HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-09, Page 15twits",
Rankin Sisters
ring in the season
Carolyn Parks -Mintz
for the signal -star
The audience was abuzz
Friday at North Street United
Church in Goderich. They
knew that they were in for a
wonderful night of music—
Celtic, pop, East Coast, folk,
country—whatever was on
the play list was bound to be
good.
And they weren't disap-
pointed. The multi -award
winning and hugely talented
Rankin Sisters launched their
annual Christmas tour in
Goderich Dec. 4. '
"A Maritime Christmas"
hit all the high notes—lit-
erally and figuratively—as
Raylene, Cookie and Heather
Rankin filled the lofty sanc-
tuary with unique and match-
less sound.
There's no mistaking a
Rankin tune -the incompa-
rable blend of voices meant
to sing together is distinct-
ly Rankin—their signature
sound instantly recognizable.
Hailing from Cape Breton
Island and a family of 12,
The Rankin's have consis-
tently produced brilliant ma-
terial, either individually or
as a group, since their profes-
sional beginning in 1989.
The sisters' "Do You Hear
... " Christmas album is no
different. And the gals deliv-
ered several cuts from it dur-
ing the concert, much to the
delight of the fans packing
the hall.
Backed by an excellent six -
piece tour band, The Rankin
Sisters pure and crystalline
soprano voices flowed from
one piece to another—inter-
spersed with anecdotes and
East Coast humour that abso-
lutely connected performers
to audience.
Starting with Cookie's "I
Wonder as I Wander", . the
music wrapped listeners in a
blanket of beautiful harmony
and soaring solos.
Their angelic voices trans-
ported the audience to ai& oth-
erworldly place, to a place of
peace and love—and fun.
Original arrangements of
standards such as "Rockin'
Around the Christmas Tree"
and "Do You Hear What I
Hear" gave fresh energy to
these favourites.
The evening wouldn't have
been complete without a taste
of Rankin hits such as Ray-
lene's marvelous "We Rise
Again" and Cookie's "Bor-
ders and Time."
Regardless of who was
singing lead or who was sing-
ing backup harmony, the ethe-
real wall of sound the group
produced was spectacular.
Band members, Wendy Ma-
cIsaac and first cousin Maddy
Rankin were outstanding on
violins (or "fiddles" as they're
called out east) that alternate-
ly wailed and purred.
Just before the intermission,
the audience was treated to
East Coast step dancing, first
by Maddy and then by The
Rankin Sisters themselves.
The Celtic flavour through-
out the evening was further
accentuated by their flying
feet, intricate steps and won-
derful rhythms. Multi -talent-
ed indeed!
The finale of an incred-
ible musical evening was the
breathtakingly beautiful carol
"Silent Night." The audi-
ence hung on every note of
the trio's exquisite rendition
of this traditional Christmas
favourite. Standing ovation,
of course.
A Cape Breton version of
"Joy to World" performed as
only The Rankin's can, was
served up as the encore num-
ber, including more of the sis-
ters' great Celtic dancing, and
followed, of course, by an-
other standing ovation from a
wildly enthusiastic crowd.
Asked following the con-
cert how they kept energy lev-
els up during a long tour, the
gifted Rankin Sisters agreed
that it's not difficult for them
because they love the Christ-
mas music that's part of their
family tradition and that play-
ing intimate venues is what
they especially enjoy.
Between now and Decem-
ber 22, "A Maritime Christ-
mas" concert will launch the
festive season in 16 towns
and cities in Ontario and the
Maritimes.
Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 - Page 15
Gode ricl, & D is trict Chamber of Go in inc rce
p reseizts...
s
onso,-ed by
AWA R D S
Gala
(.o,h rtrh \\ 1 )i.utrt
Chamber id ( poulterer
liu.nu •. „I the Year
or ed hy'
Goderich & District
Commerce
the SHI ' \r r•
Business .l\r.0 d
Spo„fared til:
I luron Small
FittrI;,:,.. t. enilr
Capital Power C
Corporation
Con%ntnnt\ Start,
tcu d
cpomored
(`af,td!'
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
NEW for this year — The Goderich Signal -Star
_ Community Impact Award!
Vote for yourfavourite ervent that made
an impact on the coal nnhinity!
Go to www.goderichchainber. ca
and nominate online today,
send in the nomination form to
fax 519-440-0305 or drop it off f to the
Chamber Office a cit 56 East St
OR Fill in the ballot below and drop it off
at the Goderich Signal -Star.
Deadline is December 31st, 2009
Me Spirit of Success Awards Gala
willbe held at the
Saltford Valley Hall January 29th, 2010
'Fel: 519-440-0176 Erail: intoOlgodcrichchai1Ibcr.ca •
l -ll'Fcchnorogr
:Manufacturing 1%, aid
Sponsored itr
Belt
Fn‘innnncur
Foundation
En% iturttncnt:tl
ANarcnr.• .1%, and
Spon,o, et/ 14:
I'I) Friends of thr
Environment
Fuundauun
lour;.nl C;o,l i, 1,
I Instritalir%
Bu.inr..
lit\�n01(.o.1 u.h
Iluron;a
DIED -F -OX
'1EDIChair Retail
Business .1m and
Spots% ed by:
1 Iuronia
N1P.D-1:-OX Ltd.
I(icI tI1.rhnen
Young 1 1111 eraenctn
t\,11\I
.(pon,or rd /'r:
'the Lehuen Fancily
in 'Hermit -1. in.
Richard Lehner'
Send in or drop off your nomination for the Community Impact Award to the
• Goderich Signal -Star 120 Huckins St.,
Goderich PO Box220 N7A 4B6
Event Name:
L
Sample of events... Celtic Festival, Communities In Bloom, Bluesfest, Wind Symphony Orchestra, Children's
Festival, Art in the Park, Kinsmen Summerfest, CT Scanner Fundraising campaign, Radiothon for Health,
Relay for Life, Young Canada Week, Santa Claus Parade, Mass Pipe Band, Piping Down the Sun,
Canada Day Celebrations, GLT, IODE Christmas House Tour, Health and Harvest Event, Pluckin Fest, Scare-
crow, Blyth Thresher Reunibn, Dungannon Tractor Pull or any other event you would like to nominate.