The Banks of Newfoundland: Traditional Ballads
"Matthew Byrne sings with a voice as true as a compass needle and is a dab hand on his instruments as well. His "Ballads" is one of the finest English language traditional albums to come out in many a year." (James Keelaghan)
“ a great young singer and a breath of hope for traditional song in Canada.” (Ian Robb, Finest Kind)
“…one of the finest singers in contemporary Newfoundland folk music.” (Glen Tilley, CBC Radio)
The iconic Fred’s Records of St. John’s Newfoundland says Matthew Byrne is “one of Newfoundland’s most authentic, vital and exceptional musical voices… A talented storyteller, he has an innate knack for accentuating words and musical moments, adding a dramatic tone to a song. is an earnest, stark, sombre and picturesque representation of the authentic oral and narrative musical traditions of Newfoundland and the UK. He is a triple threat. His understanding of the ebb and flow of a narrative, his superb musicianship and his clean, clear tenor voice (we lovingly refer to him as Newfoundland’s James Taylor) all contribute to the splendor of the album. “Ballads” is an honestly delivered record. It is natural and has a timeless quality that is a product of Matthew’s acute sense of maintaining the structure and tradition of the songs. Byrne is an incredibly gifted musician and his confident playing hangs the perfect backdrop for his vocal. He is, in many ways, a folklorist. He comes from a long line of song collectors and in doing so; he is insuring the continuation of the art of storytelling and song that has become a cornerstone of the Newfoundland culture.
Matthew says “I'm honoured to be part of Ottawa Storytellers' Fourth Stage series at the NAC. As a singer of traditional ballads, I'm not only fascinated with the story told in each song, but also with the stories that surround them. Where they come from, how they change, how they come to me, and where they're going next. Each song has its own unique lineage, which I'm excited to share with an audience of storytelling enthusiasts. This will also be an opportunity to perform brand new material from my forthcoming album. Should be a great evening! “
Matthew Byrne Matthew's highly anticipated second solo effort, "Hearts & Heroes", will be released on May 31st.
About Matthew Byrne
Matthew Byrne was born into a family of music makers from Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, and his repertoire is heavily influenced by this unique singing tradition. It is a tradition that thrives on the song – the weaving of a great story with a beautiful melody – and Matthew’s music reminds us how satisfying traditional songs can be when stripped down to these basic elements. His live performance offers tasteful and honest interpretations of folk music delivered with polished guitar work and powerful vocals. His repertoire transcends time and place and offers a collection of songs from both sides of the Atlantic.
Matthew’s first studio album, “Ballads”, gained considerable attention from the traditional music community, resulting in three MusicNL award nominations: Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, and Rising Star New Artist/Group of the Year, as well as multiple showcasing opportunities at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards.
In addition to his solo work, Matthew is also bouzouki player and vocalist for The Dardanelles , a supergroup of young traditional players from Newfoundland who’ve made quite a name for themselves throughout the North American folk festival circuit in only a few short years. Since his entry into the group in spring 2010, Matthew has performed at numerous notable venues including the Winnipeg Folk Festival, International Folk Alliance, and The Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia.
The Banks of Newfoundland: Traditional Ballads
at the NAC’s 4th STAGE (53 Elgin Street) on Thursday, April 17, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7:00 Ages 12 and up Tickets: $20, $17 for seniors, Live Rush & subscription available
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