4 in 1

[Ginny]

So I'm going to do something ambitious
I'm going to try and blend four concert reviews in one

Here I go.

It all started in October, 2003. John McDermott and his band were doing a Maritime tour. Since he has family around here, Brigham Phillips sent down some free tickets to his family, including mine. My parents were both going to go, but my dad was sick that night, so I decided to go instead. On the way there, my mom told me that there was a band of young kids performing with him. At the time, I didn't really care. I figured it was just some choir or something. I was certainly in for a surprise.
Don't get me wrong. John McDermott is an excellent singer, and he sings some very nice songs, but I found the concert a bit boring. When the Cottars came out, they really spiced up the show a lot. The song they opened with was "Suilean Dubh". My very first impression was "they don't even speak English!" yes I actually thought that. My mom and I were in the first row, and by George I had chills the whole time. Afterwards, they did either the Captain Campbell medley, or the Boy's Lament Medley. (My memory isn't that good, and of course, I didn't know the songs then). After a few songs, there was an intermission. During the intermission, I bought "Made in Cape Breton". I really hoped that they would perform again sometime during the show. I needn't have worried-they did perform again. I remember them performing "The Briar and the Rose", which as always, was a hit. Of all the songs they did, when I listened to the CD the next day, my mom and I were like "wow it's THAT song!". They did another fiddle tune (I don't remember which), I Know Who is Sick, and Kitchen Racket. They may have done some others, but I don't remember. It was a great show, even though they only performed a few songs. I couldn't believe that they were only my age (and a bit older), yet they were such amazing musicians. Of course to this day, I still can't believe it. Oh ya, I also realized that they do speak English!

Parts 2, 3, and 4 coming soon!

Cheers,
Ginny

[Adam]

Hey Ginny - great review! I just got my "Made in Cape Breton" album in the mail (the one album I didnt have!) and am enjoying it! And I agree about Mr. McDermott - he does a good job just kinda boring. Being a big fan of the Canadian music as well as lively groups from Ireland, England and Scotland, the Irish tenor isn't my cup of tea. I think it's great what he has done for the Cottars and, more recently, Rosie MacKenzie though.

Seeing the Cottars this Saturday as long as the illness that kept in bed the last week stays away! I will give a report! That is if I can find the town they are playing in - it's in the middle of nowhere!

[Joe]

Hi Ginny,

Thanks for "part one". It's a great to know how people first learned of The Cottars!

Joe

[Joe]

Hi Adam,

Sprry to hear that you've not been feeling well. I trust that you are doing much better, my friend! I hope you went to see the April Verch band on Tuesday. Glad that you got The Cottars' first CD and that you will see them on Saturday. Please give them my regards!

Here's the address of the theater...
The Shea Theater
71 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376
P: 413-863-2281
E: [e-mail]

Directions:
North/South on I-91, take exit 27, follow Rt. 2 east toward Boston for 2.5 miles and at second traffic light, take a right, south, across bridge, theater 2 blocks on left.

East/West, take Rt 2. The Shea is located 2.5 miles east from Greenfield and approximately 20 miles west from Orange. Take Turners Falls turn at light, cross bridge, and continue for two blocks. Theater is on the left.

All the best,
Joe

[Adam]

Joe, thanks for the info! Yes, I am feeling much better which was good because if I was sick I would have missed two great concerts this week! I went to see April Verch even though she didn't go on until 10 PM ( and I wake up at 5 am for work!). She was great as usual. While her style is not all that similar to the Cape Breton style (she is from the Ottawa Valley and her songs angle a little more towards bluegrass than Celtic) she puts on a great show and recomend her to anyone who likes fiddle playing and stepdancing. Last time I saw her was at the New Bedford Summerfest where she did some cool stuff on stage with former Cottar Rosie MacKenzie.

I will post a review of the Cottars show when I return. It will be my first time of seeing the Cottars do their own show (discovered them playing with the Chieftains last year).

And today I found out that our office manager is orginally from Cape Breton! She let me borrow a bunch of music she said I need to hear!

[Joe]

Hello Adam

Sounded like April Verch had a great show! I very much considered see the Cottars on the 16th. You know what it's like trying to get a day off of work...you need two weeks' notice and only if someone can cover for you.

Have a great time listening to your Cape Breton music!

Excellent job,
Joe

[Ginny]

Part Two-Sometime in October, 2004

Well, after I saw them in concert the first time, and then spent a year listening to "Made in Cape Breton" constantly, I heard that they were coming back to Summerside, this time doing a solo performance. I was so excited. When we got to the show, I was even more excited. Again, I can't remember all the songs they played, but I do remember some. They did "Suilean Dubh", "The Captain Campbell Medley", "I Know Who Is Sick", "Boy's Lament Medley", "Two Brothers Medley", "Ciaran's Piano Medley", "Coulin/Hornpipes Medley", "The Briar and the Rose", "The Pleasures of Home Medley" and "Kitchen Racket" from Made in Cape Breton, as well as "The Loch Tay Boat Song", "The Celtic Harp Medley" and "Reconciliation" from On Fire. They may have done some others from "On Fire" as well, but those are the only three I remember. From "Forerunner", they did "The Honeysuckle Medley". I also remember them doing "The Lament For Lost Books" (this was back when the whole band performed it, not just Fiona on the tinwhistle), and The Nova Scotia Diet song. Of course, the on-stage banter was great. My favourite moment was during the second half when Ciaran came out wearing a kilt and sporon. After a song or two, Jimmy says "It was bad enough that he came out wearing a skirt, but he also has a purse to go with it!" and Ciaran said "yeah, well the purse is for your makeup!"
During the intermission, I bought a Cottars poster. After the show, I went to get it signed, as well as "Made in Cape Breton". I was nervous talking to them, but of course, they were very nice. My mom mentioned to them that Brigham Phillips is a cousin of ours. I remember that Fiona and Ciaran had been slightly distracted by autographs, or something, but as soon as we dropped the name, they perked right up and got rather excited (of course back then, he was one of their producers.) I remember my dad having a conversation with Jimmy about the school he and Roseanne used to attend, Baddeck Academy, because a friend of our family teaches school there. It's always a bit strange having conversations like that with the performers after a show. I guess sometimes it's easy to forget that they are real people too
Anyhoo, I have nothing but fond memories of that show. So, you ask, what were the other two shows like? Better? or not quite as good as I had expected? Well, I will tell you. But not now. My fingers hurt from typing.

Cheers,
G-i-n-n-y

[Joe]

Hi Ginny...

A wonderful "part two"! I was nervous talking to them too. I got Ciaran and Jimmy mixed up! But they were so nice.

Great memories for us all.

Joe