Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac are stalwarts of the Cape Breton (Nova Scotia, Canada) traditional music scene. In September they released a duo album titled Seinn (pronounced “shane”) that represents their first studio collaboration. From old-school strathspeys to smooth jazzy jigs and rocking reels, and silvery songs sung in Scots Gaelic, this record rewards the ear from start to finish.
Lamond (pronounced lah-mund with the acccent up front) sings and plays accordion, while MacIsaac plays fiddle, mandolin, and piano. A multitude of guest artists appear here and there, with the guitar backup and banjo work of Seph Peters standing out. Here are two examples of the shimmering beauty that the ladies captured on Seinn. First, a song with origins on the island of Skye that tells a young man’s story of being conscripted into the army. Second, a blazing medly of reels that includes The Lass with the Yellow Coat, The Boys of Ballinacha, Angus the Winemaker (from Kinnon Beaton), and The Green Fields fo Glentown (from Tommy Peoples). Enjoy!
LISTEN: Òran An t-Saighdeir/The Soldier’s Song
LISTEN: Yellow Coat
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