GREAT MEADOW MUSIC
Other Great Music
Here is a feast of Contra music. For example, here is Tidal Wave, with the exciting Quebecois band that is currently the hottest band in New England. Then there is the Dick Richardson book and CD. Dick was one of the classic old time New England band leaders. The Big Bang CD really does make a BIG bang! Uncle Gizmo makes me happy. Check out these great CD's here.
Tidal Wave Raz-de-Marée
CD - $15
Hear Clip From Track #8
Hear Clip From Track #4
Tidal Wave Contra music of Quebec! Although grounded in traditional Quebec rhythms and melodies, this music is innovative and refreshing. Tidal Wave, or Raz-de-Marée, with its cross-border personnel, proves that music not only transcends national boundaries, but brings people together. Prepare to be swept up in this glorious, perfect musical storm. And the liner notes are completely bilingual, French and English!
- 1. Reel de Boucherville/ Dedicado à Joe/ Racine de la pièce Mexicaine/ Reel de ti-minous
2. Gueussinette
3. Reel de Valleyfield/ Polka chinoise/ Clog Parizeau
4. Reel à Bruce/ Reel de Terrebonne/ Reel du Nord
5. Reel à Cédulie/ reel indien
6. Quadrille de Beauharnois/ reel américain/ reel de Bergeville/ reel du Bonhomme
7. La valse Bernadette
8. repertoire famille Pigeon/ repertoire G.Lajois/ reel St-Michel
9. Galope des pionniers’s
10. Hommage à Philippe Breuneau/ Reel de beloeil/ Hommage à Gilles Laprise
11. Les six-huits à Sabin 6/8 des rapides/ 6/8 de Lachine/ - 6/8 de l’éclusier
12. Reel du voyage
Sabin Jacques accordion, Rachel Aucoin, piano Stuart Kenney bass, with Andres Brunet, Eric Favreau and Claudine Arcand - violins 2007
Total time: 56:07 minutes
Faster than a Walk
CD - $15
The Moving Violations The New England Contra dance is driven by the music, and The Moving Violations is one the most exciting drivers. A mix of traditional tunes and melodies from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe make them special favorites. Van Kaynor and Ron Grosslein, longtime fiddle favorites on the New England dance scene, lead and inspire the quintet. Their fans expect the unexpected.
- 1. Oak Leaf, Catharsis
- 2. Mazas Comes to Montague, Vivaldi In Paradise, Nova Scotia Cocek
- 3. Hjemlengsel
- 4. Balkanesque, Feciorsti, Barbuncul din Nasaud
- 5. Wild One, Indian Point, Glass Island
- 6. Kiss Me Joe, Music for A Found Hamonium, Sunny Monday Reel
- 7. Slipstenen
- 8. Trip to Durrow, Plank House, The Curvy Road to Corinth
9. The Jewel Tune, Briul de la Fagaras, The Carpathian Tune- 10. La Llorona
- 11. All My Friends, Jackie Coleman's, Sleepy Maggie
- 12. Des Oignons, Reel des Jeunes Maries, Reel de Montreal
- 13. Schottis fran Stensele
- 14. Cul Aodh, The Cliffs of Moher, The Red Crow
- 15. Speed the Plow, Allie Crocker, Sumadijsko Kolo
- 16. Fransk Vals
Van Kaynor, Ron Grosslein, Doug Feeney, Becky Ashenden, Chuck Corman, 2001
Total Time 62:54
Lowdown Hoedown
CD - $15
Nat Hewitt and the Reckless Ramblers Nat Hewitt is from Nelson, NH where the Nelson Town Hall has hosted contra dances for over 200 years. Lowdown Hoedown is exciting contra music that shows that you don't have to have piano to play good contra. Nat plays fiddle and guitar and with Larry and Sam all on strings, together they make unbelievable music. Larry Unger's tune, Door Country #2, is one of my favorites.
- 1. Fatal Bert, Bogan's, Baker's Favorite
- 2. The Judge
- 3. That Sultry Waltz
- 4. Lowdown Hoedown, Elzic's Farewell
- 5. Glen Echo Jig, Robin's Bodhran, Thingama
- 6. The Brunt Leg, The Long Campaign
- 7. Steve and Bettie
- 8. Door County #2, Sweetbriar
- 9. Paddy on the Internet
- 10. The Slippery Jig, The Green Reel
- 11. La Gima Polka
- 12. Cumberland
- 13. Lad O'Beirne's. The Phone Call
Larry Unger, Nat Hewitt, Ginny Stowe and Sam Bartlett
CD - $15
Susan Conger and Friends Along the River with Susan Conger and friends features dance tunes from the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont, all written by musicians of the Valley. Susan leads the charge with her strong, lilting fiddle, accompanied by many fine musicians from the Valley. Along the River captures the vibrancy and excitement of the music in the region, as well as the fine musicianship. The Gale is a knockout!
- 1. McIntyre's, Irish Sweepstakes Piano, The Gale
- 2. The New Box, Rolling Home
- 3. Valse du Bapteme
- 4. Green Apple Quickstep
- 5. Mumble, Magyarific
- 6. Glass Island, 31
- 7. Carolina Sunrise
- 8. Double Chocolate Insomnia Rag, Clever Hans, 100 Years of Mischief
- 9. Paradise Polska
- 10. Due West, C'mon East
- 11. Waiting for Fish
- 12. Leaving the Island, Kontny's Yard
- 13. Knock on Wood, The Good Host
- 14. Oak Leaf Reel, Montague Reel
- 15. Playing with Matches
- 16. Rainy Night in Montague, The Riddle
Susan Conger, Susie Secco, Timm Triplett, Van Kaynor, David Kaynor, David Cantieni, Bill Tomczak and George Reynolds, 2000
See companion book Along the River
Old Time New England Fiddler - Dick Richardson
Dick Richardson was a country dancing master, fiddler and prompter in Vermont and the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire from 1903 to 1970. He was a member of the famous Ralph Page Orchestra. Dudley Laufman described Dick Richardson's style of fiddling as "close to the floor." He was not a violinist. He played for country dances and his music had a strong rhythmic drive. Over his sixty-five year career, he was a mentor to many; Ralph Page, Dudley Laufman, Bob McQuillen, Duke Miller, Gene Gowing, Jimmy Baldwin and others.