The folk duo of Frantically Atlantic boast of the immense number of environments they’ve found themselves performing in; kitchens, barns, churches, gardens – even movable venues like trains and escalators. It would be easier to list the places their veritable armory of instruments hasn’t been lugged to. It’s a versatility that lends itself to the tracks of their sophomore album, Maggie In The Woods. With such traditional, beloved songs in their arsenal, it’s only natural a sense of familiarity would form. Listening to them play feels like coming home to something reliable and warm.
This is especially true when you look at the selections they’ve made for this album. Each choice shows a true commitment to capturing and representing the essence of Eastern Canada. It’s clear that they’ve drawn heavily from Irish folk songs, but with tracks like Acadian folk tune “Grain de Mil”, they make sure to cover more of their bases.
The album is comprised largely of instrumental pieces, allowing members Michelle Daigle and Don Rigley to showcase their expertise at almost every instrument under the sun (and yes, that’s including the soft lull of Daigle’s vocals when called for). Rigley’s fiddling serves as a strong focal point for most of the tracks, but other instruments are often expertly implemented in layers that somehow manage to be complex and simple all at once. It’s a fine line that Frantically Atlantic have learned to walk with relative ease.
Despite appearing early in the album, the comedic “Finnegan’s Wake” is a high point of the album. The song is a staple in the repertoires of many Irish bands, and it fits nicely alongside this selection as well. Daigle and Rigley nail the highs and lows of the tempo. The track is full of fun flourishes they add to uphold the narrative and keep it exciting.
Though only two of the songs on the album are originals, they nestle so comfortably alongside their counterparts that the average person would be none the wiser. “Father Dunphy’s Picnic” is a bittersweet ballad that focuses more on the storytelling aspect of the song, with only Daigle’s voice and the gentle strum of guitar present. Meanwhile, “Carleton County Girl” is a fun, harmonica-driven jig. Both are a nice addition to the landscape of Atlantic Canada that Daigle and Rigley strive to celebrate, as they add a more modern flavour to the mix.
Frantically Atlantic cover a lot of ground with this album. If you’re already a fan of a lot of the traditional tracks on here, then you’ll be thrilled to hear them spin their own versions. If you’re not familiar, then they ensure that your introduction is a memorable one. Either way, their love for Atlantic Canada and its history bleeds into every note they play – it’s right there in their group name, after all.
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