Here's a lovely recording that I digitized last year from one of Joseph Drody's tapes, labelled simply, "Old Songs From MaryEllen." It features Joseph's sister MaryEllen Drody-Savidant singing a selection of of old folk, country, and sentimental songs as well as picking a few lively fiddle tunes on the mandolin. MaryEllen is joined by her daughter Debbie … Continue reading Old Songs From MaryEllen
Author: Glenn Patterson
What’s in our archives? The GCSA Performer Index
On several occasions Leo Fitzpatrick has told me that through the years, when he would meet nephews, nieces and other relatives of people he had recorded and mention that he had a recording of their family member, they were often unaware that their relatives even sang or played music. Part of my job is to … Continue reading What’s in our archives? The GCSA Performer Index
GCSA at the Barachois Farmers’ Market (and the Barachois Wellness Centre CD Sampler)
This morning Cheryl Henry-Leggo (Executive Director of Vision Gaspé-Percé) and I headed down to the market put on by the Barachois and Area Development Committee outside the Rec Centre to share the recordings we have archived and information about our project and Vision's other activities. There were about a dozen stalls featuring crafts, baked goods, … Continue reading GCSA at the Barachois Farmers’ Market (and the Barachois Wellness Centre CD Sampler)
Preserving Gaspesian Musical Heritage and Leo’s First Tape (1958)
Today marks a milestone in my time as a researcher and community music advocate in the Gaspé. Over a year ago in August 2015, I approached Leo Fitzpatrick of Gaspé Harbour to express my interest in working with his massive collection of home recordings (over 440 tapes) that he made between 1958 and 2000. I … Continue reading Preserving Gaspesian Musical Heritage and Leo’s First Tape (1958)
Nash Stanley and the Gaspé Twang – Live at Shigawake Music Festival
Here are three YouTube clips I recently uploaded to the archives' YouTube channel. They feature Nash Stanley and the Gaspé Twang (Don Barclay - 2nd guitar, vocals; Glenn Patterson - fiddle) at this year's Shigawake Agricultural Fair and Music Festival (footage courtesy of Anna Swanson). Shigawake is a special community and its festival a real … Continue reading Nash Stanley and the Gaspé Twang – Live at Shigawake Music Festival
From the ABBA Tribute at Gaspé Elementary School
In today's post, I'm sharing a few recordings and pictures from the ABBA tribute show directed by Karen Briand at Gaspé Elementary School in June. I won't say much about the show because, judging by the attendance, it's not too much an exaggeration to claim that a good percentage of Gaspé's English-speaking community was there that night. … Continue reading From the ABBA Tribute at Gaspé Elementary School
How To Chord For Fiddlers – With Brigid Drody
One of the aims of this project is to provide aspiring musicians in the community with resources to develop their playing or singing. There's a lot of practical knowledge about playing music among the wider Gaspesian community at home and away. The archives can, in a small way, help convey this know-how. In a region … Continue reading How To Chord For Fiddlers – With Brigid Drody
Live From Brigid’s Trailer (2013) – Brian Morris and Brigid Drody
In today's post, I'm happy to share with you what are perhaps my favourite field recordings I've made to date. In late August and early September 2013, I was hanging out at the Pembroke Fiddle and Step Dance festival around the legendary blue Gaspé Tent. Towards the end of the week, Brian Morris showed up … Continue reading Live From Brigid’s Trailer (2013) – Brian Morris and Brigid Drody
Grad Song (Nash Stanley)
Last Saturday (June 18), I was invited by Nash Stanley and CLC coordinator Don Barclay to perform at the Gaspé Polyvalente high school graduation ceremony for the English section. He'd written this song as a surprise for his fellow graduates. Don Barlay (acoustic guitar), Richard Jalbert (bass), and myself were the backup band. Nash arrived … Continue reading Grad Song (Nash Stanley)
Nash Stanley – Interview and Recordings (November 8, 2015)
Here are some recordings and an interview I've been wanting to share for a few months. Last November, I spent an afternoon with Nash Stanley at his family's home in York. We recorded about a dozen songs and did an interview about his music. I provided some lead guitar and fiddle on two of the … Continue reading Nash Stanley – Interview and Recordings (November 8, 2015)
Gaspesian Community Sound 