Sons of Membertou

Wapna'kik: The People of the Dawn

Smithsonian Folkways – SFW CD 40603

Format: CD, Album
Country: Canada, Mi'kma'kik
Released: February 21, 2025
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, World, & Indigenous
[Tracklist]
1 The People of the Dawn / Wejkwita'jik (The Gathering Song) (04:39)
2 Sma'knis (Veteran's Song) (04:08)
3 Kepmite'tmnej (Mi'kmaq Honour Song) (08:29)
4 The Mountain / Mukla'qati (04:08)
5 500 Years (04:21)
6 Kwan'to'te' (02:59)
7 Kwa'nu'te' (04:01)
8 Ko'jua (Partridge Dance) (02:58)
9 The People of the Dawn / Kniskamijinaq (The Ancestors' Song) (08:15)
[Credites]
Producer: David Wilfred Burke, George Christmas, Marcia Ostashewski, Compiler, Liner Notes, Writer: Barrell Bernard, Sr., Liner Notes Editor: J.R. Isadore, Jane Meader, Sharon Farrell, James Deutsch, Cover Artwork: Gerald Richard Gloade, Mastering Engineer: Christopher Jones
[Notes]
Wapna'kik (The People of the Dawn) by Mi'kmaw musical group Sons of Membertou foregrounds the powerful voices of their people. First released in 1995, Wapna'kik documents a vital resurgence of the Membertou community’s music practices. The 2025 updated edition by Smithsonian Folkways includes "Mi'kmaq Honour Song" and "500 Years," introducing a new generation of singers and musicians. Their addition to the album exemplifies the diversity of Mi’kmaw sonic and poetic expressions, which continue, as they have for centuries, to incorporate global influences. Drums play a central role throughout the album, uniting generations of those who strengthen Mi’kmaw language and culture through these songs.

Firemen's Centennial Parade

Folkways Records – FH 5120

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: United States
Released: 1965
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Brass & Military
[Tracklist]
A1 Lambertville Drum and Bugle Corps (01:28)
A2 Bordentown Drum and Bugle Corps (02:34)
A3 North Hunterdon Regional School Band (05:23)
A4 Warren County Police Athletic League Band 01:28)
A5 Hunterdon Central High School Band (02:34)
A6 Hunterdon Central H.S. Band (05:23)
A7 The Harbourton Highlanders (01:56)
A8 Harboutron Highlanders (03:04)
A9 High Bridge H. S. Band (02:50)
B1 High Bridge H. S. Band (01:35)
B2 High Bridge H. S. Band (02:41)
B3 Titusville Drum and Bugle Corp (02:16)
B4 Lakeland Drum Bugle Corp (02:16)
B5 St. Rose of Lima Drum and Bugle (01:47)
B6 Greenlanders Drum and Bugle Corp (02:38)
B7 Charlie Kineck (02:46)
B8 Milltown Firemen's Junior Ban (03:20)
[Credits]
Recorder: Frederic Ramsey and Amelia J. Ramsey, Designer: Ronald Clyne
[Notes]
On June 6, 1964, 16 marching bands came together in Lamberville, New Jersey, to mark the centennial of two local volunteer fire companies with a pageant that showcased the region’s history and fire equipment. Drum and bugle corps performed energetic marches, with high school bands and pipers also contributing to the music of the day. The low chugging of passing fire equipment and incidental sounds capture the atmosphere of the celebration. While a recording of overlapping music and sounds may seem unlikely, it evokes the informal and joyous spirit of a festival.

Toronto: Fast Folk Musical Magazine Volume 4 Number 8

Fast Folk Musical Magazine - FFFF408

Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: Canada, United States
Released: 1992
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk
[Tracklist]
A1 UIC: Jamie Snider (01:51)
A2 Railroad Line: Bill Garrett and Curley Boy Stubbs (02:45)
A3 Down on the Station: Marie-Lynn Hammond, Allan Soberman, and Evelyne Datl (04:16)
A4 Les Raftsmen: Tamarack (02:38)
A5 The Stolen Child: Loreena McKennitt, David Woodhead, and Brian Hughes (05:23)
A6 The Ballad of the Springhill Mine Disaster: Tex Konig (05:16)
A7 Shorelines: Eye Music (04:40)
B1 Isabella Gunn: Eileen McGann and Sean Mulrooney (04:38)
B2 North Vancouver Island Song: Ian Tamblyn and Fred Guigion (03:59)
B3 Falling Night: Bob Carpenter and David Woodhead (04:17)
B4 A Young Girl Cut Down in Her Prime: Catherine Crowe, Ian Goodfellow, Martin Gould (04:01)
B5 Innocent Eyes: Tim Harrison, Ron Sellwood, Paul Mills, and David Woodhead (04:41)
B6 New Swing Reel: Rare Air (04:50)
[Credits]
Producer: Richard A. Meyer, Recorder: David Seitz, and Field Worker: David Dobbs
[Notes]
Fast Folk Musical Magazine was formed to serve as an outlet in the promotion of "noncommercial artistic music," also known as American folk music. In this edition, the magazine journeys to Toronto to spotlight Canadian folk musicians. The musical tour covers the Maritime Provinces ("The Ballad of the Springhill Mine Disaster"), Hudson Bay ("Isabella Gunn"), the Pacific coast ("North Vancouver Island Song"), a poem by William Butler Yeats set to music ("The Stolen Child"), a song about unemployment ("U.I.C."), and a song featuring Highland pipes ("New Swing Reel"). The baker’s dozen of songs are performed before a live audience. A 24-page facsimile of the magazine accompanies the recording.