Duncan Cameron
Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | AFM
Music
Press
The mark of a truly great vocalist is the ability to move an audience without musical accompaniment. I’ve heard some of my favorite singers such as Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies), Bonnie Prince Billy, Joni Mitchell and Pat LePoidevin throw down a solo a capella performance on album and at live shows with staggering effects, but I’ve never heard anyone do a whole album of this nature–that was until this past March. Last February vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Duncan Cameron recorded an album entitled Unaccompanied Songs My Father Sang, a collection of 12 traditional/folk songs recorded as solo vocal performances. One might think that such an album could sound rather sparse and boring. Anyone thinking such has obviously never heard Duncan Cameron sing before. His full bodied, warm tenor is rich with emotion and is versatile enough to hold the interest of the listener with it’s vibrato and colorful inflections as is evident from today’s track “The Blooming Bright Star of Belle Isle.”
Although Duncan’s album remains an unofficial RPM submission, as it did not meet the requirement of being original music, it is officially one of my favorites from last February. It exhibits a level of musicianship and sheer beauty that is undeniable and compelling whether you are a fan of traditional music or not. Duncan will be hosting a night of traditional music 9pm this Wednesday (Oct 24th) at The Ship. Drop by and check it out to hear more from him and other amazing local artists.
- The Scope
"Fig For A Kiss gave a stand out performance at the Goderich Celtic Roots 2006. Even among a stellar international line up they truly shone." - ~ Warren Robinson, founder/AD of the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival
"[Fallen Leaf is] a masterpiece. Like cream, the quality of this recording rises to take its place among the best of recent Canadian Celtic releases. It's a thinking person's Celtic music, yet also grabs the heart on a fundamentally emotional level." - ~ Brent Santin, Musician, Cornwall, ON
"Tunes and songs arranged with imagination and delivered with lyricism and understated power. [Fig for a Kiss was] a huge hit at the 2002 Weekend in Paris!”
- ~ Charlie Cares, Artistic Director
“Unsurpassed! … [Duncan Cameron] could pick up a stick of wood in the forest and make music.”
- ~ Lorne Brown, co-founder of The Storytellers School of Toronto (www.storytellingtoronto.org) and ed
"I've been listening all morning to a beautiful new CD by Fig For A Kiss called Fallen Leaf......
Sensational. You are all so amazing. Truly a collection to hold close to one's heart and be thankful that it was captured on CD.
With no track that can go unloved, renewing devotion for tunes I've previously heard and introducing new ones as revelations. (MUST give special mention however to track no.3 - the Gentle Reproach set - it strikes me mute, breathless, heart beating faster, more alive, not caring if it never ends...)
Thank you, thank you, thank you."
- ~ H.F., Toronto, ON
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Immersed in traditional music from a young age, Duncan first began performing with his family at age 10. Since then he has recorded and toured with many acclaimed groups including The Irish Descendants (Juno award winners in 1996), The Pierre Schryer Band (Juno nominated in 2004), and Fig For A Kiss (nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award in 2006). He has performed extensively throughout Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
Although Duncan continues to contribute to various CDs and bands, he is now focused on his solo career. His strong vocals, creative arrangements and compositions, and his command of ten instruments will make a powerful combination on his next solo recording.
Band Members
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