From Newfoundland With Love

"The man on the moon is a Newfie" The traditional music of Newfoundland is usually quite Irish/Celtic/folk inspired; you might hear songs referred to as "Newfie tunes". You might call a faster upbeat instrumental song a "jig", but that's a term that you might hear get thrown around just-about everywhere and incorrectly by me. It has a more technical meaning if I remember correctly from a music theory class and I wouldn't be a good one to properly explain it. There's been a number of great artists from the province, here are some of my favourites and suggestions (although I'm sure I'll remember some others after I've published this and be terribly upset with myself). Here is my worthless opinion and recommendations!

When listening to traditional "Newfie tunes" you'll likely encounter a button accordion or "squeeze box", and when looking to hear a great example of that, there is no better place to start than with Harry Hibbs. "Mussels in the Corner" is a staple tune that you'll encounter along with "I'se the By" which is one that's been done by just about every Newfoundland artist ever and is a certified part of my heritage. "Squid Jiggin Ground" and his version of "The Wild Rover" must be recommended. "I Love a Lassie" is another great little jig featured on his album "Somewhere at Sea", which is a record I managed to snag at the Red Deer Sally Ann's (Salvation Army Thrift store) of all places. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that at the front of the stack and brought it home for $2.

In any "kitchen party" (exactly what it sounds like) you could also hear someone playing the spoons or an "ugly stick" which is a long piece of wood (usually a broom handle) that's decorated in beer bottle caps and things alike that will jingle while being played. They're both percussive instruments played by clacking the spoons together with your hand and knee or by banging the ugly stick on the floor, which is why there will usually be a rubber boot or shoe fixed in place at the bottom of it. Less of these instruments are studio recorded so you might have to scour the internet, or hear one live in-person to see one being played. Of course you'd find the usual instruments such as a guitar, bass, mandolin, fiddle or tenor banjo in a traditional Newfoundland folk tune.

If looking for a "Goofy Newfie" you wont come across his albums on streaming services, so If you're lucky enough to come across a Roy Payne vinyl or two you might find greatness in songs such as "No Price tags On The Doors Of Newfoundland", though you will find a very fun cover from Ricky Mullen to stream. Payne did a number of notable covers with "Foggy Mountain Breakdown", "Me and Bobby McGee" and "That's How I Got To Memphis" helping showcase his country sound. Simani is from around the same era and has a similar sound. "The Mummer Song" is for sure a Christmas classic and "Music and Friends", "The Rose In Her Hair" and "Saltwater Cowboy" can be held to the same high regard year round.

"Nancy Spain" done by the Masterless Men and Darcey Broderick is one that always gets my heart hurting ever so greatly. There's a great video my cousin sent me on Facebook that I've saved of a group playing this song at a kitchen party that I rewatch all the time. Sometimes I feel like messaging the lady that uploaded it "hey i don't know you but remember that live video you posted like 6 years ago? i watch it almost nightly". But decide not to of course. The Masterless Men have did lots of great cover music, you'll find their version to be a favourite of great tunes with Newfie twists on them such as "I Wish I Had Someone To Love Me", "Rocks of Bawn'', "The Mingulay Boat Song" and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".

Perhaps the most popular act to come from Newfoundland is Great Big Sea. You might be familiar with their tracks "Ordinary Day", "When I'm Up ( I Can't Get Down)", and their versions of "End Of The World" and "Paddy Murphy". These are all great ones and I'd add "The Old Black Rum" and "Beggar Man" as my personal favourites from them.

Another popular Newfoundland artist is Ron Hynes (who I feel like I haven't listened to properly enough to fully comment on). "Sonny's Dream" is a classic but the song "Leaving on the Evening Tide" has always stuck with me specifically. Tim Baker also recently did an amazing cover of this song for a tribute album. Tim Baker has a great discography with the entirety of his solo album Forever Overhead being completely amazing, and an album that my girlfriend says made her fall in love with me when I spun it for her. ;) His time being the star of the band Hey Rosetta is also another treasure of greatness to check out, especially songs like "Harriet", "Red Heart", "Yer Spring" and "What Arrows". This stuff tends to be a little more alternative or singer/songwriter than your usual Newfie jig you'll find out.

Bands like Shanneyganock and The Navigators are always sure to get a crowd "ranting and roaring like true Newfoundlanders". Little things get the blood pumping as much as "Nancy" and "The Islander" from The Navigators. Highlighted with the great sound of them is the voice of Fred Jorgensen who also has great solo work especially in his heart wrenching version of "Waltzing Matilda". Both bands do their own respected versions of "The Islander", which is always guaranteed to cause a rowdy scene. Shanneyganock does their own version of "Mussels in the Corner", "I Had a Hat" and "Grey Foggy Day" (also listen to the Eddie Coffey original) that i highly recommend, All featured on their "Live on George Street" album. "Great Harbour Deep", "Harbour Grace", "Rockin' On the Water", and their versions of "Whiskey In The Jar" and "Our Town" are others you should hear.

If you're looking for a little blues kick that strays away from the usual sound on the island, Denis Parker and band are sure to deliver; especially with songs like "Chokin' With The Heat". I sadly only heard about and first listened to Denis after his recent passing, but any catchy blues song with a fun harmonica riff is a great one in my book.

Other songs that are some of my favourites include "On The Internet" from Bernie Sheaves and there's much to love in "Coxie Woxie Dixie Bird'' that I know from a CD my great aunt had burned off for me from another unknown artist, but Jonathan Sheaves is the one I know from YouTube. "Sixteen For Awhile" by The Celtic Connection is one of the best songs that you'll get the chance to hear and "Alone By Your Side'' is another great one from the band. "Doin' The Newfie Stomp” by Douglas Michael and The Newfie Stump Jumpers will be sure to have its intended effect no matter where you're from. "Heave Away" by The Fables is for sure to "get your duds in order" and you're likely to hear it blasting at any hockey game.

Current bands like Rum Ragged help to keep a traditional Newfoundland folk sound alive. I highly recommend you listen to their new album "Gone Jiggin'" and check out another recent post of mine to hear about when I saw them live along with some song recommendations. Sherman Downey is a great Newfoundland artist with a great folk sound, his album The Sun In Your Eyes with his former band The Ambiguous Case is a feel good album that is a favourite in my collection especially songs like "Annalee", "Honey for Bees", "Isadora Duncan", "Outta Your Mind" and "The Right Idea". With a solo catalog equally as illustrious with songs like "Blue", "Keep Your Head Up" and "To-do List" tickling my fancy the most. Jerry Stamp has some equally great tunes from his album "Rogue Doubt" with tracks "Marathon Man", "Weight', Firing Line" and "Ghost" topping my list. If searching for young talent to come from Newfoundland, look no farther than Bailey Jordan-Neil, "lucky" and "Again Today" are ear-worms like no other, and HEY i know that guy!

I'm not sure how I almost forgot to include "Saltwater Joys" by Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers. If you had to pick one to be the staple tune of Newfoundland music it might be this one. I can remember just about every kid singing this at the elementary school talent show. You might also want to check out "the 12 Elan" and other songs of theirs to hear a bit of comedic genius.

Here is another playlist of music recommendations that nobody asked for, the best thing for anyone to do now is explore the world of Newfoundland music themselves. Don't just take my word for it, I don't even live in the province anymore. But I'm "Still just a Newfie in a Calgary hat".