October 27, 2005
Island Clan Back On Celtic Circuit After Lengthy Pause Tide coming in for folk acts Fans want 'what's real,' says Barra MacNeils leader
by Greg Quill, (entertainment columnist)

The way Stewart MacNeil sees it, Newfoundland folk-pop outfit Great Big Sea responded to a loud and clear message from its legions of fans when it released its latest CD, The Hard and the Easy, a couple of weeks ago. In its first week, the album of traditional seafaring and rural Newfoundland folk songs was the third best selling pop album in Canada.

"They want more folk music," says MacNeil, singer and multi-instrumentalist with the chronically gifted Barra MacNeils, arguably among the world's finest practitioners of Canadianized Celtic music, from the family band's home at Sydney Mines in Nova Scotia. The Barras' ninth album, All at Once, is out this week, and will be previewed live in three rare Ontario performances - tonight at Hugh's Room, tomorrow night at le Parc in Markham, and Sunday at the Empire Ballroom in Belleville.

"People everywhere want to hear more traditional music, more of what's real," says MacNeil, who unlike many in the biz is not surprised by Great Big Sea's seemingly daring move.

"The Celtic music audience has never been stronger, even though there has been a fall-off in the number of artists who were out there a few years back. We did the big nine-day Celtic Colours International Festival on Cape Breton Island earlier this month, along with hundreds of other acts from all over the world. And we do as many as five Celtic concerts every season when we tour in the U.S."

The band is booked up through the end of next year, and as soon as the current tour ends Nov. 28, they'll be teaming up with not-so-distant cousin Rita McNeil for her cross-country Christmas tour, which touches down in London, Kitchener, Welland, Hamilton and Brantford in mid-December.

A six-piece band since the recent addition of brothers Ryan (piano, uillean pipes) and Boyd (fiddle, guitars, mandolin) - their folk band Slaint Mhaith is on hiatus while some of its members finish school - the Barra MacNeils now boasts a full complement of MacNeil siblings, along with fiddler, guitarist and mandolin player Kyle, and singer, fiddler, harpist and step-dancer Lucy. All at Once, contains mostly band originals or MacNeil arrangements of traditional jigs and reels, as well as a vigorous rendition of Irish songwriter Luka Bloom's "You Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time," and an equally rousing version of Canadian folk star and multi-award winning songwriter David Francey's "A Thousand Miles."

"We met David at a North American Folk Alliance conference in Florida a few years ago, just after his first album came out," MacNeil recalls. "He was playing music part-time and working as a carpenter in the building trade. I bumped into him recently and told him he seems to have grown into a career since that first time."

All at Once is for the most part an upbeat celebration of Celtic musical currents, old and new, tempered by some gentler, world music inflections. It's the Barras' first album in five years, and was almost three years in the making - at studios on Cape Breton with veteran folk music producer Delcan O'Doherty and producer/engineer Jamie Foulds at the controls. Cape songwriter/guitarist Gordie Sampson plays on several tracks, and co-wrote the opener, "Haven't Got a Care."

"Life kicked in," MacNeil explains. "In that time, our parents have celebrated the arrival of four new grandchildren. We had to scale back on touring, so we took a break from recording, as well. When we got back into it, we realized we didn't have enough of the right material for a whole band album, so we took another year off to write. Then Ryan and Boyd came aboard, so we had to rejig everything.

"I think the result is worth the wait. All our strengths seem to have come forward in this one recording. It's a mix of traditional and contemporary, with lots of voices and musical styles. It's wonderful to have the whole family in the band. The music feels very strong."

October 25, 2005
Barra Macneils Hire New Management And Join Rita MacNeil's
Cape Breton Christmas Tour

Cape Breton's Juno award-winning Celtic group, The Barra MacNeils, have teamed with fellow Canadian Juno winner Rita MacNeil, to play Rita MacNeils Cape Breton Christmas Tour, a series of dates throughout the Christmas season, concentrated in Ontario, British Columbia and the Prairie provinces. Cape Breton tenor Peter Gillis also joins the tour's roster.

The Barra MacNeils are also pleased to announce that, effective immediately, they will be working with artist manager Andre Bourgeois and his company Instinct Artist Management. Bourgeois will be offering career direction and artist management for the group, who recently released their ninth LP All At Once (Shoreline/MapleNationwide). The exciting addition of younger siblings Boyd and Ryan MacNeil to the family group delivers a rejuvenated and energized sound, taking their new live show to heights never before reached by the diverse and talented musical family.

October 24, 2005
Barra MacNeils Follow Instinct!

Cape Breton Nova Scotia's most enduring family group, The Barra MacNeils, are pleased to announce that effective immediately they will be working with artist manager, Andre Bourgeois and his company Instinct Artist Management. Bourgeois will be offering career direction and artist management for the group who just recently released their new CD, All At Once, their ninth.

The Barra MacNeils are Canada's premier traditional Celtic group, steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry, this diverse and talented musical family continues to wow audiences around the world with their captivating vocal harmonies and extraordinary musicianship. The much anticipated, All At Once, CD features the exciting addition of younger siblings, Boyd and Ryan MacNeil to the family group, delivering a rejuvenated and energized sound; taking their new live show right over the top and beyond.

The Barra MacNeils are currently touring extensively in Canada and America with new dates being added daily for 2006. The group will be touring major market theatres coast to coast with Rita MacNeil though November and December 2005

October 12, 2005
The Barra MacNeils "All At Once" (Shoreline Records)
Eric Lewis Music Reviews, Moncton Times & Transcript

A beautiful record from Canada's premiere Celtic ambassadors. The recent addition of two more MacNeils brings the Cape Breton group's numbers to six for this new album.

Starting off with Haven't Got A Care and A Thousand Miles, these are wonderful, carefree folk songs with a strong Celtic influence. Their famed harmonies are as beautiful as ever on A Thousand Miles and their musicianship is just phenomenal throughout the album. On The Keeping It Reel, the band shows off with some fiddle, acoustic guitar and acoustic bass solos. The song has a real jazzy feel, showing that this group doesn't only come from one school of music. Their base is obviously Celtic and folk, but they blend bits of pop, World, jazz and traditional in to keep things fresh.

I was shocked to hear Craobh Nan Ubhal (The Apple Tree), an atmospheric, harmony laden World music song. Not being too familiar with the MacNeils and expecting a completely Celtic listen, this was a pleasant surprise.

If you're a Celtic music fan, you're already way ahead of me on this. If you're not and tend to cringe at that stuff, give this an honest try. Their sound is never overbearing or cringe-inducing and they tend to mix enough styles so it never gets old. The musicianship is worth the listen alone.

October 6, 2005
All At Once NOW AVAILABLE!

All At Once NOW AVAILABLE at your favourite record store or order on line.

The Barra MacNeils have just released their ninth recording, All At Once through a national arrangement through Shoreline/ Maple Music Recordings (distributed by Universal Music Canada). This much anticipated new CD features the addition of siblings, Boyd and Ryan MacNeil to this diverse and talented family group delivering an exhilarating and rejuvenated sound.

All At Once, is now available at your favourite record store or from our online store. If you have not picked up your copy yet, do so... this may be one of the best albums to date!

For regular newletter updates on the Barra MacNeils, sign up here for the Barra MacNeils newsletter.

August 5, 2005
The Barra MacNeils nominated for Best Folk / Traditional Group
at the 2005 Celtic Fusion Awards

Canada's Celtic ambassadors, the Barra MacNeils have been nominated for Best Folk/ Traditional Group at the 2005 Celtic Fusion Awards.

Having just returned from Ireland with the exciting news, The Barra's couldn't be happier about their international recognition. "To be recognized in the international marketplace is a great honour", says smiling Sheumas MacNeil. "There is nothing finer than being recognized for our music. We love to perform and getting a nomination for doing what we love to do is the best gift of all."

For the three years the Down District Council of Ireland has welcomed almost forty Canadian musicians and artists to participate in Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival. This years festival, in association with the Irish Music Magazine, will see the launch of the 2005 Celtic Fusion Awards. For more information on the in 2005 Celtic Fusion Awards visit www.celticfusion.co.uk.

The Barra MacNeils, from Sydney Mines Nova Scotia, are one of Canada's premier Celtic groups steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry. This diverse and talented family group continues to wow audiences around the world with their captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship. Their much-anticipated new CD, All At Once (scheduled for release September 13th through Shoreline/ Maplemusic recordings) features the addition of siblings Boyd and Ryan MacNeil and delivers an exhilarating and rejuvenated sound. The Barra MacNeils are now touring continuing to delight audiences throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.

Other 2005 Celtic Fusion Awards nominees include Riverdance, Slaidh Notes, At The Racket, Dougie MacLean, Four Men And A Dog, De Dannan with special guests Eleanor Stanley, Paul Brady, Shooglenity, Sharon Shannon, Altan, La Bottine Souriante, Michael McCormick, Danu, Don MacLean, Lunasa, At First Light, Finlay MacDonald, Eleanor McEvoy, Flook, Saltfishforty, Salsa Celtica, Robert Watt, Frances Black, Dervish and Celtic Storm.

April 15, 2005
Artists Unite to Honour John Allan Cameron

The Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
Thursday May 19 at 8:00 p.m.

» with performances by:
Rita MacNeil, Jimmy Rankin, The Barra MacNeils, Singalong Jubilee Reunion, Buddy MacDonald, Jerry Holland, Dave Gunning, Fred Lavery and Scott Long

» hosted by:
Denis Ryan and Eric MacEwen

» with an all-star house band including: 
Al Bennett, Dave MacIsaac, Stuart Cameron, Sheamus MacNeil, Wendy MacIsaac and the talents of Bruce Timmins, Robbie MacNeil , David Isner and Ryan and Boyd MacNeil

John Allan Cameron "The Godfather of Celtic Music" - The Celtic heart beats strong for John Allan Cameron , a man who has captivated audiences around the world. His unique blend of music and story telling combined with his quick sense of humour guaranteed to make his performances "events" that would not soon be forgotten. His lifetime of music and commitment to the arts render John Allan Cameron a national treasure. He has toured the world and released more than ten albums in a career that's spanned over thirty years. A tribute concert for John Allan will take place at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Thursday, May 19th at 8pm. This gala musical event pays tribute to John Allan, his songs and his innovative 12 string guitar medleys that put Celtic music on the map. John Meir, co-organizer of the concert with Dave Gunning and Brookes Diamond , commented "It is truly heart-warming to see the number of Nova Scotia performers willing to donate their time and talents to honour a world-class entertainer". All of the performers have been influenced by John Allan at various times in their musical career either through touring or recording, or by his leadership role in spearheading the Celtic music revival.

Tickets are now available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office. All proceeds from this concert will go to John Allan Cameron to help with his medical expenses.

About John Allan Cameron - John Allan Cameron was Celtic when Celtic wasn't cool. He was a lone voice for the Celtic tradition for decades and yet, he became and still is a household name in Canada. He introduced a brand of what would become known as Cape Breton music in the 1960s when he started picking traditional Scottish pipe tunes on twelve-string guitar.

On April 13, 2003, John was honoured by his family, friends and fans at the Bow and Arrow in Toronto, in celebration of his induction into the Order of Canada, to be presented to him later this year in Ottawa by the Governor of Canada. John Allan is receiving his OC in recognition of his efforts for over 30 years in establishing and growing the wonderful Celtic music scene in Canada.

Born in Cape Breton in 1938 to a very musical family , h e brought Celtic music to the masses and blazed a trail of success for other East Coast artists to follow. He began playing the guitar as a teenager and moved to Ottawa in 1957 to become a priest. He left and studied education at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia performing on campus with a group called the Cavaliers. After teaching in London, Ontario, he resumed music in 1968 playing traditional Scottish and Irish music at the Newport and Mariposa Folk Festivals. Canadians enjoyed the nationally televised John Allan Cameron Show between 1975 and 1981.

He signed with Apex and recorded Here Comes John Allan Cameron (1968) and The Minstrel of Cranberry Lane (1969). A contract with Balmur Ltd. produced Get There by Dawn (1972) and Lord of the Dance (1973). Cameron has frequently performed with the Cape Breton Symphony comprised of accordionist/pianist Bobby Brown and fiddlers Winston Fitzgerald, Wilfred Gillen and John Donald Cameron. Other albums include Weddings, Wakes & Other Things (1976), Fiddle (1978), Freeborn Man (1979), Good Times (1987), Wind Willow (1991) and two volumes of Classic John Allan (1992).