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THE CELTIC CONNECTION » OCTOBER 1993
The Vashon Island _Harp School .
An opportunity to expand your harp horizons, to delve into new ways of thinking...A chance to immerse yourself in a stimulating environment of musical growth and camaraderie.. An invitation to get away to a quiet, idyllic island...
Our staff:
Laurie Riley
Celtic, wire and multi-course harps
Michael MacBean
Alternative techniques
Leslie McMichael
Pedal, folk and Suzuki method •
• Harp Camps • Intensives • • Extended Study Curriculum • October 8-10 — Harp Intensive (all levels) January 14-16 — Music for Healing Seminar February 18-20 - Harp Teacher's Gathering
March 18 - 20 — Harp Retreat (all levels) Summer camp for harpers and harpists 1994 Dates to be announced
Write for information or subscribe to our newsletter $12/yr.
Box 249, Vashon Island, WA (206) 463-6449
TH£ Ej£ w. com***
SID MORGAN, DENNIS CREWS, VICTOR SMITH, DALE OSULLIVAN, ROBERT FORD
The Stoaters are touring this fall with a new album and a whole lot of Celtic rock n' roll
Music Meant to Be Fun!
By TOM COXWORTH
THE STOATERS Keep The Head
Turtle Records_
The Stoaters' debut release starts with a driving body blow that leaves no doubt about their ability to rock. Like A Rock sets the tone and texture of this recording, with their Celtic fused rhythms being run over by good ol American rock 'n roll.
The group have delivered a 'live' studio record pumped with raw power and energy— this is as close to it as you can get. They've even added two concert tracks recorded at Vancouver's Town Pump just to show they have the same magic in concert.
With Robert Ford's driving guitar leads and Dennis Crews frantic mandolin, they have constructed 12 diverse songs with story-based lyrics and imaginative instrumental work.
Dale O'Sullivan's drums and Sid Morgan's bass provide a rock solid rhythm section which allows Robert and Dennis the freedom to play off each other. In addition, the band leaves enough space for guests like Alan MacLeod on warpipes, Doug Schmidt on accordion, and their newest member, Victor Smith, on fiddle and flute, just to add a bit of that 'folkie' edge.
This album is not for the faint of heart who would rather not dance (read rock), this is almost as good as their energy pack live perfor-
mances, and they've just started a tour.
The songs have been part of their stage show for some time now and have been audience tested, with Like A Rock, Good Dog Nigel, and Foreign Money being previously released on their two demo cassettes.
The problem with trying to define their music would be to limit its potential, with various tracks having the crossover ability to be featured throughout the campus radio circuit, as well as grabbing a top spot on commercial radio, and the alternative rock clubs. The Stoaters style is definitive, fresh, and uncompromising rock 'n roll which will set them apart from pretenders. Stoater...Music that's meant to be fun.
Vancouver's Celtic Rockers Shake the Commodore
By ALICIA MARTIN
VANCOUVER—It seems that whenever I attend a concert here at the Commodore Ballroom, and the dancers hit the floor, I can't help but wonder about the amount of concrete needed to keep up that 'suspended dance floor'. Fortunately, suspended it remained on September 17, during a concert by the Paperboys, Real McKenzies and head-liners, the Stoaters.
Through all the slamming, step dancing, jumping, whirling and twirling, stomping and stage diving, the floor visibly shook and waked; I had visions of us all crashing into Granville Books below us. But other than my initial paranoia, this was a night of fun, frolic and fiesta.
These boys know how to party! Even though the whole event was thrown together in just a few days, and there was some ques-
tion as to if enough people would come, they need not have worried—it was a show not to be missed. Those few souls who sat in their chairs could hardly contain themselves amidst the high energy of us dancers.
The Paperboys started the show and set the groove for the evening. Their high tempo Celtic/rock/reggae sound left the audience demanding more. On next were those party animals, the Real McKenzies. Aye, they brought out the Scottish in everyone! Their musical antics were as entertaining and dance-inspiring as ever. I was left gasping by the end of their set.
The Stoaters, whose performa nee here was the first on a cross-country tour, opened with a punch and launched into a set that kept us all rockin' and reelin'. Somehow, my oh-so-tired shaking legs kept me going — this was too
good to sit down through.
The newest Stoater, Victor Smith, fit in perfectly and added to the Celtic excitement of their sound. Denis Crews and Robert Ford held the reins with their lead instruments and vocals, while Sid Morgan kept it cool as always. Drummer Dale O'Sullivan may have been understandably exhausted (they had performed the night previous as well) but kept the pounding beat going. If this show is any indication of their present tour, it'll be a major success.
As they wrapped up the show with an all out sing-along (including McKenzies and Paperboys), the crowd pulled together for one last bit of raucousness and then reluctantly headed back to their tables to collect their jackets and purses. What a night! Guys, I think we could have danced til dawn!