ECMW gets underway with traditional Newfoundland sounds

Night one of the East Coast Music Week was supposed to be low key. There were no official showcases scheduled and aside from a handful of delegate activities, mostly it was a day to arrive, check in and get your bearings. 

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However, St. John's is the host with the most. A city famous for its music and pubs and as always, there was lots going on, especially if you were in the mood for some traditional sounds.

It's always a good sign when you walk into a bar and see the crowd is full of musicians. That was the scene at Erin's Pub on Water Street.

Word was out that it was the place to be and certainly the audience showed that.

David Myles was there, all three Ennis sisters, Irish Mythen, Dawn Beaton of Cape Breton's Beaton Sisters, every province was covered. 

They were there for the usual gig from St. John's performer Matthew Byrne, of the traditional band The Dardanelles.

Byrne is a regular performer at Erin's, the popular bar co-owned by Bob Hallett from Great Big Sea. 

Yes, he was in house as well, checking out the action.

Byrne does a solo set here often, but on this night he pumped it up a bit, inviting some friends and family along. 

Guesting on keyboards for a couple of numbers was Sherman Downey. The pair did a full tour together recently, Downey trading in his usual guitar for some organ action. 

Also on board was Byrne's brother, Alan, who is an accomplished singer and who is working on an album that is due out soon.

In the second set, some of Byrne's Dardanelle cohorts joined Byrne, with button accordion and bodhran filling out the sound. 

But the highlight of the night was when four voices were lifted in harmony, including both Byrne brothers. And that is what you do on a Wednesday in St. John's. 

It's great to be on the rock.