- G l e n n G r a h a m -
STEP OUTSIDE !
BIOGRAPHY:
“A 2002 East Coast Music Award nominee for Male Artist and Roots-Traditional Artist of the year, it's no surprise to find Glenn Graham creating a stir on the music scene with his new release, "STEPOUTSIDE". What is a surprise is the scope of the project and the range of Glenn's talents that have previously gone unnoticed."
"Glenn has been a force to be reckoned with since he was a teenager. Influenced by the ancient sounds of the "Mabou Coal Mines" fiddle style, his roots go deep in the traditional Gaelic music of Cape Breton. Over four generations of his family have produced more than fifty musicians including fiddlers, piano players, Gaelic singers, pipers, poets/songwriters, composers and dancers. He released his first solo album "LET 'ER RIP" in 1996. A year later, teamed up with his cousin, Rodney MacDonald, they released "Traditionally Rockin'" which was a double nominee for Instrumental and Roots Traditional Artist of the year at the 1998 East Coast Music Awards. The band "Rodney and Glenn" quickly became in high demand at special events, festivals and dances."
"In 1999, Glenn began actively pursuing a solo career when Rodney moved on to a career in politics. Glenn took advantage of the change by beginning work on his next solo album. "STEPOUTSIDE", released in July 2000, is aptly named in that it brings many sides of Glenn's talents to the public eye for the first time. Although he has been known as a fiddler, Glenn has always had an interest in songwriting and singing. Teamed up this time with his sister Amy, Glenn's songwriting and singing play a major role in the album. The songs appeal to a broader audience-both young and old, traditional and mainstream. In addition to this, Amy's powerful vocals and Glenn's stirring songwriting are balanced by a mix of gutsy Celtic instrumentals. The force behind his interpretation of traditional and original compositions continues to support the central purpose of Cape Breton Music...to make one dance."
"Glenn Graham, along with his sister Amy and a band including some of Cape Breton's most innovative musicians, has appeared at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Lunenburg Folk Festival, Saint John Festival By the Sea, Granville Green Concert Series, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor Maine, and numerous other venues. Glenn continues to perform and teach fiddle throughout the Maritimes, Canada, the North-Eastern US and the United Kingdom. A Saint Francis Xavier University graduate---B.A. with Honours in Political Science, Glenn is now completing a thesis on the evolution of Cape Breton fiddling for his Masters in Atlantic Canada Studies at Saint Mary's University. All this and he's still in his twenties!"
While on a short vacation in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting a CEILIDH (pronounced kay-lee), Gaelic for party or gathering (with heart-stirring music of bagpipes and fiddles) at which Glenn Graham was one of the featured artists.
From the moment he picked up his fiddle the toes began to tap in time with the beat. We were treated with a wonderful evening of traditional Gaelic song, music and step dance.
Glenn Graham comes from an area of Cape Breton that has been home to other great artists like "The Rankin Family."
From a family of artists, Glenn shows the talent that will turn any gathering into a musical feast. If you enter tired and low in spirit, you will leave excited humming and taping a Gaelic song or reel.
“Tempest Gaels” begins this CD and moves to a number of songs that shows the skill of Glenn. In particular, I liked the "Lost", the Reels and the closing with "Shifting Gears" which I heard live.
I recommend GLENN GRAHAM and encourage our readers to consider seeing or booking Glenn for a live performance.
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Step Outside
(Compact Disc/Cassette) released summer of 2000,
Glenn Graham featuring Amy Graham; engineered by Mike Shepherd and
Gordie Sampson. Special appearances by guest musicians Gordie
Sampson (electric, acoustic and bass guitars, piano, Joel Chiasson
(Piano), Patrick Gillis (acoustic guitar), Eddie Woodsworth (bass),
Matthew Foulds (drums and percussion, keyboards), Kim Dunn
(Hammond), Brian Talbot (drums). Various producers: Glenn Graham,
Gordie Sampson, Matthew Foulds, Mike Shepherd and Amy Graham.
Purchase at Castlebay Music
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Review by: EEHealy
Published by: Capital Celtic Network
Year Written: 2003
