Since October 2019, I have been working for the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network on a Canadian Heritage-funded called "A Different Tune: Musical Heritage in English-Speaking Quebec." It's a survey of the diverse grassroots musical cultures across Quebec's English-speaking communities, both rural and urban. This past March, I was en route to Shigawake and Gaspé when … Continue reading The Shigawake Fair Presents: Thirsty Thursdays 2020 (Facebook Edition)
live recordings
April 15, 1989: “Community Radio Awareness Day” on Radio-Gaspésie
Today, I'd like to share a lovely but somewhat unusual item from our archives, a tape I found in the late Willie Methot's collection, courtesy of his wife Myrna. It features a 1989 broadcast on Radio-Gaspésie hosted by Chester Cotton (from the station's former "English Hour" program), CBC Radio's Louise Penney (now a world-renowned mystery … Continue reading April 15, 1989: “Community Radio Awareness Day” on Radio-Gaspésie
Gérard Durette at the Wakeham-York Homecoming Fiddle Contest
... perhaps the most significant phenomenon in the English-speaking community was the 10-day Wakeham-York Homecoming Festival which ran for 25 years starting in 1978. I'll say more about the festival in future posts but for now, I want to note that it has been both interesting but also very complicated trying to write about something I never experienced myself (I began coming to Gaspé about six years after the festival folded). Still, many people talk about the festival and I want to give it its due when I write about it. I'll return to this topic at the end of the post.
The Sands Of Haldimand
Today, when there's a freezing blizzard outside, there's nothing like thinking about Haldimand beach on a scorching hot, humid day in early September, right? Don't worry, seasonal music is on the way in the coming weeks! But today, I'm very pleased to share with you a bit of collaborative writing that Vicki Boyle LePage and I … Continue reading The Sands Of Haldimand
Daytona 500 Music Video – The Gaspé Project
Thierry Haroun, local SPEC and LeDevoir journalist, sent me this video taken during the launch of their CD last month at Frontibus Bistro in Gaspé. A great rock performance and a band sound that reminds me of late 1980s Tragically Hip. Enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIKHmps-X38
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
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)
Tammy Adams: Interview and Concert Recordings
Context On October 31, 2015, Tammy Adams performed at the Gaspé Legion for their annual Halloween Party. The hall was packed with costumed revellers whom Tammy kept on the dance floor all night with her voice, guitar, and laptop containing her library of mp3 backing tracks. I was amazed at Tammy’s endless energy on stage and … Continue reading Tammy Adams: Interview and Concert Recordings
Gaspesian Community Sound 