She sings, whistles, and she's in the Valley Jamboree Friday
Published Thursday November 5th, 2009
When Gary Morris brings you a mid-morning Irving cappuccino, you know he's got something more than coffee percolating.
In this case, it was a new-found whistling gospel singer he's featuring in a Remembrance Day week special Valley Jamboree Friday at 7 p.m. at Sussex Regional High.
Her name is Heather Morton and Gary has just recorded an 11-song CD of her at Prime Time Studio in Sussex Corner. In describing her rare whistling talent he left me with the idea she only whistled. Thankfully he also left a copy of her CD The Whistler or I might never have known what a fine singing voice she has. As you might remember, it was this same rare combination of talents that brought Roger Whittaker to world prominence. As an interesting side note, growing up in Kenya Roger learned to sing listening to Wilf Carter records, Canada's first globally distributed country music star.
With only a few days before Remembrance Day, Heather may also wrap those talents around a song from the two world wars as will other special guests. Those include Mavis O'Donnell (one of my favourite New Brunswick singer-songwriters); Salisbury's intrepid teen keyboard/accordionist Shelby Murray; a popular area vocalist Marg Stackhouse; step-dancing teen fiddler Payton Conrad; and another favoured performer Gloria Jennings. Topping off this stellar guest list are New Brunswick musical ambassadors, fiddle and keyboard duo Vivian and Ivan Hicks, who sometimes blend their voices in fine vocal harmonies.
Then there is the Valley Jamboree's roster of superb regulars, those singing multi-talented instrumentalists, show host Gary and Tammy Morris, star vocalists Cheryl Ellis and Jeannie Clark, singing lead guitarist Dale Butland, bassist Art Boyd, house comedian and fashion diva Eunice P. Doolittle backed by the great Jamboree Band.
Tickets are available at Colpitts Woodworking (Petitcodiac); Kennebecasis Drugs (Rothesay); Grand Bay Pharmacy; and Morris Music's (Sussex, Rothesay, Saint John).
HEATHER THE WHISTLER'S CD
Heather Morton's CD of cherished gospel songs The Whistler was a pleasant surprise. Gifted to me as it was with only a reference to her rare whistling abilities, I wasn't prepared for her sweet, eloquent voice and the ease with which she switches from whistled refrains to vocal verses. The CD is a joy, a very different gospel showcase.
The songs have been chosen for contrasts in tempo and vocal range. Just A Closer Walk With Thee is accorded the reverence it demands while Church In The Wildwood is faster, freer than most modern arrangements, driven by bouncy percussion. Blessed Assurance and Amazing Grace have seldom been more dramatically sung and the whistled interludes add to the majesty of these hymns. Three selections are whistled beautifully without vocalizing: When We Get To Heaven with the fervent zeal of oldtime camp meetings; Mansion Over The Hilltop with all the joyful thankfulness Ira Stamphill intended; His Eye Is On The Sparrow (and I Know He Watches Me) with pious wonder. How Great Thou Art is sung with the powerful drama and depth this more recent hymn demands and the whistled interludes make her interpretation unique. The medley of I'll Fly Away and I Saw The Light, as with the closing Just As I Am (Without One Plea), are sublime.
The gifted instrumentalists backing Heather's vocals are: Sandra Eagles, Tammy Morris, pianos; Julianne Eagles, Stacey Reid, violins, fiddles; Gary Morris, guitars; Carson Leighton, steel guitar; Mike Hayes, drums; the Crewson Singers, backing vocals.
QUEENTOWN DANCE Friday
The monthly square dance at the Orange Hall in Queenstown is Friday, 9 p.m. to midnight. Music for round and square sets will be played by the regular foursome of Margaret Howe, Stirling Nickerson, Lloyd Mullin and Allison Inch.
MOSS GLEN LEGION TOMORROW
A Fundraising Kitchen Party Friday, 7 p.m., at Moss Glenn Legion (Canadian Legion Peninsula Branch # 62) will be hosted by Sylvia Campbell and the Long Reach Kitchen Party Gang of singers, instrumentalists and friends. Some war songs will be included in recognition of Remembrance Day and a few Christmas tunes as well. As always, you are invited to bring an instrument and join in, or just come to sing or listen. Everyone is welcome. Admission is $5 at door. Refreshments will be served and there's a canteen. But beware! Flossie and Glossie might appear. Funds raised go to the Moss Glen Legion to help with operating costs. For deatails, phone Beth Quigley 652-1522 or 763-2453
HAMPTON FIDDLEDOO SATURDAY
A Fiddledoo and Potluck Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m., at Hampton Resource Centre, De Mille Court, Hampton, is hosted by the Maritime Fiddling Association's Kim and George Boone. Admission is a donation at the door. Many noted fiddlers are expected, so bring your fiddle or a traditional accompanying instrument and join in on the jams. Or, just come and enjoy an afternoon of fun and music. A donation is requested and, if you stay for supper, bring a potluck dish.
NORTON BLUEGRASS SATURDAY
A Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Concert Saturday, 7 p.m., at the Catholic Hall, Norton, features Moncton's great quartet of singing instrumentalists The Douthwrights, a family oriented band with a hard-driving soulful yet refreshingly comic stage presence. They are Shane Douthwright guitar, vocals; Dennis Douthwright, mandolin, vocals; Nadine Douthwright, bass, vocals; Andrew Conde, banjo. Admission is $10 at door. For details, call Shane 387-4006 or Dennis 384-2210.
MARILYN FOX MEMORIAL PARTY
Anyone who knew the late Marilyn Fox during the local folk music gatherings in the Saint John, Fairvale, Kingston Peninsula and Mather's Island areas in the 1960s to '80s are invited to attend a musical party in her memory on Remembrance Day at Nauwigewauk Hall, 2 to 5 p.m. Bring a contribution to a potluck supper, your voice and a musical instrument, if you play.
UPCOMING NOV. 14 EVENTS:
* A benefit concert, Nov. 14, 2-5p.m. at the Canadian Legion Branch #20, Magnolia Ave., Sussex, features The Original Bluegrass 4, plus The Poirier Family and Walter Fearn and Friends. Proceeds go to Randy Fearn, a young truck driver who lost a leg in an accident last December.
* Reg Gallant's 6th Annual Christmas Port City Road Show, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., at the Community Centre in Lorneville, features guests Garth Jones, Carol Perry, Gordon Brown, Angela Curran and Allison Inch. The host is 2009 New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Reg Gallant and his Jamboree band of C.J. Gallant, Walter Prosser, Juanita Kelson and Tim Wallace. Advance tickets are $10 at Grand Bay Pharmacy, Kennebecasis Drugs (Rothesay), Beats and Bytes, Bayside Dr. and Waterton's, Charlotte Street (both in Saint John) and Lorneville Convenience. They are $12 at door. Bring a small bag of non-perishables and receive a ballot for a guitar draw.
* The Annual 'C' Company Country Christmas Jamboree Nov. 14, 7 p.m., at Sussex Regional High features a great lineup: Cora Morrison and Noel Mason, Wanda Grant, Ruth and Eldon Barton, Hailey Colpitts, Rick and Cheryl Russell, Fred Shaw, Ralph and Lynn Henderson, Bill Mullins, Katelyn Farrow and Papa Maston, hosts Donna and Clayton Colpitts and their band, Winston Crawford (fiddle), Art Boyd (lead guitar), Fran Rooney (steel), Elvis Beaulieu, drums. Tickets are $10 at The Source, Gateway Mall, Sussex 433-3447, or call 756-2455 to book your seats. Any tickets left will be sold at door.
GEORGE CANYON CHRISTMAS SHOW
My information is that George Canyon's Christmas Show Dec. 15 at the Imperial Theatre, Saint John, is already sold out, but call 674-4100 or 1-800-324-7469 to check or visit www.imperialtheatre.ca
In the spirit of Canyon's holiday album Candles and Evergreens this show includes a festive mix of classic and modern Yuletide favourites, personal stories, good-natured humour and songs from his newest album What I do.
Gerry Taylor www.gerrytaylor.ca has covered folk and country music for over 30 years.
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