One of my friends here in Japan is a very accomplished Cape Breton style fiddler, and she's always raving about Mac Morrin: http://www.macmorin.com Hilda Chiasson is also a well-known piano accompanist. She appears on Seamus Egan's second solo album "A Week in January" as a guest, together with Dave MacIsaac on guitar!
Well, actually most Cape Breton fiddlers can dance and accompany other musicians on the piano. Be sure to check this site: http://www.capebretonlive.com/video.htm
I'd recommend anything with Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, Barbara MacDonald Magone, Howie MacDonald, Kevin Chaisson - the list is long. For US artists in the Cape Breton style, in my estimation Becky Ashenden from Massachusetts is high on the list. You can browse your web server to find recent cds featuring these people.
Tracey Dares is another well-known Cape Breton pianist, and has two great CDs; one by herself, and one with her piper husband, Paul MacNeill. They (and a number of other artists' CDs are available through her website, www.castlebaymusic.com
One of the best I've heard is Doug MacPhee -- does the rhythm very well, but can also pick out tunes with incredible dexterity. There's some more about him here- http://www.dungreenmusic.com/MacPhee/MacPhee.html
Wonder if anyone's done some demographic studies of Cape Breton. Seems like it must have one of the highest musicians-per-household rates in the world.
I listen to Ashley Macisaac all the time. He's a Cape Breton fidder, but he played piano in his younger years and plays accompaniment to himself in his CD "Fine Thank you very much". He plays the piano a bit in "Wing-stock" on "Hi how are you today?". I'm not sure if that's the strongest Cape Breton piano playing you'll find, but they're great recordings.
I have a great album from Smithsonian Music, recorded at actual ceilidhe dances on Cape Breton, called The Heart of Cape Breton, or Along the Ceilidhe Trail, or something like that. Most of it is fiddle and piano, a great intro to the pure drop!
Sounds like it could be Howie MacDonald's recording "On the ceilidh trail". Howie is an amazing player, fiddle and piano. He has more recent recordings too.
Cape Breton Piano Music
Cape Breton Piano Music
Hi everyone.
I'm really interested in the Cape breton style of piano playing. Anyone got any suggestions of any good recordings available on CD ???
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
One of my friends here in Japan is a very accomplished Cape Breton style fiddler, and she's always raving about Mac Morrin: http://www.macmorin.com Hilda Chiasson is also a well-known piano accompanist. She appears on Seamus Egan's second solo album "A Week in January" as a guest, together with Dave MacIsaac on guitar!
Well, actually most Cape Breton fiddlers can dance and accompany other musicians on the piano. Be sure to check this site: http://www.capebretonlive.com/video.htm
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by slainte
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
I'd recommend anything with Hilda Chiasson-Cormier, Barbara MacDonald Magone, Howie MacDonald, Kevin Chaisson - the list is long. For US artists in the Cape Breton style, in my estimation Becky Ashenden from Massachusetts is high on the list. You can browse your web server to find recent cds featuring these people.
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by vonnieestes
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
my absolute favorite is Troy MacGillivray and he is also a terrific fiddle player. His CD has been my favorite since last fall!!
# Posted on July 18th 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
Tracey Dares is another well-known Cape Breton pianist, and has two great CDs; one by herself, and one with her piper husband, Paul MacNeill. They (and a number of other artists' CDs are available through her website, www.castlebaymusic.com
She also has an instructional video available.
Well worth seeking out.
Jeff W
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by jeff_willner
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
One of the best I've heard is Doug MacPhee -- does the rhythm very well, but can also pick out tunes with incredible dexterity. There's some more about him here-
http://www.dungreenmusic.com/MacPhee/MacPhee.html
Wonder if anyone's done some demographic studies of Cape Breton. Seems like it must have one of the highest musicians-per-household rates in the world.
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by sts
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
Thanks everybody for your help.
I have a recording of Ashley McIsaac cape breton fiddler and piano player its very good.
# Posted on July 19th 2006 by ceolgal
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
See Page http://www.atlanticartists.com/buddy/hildachiasson.html for details on Hilda Chiasson. She was on a CD with Cavan fiddle player Antóin MacGabhann some years ago called "Matching Beats".
# Posted on July 20th 2006 by Bannerman
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
I listen to Ashley Macisaac all the time. He's a Cape Breton fidder, but he played piano in his younger years and plays accompaniment to himself in his CD "Fine Thank you very much". He plays the piano a bit in "Wing-stock" on "Hi how are you today?". I'm not sure if that's the strongest Cape Breton piano playing you'll find, but they're great recordings.
# Posted on July 20th 2006 by Aldivalloch14
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
I have a great album from Smithsonian Music, recorded at actual ceilidhe dances on Cape Breton, called The Heart of Cape Breton, or Along the Ceilidhe Trail, or something like that. Most of it is fiddle and piano, a great intro to the pure drop!
# Posted on July 21st 2006 by AlBrown
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
Sounds like it could be Howie MacDonald's recording "On the ceilidh trail". Howie is an amazing player, fiddle and piano. He has more recent recordings too.
# Posted on July 22nd 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Cape Breton Piano Music
Barbara MacDonald Magone, great for dancers and brilliant accompaniment.
She has one album: The Fiddler's Friend on Culburnie Records.
# Posted on July 26th 2006 by kruther4d