Songs of the Newfoundland Outports and Labrador is a 24-song collection, most of which were culled from the vintage field-recordings of Kenneth Peacock, who recorded over 800 songs in Newfoundland between 1951 and 1960. The collection is rounded-out with two recordings by MacEdward Leach, who recorded about 200 songs in Labrador around the same time as Peacock, and a 1968 recording of The Black Velvet Band by John Joe English, recorded by Michael Owen Jones, which according to Mr. English has the original melody or "is the way the song was made."

The package has expert liner notes with full artist listings, recording locations and year of recording, and includes complete lyrics. Liner notes are transcribed in both English and French. In some cases, photos of the artists are included.

The first song is accompanied by guitar, and as noted in the liner, shows the modern influence of the radio, as guitar was a relatively unpopular instrument until the 1930's, and even more so in Newfoundland. It’s no surprise that the rest of the songs are sung a cappella, in English, French and Scots Gaelic.

Some familiar songs are included here: The Greenland Disaster, The Fisher Who Died In His Bed, and The Black Velvet Band, as previously mentioned. Likewise, some familiar themes are revisited: The Stump by Benjamin Letto of L'anse Au Clair* is a variation on the theme of The Rattlin' Bog. and Old Tommy Kendall is a variation on the theme of Paddy Whack. Also of interest is Mrs. Becky Bennett’s mention of Daniel's Harbour native, fiddler Rufus Guinchard, in Dance At Daniel's Harbour almost two decades before Guinchard’s considerable fame in the 70’s. A real highlight of the CD for me is a "Chin Music" track by Mouse Island native Nellie Musseau to add to her lone track on Pigeon Inlets Close To The Floor album.

These are informal, amateur recordings with children crying in the background, false starts, impromptu laughter, etcetera; these things would drive most crazy. To a few, though, this is a beautiful package that is sorely needed, as Newfoundland recordings have a habit of going out of print quickly and are usually done in a very limited run of copies. It's also a nice way to tide one’s self over until Jim Payne's Sing Song label releases the much talked about Peacock Collection on CD-ROM.

Songs of the Newfoundland Outports and Labrador is released by the Archives of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in association with Tout Crin Disques, order number TCDA 19082-2.

[Steve Hussey is a sideman to the stars and an employee of Fred's Records.]