Fall Concert Series starts with Gillian Boucher and Bob McNeill on Sunday!

Posted October 23rd, 2019

Cathy Segee and I just returned from Celtic Colours in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where we witnessed some outstanding performers. We are very excited to bring two of them– Gillian Boucher and Bob McNeill— to you coming up this coming Sunday, October 27 at 6 pm in Brewer at the Next Generation Theater 39 Center St. This is going to be a great show. Note the show is at 6 not 7 to accommodate those who have to work on Monday. If you love Cape Breton music and dance and Scottish song, you will love this duo. I hope to see you there on Sunday. More information below.

-Pauleena MacDougall

Gillian Boucher & Bob McNeill are a touch of magic and a musical force to be reckoned with. Based on New Zealand’s beautiful Kapiti Coast, both Gillian, an exceptional fiddler & dancer originally from Canada’s Scottish- infused East Coast, and Bob, an award-winning guitarist, singer & songwriter originally from Scotland, share a deeply seeded passion for their musical heritage and culture.

Gillian’s fiddle style is unique, seamlessly blending the music of her ancestors with contemporary sounds, enthralling not only with the serene beauty of her music but with her stage persona and skills. Paired with Bob’s innovative, rhythmic accompaniment and powerful lyricism, they present a truly dynamic yet sensitive acoustic conversation that captivates any audience.

Featuring heart-wrenching slow airs, riveting arrangements of songs and toe-tapping dance tunes, both take what you know about traditional Scottish music and bring it to another level altogether. Having rediscovered a musical connection forged on the road fifteen years ago, they have finally decided to do something about it with the release of their album, Race for the Sun, later this year.

“In the hands of Gillian Boucher, the violin becomes a vehicle of transportation for the mind… Her lyrical approach and sensitivity transcends genres and cultures, transporting listeners to far off exotic places accessible only in imagination.”

Glenn Meisner, CBC Radio

Recipient of the Nova Scotia Music Week Award in 2009 for Roots Recording of the Year and a 2010 East Coast Music Award Nomination in the same category, Gillian’s eclectic debut album Elemental, recorded by CBC Radio-Canada, received high acclaim and put her individual stamp on the world of Celtic music. Four years later, demonstrating her diversity as a traditional artist, her anticipated acoustic second album Attuned received a 2014 Music Nova Scotia Award Nomination for Folk/Roots Recording of the Year, a 2014 East Coast Music Award Nomination for Instrumental Roots Recording of the Year as well a prestigious 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award Nomination for Instrumental Recording of the Year.

“Endearing, and at times haunting songs… yearning and enchanting… a thoroughly captivating album. Bob McNeill is a gifted singer songwriter.”

NEW ZEALAND MUSICIAN MAGAZINE

Bob McNeill moved to New Zealand in 1999 and quickly established himself as one of New Zealand’s best-known Folk artists for his solo work and with Ben the Hoose. An innovative songwriter, he is a 3-time New Zealand Music Award recipient for Best Folk Album. His songs have been covered by artists in New Zealand, Scotland, Australia and the USA. McNeill’s musical and songwriting style is a hybrid of the Celtic music of his native Scotland and the American New Folk and Americana styles. The Dominion Post compared him to Jackson Brown, James Taylor, Luka Bloom and Dougie MacLean; New Zealand Musician compared his songwriting to Bruce Springsteen and Mark Knopfler.