For non-Canadians, the tiny province of Prince Edward Island takes an effort to locate on maps. Simply listening might work better. Eager musicians cram the place, and their sing-song ruckus may be audible across vast distances.
In Island Toes A'Tapping, A Musical Harvest on Prince Edward Island (Cairns Media, 2006, 240 pages, Cdn $9.90), the Hong Kong-based Canadian author Jay Scott Kanes documents a vast, albeit still maturing, music scene in the province of his birth. Readers in distant places may ponder vacations and airline schedules to land on PEI's red soil in time for summer festivals and concerts.
With each page, an impressive musical lineup emerges. The best known real-life characters include the late Gene MacLellan, his daughter Catherine, Lennie Gallant, the late Urban Carmichael, the Chaisson Family, Stompin' Tom Connors, Teresa Doyle, Neil Matthews, Janet McGarry, Patricia Murray, Real Pelletier, Michael Pendergast, Jimi Platts, Eddy Quinn, Allan Rankin, Doug Riley, Rodney Savidant, Nancy White and Nathan Wiley.
Most Islanders, having Celtic ancestry, appreciate talented fiddlers. Island Toes A'Tapping features examples like Eddy Arsenault, Louise Arsenault, James Banks, Gary Chipman, Nathan Condon, Sheila MacKenzie, Cynthia MacLeod, Don Messer, Keelin Wedge, Richard Wood and others.
Among bands, the spotlight falls on Bluestreak, the Chucky Danger Band, the Ellis Family, Este Mundo, Fiddlers' Sons, the Jive Kings, the Rude Mechanicals, Two Hours Traffic and the Acadian groups Barachois and Vishten.
Kanes even recalls Enid Birch (1901-2002), who devoted 83 years to playing church organs in western PEI. “She found joy in everything she did and everyone she met,” said Enid's grandchild, Edith Carruthers.
Traditionally, PEI enthusiasts love history, jamming their bookcases with accounts of past events and lifestyles. Although rich in history, Island Toes A'Tapping stands as a modern, A-to-Z account strengthened by photos and snippets of song lyrics.
Kanes strives to heighten the fame of deserving musicians. With so much talent to consider, Island Toes A'Tapping becomes entertaining in its own right. The book may be best enjoyed when seated at a PEI concert venue waiting for the music to begin.
(July 9, 2007)
ARCHIVES
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Are you in the book? Author Jay Scott Kanes (left)
lends eager ears to yet another PEI musician.
(Photo by Christopher Cairns)
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