Trish Clair-Peck: Press

Fiddler Trish Clair-Peck lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia, and there's a wide-open feeling in her music on "Dawson's Tumble" (self-released 2007), her first release of traditional and original tunes. The music blends Irish, Scottish, Quebecois and Scandinavian sources and influences with an often elegant touch, as in the darkly moody "Night Crossing," on which fiddle, two violas and dulcimer combine in a stately air, and the sweet lullaby "A Nest for Niall," written with obvious affection for her son.

This Protection Island, BC, resident hails from just across the water in Courtenay on Vancouver Island. "Dawson's Tumble" is a collection of traditional fiddle tunes and original compositions. There's also a cover of Richard Thompson's Fairport classic, "Farewell Farewell."

Clair-Peck is joined, among others, by Rick Scott on dulcimer, Terry Boyle on guitar, and Paul O'Brien on guitar, mandola, and bodhran. This is a solid recording, but not particularly rootsy. Her background is classical music and many of the arrangements lean towards that set of influences, such as on the stately "Night Crossing." Strong playing throughout.

Protection Island resident Trish Clair-Peck is celebrating the news that her debut CD is receiving national attention. "Dawson's Tumble," which has been nominated for Best Instrumental Album (solo) at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, features favorite traditional fiddle tunes plus 7 original compositions. Much of the original music on "Dawson's Tumble" was inspired by, or reflects, Trish's life on Protection Island. The contemplative "Night Crossing" is a sonic representation of a late-night boat ride across the Nanaimo harbour; "Snowball Hill" depicts the unique experience of tobagganing on Island roads; the rollicking opening tracks were inspired by life with a toddler ("Dawson's Tumble") and a three-day-long winter power outage ("Black Out Reel"). The CD was recorded and mixed on Protection Island by Anthony Maki, with a cast of talented Vancouver Island musicians: Rick Scott, Paul O'Brien, Terry Boyle, Veronica Wagner, Anthony Maki, Chris Helman, Charity Munro, and Andrea L'Heureux.

You can catch Trish live in concert with singer-songwriter Paul O'Brien on Friday, November 23 at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music. Tickets are available at the Conservatory (375 Selby Street) or by calling 754-4611. You can also pick up "Dawson's Tumble" at Fascinating Rhythm and at www.cdbaby.com.