Tracks:
Drawing on the hugely successful Tear The House Down, the Fables have brought an amazing new recording to their fans.
A Time is the sophmore release from The Fables and features 13 tracks of brilliant originals and traditional fare. Mix in a dose of live tracks and you have wonderful collection of fresh sounds from one of Newfoundland’s most touted bands
Featuring D’Arcy Broderick formerly of the Irish Descendants as well as Glen Simmons from Wonderful Grand Band, Clyde Wisemas, Billy Sutton and Dave Fitzpatrick this five peice band delivers some of the most challenging celtic music to ever come from the region.
The debut recording Tear The House Down has been a fifteen month process that has culminated in an ample collection of original music as well as unique interpretations of some traditional tunes. – Tear The House Down has something for everyone and will surely introduce The Fables as the beginning of a new wave from Newfoundland.
The Dardanelles have quickly become one of Canada’s premier traditional folk groups. Having performed at many major folk festivals across the country they have been lauded for their highly infectious sound, their skillful playing and the youthful energy they bring to the music. This album is the one that set them off onto their path of rapid success and critical notoriety. This record features a slightly different line-up than the one present on “The Eastern Light”. The Bouzouki and fiddle parts on the first record were done by Andrew Dale (The Once) and Kate Bevan-Baker respectively. Both brought exceptional skill to their roles in the band and certainly left big shoes for Matthew Byrne and Emilia Bartellas to fill. On this recording you really begin to get a sense of where the band was going musically. The music is rooted in the traditional music of Newfoundland and Ireland, mingled with some original compositions all maintaining a vibrancy and joy that, historically, made these tunes so popular at dance halls all across Newfoundland. The Dardanelles pay reverent homage to two of Newfoundland’s most famous fiddlers, Emile Benoit and Rufus Guinchard by performing fantastic versions of some fiddle tunes written by the two legends that have since become very popular compositions in the Newfoundland traditional cannon. You hear the band coming together as a group on this record and their synergy is immediate. Again, one of the most striking things about the Dardanelles, past and present, is their attention to musically authentic detail. The bands trademark has become the exuberance and forward momentum of the recordings and live performance and this album is a wonderful glimpse into the group’s development. We hope that this album marks the beginning of a long and successful career for this young group.
Emile is regarded as, perhaps, the greatest fiddler to come from Newfoundland. Discovered by Newfoundland legends, Figgy Duff, Emile went from playing his original fiddle tunes in his kitchen to sharing them at major folk festivals all over the world. Vive la Rose was Emile’s last recording. His unique style , a blend of French and indigenous musical flare and a deep catalogue of tunes, jigs, reels and airs has been studies, played, interpreted, recorded and revered by many musicians throughout the years.
St. John’s artist and producer extraordinaire, Jim Fidler follows up ‘Gypsy’ with a bold sound. Laden with keys, percussion, and an eclectic array of instruments, these textured compositions are highly intriguing. The much anticipated new album from Mr. Fidler. man, oh man; this guy is good!!
Without question one of the most unique local releases of all time. The quality (material and production) is exceptional. An album of worldly textures and a rich range of influences, its foundation- roots folk-Celtic. Jim is a very special and creative artist who constantly pushes and explores beyond singular genre boundaries.
Katie’s star is definitely rising provincially and “Home Again, Home Again” has been met with much critical and popular praise. Paired down, stark and hauntingly beautiful acoustic folk with accents of violin and wistful harmony and minimal percussion are married with Katie’s strong and naturally imagistic lyricism. Her voice is airy and ethereal, her performance; understated and delicate. This is a quiet and contemplative jewel of a record.
The twelve ”unaccompanied” songs Anita Best sings on this album have kept company with generations of Newfoundland singers to whom they belong. They are accompanied thanks to producer Pamela Morgan, by a profound and welcome silence. Crosshanded is the first Amber Music CD of old-time Newfoundland songs sung a cappella by a Newfoundland singer. It is a beautiful tribute to the many singers who have helped to sustain the important and vibrant oral tradition throughout generations of Newfoundland culture. Anita is one of Newfoundland’s most fierce advocates and her devotion was met with the honouring of the Order of Canada.
“Ballads” is the solo debut of one of Newfoundland’s most authentic, vital and exceptional musical voices. Matthew Byrne is a talented storyteller. He has an innate knack for accentuating words and musical moments, adding a dramatic tone to a song. This collection of songs is an earnest, stark, sombre and picturesque representation of the authentic oral and narrative musical traditions of Newfoundland and the UK. He is a triple threat. His understanding of the ebb and flow of a narrative, his superb musicianship and his clean, clear tenor voice (we lovingly refer to him as Newfoundland’s James Taylor) all contribute to the splendor of the album. Ballads is an honestly delivered record. It is natural and has a timeless quality that is a product of Matthew’s acute sense of maintaining the structure and tradition of the songs. Byrne is an incredibly gifted musician and his confident playing hangs the perfect backdrop for his vocal. He is, in many ways, a folklorist. He comes from a long line of song collectors and in doing so; he is insuring the continuation of the art of storytelling and song that has become a cornerstone of the Newfoundland culture. His attention to musical detail, his beautifully sweet voice and exceptional playing have made this album a hugely popular release here at Fred’s.
Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club Quintette mesmerize the house with a heretofore-unknown style of music. The virtuoso guitar playing enchanting the audience and setting the stage for a Gypsy style that would change the face of Jazz and the perceptions of the instrument. Duane Andrews is the continuation of that wave. Crocus is our best seller of Duane’s and his effortless playing and keen sense of arrangement provide a Reinhardt inspired mélange of Jazz, Folk and original music.
