If you're looking for a very pleasant anthology of traditional folksongs popular a few decades ago, Irish through Calypso, you can't do better than HATband's debut CD Folk Song Songs/Trad 'n' True; with a bonus of two original songs, and a reprise of one.
The HATband, as their publicity sheets stress, has a distinctive Maritime sound and a depth of repertoire that reflects the musical roots of each of its four singing instrumentalists. Although together only a short time when the album's first tracks were recorded, each member of this talented foursome - sometimes a quintet on stage - has been honing their skills for years.
Reg Hayes, for instance, has played guitar and harmonica and sung for more than 35 years, first with the Fredericton Folk Collective, later the Fredericton Folk Club and, more recently, with small-venue playing groups.
George Andrews, a multi-talented musician, mastered saxophone at an early age but soon was side-tracked by the limitless mysteries of percussion and traditional drums, the bodhran, in particular. He's also developed a penchant for pennywhistles. His percussion skills were featured on a CD release of Val MacDonald's a few years ago and he has recently expanded his electric collection of percussion instruments to include a full drum kit. George has sung in local choirs and groups for many years.
Fans of Val and Barry MacDonald's Rising Star coffeehouses will recall Reg and George as members of a Fredericton-based trio that played that monthly venue occasionally. Just as the trio's liaison seemed to have run its course the two met Bill Toner, who was seeking musicians with a traditional Celtic repertoire to join him in performances. After listening to Bill's unique 12-string acoustic guitar and electric bass expertise and hearing his superbly controlled, impressive voice, they decided their three strong leads and instinctive harmonies made hooking up inevitable.
Bill, who'd played venues as a solo act for years, has a love of Celtic music and song, and, fortunately, it turned out, has a couple of nieces who share that love.
One, Alicia Toner, quickly became an integral part of the group's sound and the flavour that has audiences applauding wildly wherever they play. She's a very talented classical violinist who can switch with astounding ease to the toe-tapping, Down East style of fiddle playing exemplified by Don Messer. Naturally gifted, Alicia began a serious study of the instrument's two sides nine years ago and is currently receiving advanced tutoring from David Adams and Syblie Roy. This past summer she played New York's prestigious Carnegie Hall with our celebrated New Brunswick Youth Orchestra. As well as her inspired fiddling, Alicia has a beautiful voice that has enriched HATband's vocal appeal with its smooth harmonies and occasional leads.
Bill's other niece, Colleen Burns, is a student at the Stanford School of Irish Dance in Fredericton. As well as joining the HATband often at live concerts in an exhibition of Celtic dance, Colleen has performed at the Multicultural Festival and other venues and last year competed at the Irish Dance Competitions in Halifax. On stage she sometimes adds tambourine to HATband's music mix when not dancing.
So why the name HATband? It's taken from the first letters of the founding trio's names: Hayes, Andrews, Toner. Actually when Alicia joined them they considered renaming themselves THATband, but thankfully decided against it. The quartet, as you'll hear on their exceptional debut album Folk Song Songs, perform a very bouncy repertoire, even a little rock 'n' roll on stage, I'm told. But, thankfully, not on the album.
Included are: Nancy Whiskey, Mary Mac, The Wild Rover, Mairi's Wedding, Haul Away Joe, Kilgary Mountain, Rocky Road To Dublin, The Sloop John B, Eileen Aroon; fiddle-driven instrumentals, Avon Break Down, Swallow Tail Jig; originals penned by Reg, arranged by the band: Don't Ever Leave, Love Carries On and Bill's reprise of Don't Ever Leave (Bill Mix), a song Bill liked so much he wanted to sing it, too!
If you can't find Folk Song Songs at a local music retailer, call 506-459-1559 or contact them by e-mail
Short Concert Tonight
Marie Short is hosting a real Toe Tapping Jamboree, tonight, 7 p.m. at the Hampton Senior Resource Centre, to get the New Year off to a rollicking start. It features regulars Herb Isbill, Denny James, Stirling Nickerson, Donna Stephenson, Donna Chase with guest performers: Allison Inch, Ralph Henderson, Al and Brenda Hooper, Hazel Marie Robertson, Howard Ross, Harry Brittain, Fran Rooney. At door, $8. Info: 506-832-5847.
Gerry Taylor is a Saint John music enthusiast. He can be reached at
