Wake Up to Music Monday

Cape Breton Island is known for its rich culture and its deep roots in music, so every Monday I will feature videos showcasing Cape Breton Island's finest musicians from Fiddlers to Songwriters, to the Gaelic Song and the Rock n Roll!  

Beolach

Since getting their start at a late night session during Celtic Colours in 1998, Beòlach has established itself as one of Cape Breton’s most exciting and innovative traditional bands. Performing a lively mix of Cape Breton, Scottish and Irish tunes, the group features Mairi Rankin (fiddle, step-dance), Wendy MacIsaac (fiddle, piano, step-dance), Patrick Gillis (guitar), Ryan J. MacNeil (pipes, whistles), and Mac Morin (piano, accordion, step-dance).

On stage and on their recordings, Beòlach presents original compositions as well as unique, dynamic arrangements of classic traditional tunes. The band has thrilled audiences at festivals around the world with their energetic performances, witty presentation, and their versatility as dancers and instructors.

Each of the players in Beòlach is an experienced performer in their own right, having played for dances and concerts around Cape Breton and beyond long before they got together as a group. They have released half a dozen solo albums among them and have made individual guest appearances on countless other albums.

Beòlach’s two group recordings, Beòlach (2001) and Variations (2004), were both nominated for East Coast Music Awards and in 2005 the band was nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Instrumental Artist. (http://celticmusiccentre.ca/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=167)

Prayerful Hymn / Traditional Strathspey / Golden Anniversary Strathspey / The Way to Mull River Reel / John Morrison of Assynt House / The Pibroch of Domhnall Dubh Reel performed by Beòlach at Together Again: Natalie's Reunion concert, Centre 200 in Sydney, October 18, 2014 during Celtic Colours International Festival. Produced by NovaStream