Album Notes

A storyteller through song, Maria Dunn combines North American folk and country music with the influences of her Celtic heritage. Born in Scotland and raised in Ontario and Alberta, she writes songs inspired by historical and contemporary characters, capturing their struggles and triumphs in her lyrics. In 2002, Maria received a Juno nomination in the Roots/Traditional Solo category for her second recording, For a Song.

We Were Good People, explores the people\'s history of Western Canada--tales of resilience and hope through experiences of immigration, internment, exploitation and The Depression. Producer: Shannon Johnson with musical contributions by Canadian Celtic group The McDades, Craig Korth (banjo, guitar, dobro), Byron Myhre (mandolin), Michael Jerome Browne (gourd banjo) and others. Suggested tracks: How Do You Do, 1935?, a banjo-driven Depression-era train song; Can You Blame the Poor Miner?, a gentle accordion ode to miners in the Crow\'s Nest Pass during Prohibition; We Were Good People, a poignant solo ballad describing a 1932 Hunger March; Mrs. McClung\'s Address at Walker Theatre, a cheeky Celtic wordplay on women\'s suffrage; Troublemaker, a rabble-rousing current day protest song.

...remarkable songwriter, think of her as a distaff Woody Guthrie. Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun

The key to this recording is her songwriting ... compelling and meaningful music. Dirty Linen, Oct/Nov 2005

Image-laden songs about the turn of the 20th century, immigration and the Great Depression all come to life with her honest narration and lilting tone. Performing Songwriter Magazine, Jul/Aug 2005