Iqaluit (Oct 18/04) - No one who knows Iqaluit would be surprised by the launch of a CD of traditional Newfoundland music.

Many native Newfoundlanders now call the Arctic home, and many of them are talented musicians.

Michael Doyle played acoustic guitar at the Iqaluit Legion last Wednesday during the release party for his CD Keeping it Traditional. - Brent Reaney/NNSL photo

"If we all went home at one time, we'd sink it," said Michael Doyle.

Originally from Conception Bay North, Nfld., Doyle now makes his home in Iqaluit, where he launched his first solo album last Wednesday night at the Legion.

His new CD, Keeping it Traditional, is a project he's been wanting to do for some time. Recorded in his own studio, the album is made up of tunes close to his heart.

Doyle performs all of the instruments heard on the album, with the sole exception of the accordion, which was played by fellow Northern Rambler Andrew Molloy.

Doyle -- who is one-third of the Northern Ramblers -- along with Molloy and Jimmie Inch can play just about any instrument you can name, including rhythm guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, whistle, harmonica and the bodhran, also known as the Irish drum.

"I'm jack-of-all-trades, master of none, I guess," laughed Doyle.

One song on the album that's especially meaningful for Doyle was written by his father.

"It's a true story about Francis Colbert from Job's Cove, Nfld., who was known for his recitations years ago on the radio station," he said.

"My dad wrote the lyrics and I sat down and put music to it."

Special meaning

The traditional folk song Molly Bawn also has special meaning for his family.

"It's a song my father used to sing a lot around the house when I was growing up," said Doyle.

It was also a favourite of Doyle's grandfather, an ardent fiddler who died before Doyle was born. When Doyle bought a fiddle about five years ago, it was the first song he learned.

"I called my mom and played it for her and she teared up," he said.

"I asked her why and found out that when my grandfather used to take the fiddle down, that was always the first song he would play."

Though he's played on about 15 or so recordings in his career so far, this is his first solo effort. After a year of working on the project, Doyle is thrilled to have the CD in his hands.

"I'm like a kid on Christmas morning," he said. Next on his agenda is recording a CD of traditional music with Iqaluit's middle school choir and the release of the next Northern Ramblers album, due out in November.