She was the 2008 winner of the Frank “Big Sampie” Sampson Award given to an up-and-coming young Celtic talent to aid them in financing their first recording. This prize is sponsored, in part, by the Celtic Colours Festival Volunteer Driv’ers Association and their financial contribution is matched by studio time from Lakewind Studios. Rachel was the fourth winner, following in the footsteps of Dawn & Margie Beaton of Mabou, pianist Jason Roach of Cheticamp, and fiddler Colin Grant from Sydney.
Rachel has taken her great talent, her musical background and her ability to select good tunes to bring forth a great new recording. She’s not alone in her musical venture, getting solid backup from established musicians such as Buddy MacDonald on guitar and Tracey Dares-MacNeil on piano. She was also joined, at different times, by a number of special guests that included Joey Beaton, Brona Graham, Ciarán MacGillivray, Meagan Burke and Clarence Long.
Clarence is Rachel’s grandfather, known in the Baddeck area as both a fiddler and a barber. He was also her first fiddle teacher, helping her hone her initial skills and getting her well on her way with the music. Rachel is also quick to point out that he put up with a lot as she sat in the corner of his barber shop, scratching away as she learned new tunes, often taken from his vast collection of music books. As well as playing fiddle, Rachel studied Cape Breton stepdancing, Bodhran and Gaelic singing at the Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts.
While the majority of her recording is hard driving, close to the floor music, there are a couple of lovely exceptions. Rachel does a powerful and very moving rendition of J. Scott Skinner’s Hector The Hero. It’s never an easy tune for even the most experienced players, but she certainly does a masterful job on this lovely slow air.
Rachel also throws in a very interesting surprise when she sings a lovely Gaelic song, backed up by a number of family and friends. A student at Cape Breton University, she has been involved with the Celtic Studies courses since the beginning and received some great coaching from her instructor, Hector MacNeil. Singing is something that Rachel needs to do more of, as her vocal skills have been hidden behind her fiddle playing abilities for far too long.
Look for Rachel’s self-titled CD. Well worth getting, I think that it will be enjoyable for one and all.
Until next time,
Dan
Remember: if you have any information on upcoming events, or anything that you feel should be included on Celtic Heart Beat, please drop me a line at celticheartbeat1@gmail.com. Thanks!
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