Mary Jane Lamond
SUAS E!
turtlemusik/A&M 268-842
visit Mary's website
also available on amazon
When you first put this disc in the changer be prepared for something extra-ordinary, it is not like anything I have heard. Mary Jane Lamond is from the Cape Breton area of Nova Scotia, Canada, and she sings in the Gaelic language, which in itself is quite striking. There are moments when it is very reminiscent of some of the Scottish music I heard years ago while wandering some of the out of the way places in the highlands. The instrumentation is quite different too. Of course there are the bagpipes, but the sounds are otherworldly, but then we have the spinning wheel, the loom, and "Toob"/percussion? What these instruments are I haven't the foggiest, however the music adds up to a stunning and very haunting disc. I was captivated upon first listening, and my appreciation has only grown with each additional listening. This is music that is based around the home and some of the activities that the people of Cape Breton hold dear to their hearts. On the first song O`RAN SNI`OMH (SPINNING SONG) you have the rhythm established by the sound of a spinning wheel, and the song revolves around that rhythm. It makes for a quite interesting and beautiful piece that reflects in tone the value of the family and the importance of the work in the home. On HORO MO NIGHEAN DONN BHO`IDHEACH NAN GORMSHUIL MEALLACH ( A LOVE SONG) you here have the song based around the sound of a loom and its clack clack shuttling. This disc has introduced a whole new area of the continent to me, and it is one that I wish to explore further because of the music and values that come through this album. I understand not a word of Gaelic but after listening to the disc a few times and forming opinions I allowed myself to read the written in English summary of the songs and found that though I did not understand the words the emotions expressed came through loud and clear. A compelling disc that warrants more attention, and she has a voice and a vision that should be heard.
Songs, no times given, all songs traditional origin, and musicians
1. O`RAN SNI`OMH (SPINNING SONG) -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
keys - James Gray
bass - Rachel Melas
drums - Geoff Arsenault
acoustic and electric guitar - Rob Pitch
guitar - Philip Strong
spinning wheel - Vicki Quinby
2. SEINN O -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
backup vocals - Laurel MacDonald
guitars - Laurel MacDonald and Philip Strong
"Toob"/percussion - Philip Strong
3. DO`MHNALL MAC `IC LAIN
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
cello - Anne Boure
percussion - Philip Strong
bass - David Woodhead
4. 'E HORO` -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
drums - Geoff Arsenault
keyboards - James Gray
bagpipes - Scott Long
backup vocals - Laurel MacDonald
bass - Rachel Melas
guitars - Rob Pitch
"Toob"/percussion - Philip Strong
5. HI RI` HIM BO` -
vocals and foot - Mary Jane Lamond
6. BO`G A' LOCHAIN -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
guitars - Stuart Cameron
keys - Joel Chiasson
drums - Adam Dowling
bagpipes - Scott Long
fiddle - Ashley MacIsaac
bass - Ed Woodsworth
7. HORO MO NIGHEAN DONN BHO`IDHEACH NAN GORMSHUIL MEALLACH ( A LOVE SONG) -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
cello - Anne Boure
backup vocals - Laurel MacDonald
drums - Glenn Milchen
guitar - Rob Pitch
"Elbow" guitar/percussion - Philip Strong
bass - David Woodhead
loom sounds - Vicki Quinby
8. LU` O` RA HIU` O` (MARGARET'S SONG) -
sung by Margaret MacLean
back up vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
9. HORO GHOID THU NIGHEAN (STEPPING SONG) -
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
keys - James Gray
bass - Chin Injeti
drums - Glenn Milchen
fiddle - Wendy MacIsaac
guitars - Rob Pitch
dancers - Melody Cameron, Carol Gillis, Benedict MacDonald, Rodney MacDonald, Ian Mac Donell, Barbi MacInnes, Joe Rankin, Mari Rankin
10. THA MO RU`N AIR A'GHILLE ( I LOVE THE LAD)- Nighean Tigheanna Ghrannd
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
bagpipes - Paul K. MacNeil
friends on the chorus - Janet Buchanan, Laurel MacDonald, Frances MacEachern, Leslie Mc Daniel, Michelle Smith, Bonnie Thompson,
guitar/bodhran/percussion - Laurel MacDonald
"Toob" - Philip Strong
11. O`RAN DO GHILLE A CHAIDH A BHA`THADH ( ON THE DROWNING OF A YOUNG MAN)
vocals - Mary Jane Lamond
friends on the chorus - Janet Buchanan, Malcolm (Maxie) MacNeil, Neil J. Gillis, Helen and Rod C. MacNeil, Joan and John Gillis, Bonnie Thompson, Sadie MacInnes, Linda MacLellan, Vickiand Meagan Quinby, Marianne Jewell. Rebecca-Lynne and Geoffrey May
Produced by Philip Strong and Laurel MacDonald