, and we were lucky enough for Mr. McFayden to send us a copy for consideration. Keep in mind that I do not speak Gaelic, so my impressions are primarily of the music and sounds

McFayden lays out a tapestry of songs that plays something like a family tree of Scots Gaelic musical traditions. Most of these tunes are performed in much the way they are still performed in Cape Breton (and in some cases in Scotland itself). Open Eyes, Open Mind starts off with the a Cappella An Teid Thu Leam A'Righinn Og, calling to mind a fond reverie with a clear voice. McFayden revisits this song with full instrumentation later on in an indescribable act of beauty. The bagpipe that closes the song out will send chills down your spine. A Fagail Ceap Breatnan is all about leaving home; full of sorrow and loss and hope to return home once again. This tune was done with sparse instrumentation but may be more stark done a Cappella.

A Fhleasgaich An Fhuilt Chraobhaich Chai finds McFayden sounding like a true troubadour. The tune is done up in a modern folk or even light rock arrangement that somehow manages to not eclipse the antiquarian feel of the song. McFayden introduces a kitchen party-style group sing on E Ho Ro Mo Mhaighdinn Lurach. The moment created is palpable you'll find yourself wishing for a cup of Grog and singing along. The Oatfield Weaver Set is a personal favorite; a piano arrangement with a bit of swing to it to support a lilting vocal line. Violin adds its voice to the mix to create a vibrant sound.

McFayden turns modern on Mo Ghaolsa Mairi, buttressing a gorgeous vocal line with a piano and percussion arrangement very comfortable for the current commercial World Music environment. Bu Deonach Leam Tilleadh has one of those melodies that will haunt your thoughts for a number of days set in a light acoustic rock arrangement built primarily from piano and percussion. To Mom/Assuming Of Course is a sweet and melodic piano piece that serves as respite before the final push. Chi Mi Bhuam seems to practically grow out of To Mom... and plays like a sweet and gentle lullaby. McFayden closes out with the martial Mo Thruaigh Leir Thu 'Ille Bhuidhe. This group-sing with percussion stirs thoughts of William Wallace and all those who fought to give Scotland her freedom; and all those who've fought to keep their traditions alive west of the Atlantic. And not to worry; for those looking for traditional Jigs and Reels, look no further than The Gonzaga Set.

Andrew McFayden is in rarefied territory. Mary Jane LaMond briefly popularized Gaelic back in the 1990's, singing on Ashley MacIsaac's Sleepy Maggie, but for McFayden it's more like a mission than mere performance. While he counts modern Celtic bands amidst his favorites and influences, it's the language and music of that first generation of Scots Cape Bretoners is his lifeblood. McFayden plays and sings as if this is true on Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind), and you can't help but be moved even if you have no idea what the words mean. Sometimes emotion runs so deep it speaks without words, and that's the case here. Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) is a work of art, an essential listen, and a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Andrew McFayden at http://www.grianmcbuttons.ca/ or www.myspace.com/andrewmcfayden. You can order copies of Suilean Fosgailte, Fuasgladh Cinn (Open Eyes, Open Mind) from IndiePool.com, or you can purchase a download from iTunes

Review: Gerry Wall - Winter Grass / Ex Patriot's Day

Gerry Wall – Winter Grass/Ex Patriot’s Day

2006/2007, Catfish Rapids Music

Gerry Wall is a prairie boy who made good. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada native eventually made his way to Toronto, squandering top-notch foosball skills on the way to a doctorate degree, but found his calling making music. A chance childhood encounter with Joni Mitchell aside, Wall falls into the school of songwriting sometimes inhabited by folks such as Jackson Browne, Josh Rouse, Bob Dylan and even, yes, Joni Mitchell. Today we’ll be checking out two of Wall’s albums, Winter Grass and Ex Patriot’s Day.

Winter Grass opens with the title track, a plaintive country rocker with shades of Blue Rodeo woven in. Willow Bluff has a minimalist blues element to it. It's a fun song about the impact of priorities on relationships. Light The Match has this wonderfully dark, seedy quality to it that gets into your brain. Lyrically the song doesn't stadn out, but the arrangement and construction of the song is brilliant. Poor Man’s Train is particularly memorable with its period vocal style and insistent blues feel.

Ex Patriot's Day opens with Cheticamp, a sort of declaration of independence set against the backdrop of quaint fishing village on the Western edge of Cape Breton. The song is wonderfully tuneful and very well constructed. Ex Patriot's Day deals with the joy of living in a place like New York City while still missing home. Wall's songwriting has a strong Country/Americana feel that is undeniably smooth. Hello Amsterdam is an upbeat Country/Rocker that sounds like perhaps Jackson Browne and Bruce Hornsby jamming together. This highly commercial song has real chart potential and is one of the most pleasant listens on the disc. Home By Sunday takes a bit of a jazz turn (a la K.D. Lang) in a very tight arrangement that accents Wall's voice perfectly. Are You Making Any Friends? keeps the jazz vibe going with an 1970's AM radio feel. Other highlights include Lost At Home, Willow Bluff V2 and Tiny Letters.

Gerry Wall sets an example on Wintergrass, while on Ex Patriot's Day he lives it. Both albums show strong songwriting and a promising musical touch. Ex Patriots Day finds the artist a year old than on Wintergrass; By the time Ex Patriots Day rolled around, Wall had grown as a songwriter from above average to excellent.

Ratings:

Wintergrass – 3 Stars (Out of 5)
Ex Patriots Day – 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Gerry Wall at http://www.gerrywall.com/. You can purchase a copy of Winter Grass at www.cdbaby.com/cd/gerrywall2. Ex Patriot’s Day can be purchase at www.cdbaby.com/cd/gerrywall3. Both albums can be purchased as downloads through iTunes.