December 17, 2007
Barras keep kinship in Christmas
IF YOU BELIEVE the holidays are all about families, Bravo is wrapping up something with you in mind. Christmas Together with the Barra MacNeils premieres Saturday at 10 p.m. on the specialty channel and it’s another opportunity for the musical Sydney Mines....  read more

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December 17, 2007
Barra MacNeils star in new TV Christmas special airing Saturday
SYDNEY — Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils star in a new one-hour television special that premieres Saturday at 10 p.m. on Bravo.  read more

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December 10, 2007
Christmas Together With The Barra MacNeils premieres December 22 on Bravo!

Christmas Together With The Barra MacNeils, a new one-hour music special featuring a live concert with Canada’s leading Celtic performers The Barra MacNeils premieres Saturday, December 22 at 9pm ET / 10pm AT on Bravo!. Produced by Halifax-based New Scotland Pictures Inc. in association with Bravo!, the show features music from... read more

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December 3, 2007
BARRA MACNEILS HALIFAX SHOW SOLD OUT… SECOND SHOW ADDED

The Barra MacNeils’ Christmas show at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on December 23 is sold out. A second show has been added at 4 pm the same day. Tickets are now on sale for the new show at the Rebecca Cohn box office... read more

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Christmas Together with the Barra MacNeils to air December 22, 2007
On December 22 at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT (repeating Dec. 25 at 6:00 pm ET/3:00 pm PT)
Bravo! Will premiere Christmas Together with the Barra MacNeils.

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October 31, 2007
Barra MacNeils anniversary CD chronicles the history of one of the
East Coast’s most popular groups

Last week I mentioned the Celtic Colours tribute to the Barra MacNeils, honouring their 20 years in the music business. Over that time they have performed before audiences all over the world. They have been featured on a number of their own TV specials... read more

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October 15, 2007
Celtic Colours ends on high note
The Barra MacNeils took the 11th edition of the Celtic Colours International Festival to a roaring finish Saturday night. The concert held at the Sydney Marine Terminal was a celebration of the Sydney Mines band’s work over the last two decades, in which they carved out a significant niche for themselves in the traditional music scene... read more

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September 16, 2007
Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils are before the camera in Halifax this week
Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils are before the camera in Halifax this week, filming a Christmas special for national broadcast later this year, with an eye towards possible PBS airings south of the border...  read more

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May 31, 2007
Two decades and counting: Barra MacNeils will celebrate 20th anniversary with new CD

Wondering just how long the Barra MacNeils have been around?  Well consider this... Ryan MacNeil, 31, and his brother Boyd, 26, now full-fledged members of the group, were still in elementary school when older siblings Sheumas, Kyle, Stewart and Lucy put out their first self-titled album, The Barra MacNeils, in 1986... read more

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May 2, 2007
Ryan and Boyd MacNeil from the Barra MacNeils join the
legendary Chieftains on Japanese tour in June!

Barra MacNeils, Ryan and Boyd MacNeil will be joining the legendary Chieftains on their upcoming tour of Japan... read more

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January 26, 2007
Musical mother lode: Six siblings strike melodic gold in Barra MacNeils

When it comes to music, Mother MacNeil knows best. “Our mother grew up in the center of Cape Breton Island, a town called Washabuck, and the only musical training she had was learning to play by ear,” said Stewart MacNeil, one of the six MacNeil offspring that comprise the band the Barra MacNeils... read more

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January 3, 2007
Christmas in Cape Breton

Twenty years playing music for a living is the kind of career bands dream of, but few manage to do it with any kind of consistent success. Fewer still become cultural institutions, but Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils can rest assured their achievement is etched in stone...  read more

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December 21, 2006
A Barra li'l Christmas. The Barra MacNeils get in the yuletide mood

If the Barra MacNeils are in town, chances are snow will follow. "It would appear we bring Christmas wherever we go," said Stewart MacNeil, who is on his family's holiday tour of Canada.  read more

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December 19, 2006
Barra MacNeils wrap up holiday tour at home

GLACE BAY — Lift the Barra MacNeils’ Christmas Album II out of its case and a collection of family holiday photos is revealed. A quick glance at the collage of pictures on the CD cover — kids in their pyjamas on Christmas morning, posing in front of the Christmas tree, an impromptu holiday ceilidh... read more

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December 19, 2006
Christmas traditions: The Barra MacNeils holiday spirit alive with new CD, tour

THE WORDS of At Last I'm Ready For Christmas may resonate with audience members at the Barra MacNeils' Christmas shows... read more

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December 9, 2006
Barra MacNeils offer Christmas for the Celtic soul

Stewart MacNeil can't put his finger on the reason why Cape Breton music has gained such momentum over the 20 years his band, the Barra MacNeils, started singing in public, but Bob MacLean has his own theory... read more

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December 08, 2006
Barra MacNeils take Celtic Christmas cheer across Canada, but bring bad weather

They're on a Christmas tour and, wouldn't you know it, the Barra MacNeils were dashing through the snow. Stepping off the ferry recently from Vancouver Island, the family band from Sydney Mines, N.S., encountered knee-deep snow drifts... read more

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December 07, 2006
Barra MacNeils performance: ‘very much a Christmas show’

In the summer’s heat, the Barra MacNeils recorded their second Christmas album. “We kept the air conditioning cranked,” joked Stewart MacNeil as he helped the band promote its Tuesday night concert at the Academy. read more

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December 4, 2006
Christmas Daddies hauls in nearly $300,000
Premier performs at telethon for less fortunate children

This year’s 32nd annual Christmas Daddies telethon had performances from the usual suspects of the Barra MacNeils, The Cottars, Matt Minglewood and Rita MacNeil...  read more

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November 28 2006

The Barra MacNeils add Second Show in Halifax... read more
The Barra MacNeils add Second Show in Glace Bay/Sydney... read more

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November 28 2006
Barra MacNeils set tone a month before Christmas

The family that sings together does not bicker with one another. At least, not often. So it is with Cape Breton natives The Barra MacNeils, returning to Victoria this weekend. Stewart MacNeil, the Celtic band's step-dancing vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, says he and his five siblings rarely argue... read more

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November 24, 2006
Family steps to the music for 20 years
The Barra MacNeils welcome all to their Cape Breton Christmas . When it comes to musical families, the Osmonds, Partridges and Jackson Five come to mind. But up here in Canada, the families that stand out are Leahy, the Rankins and the Barra MacNeils... read more

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The Barra MacNeils Christmas Album II
In stores: Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Christmas Album II is the Barra MacNeils’ second seasonal recording, following 1999’s The Christmas Album. In November and December, the band will be performing dates across Canada as part of their annual Christmas Tour in support of The Christmas Album II
(see Tour page)

Recorded at Kyle and Anita MacNeil’s home on the Mira and Soundpark Studio, Cape Breton, NS. Engineered by Jamie Foulds and Boyd MacNeil. Produced by The Barra MacNeils

Christmas Album Media Sheet (PDF)

Track listing:

  1. I Saw Three Ships

  2. At Last I’m Ready For Christmas

  3. On The Very First Christmas

  4. Angels We Have Heard On High

  5. Good King Wenceslas

  6. The Gathering Set

  7. Christmas Together

  8. Childhood Christmas

  9. Ave Maria

  10. Dancing Angels

  11. Merrily On High

  12. Joy To The World

  13. Oran nan Cailleachan (Song Of The Old Ladies)

  14. Christmas Ceilidh

  15. Samhach an Oidhch’ (Silent Night)

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November 3, 2006
The Barra MacNeils to embark on national tour in support
of their new release, The Christmas Album II

Award-winning, Celtic group The Barra MacNeils will be performing dates across Canada this November and December. The shows are in support of the band’s upcoming release The Christmas Album II (Fontana North/Universal Music Canada) in stores nationally...
read more

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October 13, 2006
Unusual Suspects rounded up once again. Folk orchestra tapped to close Celtic Colours

A stage full of musicians and just 10 hours to rehearse together before performing in two of Celtic Colours’ most anticipated shows...  read more

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October 5, 2006
The Barra MacNeils Kick Off Nova Scotia Music Week Festivities
With special guest JD Clarke

2 Time Music Nova Scotia nominees The Barra McNeils will get the party rolling in Liverpool as they kick off Nova Scotia Music Week festivities November 9th... read more

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September 27, 2006
Barra MacNeils Return After Successful String of Shows - Prepare for Celtic Colours – Christmas CD and Tour to Follow

Cape Breton’s Barra MacNeils returned home yesterday after a whirlwind of activity with the band selling shows out and wowing festival audiences on both sides of the Canada....  read more

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September 3, 2006
Barra MacNeils return

One of Canada's premier Celtic groups is coming to Vernon to play at the Family Resource Centre's fourth annual christmas concert. The Barra MacNeils will perform at the Performing Arts Centre Nov. 29 for the centre's annual fundraiser for counselling programs.  read more

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June 29, 2006
Celtic Colours welcomes Bela Fleck
Banjo whiz joins global lineup for 10th anniversary of Celtic Music Fest

Global stars of traditional and progressive folk music, as well as a host of local legends and up-and-coming performers, are on tap for the 10th anniversary of Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours International Festival, taking place Oct. 6 to 14.  read more

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May 26, 2006
THE BARRA MACNEILS featured on two new compilation albums

The Barra MacNeils are being featured on two new compilation albums - one in honour of the godfather of Celtic music - John Allan Cameron, the other - a celebration of the best in Atlantic Canadian traditional music...  read more

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May 26, 2006
The Barra MacNeils: All At Once (CD REVIEW)

The Barra MacNeils are famous for their dynamic approach to tradition. Here they bring tradition into the present with a selection and style that can be truly called Con -temporary Canadian Cape Breton Celtic... read more

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April 22, 2006
At 20, Barra MacNeils still as fresh as ever Family band fabulous in Pops Concert
By Stephen Pederson, Halifax Herald... read more

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March 13, 2006
Barra NacNeils in Truro March 18th!

They Sing, they play, they dance and they're coming to Truro.  The Canadian Mental Health Association Colchester East Hants Branch presents the Barra MacNeils, March 18 at the CEC.  The multi award winning Barra MacNeils play their own distinctive brand of Celtic music as they continue to wow audiences around the world.  Tickets are $35 available at MacQuarries Pharmasave on the Esplanade.  One night and one night only.  Don't miss the captivating vocals and harmonies of the Barra MacNeils, March 18, 7pm at the CEC Auditorium.

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February 7, 2006
East Coast Music Association announces Concert Series lineup for ECMA 2006
read more

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October 27, 2005
Island Clan Back On Celtic Circuit After Lengthy Pause
by Greg Quill, entertainment columnist for The Toronto Star... read more

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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. 
read more

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October 25, 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... read more

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October 25, 2005
Acoustic Performance and Signing
The Barra MacNeils will appear at the CD Plus in Halifax Shopping Centre for an acoustic performance and signing , Thursday, November 3rd, 7pm

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October 12, 2005
Eric Lewis Music Reviews
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... read more

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October 6, 2005
All At Once NOW AVAILABLE!
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)... read more

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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... read more

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April 15, 2005
Artists Unite to Honour John Allan Cameron
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... read more

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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