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Blue Skies and Pirates |
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2009 ECMA Nominee for "Children's Recording of the Year" Blue Skies and Pirates is Donna & Andy's fourth children’s CD. With songs about pirates, changes in the weather and other elements common to rural Nova Scotia it is easy to tell that a Maritime-born Canadian composer has had a hand in the creation of this CD. However, the songs certainly leave any geographical restrictions behind with a variety of styles reflecting the influence of blues, classical, jazz, ragtime, and even a cha cha. Some of Nova Scotia’s finest musicians have made guest appearances on the CD, creating authentic accompaniment tracks for all the songs. Blue Skies and Pirates has clever lyrics, a variety of musical styles, and musicality that creates a pleasurable listening experience for the whole family. The 12 songs on this CD are presented in two versions: full performance tracks as well as instrumental accompaniment tracks for those who want to sing with a professional back-up band! Finally parents can listen to one of their kids’ CDs and enjoy the experience. MUSIC EDUCATORS: This CD is supported by the printed publication Blue Skies and Pirates: Song Collection for regular or music classrooms. |
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2004 East Coast Music Award (ECMA) for Children's Recording of the Year. The 12 songs on the CD are presented in two versions: full performance tracks as well as instrumental accompaniment tracks for those individuals who want to sing with a professional back-up band! MUSIC EDUCATORS: The CD is supported by two printed publications: Computer Cat Songbook and Computer Cat Teacher's Resource (Songs with cross-curricular activities for elementary classrooms) for regular or music classrooms.
It's Christmas Time is a great collection of original songs by Donna Rhodenizer, for use in school concerts, or just gathering around the piano at home. Celebrate the joy, peace, love and hope of the season. MUSIC EDUCATORS: This CD is supported by the printed publication It's Christmas Time: Songs and Concert Script for regular or music classrooms.
Fine Company features the tenor/baritone/bass voice of Andy Duinker, supported by Donna Rhodenizer's instrumental and vocal harmonies. The CD contains ten tracks including four traditional songs, four original songs (written by Donna) and two songs by other Maritime composers. This recording is a great addition to any CD collection. Click on the title of each song for complete lyrics. Call of the Ocean is an original song written by Donna Rhodenizer. This is songwriting at its finest. The lyrics are well crafted and will speak to those who love the ocean. They are set in a musical setting that sparkles and flows like the ocean itself. Old Ways is a beautifully written song by three fine Cape Breton writers. Andy's rich vocals are given "centre stage" accompanied only by piano. The CD is worth purchasing for this song alone! Ode to the Fishermen, written by John Gracie, showcases Andy's vocal range as he multi-tracks all five parts himself. It is hard to believe that one voice can be so versatile, yet the proof is in the audio. Sarah, Spinning Wheel and Jessie Munroe are three light-hearted traditional songs offering some insight into young lovers facing the obstacles of restrictive courting regulations. These songs from the traditional repertoire are treated carefully to preserve their original flavour while adding enough contemporary flavour to create a nice blend of old and new. The Love of the Sea, written by Donna Rhodenizer, has had a solid response with thousands of copies of the printed version distributed across Canada. It has been recorded by other artists who have discovered this choral gem. The melody is indicative of Donna's lyrical writing, handled with great sensitivity by Andy's vocals. Violin and cello are added to the mix creating a lovely setting for a truly memorable piece of Canadian music. My Love My Love, also written by Donna, is written in the style of an old English ballad. From the haunting opening cello line to the tragic conclusion of the song, this tale of "love lost" will reach into the imagination of the listener. Andy's passionate portrayal of the loyal lover only heightens the sense of loss at the story's conclusion. Shenandoah is an American folk song that has stood the test of time and remains a gem in the vocal repertoire of many singers. It is a perfect vehicle for Andy's warm tenor voice and Donna's multi-tracked harmony vocals. Donna's Aire is a gentle instrumental track that brings the CD to a pleasant close. It is hard to believe that this tune has not been in existence for a hundred years. The violin is given a chance to shine, supported by some of the finest studio musicians Nova Scotia has to offer.
With the variety of vocal ranges offered on this CD, it is difficult to believe there are only two singers on this recording. It is a solid performance from start to finish and a stellar debut album for Andy Duinker as a roots/traditional solo performer. Whether you are a fan of roots/traditional music or someone who enjoys good music, you will enjoy this CD.
Donna Rhodenizer and Andy Duinker are versatile musicians enjoying a multifaceted
career of performing, recording, publishing, and composing.
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