Album Notes

New CD recording ‘Thomas D’Arcy McGee’
Over the past year, James Stephens and Frank Cassidy have recorded an album entitled ‘Thomas D’Arcy McGee’. The music was originally written by James and Frank as the score for a new play by Padraig Finlay based on the life and times of Thomas D’Arcy McGee.

The CD was recorded in a style reminiscent of music which evolved in 1860’s Ottawa. Using traditional instruments whenever possible, the album encapsulates the signature blend of Irish, Scottish, and Québécois music that became unique to the area.

In a short period of time, the album has been well received by critics and supporters alike including a flattering review from Irish music critic Aidan O’Hara of RTE (Irish Radio and TV) who classified the album
“in the same highly creative music genre of Shaun Davey, Denis Carey and Carl Hession”.
“This is an exciting and brilliantly arranged production, and I hope it gets the wide hearing and distribution it deserves; it’s a rare enough event to hear so excellently performed a recording of music in the traditional vein, but when it succeeds in weaving a creative melodious tapestry of the ‘folk’ and the ingeniously newly composed, it is an altogether unexpected delight.”

This CD of original music “in traditional style” was written, recorded and produced by James and Frank in Ottawa with financial support from Canada Arts Council and additional financial support by The Embassy of Ireland .

The musicians on the album are amongst the best players of traditional music in Canada today.
James Stephens: - fiddle, viola, octave mandolin, harmonium, tenor guitar
Frank Cassidy: – whistles, tenor guitar, percussion
Debbie Quigley: – Uileann Pipes, (Irish Pipes)
Greg T. Brown: – Anglo Irish concertina and button accordion,
Denis Lanctot: – Piano.
Ken Harper: – Bodhran (Irish Drum)
Duncan Gillis: - Highland Ceilidh pipes
Mary Gick: - Five string banjo
Don Kavanagh: – Whistling
Jeremy Keddy: – Snare drum

Music Written by James Stephens and Frank Cassidy
Recorded at Stove Studios , Chelsea, Quebec
Produced by James Stephens and Frank Cassidy
Website: http://mcgeemusic.ca

Contact
Frank Cassidy (613) 834-1857
James Stephens (819) 827-4947