I Have Seen the Future and It’s Called Sprag Session
Cape Breton traditional music is often called fiddle music because that instrument usually takes the melodic lead with the piano as the chief accompaniment. Our music has been played on these two instruments at dances and house parties for the last century.
Because the music is so closely related to the Cape Breton dance tradition, there have been relatively few experiments with additional instrumentation and rhythms. This is not to say it hasn’t been done. Slainte Mhath, Beoloach and some of Ashley MacIsaac’s music come to mind.
You can now add Sprag Session to that list with the release of their self titled debut record. Fiddler Colin Grant and piano player Jason Roach are part of the hugely talented and knowledgeable vanguard of twenty something year old composers and players currently on the scene.