Music
Press
“The sound is vibrant, due to Scott’s skillful utilization and blending of diverse and eclectic traditional instrumentation, ranging from the Irish and Native drums to the contemporary electric guitar. North American blues, folk and the indigenous rhythms of his homeland, and his rich Celtic ancestry stylistically influence the music. The varying traditional components and the contemporary approach allow the past to be linked with the present and point a way to the future.”
Arnold Mc Bay, Artist St-Catherines, Ontario.
“Un petit cours de recyclage sur l’histoire du Canada, ça vous dirait? À travers quinze compositions issues de sa plume et formant le fondement d’un project multi-média, le chansonnier Scott MacLeod jette un regard lucide, exhaustif et objectif (et aussi très instructif) sur les principaux évènements ayant marqué l’évolution de notre beau pays depuis le siècle de sa venue au monde. Cette formule innovatrice ne devrait cependant pas nous faire perdre de vue le fait que Scott MacLeod s’affirme sur ce disque comme un auteur-compositeur-interprète très talentueux!”
Jacques Garcia, Paroles & Music SOCAN Magazine.
“The narrative and lyrical parts of the performance address the subject matter presented in the other mediums simply, intelligently and without cultural bias. The aim of the performance is to increase awareness of the cultural mosaic that exists in Canada and to provoke thought and dialogue about our history and future.”
“Although Scott MacLeod’s name is not yet a household name in Canadian music, he is definitely not a stranger to the music business. He has been writing and recording music since his childhood and has performed on stages throughout Canada, America, and Europe.”
Cameron Noyse, Music promoter Vancouver, B.C.
“Toes were tapping and people were singing to the catchy chorus of the Cape Breton song “Thistle and the Rose”. “Sailing 1847”, a song about Ireland’s “Coffin Ships” finished off the set, combining sombre theme with upbeat music.”
T’cha Dunlevy, The Link, Montreal, Quebec.
A Brief Canadian History is a necessary tool that slides well across the curriculum. We all could benefit from seeing this presentation, if only to take some more pride in who we are and where we, as Canadians, come from. Scott is a proud Canadian, and subsequently, a wonderful educator of that pride.
Hutley Addie, teacher at John Rennie High School, Montreal, Quebec.
“A Brief Canadian History” brings together a creative mix of professionalism, humour, and heartfelt lyrics. The presentation was fast paced and interesting. The atmosphere created by questions, answers, slides and music was wonderful.”
Mrs. R. Wyse, Teacher at Riverdale High School, Montreal, Quebec.
“Dear Scott,
Thank you very much for visiting our school and sharing your stories with us all. I learned a lot about Canadian history and the tales of long ago. My favorite song was the one Kat sang about Elsie MacGill. Your whole group is talented especially when you played two instruments at once. I can see that it must have taken a lot of practice to make your lyrics and music perfect. When I went home I told all my stories to my family and made them more interested in the history of Canada. I hope to be able to hear you again because your music was great. I enjoyed the slides they made the performance a lot more visible in my mind. I enjoyed it a lot and I thank you again for coming. Hope to see you perform again.”
Student from Northview Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec.
“The educational materials that you sent to us prior to your performance were intrumental in achieving the audience reaction and participation that it did. The song booklet, along with its capsule studies of certain events in our history and accompanying follow-up questions, turned your performance into a mini-project. Rather than just “watching” another theatre group perform for us, the students were able to both prepare for your performance and then join you as we all sang your Canadian history songs. What a wonderful history lesson!”
Nancy Stokes and Walter Makowski, Teachers at Northview Elementary School, Montreal, Quebec.
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Discography
The Regent Sessions (1994), a six song EP
http://www.macleod9.com/music/discs.html
A Brief Canadian History (2000), a thirteen song LP
http://www.macleod9.com/music/discs.html
http://www.abriefcanadianhistory.com/ordercd.html
http://cdbaby.com/cd/macleod92
Three New Songs - A Brief Canadian History (2004)
http://www.abriefcanadianhistory.com/ordercd.html
Closing of the 4th Cycle (2006), a nine song LP
http://www.macleod9.com/music/discs.html
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=206127087
http://cdbaby.com/cd/macleod92
After the war with Hannelore (2007), a ten song LP
http://www.macleod9.com/music/discs.html
http://cdbaby.com/cd/macleod93
Photos
Bio
G.S. MacLeod has over 100 exhibitions and 100 performances to his name and is a well-known Montreal interdisciplinary artist who works as a painter, photographer, filmmaker and musician, whose work has addressed social-political issues and historical themes. He has traveled, studied, performed and exhibited across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe. He has been involved in the Canadian music scene since 1985 as a songwriter and performer in folk, Celtic and rock bands—most notably as a member of This New Land, Trinity, Craic and MacLeod 9.
In 2006 G.S. MacLeod joined with musicians/artists Brunelle and Tondino to broaden his sound. Much of their collective work has been rooted in education, social-political issues and outreach. They are all members of international art collective La Raza Group www.larazagroup.com
In 2007 G.S. MacLeod introduced Xochilt Pardo into the group because of her unique international percussion style featuring the Cajon and many other exotic hand percussion instruments.
G.S MacLeod has performed his Brief Canadian History show in Berlin, the Side-sounds Music Festival in Oslo and Bergen, The Harbourfront Theatre in Toronto, The Hudson Village Theatre, Heritage Hall in Vancouver with members of the Squamish Nation, and at many primary and secondary schools in the Montreal area. Also benefits concerts for Amnesty International Art for love and Freedom, the Lubicon Cree Nation in Northern Alberta, the Mohawks of Khanesetake, food banks, AIDS hospices, orphanages, and hospitals.
Current projects are:
A Brief Canadian History
G. S. MacLeod is the creator and singer/songwriter for A Brief Canadian History, a 45-minute music performance in English and French celebrating the history of Canada, highlighting historically significant men, women and events with digital projections of people from Canada’s collective, multicultural heritage. Prominent figures and events include the Iroquois, the Blackfoot, the Acadiens, the Patriotes, Louis Riel, the Klondike, the Underground Railroad, WW I & II, The Great Depression, Rocket Richard, Terry Fox, and others.
Closing of the 4th Cycle
This nine song release was produced by Andrew Midleton and G.S. MacLeod and mixed and mastered by Jamie Hébert. It is a Revelation Rock–Eco Armageddon spoken word and song-driven album. The titled was inspired by Frank Water’s 'The Hopi', Thomas Email’s 'The Hopi Survival Kit', 'There is a River' (the story of Edgar Cayce) by Thomas Surgue, the ancient Sumerian Epic of 'Gilgamesh', and finally, many of Joseph Campbell’s works on mythology. It is a thematic concept album, in the spirit of Marvin Gaye’s 'What’s Going On', 'An American Prayer' by The Doors, 'Contact From The Underworld of Redboy' by Robbie Robertson, and 'The Past Didn’t Go Anywhere' by Utah Phillips and Ani DiFranco.
After the war with Hannelore
G.S. MacLeod’s newest foray was a soundtrack for his recent documentary 'After the war with Hannelore'. He produced along side Ky Anto and Shaun Pilot this ten song album for MacLeod's 30-minute documentary, which pays homage to native Berliner and survivor of the Cold War and the Soviet era, Hannelore Scheiber. This seven-vignette documentary deals with her Cold War experiences in Berlin from 1945 to 1982. The film and songs honour her oral histories of post-war Berlin.
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