December 08, 2006
Barra MacNeils take Celtic Christmas cheer across Canada, but bring bad weather
Cam Fuller, The Saskatoon StarPhoenix

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. Back home, it was 12C.

The weather was considerably less Christmassy when the Barras recorded the album that has spawned their massive national tour, The Barra MacNeils Christmas Album II. They worked on it in the summer at Kyle and Anita MacNeil's home -- with the air conditioning on max and platters of comfort food on hand. Santa has been good to these boys and girls. Their 2000 Christmas special still airs on CMT in Canada and PBS in the United States. They also have a Cape Breton Christmas DVD. People liked the Celtic flavouring of the first album so much, some play it year-round, Stewart MacNeil said.

There was no tampering with the successful formula on the sequel. "It's mix of well-known traditional stuff and some more obscure pieces as well," he said.

Lucy's vocals on the Cape Breton-styled arrangement of Ave Maria is a big favourite. So is the little-known Stan Rogers tune, At Last I'm Ready for Christmas. (The joke there is that the singer is ready with only two hours to spare). "It's a fun one and there are a lot of people in the audience who share the feeling."

The MacNeils can identify. With 20 shows in December alone, there's not much time to prepare for Christmas.

"I tell you, jewelry gets popular," says Stewart. "It's a tricky time to balance the whole thing, for sure."

The family's live show features step dancing, some "very dramatic performances," humorous stories and stories of reflection.

"It's just a lot of fun," says Stewart. "A lot of people say once they see the show they're in the mood for Christmas."

The Barra MacNeils play Centrepointe Theatre Dec. 19. Tickets & times, 613-580-2700.

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