MICHAEL T. WALL
The Singing Newfoundlander
Shake
My Hand I’m From Newfoundland – Little Boats of Newfoundland – Little
Isle of Newfoundland – My Island in The Sea – Folks of Newfoundland –
Ann From Newfoundland – Sqid Jiggin’ Ground – Come Home Newfoundlander –
Discovery of Newfoundland – The Singing Newfoundlander – Sons of Ol’
Newfoundland – Song For Mother Earth – The Heritage – Pee Wee The Wonder
Worm – I’m Coming Home To You Newfoundland – The Newfie Stomp
Michael T.
Wall, is without a doubt, the best promoter Newfoundland has ever had,
or ever will have. His incredible love, fond memories, are experiences
that led him to world-wide fame as a country music artist not afraid to
write and sing honestly about his roots. In a musical genre very
similar to early country music, we hear the beloved accordion player in
“Little Isle of Newfoundland” what a magnificent representation of
‘country’ music this is. We don’t hear this sincerity or honesty in
music anymore, it’s all been erased, but not quite. There are still
strong creators and supporters of a very ‘rural’ musical genre that will
not die away so long as ‘truth’ still prevails in the lyrics of songs.
This ‘collection’ of simply great ‘story’ songs is one of the best I’ve
heard in a long time. I’ve given up trying to find this very important
element that no longer appears in so-called country music today. What a
terrible shame and a terrible ‘purchased’ genre of music it has turned
into. Michael Wall takes us right back where that original dedication
and obvious ‘storytelling’ quality still exists. It’s also amazing that
Michael contributed his writing abilities to only four of these 16
songs. This in itself lets us know that Newfoundlanders still hold
their homeland in gentle hands. Since some of this material goes all
the way back to 1972, the studio engineer who put this together sure
knew what he was doing. Beautiful artwork on the cover, an original
painting, “Little Boats of Newfoundland’ adds to the beauty of the
entire project. Each song, each story, is a remarkable history lesson as
well as a most entertaining musical experience. History has repeatedly
told us, in very frank terms, that what we leave behind are the ‘seeds’
of what becomes planted in the future. Michael’s ‘garden’ is certainly
full of the beauty of music, that will survive the eternities. Because
this is a ‘collection’ of some of Michael’s best works, we don’t know
who the individual musicians are. However with the heart of a poet, and
the smarts of an engineer, Michael picked the ‘best of the crop.’ Each
and every musician is definitely in the same ‘garden row’ that Michael
T. Wall is in. Same holds true for him in Australia, where he is quite
famous. “Come Home Newfoundlander” is the ultimate invitation to
someone who originally came from this beautiful isle of Canada,
discovered in 1497. I’m thinking Sabrina Wall is Michael’s daughter.
She does a remarkable rendition dedicated to “Song For Mother Earth.’
What a lovely addition to an already beautiful CD. How could it get any
better, closing with “I’m Coming Home To You Newfoundland” and
celebrating with “The Newfie Stomp.”
RECORD REVIEW BY BOB EVERHART, Pres., National Traditional Country Music Association for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show