Mary Jane Lamond at King’s August 30

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Mary Jane Lamond was always interested in Gaelic, but never had a means to pursue it. That may sound odd when referring to a woman who is known globally for championing the language through stories and song.

“I came from a singing family,” she said recently. “I could sing before I could talk.”

She lived ‘away’ from Nova Scotia for a time, and when she returned she joined a Gaelic choir. That sufficed for a time, but she was limited in what she could do because she didn’t understand the nuances of what she was singing.

Later, she did study Gaelic at St. F.X. in Antigonish and a whole new world opened up to her.

“I learned the language to enjoy the social aspect of the singing,” she said, adding that she now had access the poetry as well.

“It’s difficult to learn songs if you can’t access the language.”

She has unpeeled layers and layers and admits she continues to learn. And as Gaelic declines, she is joining others in working towards saving it.

Unfortunately, what brought her back to Nova Scotia is also what in later years may have kept her away. Her audiences have been across the United States and overseas in venues where the audiences have come specifically for the cultural experience – roots music venues.

This year, she feels that things have changed. Audiences appear not to consider language a barrier anymore, and with that Lamond is back home and touring locally.

On Saturday, Aug. 30, Lamond will make her first-ever appearance at King’s Theatre in Annapolis Royal and is looking forward to once again seeing the little town where she once vacationed and wondered through the streets and spent time at the farmers market.

With her will be fiddle player Wendy MacIsaac who will play a tune or two and no doubt will do a few step-dance numbers. Guitar player Clarence Deveau rounds out the trio and it will be his second trip to the Valley in as many weeks after accompanying Raylene Rankin in Lawrencetown recently.

Lamond promised some a-cappella and some stories and she shared a secret. She has a new toy that she bought two months ago – an accordion.

“I’m doing some droning. I might even drag it out if I’m feeling brave,” she said.

“I love playing these little venues,” she said, describing them as kitchen parties with half the lights out. It gives her a chance to interact with the audience.

We’ll play a lot of sad Gaelic songs.

(Subhead)Sharer of song

Lamond is described as a sharer of songs, stories, and spirit. It’s garnered her numerous Juno and East Coast Music Award nominations, critical acclaim and a worldwide audience.

Her latest recording "Storas" (Gaelic meaning "a treasure"), is a beautiful interpretation of some of the Scottish Gaelic songs that have become part of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic tradition.

Her use of modern instrumentation and arrangements provides a respectful and beautiful framework for these Gaelic treasures but it is her spell binding vocal performance and heartfelt delivery that makes these selections truly come alive for the listener.

Despite the important role her music plays in preserving Scottish Gaelic songs that would otherwise rarely be heard outside Cape Breton, Lamond said its primary purpose is to entertain.

"This is a huge oral literary tradition that is being lost at an alarming rate," she said, "and I am involved with community things that help conserve it for younger people. But I’m also an interpreter, a singer and musician and in my music the challenge is to create something new and exciting that doesn’t destroy the heart of it."

The King’s Theatre concert begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 advance, $22 at the door, $18 for members, and $5 for youth.

Call the 24-hour information line at 532-5466. Or call 532-7704. Visit the website at www.kingstheatre.ca.