festival to go
various artists
Festival Distribution, Inc.
2000
20 tracks
This is not a review. Not really. It's more a matter of credit where credit is due. Once again, Festival Distribution has come out with a promotional CD compiling some of Canada's finest folk artists. You can't buy festival to go, volume 2, but you'll be hearing it in the background at some of your favourite music stores across the country. It's well worth the listen.
The twenty tracks on this release demonstrate not just the high quality but also the great diversity of Canadian folk music as we enter the new millenium. Starting off with "Acadian Saturday Night" by folk icon Stan Rogers, the listener is led from east to west and south to north across the country and to world cultures as disparate as Madagascar, the highlands of Vietnam, the merengue of Latin America, and traditional Sufi poetry. If anyone has any doubts of the vitality of Canadian music, this release should set those doubts to rest.
The broad eclectic nature of this selection makes it impossible to select any one number as best among them. Each stands out as exceptional in its own category. Some tracks did however, appeal to my personal tastes.
Madagascar Slim's "Fiantsoana"is a rousing five and a half minutes of Latin guitar and vocals reminiscent of the early Carlos Santana. Interestingly, Santana is not included among the several influences mentioned in the liner notes.
"Amalia" is another of those classy country folk songs by Susan Crowe. This is a traditional story-telling song of love that draws the listener in. It may be the similar name or perhaps something in the chord structure, or both in combination, but the chorus of this song is very reminiscent of Don Williams' "Amanda" released a quarter century ago. The similarity is not, however, close enough to pose a problem.
The very oriental sound of "Girl of the Forest" by the Khac Chi Ensemble manages to be also very suited to western ears. The interesting blend of instrumentation and voices gives the piece a full, almost orchestral sound. The rhythms interlaced throughout the piece carry the listener effortlessly forward, holding interest from beginning to end.
There is a haunting feel to "Restless Wind" as sung by yet another Canadian folk music icon, Juno winner Willie P. Bennett. The song starts off with almost a "Cat Came Back" sound but moves quickly to a more klesmer/gypsy sound that carries Bennett's story forward. As the song builds in intensity, the listener is drawn irrevocably into Bennett's world.
For sheer joy of expression, there's nothing quite like "Alexander William MacDonnell" by fiddler Jerry Holland. Who could sit still while listening to this rousing medly of three jigs? This piece is also credited as being the first recording of Cape Breton Music using Uillean pipes. And a wondrous sound it is!
Although it is not available to the general public, Festival Distribution is to be commended for assembling this broad compilation of Canadian folk music and for their continuing support of talented Canadian artists. It's well worth listening to at your local music store.
You can find more information on Festival Distribution at their internet home.
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Review Written: May 9, 2000
Page Last modified: February 14, 2004
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