In early 2000, I upgraded the recording studio to a digital format called "PARIS"
April of 2000
"Ceilidh in the Caribbean"
Dominican Republic
2001 solo album - "Reel in the Flickering Light"
nominated for East Coast Music Award 2003
During the early 2000's, Richard Wood played a lot with "The Chieftains" (including Carnegie Hall!), and later in a fiddle extravaganza called "Bowfire".
We did a few Canadian tours and festivals with Brad Fremlin, two Canadian tours (British Columbia & Yukon, and Ontario) with the lovely Megan Bergeron on keys, and a show in North Carolina with Kimberley Holmes.
In 2002, a fearless 16 year old Cynthia MacLeod came to the Guernsey Cove studio and recorded her debut album.
It won PEI Music Awards "Album of the Year".
We first played live together on Canada Day in Charlottetown that year, then played at her ECMA showcases in Halifax and Newfoundland, and toured as a duo to British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and the New England States through to 2007.
Her career continues to evolve, and I love to perform with her whenever the opportunity arises.
Joined by storytelling humorist Nils Ling, we have done a show called "The Truth About Christmas" on PEI and across Canada.
2003
"Patch" 25 year reunion show
Edmonton, Alberta
A studio highlight was recording the anthem for the Special Olympics Winter Games which took place in Charlottetown in 2004. The recording used a total of 76 instrumental and vocal tracks to produce.
"Just Watch Me / Je m'envole" (composed by Gordon Belsher with French lyrics by Réal Pelletier) featured vocals by Savannah Belsher and Réal Pelletier, with major contributions from Richard Wood on fiddle, Brad Fremlin on percussion, and Timothy Cummings on the highland bagpipes. The song was performed at the opening gala which was broadcast live on the TSN TV channel.
In 2005 Prince Edward Island Tourism distributed 100,000 copies of a compilation produced in the Guernsey Cove Parlour.
2006 solo album "Call up all the Neighbours"
nominated for East Coast Music Award 2008
A 2006 highlight was forming a quirky eclectic trio called "Saxafras" with daughter Savannah, and future son inlaw Todd MacLean
.
We performed over two summer seasons and recorded a great CD, my favourite that has come out of the recording studio. It was nominated in two categories at the PEI MUSIC Awards.
Also in 2006, I was part of
"Celtic Blaze", a production at the Confederation Centre of the Arts
in Charlottetown starring jaw-dropping fiddler/step-dancer
left to right, Chas Guay - bass, Kyla Cook - dancer, Gordon Belsher - guitar, Stephanie Cadman, Kirk White - drums, Brad Fremlin - keys, Juliette Roberts - dancer
Recording at Doug Riley's house in Little Pond, PEI
The last recording made by Canada's "Dr. Music" before his death in 2007, along with his pals Danny 'B' and Bernie Labarge.
"Believing in Anne" project in 2008 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first publication of "Anne of Green Gables". Featuring favourite tunes from the stage musicals "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne & Gilbert", along with new original tunes by 5 of the Island's best composers.
2008 solo album "I'm Not Old Yet!"
2009 Tribute to the late director of the College of Piping in Summerside, Scott MacAulay. Double CD featuring one disc of previously unreleased solo piping, plus a compilation of a lifetime of achievement and artistry. (Winner of 2010 Music PEI Award)
2009 A collection of fiddle tunes performed by Richard Wood backed by Cape Breton multi-instrumental virtuoso J.P. Cormier. As well, the finale is an exciting live track that captures the powerhouse trio of Richard on fiddle, Gordon Belsher on guitar, and Brad Fremlin on piano.
Included in the double CD set is a Bonus Disc of the best tracks from Richard's previous five albums which plays like a concert of the decade of his career from 1994 to 2004. The project was mastered in Guernsey Cove, and Charlene Belsher did the original cover. A second cover was designed by Sue Martin in England.
(WINNER - 2011 PEI Music Awards - Roots Traditional Recording of the Year)
