Dulcimerhead: Western Voyage, Eastern Shore

Arathusa Records, 2009

By Alison Brownlee

Written and produced for the 2009 Wainfleet Viking Market and Summer Solstice Celebration, Western Voyage, Eastern Shore was created to represent the Norse experience in the 11th century, and it doesn’t disappoint.

Although the instrumentation is minimal – mountain dulcimer, vocals, percussion and the occasional bird chirp – the mood and tone of the 12 pieces create a vivid mental image of the Norse during their time of global exploration.

In an interview, dulcimer player David Rankine said, “There’s no way of knowing what Norse music sounded like one thousand years ago,” but Dulcimerhead’s interpretation, which was developed through a group effort by Rankine, percussionist Fernando Villalobos and vocalist Daniela Godina, encapsulates the lived experience of the Norse by incorporating the musical traditions of the peoples with which Viking explorers came into contact.

For example, Cultivate sounds slightly Persian because of the minor mode, the pitch progressions on the dulcimer and the lyrical movement of Godina’s vocals. The song is a perfect example of the group’s emphasis on cultural integration, because it’s believably Norse, yet Middle Eastern at the same time.

Moving further east, Revelation has Godina switch to a more chant-poet vocal style with meditative chimes in the background. While these aspects invoke the Far East, the dulcimer sounds almost lute-like, giving the piece a Celtic Britain tone as well.

Although Dulcimerhead is described as a psychedelic progressive rock band, what makes it unique is the mountain dulcimer, which is an extremely versatile instrument. Rankine is able to use it to its full advantage on tunes like Sunstone, which is an instrumental piece by Rankine and Villalobos. The tune has a faster tempo, and an expertly used jambé that gives a tribal feel to the music.  The versatility of the dulcimer takes the foreground, though, through the use of harmonics and drones, while layering the melodic and accompanying lines to create a depth of sound. Near the end of the piece electronics are incorporated to highlight the psychedelic aspect – the sound is faintly reminiscent of Jim Morrison and The Doors.

The two best songs on the album, however, were saved for last. Solstice Dance is an obvious nod to the occasion for which the album was produced, but it’s an energetic, Celtic-inspired instrumental piece in 2/4 time that starts toes tapping the moment the percussion comes in. The hand drumming gives a rustic feel while the simple major mode melody invokes people dancing around the Summer Solstice bonfire with vine wreaths on their heads. It certainly pulls listeners into the celebration.

To close off the album, Godina is welcomed back to sing Cup of Plenty. It’s a great song to end with because it has a quick, almost hurried tempo and frantic strumming on the dulcimer, which eventually slows to give the piece texture. Godina’s midrange vocals are somewhere between chant and lyrical, summarizing her range on the album wonderfully. It’s a simply song, but probably the catchiest – the lyrics “Ideas flow from the cup of plenty” will be stuck in one’s head hours after the song is over because of the phrase’s melodic beauty.

Overall, Dulcimerhead’s fourth album is fantastic. Its pieces vary in tempo, mode, key, style, regional influence, lyrical content and percussive technique, all of which keeps the listener interested. Most impressive, though, is how pieces like Sunstone and At the Edge can showcase the intricacies of the mountain dulcimer – the instrument isn’t exhibited as a one-trick pony relied on as a novelty. Instead, it’s very much used to its full advantage to enhance the sound and concept of the album, which is the voyage and cultural exchange experienced by the Norse people the world over.

Dulcimerhead hit its theme very well and Western Voyage, Eastern Shore is definitely worth investing 47 minutes in, if not for the fantastic musicianship and artistry, then at least for the lesson in anthropological history.

Posted September 17th, 2009 in General, Profiles

Words Alive Literary Festival is Back – and Bigger!

Mark Your Calendar for the Festival on Sunday, September 20th

The Words Alive Literary Festival is back at the Sharon Temple on Sunday, September 20^th from 10am-6pm. This family-friendly event is a celebration of Canada’s rich literary heritage and provides a showcase for authors, poets, storytellers, and musicians. The all-day event is only $5 for those age 16 and up. Children admitted free.

“The Festival has something for everyone,” says Words Alive Founder, Vali Stone. “For aspiring authors and poets, there are workshops, contests and the chance to participate in public readings. For readers and book club members our diverse author line-up ranges from the non-fiction of broadcaster Ted Barris writing about the experiences of soldiers from the past 100 years. Sisters Kristen Den Hartog and Tracey Kasaboski reflect on their families experiences in wartime Holland For fiction fans we have the splendid and tender writings of Priscila Uppal, Lauren Kirshner, Lee Gowan, Diana Fitzgerald Bryden, and Bruce Hunter. I hope everyone will also be inspired by wandering the Temple grounds listening to storytellers and musicians such as Red Slam Collective who will open this year’s fest.”

Award-winning and nominated writers of mystery fiction will be reading.  Andrew Pyper, Jeffrey Round and Timothy Quinn will be reading from their latest books. First-time novelists with fabulous reviews include Andrea Gunraj and Lauren Kirshner (who is being mentored by Margaret Atwood), and humourist David Mckee.

“Poetry is an integral part of the Words Alive Festival,” says Stone, with readings from this year’s Griffin Poetry Prize winner A.F. Moritz. Other poets appearing range from award winners and nominees to new talents. GG nominee Barry Dempster will be there as will Molly Peacock, David Clink, Domenico Capilongo, Richard Grove, and Phoebe Tsang. As a special treat sonic poet Penn Kemp will perform at the Temple accompanied by musician Brenda McMorrow. Aspiring poets can also participate in the On-the-Spot Poetry Contest for the chance to win great prizes.

“Teens, tweens, and children have plenty to enjoy as well,” says Stone. We have Natalie Ghent, Tish Cohen, Mags Storey, and Rich Meyrick as well as five storytellers performing.

Two new features are also on the slate. Graphic novelist and artist Shane Rosenblatt together with illustrator and animator Kurt Lehner will hold workshops and be autographing their artworks. Two short plays by newcomer and Existere publisher Edward Fenner will also be read at the fest who will also hold a workshop for new writers on “Getting through the slush pile.”

The jam-packed schedule also includes workshops by Barry Dempster, Marie Campbell, Allyson Latta, Timothy Quinn, Marina Cohen, and Dulcimerhead. Storytellers Janice Turner, Lena Recollett, Bruce Lord, and Bruce Carmody will be weaving their tales throughout the day.

Words Alive is a literary festival like no other. The beautiful and historic Sharon Temple National Historic Site is located just 40 minutes north of Toronto. Admission is $5, though children under 16 are free, as is parking – your best all-day entertainment value. The local Lions Club will sell food and drink or you can bring a picnic lunch. For more on the festival, visit http://www.wordsalive.ca.

Prior to the festival will be the second of our new series of readings. Join us September 17^th at 7pm at Cafe/Books and Things, 208 Main St.S.,  Newmarket for our Words Alive Open Mic Prose Night with Existere. Last month’s poetry event had over 40 attendees defying tornadoes to hear and speak some fine poetry!

Posted September 10th, 2009 in General