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June 12, 2009
Michael Hall
releasing first fiddle music recording
DAN MACDONALD, The Cape Breton Post
Over the
past few years Michael Hall has made his mark on the world
of Cape Breton fiddle music. Unlike so many of today’s young
players, he didn’t grow up on this island surrounded by
friends, neighbours and relatives who played. Originally
from New Brunswick, he spent a lot of time playing the
accordion while growing up, but even there the influence of
the Cape Breton music seeped into his mind and soul and he
was hooked.
One of
Mike’s main influences was Alex “Lewis” MacDonald, an
Inverness County fiddler who lived in Saint John. Alex had a
nice swing to his playing and a good variety of tunes. I
remember him playing at fiddlers festivals in Glendale and
he was already an elder statesman in the fiddle world, well
respected by the other players and those in the musical
know. Mike also learned from pianist Maybelle Chisholm
McQueen, who spent a number of years in the same area.
Eventually, Mike made the move and followed his musical
heart to Cape Breton where he continued to soak up the
music, spending a lot of time around Cheticamp and rapidly
developing into a respected player in his own right. And
now, he is about to release his first recording of fiddle
music, a spirited and powerfully played CD called 'A Legacy
Not To Be Forgotten'.
Engineered
by Paul MacDonald, the recording was done at the home of
Alex and Minnie MacMaster in Troy. Joel Chiasson provided
the piano backup, with Mike adding in some guitar as well.
There are a few airs, a march or two, but mainly it’s a
solid secession of high-powered strathspeys, reels and jigs.
Before the first cut is over, you’ll be tapping your fingers
and stomping your feet.
Included
on the CD is an interesting addition, a cut of the playing
of the late Alex “Lewis” MacDonald, lifted from a party
recording done some years ago. From this cut you get a sense
of his playing, and possibly an understanding of his
influence on a young Mike Hall.
Mike will
be busy over the next week. On Saturday afternoon he holds
the official launch for A Legacy Not To Be Forgotten at
Rollie’s Wharf in North Sydney and that evening he is joined
by Marc Boudreau and Joel Chiasson for a dance at the
Westmount Legion. On Tuesday Mike joins Donnie Campbell and
Pat Chafe at the first of a summer-long series of concerts
at the Wagmatcook Cultural Centre.
Be on the
lookout for A Legacy Not To Be Forgotten. This is a very
good CD, one that I particularly enjoyed. I’m sure that you
will as well.
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