Wendy MacIsaac
THAT'S WHAT YOU GET
Wendy MacIsaac
Box 86 Port Hastings
Inverness County
NS BOE 2T0
visit Wendy's website
also available on amazon
This is a fine, fine disc by one of the best of the Cape Breton fiddle players. Wendy comes from a family of fine musicians. Foremost among those that I know of is Ashley MacIsaac, who in his own right is an extremely innovative fiddler, but here contributes some equally wonderful piano on a number of tracks. Her mother and father who are Set Dancers and whose stepping provides an innovative percussive instrument that is used to set the pace of these tunes also join her on this disc. This stepping also gives the listener a true idea of what these tunes were meant for, and that is dancing at social functions. This is the music of the community "get together". This is the music of the social occasions of Nova Scotia and these peoples’ ancestors derive it from the music that came over from Scotland and Ireland. These are harsh and cold climates, and the people tend to work hard and be isolated from their neighbors for stretches of time, so whenever an occasion arose what better excuse than to get together, dance, catch up on the comings and goings, and just celebrate life. You can feel the climate, the yearnings and the community in this music. This music is a testimonial to life, and all the joys and sorrows that it holds. Wendy has put together a collection of musicians that have grown up in the tradition of this music. They have been through the winters, the deaths, and the births that give this music its life. They know what it means and they play with a hearty vigor that enervates the music. The disc is beautiful paced spacing jigs and waltzes and reels, and very well put together with a sound that reflects the heart that goes into this music. I know it is hard to get but well worth the trouble.
Produced by - Wendy MacIsaac and Gordie Sampson
Songs and times ( each song is composed of a number of short songs sewn masterfully together most are traditional numbers)
1 LADY MADALINA - 5:04 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
2 JIGS IN G AND D - 3:50 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
3 MRS. FERGUSON - 7:02 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
4 DR. SHAW - 6:48 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
5 SHORT GRASS - 3:11 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac and Gordie Sampson
6 WILLIE AND WENDY - 6:01 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac and Willie Kennedy
7 THE STUDIO SQUARE SET - 5:16 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
8 BELL PIANO- 5:32 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
9 JIGS IN THE KEY OF G - 4:14 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
10 A DANDY GROUP BY WILLIE - 8:37 - arranged by Willie Kennedy
11 A MINOR JIGS - 3:49 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac
12 TWO POLKAS AND A REEL - 3:44 - arranged by Wendy Mac Isaac and Gordie Sampson
Musicians
Wendy Mac Isaac - fiddle 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12, piano 10 feet 5
Dave MacIsaac - guitar 1,7,111
Ashely Mac Isaac - piano 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11
Gordie Sampson - guitar 2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10,12 electric guitar 12
Willie Kennedy - fiddle 6,10
Jamie Gatti- stand up bass 5,12
Tom Roach - Djembe and soft shakes 5 congas and vabassa 12
John Alphonse - drums 3,12
Set Dancers -
Kyle and Cheryl MacQuarrie
Jackie Dunn
John Robert and Jeanette Gillis
Harvey Deaton
Donald MacIsaac / dad
Geraldine MacIsaac / mom