Mary Jane Lamond
LAN-DUIL
Wicklow -63643
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also available on amazon
This second release by Mary Jane Lamond is every bit as good as the first disc. The music here is an extension and expansions of what was done on the first disc, yet is in no way dependent on that initial offering. Not only is there no sophomore slump, but also this uses what was done the first time around as a springboard for the material presented here, which carries the vision of this musician even further. She is one of the finest of Gaelic singers around today and she has successfully managed the tricky feat of combining the traditions of Gaelic music with modern electronics and recording in a most satisfying way. On some songs she stays with the traditional instrumentation of fiddle and bagpipes. On other tracks these instruments are combined in a most successful and natural sounding way with guitars, bass, drums, looping, and samples. The disc never sounds forced or untrue to the song's traditional origins, 10 of the 11 songs are traditional. Her voice is her instrument, and with it she manages to invoke at various times, the wildness and loneliness of the moors of Scotland, at other times the sharing of the grief's and hardships of life that faced the people of both Scotland and their immigrant descendants in the in area of Cape Breton (most Gaelic songs it seems are laments), and sometimes it reflects the simple joys and satisfaction of the successes that they accomplished in a job well done and another winter behind them. She accomplishes this feat with the very able assistance of her band of cohorts. Very notable the sensitive and passionate fiddling of Wendy MacIssac. There is strong guitar work by Rob Piltch, Phil Strong, and Gordie Sampson, and most strong and fitting drumming and percussion work of Geoff Arsenault, that manages to blend in and never be obtrusive. This blended with the excellent production work of Phil Strong makes this an outstanding disc by this rapidly emerging luminary. A pat on the back to the Wicklow label for having the courage to take a chance and bring us some of the most exciting world music being done today.
Produced by Phil Strong
Songs, times, musicians - all songs traditional except where noted. Mary Jane Lamond is vocalist on all cuts
1 A MHAIRI BHOIDHEACH - 5:15 - (Beautiful Mary)
guitars - Brad Davidge, Gordie Sampson
drums - Geoff Arsenault
bass - Ed Woodsworth
accordion - Kevin Gould
percussion - Phil Strong
2 FAILL ILL O RO - 3:54 -
guitar - Rob Piltch
drums - Geoff Arsenault
bass - Ed Woodsworth
fiddle - Wendy MacIssac
3 MO MHAILI BHEAG OG - 4:55 - (My Little Young Molly)
guitars - Brad Davidge, John Gzowski, Phil Strong
drums - Geoff Arsenault
bass - Ed Woodsworth
fiddle - Wendy MacIssac
bodhran, bazouki, & percussion - Ben Grossman
trumpet - David Travers-Smith
4 AN NOCHD IS TROM THA MO CHEUM - 4:55 - (Tonight My Step Is Heavy)
guitar - Rob Piltch, Phil Strong
drums - Geoff Arsenault
bass - Ed Woodsworth
5 CHA TIG MOR MO BHEAN DHACHAIDH - 3:49 - (The Widower's Lament)
guitars - Rob Piltch
6 MO GHILLE MOR FOGHAIN'EACH - 4:11 - (Charles Street Reel)
guitars - John Gzowski, Gordie Sampson. Phil Strong
bass - John Kanakis
tabla/vocals - Ravi Naimpally
fiddle - Wendy MacIssac
percussion - Phil Strong
7 A MHORAG 'S NA HORO GHEALLAIDH - 3:36 - (Milling Song)
vocals - Janet Buchanan, Michelle Smith, Bonnie Thompson, Mary Jane Lamond
8 NACH TILL THU DHOMHNAILL? - 3:36 - ( Will You Not Return Donald?)
electric guitars - Brad Davidge, John Gzowski
lap steel guitar/ fretless bass - David Woodhead
bass - Ed Woodsworth
percussion - Geoff Arsenault
9 SEALLAIBH CURRAIGH EOGHAINN - 3:25 - (The Drummer)
guitars - Brad Davidge, Gordie Sampson
drums - Geoff Arsenault
bass - Ed Woodsworth
fiddle - Wendy MacIssac
10 CRODH AIR A' BHRUAICH - 4:45 - (Cattle on the Hill) - Jeff MacDonald
background vocals arranged and sung by Laurel MacDonald
spoken word - Jeff MacDonald
guitars - Gordie Sampson. Phil Strong
bass - Ed Woodsworth
bagpipes - John MacLean
tabla - Ravi Naimpally
11 ILL U ILL O ILLEAN 'S O - 1:30
The Children of BRAIGH NA H-AIGHNEADH are Dylan MacDonald, Bhriegha MacDonald, Kaitlin MacDonald, Maggie MacDonald, Cassie MacDonald, Kathleen MacDonald, Andrea MacDonald, Scott MacGillvray