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Big City Bluegrass
Notre Dame de Grass releases "New
Canada Road"
with special guest
Terry Joe Banjo
Saturday, May 26
The Green Room (5386 St. Laurent)
8 p.m. doors / 8:30 p.m. show $10
Produced by juno-nominated David Travers-Smith (The Wailin' Jennys,
Jane Siberry, Harry Manx, The Foggy Hogtown Boys), New Canada
Road features eight original Canadian bluegrass numbers penned
by lead singer and bandleader Matt Large. The 14 track collection
is rounded out by songs written by Canadian folk music icon David
Francey, exceptional lyric and melody team Dave Clarke and Lucinda
Chodan, local Montréal songwriter Norm Dionne, and Appalachian poet
the Elder Berryman Hicks, along with two rousing instrumentals by
Notre Dame de Grass banjo wizard Guy Donis.
Recorded in Toronto in November of 2006, this exceptional release
explores a wide swath of traditional and contemporary bluegrass
sounds and themes. "We wanted to make a record that would be
received with praise by both the bluegrass community and the folk
and traditional roots community as well. I think we have been able
to make a record that will welcome the non-bluegrass listener into
the fold," says bandleader Matt Large.
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Notre Dame de Grass is a five-piece bluegrass band
specializing in original songs and instrumental material.
Songsmith/guitarist Matt Large and composer/banjoist Guy Donis
provide the palette for fiddler Jeremy Penner, mandolinist Bob
Cussen, and bassist Andrew Horton to exhibit their exceptional
skill.
While staying true to the conservative sensibilities of bluegrass
music, Notre Dame de Grass calls upon the deep well of North
American folk idioms to inform their work. Featuring strong vocal
harmonies and high-calibre instrumental musicianship, a Notre Dame
de Grass concert is a unique tour de force.
"NDG is an all-star band of musicians. You don't need to be a
bluegrass junkie to love this band."
Gene Swimmer,
Former Ottawa Folk Festival Director
"We shared the evening with Matt Large and Notre Dame de Grass. I
enjoyed Matt very much, and the band was hot. It was a treat to
listen to them. They did a scorching version of my song "Saturday
Night". I may never play it again!"
David Francey,
Three-time Juno-winning songwriter |
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