Tag Archives: Cape Breton

Great Scot! music recommendation for March 10, 2014 – Rankin Family Gaelic Melody

I’ve returned once again to Gàidhlig songs for our musical recommendation today.  I wanted something especially upbeat to help deal with post-DST Monday morning blahs.  This is the Rankin Family with one of my favorite pieces.  I like the fact that the medley has a range of tempos.

Interestingly, I had the opportunity to speak to Raylene one time about the Gaelic songs that were in the Rankin Family repertoire. She told me that they mostly learned the songs phonetically since none of the sisters spoke Gàidhlig.  I thought this was interesting since the Rankins are from Mabou, Cape Breton, NS where Gàidhlig traditions have held pretty strong.

Rankin Family – Gaelic Medley

Gàidhlig music recommendation for February 21, 2014 – Cathy Ann MacPhee and Mary Jane Lamond – Celtic Colours 2011

I thought this would be a very interesting selection today.  It is a recording from the Celtic Colours International Festival featuring Cape Breton artist Mary Jane Lamond and Scottish singer Cathy Ann MacPhee.  What is fascinating to me is that they both sing the same song in the way in which they learned it. It shows how the song has evolved and changed on its journey from Scotland across the sea to Cape Breton. There is about a minute of dialogue before they actually start singing but I thought it was too interesting to cut out.  I hope you enjoy!

Cathy Ann MacPhee and Mary Jane Lamond – Celtic Colours 2011

I have been to the Celtic Colours International Festival and it is a wonderful experience for music lovers. It brings together artists from all over the world to various venues over nine days in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  For more information, you can see the Celtic Colours International Festival website.

Gàidhlig Song of the day (February 13, 2014) The Rankin Family – Chi Mi Na Morbheanna

The Gàidhlig song of the day is by one of my favorite Cape Breton groups – The Rankin Family.  The Rankin Family group was comprised of 3 brothers and 2 sisters from Mabou, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  Unfortunately, two members of the group, John Morris Rankin and Raylene Rankin, are no longer with us, but the pure harmonies in the recordings they left behind are magical.  I was privileged to see the Rankin Family perform live many times and it was through hearing them talk about the beauty of their home in Cape Breton that I began visiting there myself.  I can honestly say that I don’t think I have been any more beautiful than Mabou, Cape Breton.

The Rankin Family – Chi Mi Na Morbheanna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZlQW4O4NpI