Coal miners' children during strike, Blairmore, Alberta, 1932 (Glenbow Archives NC-54-4401) |
Maria's 2004 project, We Were Good People, explores the stories of working people in Western
Canada--tales of resilience and hope through experiences of immigration, internment,
exploitation and The Depression. Producer: Shannon Johnson with musical contributions by
Canadian Celtic group The McDades, Craig Korth (banjo, guitar, dobro), Byron Myhre
(mandolin), Michael Jerome Browne (gourd banjo) and others.
Suggested tracks: How Do You Do, 1935?, a banjo-driven Depression-era train song;
Can You Blame the Poor Miner?, a gentle accordion ode to miners in the Crow's Nest Pass
during Prohibition; We Were Good People, a poignant solo ballad describing a 1932 Hunger March;
Mrs. McClung's Address at Walker Theatre, a cheeky Celtic wordplay on women's suffrage;
Troublemaker, a rabble-rousing current day protest song.
...remarkable songwriter, think of her as a distaff Woody Guthrie.
Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun
More reviews...
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Purchase on the web at:
Festival Distribution
www.festival.bc.ca
North American & International orders
(Go to Catalogue page, search for "Maria Dunn")
Click on a song title to view
the lyrics & sources:
Also LISTEN at the AUDIO page:
View Maria Dunn's EPK
Good News - Radio & Print!
-
Troublemaker published in
Sing Out! Magazine, Summer 2005 (www.singout.org)
- We Were Good People CD - 3rd most played CD, CKUA Fall 2004 Fund Drive
- Maria Dunn - 6th most played artist CKUA Fall 2004 Fund Drive
- #9 Galaxie's Folk Roots CDs (Nov/04)
- #14 CFRO Vancouver, What
the Folk, Singer/Songwriter Charts
- Gem of Canada Album 2004, Porcupine Awards, CIUT Radio, Toronto
www.backtothesugarcamp.com
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Can You Blame the Poor Miner? published in Penguin Eggs Magazine, Spring 2005
www.penguineggs.ab.ca
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10.01.05: Reviews for We Were Good People:
The key to this recording is her songwriting ... compelling and meaningful music. Dirty Linen, Oct/Nov 2005
Image-laden songs about the turn of the 20th century, immigration and the
Great Depression all come to life with her honest narration and lilting tone. Performing Songwriter Magazine, Jul/Aug 2005 (www.performingsongwriter.com).
...combines a keen understanding of workers' history with an awareness of the need to link that history to today's struggles...It's a great CD. David Durning, Our Times, Jul/Aug 2005
These are inspiring tales of optimism, strength and courage in adversity. Debbie Koritsas, Living Tradition Magazine, Jun 2005 (www.folkmusic.net).
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