The Barra MacNeils

Last updated
The Barra MacNeils
Origin Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genres Celtic music folk rock
Years active1980–present
Labels PolyGram
MembersSheumas MacNeil, Kyle MacNeil, Stewart MacNeil, Lucy MacNeil, Ryan MacNeil, Boyd MacNeil
Website www.barramacneils.com

The Barra MacNeils are a Canadian musical group from Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. The founding members of the group are siblings Sheumas, Kyle, Stewart, and Lucy MacNeil. [1] [2] In 2005, two additional brothers, Ryan and Boyd, joined the band. The Scottish island of Barra is the ancestral home of Clan MacNeil.

Contents

Musical career

The MacNeil siblings are from Cape Breton Island and began performing together in 1980 while still teenagers (Lucy MacNeil being only 10 years old). Consequently, they were only able to perform on weekends, and toured during school holidays. The siblings are classically trained musicians and alumni of Mount Allison University. (Sheumas '84, Kyle '85, Stewart '87, and Lucy '91)

In 1986, they released their first eponymous album on their own independent label. The Barra MacNeils won their first East Coast Music Award in 1991, and have won four more since, including a Juno Award for Album of the Year for TimeFrame in 1992, and a Group of the Year award in 2001. They signed with PolyGram, and their first two albums were re-released while their 1993 album Closer To Paradise earned a gold record. They have been an opening act for Céline Dion and have toured regularly across North America and Europe.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumChart PositionsCRIA
CANCAN Country
1986The Barra MacNeils
1989Rock in the Stream
1990Timeframe
1993Closer to Paradise3310Gold
1994The Traditional Album
1995The Question61
1997Until Now
1999The Christmas Album
2000Racket in the Attic
2005All at Once
2006The Christmas Album II
2007The 20th Anniversary Collection
2009In Concert(live)
In Session(live)
2012The Celtic Colours Sessions
The Barra MacNeils with Symphony Nova Scotia(live)
2018On The Bright Side

Singles

YearTitleChart PositionsAlbum
CAN ACCANCAN Country
1990"My Heart's in the Highlands"Timeframe
1993"Row Row Row"364181
"Darling Be Home Soon"2923Closer to Paradise
1994"In the Wink of an Eye"122531
"Caledonia"22
1995"We Celebrate"1646
"Myopic"2456The Question
1996"The Ballad of Lucy Jordan"50
1997"Mouth Music"Until Now
2000"Misty Moisty Morning"Racket in the Attic
2001"By Northern Light"

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References

  1. Bowman, Durrell. "Barra MacNeils", The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  2. Elaine Keillor (18 March 2008). Music in Canada: Capturing Landscape and Diversity. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 298–. ISBN   978-0-7735-3391-2.