The Barra MacNeils
"Christmas Album II"
Released November 14, 2006
CD ID = 

Biography courtesy of The Barra MacNeils Website

The Barra MacNeils perform dates across Canada this November and December. The shows are in support of the band's new release The Christmas Album II (Fontana North/Universal Music Canada) in stores nationally now!

Featuring a skilfully performed collection of seasonal favourites, The Christmas Album II has been released just in time for the holidays. Recorded at Kyle and Anita MacNeils' home on the Mira and Soundpark Studio, Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the album was produced by The Barra MacNeils. The group's second Christmas album, it features the family's captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship.

2007 will mark 20 years in the recording and touring career of the Barra MacNeils.

To celebrate this, the group will be releasing a special 20th Anniversary CD in early 2007 which will cover the span of their entire career featuring essential recordings from various releases over the years.

The group will also be touring theatres and festivals in Canada, America and overseas extensively throughout 2007 and beyond in support of this new release to further commemorate this career milestone.

Both the CD and the associated live performances are sure to be a hit with fans old and new!

As a group, the six MacNeil siblings are widely regarded as one of the greatest live acts in the Celtic world. Hailing from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the family group is deeply rooted in Celtic music, culture and history. Their numerous critically acclaimed recordings have included their own original songs as well as tried and true standards, both instrumental and vocal.

The Barra MacNeils live concert experience brings so much more to the stage than most live acts ever can. Multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, top drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of acoustic, stringed, percussion and wind instruments, dancing, storytelling, Gaelic songs and a journey through an ancient culture. Family entertainment at its highest level.

Steeped in Cape Breton tradition with strong Celtic roots and musical artistry, this diverse and talented family group continues to wow audiences around the world with their captivating vocals, harmonies and extraordinary musicianship.

Multi-award winners, the Barra MacNeils have released numerous recordings including, Racket In the Attic (2002), Christmas Album (1999), Until Now (1997), The Question (1995), The Traditional Album (1994), Closer to Paradise (1993 - Certified Gold in Canada), Timeframe (1990), Rock in the Stream (1989), The Barra MacNeils (1986). In 2001, they released a DVD titled Cape Breton Christmas incorporating music from their live Christmas Concert Special (as seen on television), plus a visit to Cape Breton, interviews with the Barra MacNeils home at Christmas and music videos.

Canada's Celtic ambassadors, the Barra MacNeils continue to perform to sold out audiences throughout Canada, the United States, the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. From headlining major festivals, concerts, special guest appearances (Rita MacNeils CTV Christmas Special, performing with The Chieftains) television specials, film and television placement (Men
with Brooms Soundtrack; Racket In The Attic) and their annual Christmas tour, they have set the course with a solid foundation for success. The Barra MacNeils one-hour Christmas Television Special (2000) continues to be broadcast on Country Music Television (CMT) and on the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) network in the United States.

The Barra MacNeils will continue to do what they love to do best, and that is playing their music for the fans. This incredibly talented family group will tour Canada, the US and Europe to spread their distinctive brand of Celtic flavour around the world. All confirmed 2006 and 2007 live dates are listed on the Tour page.

November 2006

2006 Christmas Tour Dates

» Monday, November 20
The Opera House -- Ashcroft, BC
Phone: (250) 453-9922 - Email: operahouse@coppervalley.bc.ca
TICKETS: $25 incl. GST

» Tuesday, November 21
The Opera House -- Ashcroft, BC
SOLD OUT!

» Wednesday, November 22
The Opera House -- Ashcroft, BC
SOLD OUT!

» Thursday, November 23
Bell Centre for the Performing Arts -- Surrey, BC

» Friday,  November 24
Maple Ridge Theatre  -- Maple Ridge, BC

» Saturday, November 25
Alix Goolden Hall -- Victoria, BC

» Sunday,  November 26
Sid Williams Civic Theatre -- Courtenay, BC
Second show added: 3:00pm

» Sunday,  November 26
Sid Williams Civic Theatre -- Courtenay, BC
SOLD OUT!

» Tuesday,  November 28
Charles Bailey Theatre -- Trail, BC
SOLD OUT!

» Wednesday, November 29
Performing Arts Centre -- Vernon, BC
SOLD OUT!

» Friday, December 01
Festival Place -- Sherwood Park, AB
SOLD OUT!

» Saturday, December 02
Eric Harvie Theatre -- Banff, AB
1-800-413-8368 or 403-762-6301 or online

» Monday, December 04
Darke Hall -- Regina, SK

» Tuesday, December 05
Mae Wilson Theatre -- Moose Jaw, SK

» Wednesday, December 06
Broadway Theatre -- Saskatoon, SK

» Saturday, December 09
River Run Centre - Guelph, ON
Box Office: (519) 763-3000 or 1-877-520-2408

» Sunday, December 10
Roxy Theatre -- Owen Sound, ON
Box Office: (519) 371-2833  or  1-888-446-7699

» Monday, December 11
Orillia Opera House - Orillia, ON
Box Office: (705) 326-8011

» Tuesday, December 12
Academy Theatre -- Lindsay, ON
Box Office: (705) 324-9111 or 1 877 888 0038

» Thursday, December 14
Capitol Theatre -- Port Hope, ON
Box Office: (905) 885-1071  or  1-800-434-5092

» Friday, December 15
Showplace Performance Centre -- Peterborough, ON
Box Office: (705) 742-7469

» Saturday, December 16
Duncan McArthur Hall -- Kingston, ON
West Campus Queen's University
Box Office: 185 Sydenham Street 613-530-2050

» Sunday, December 17
Empire Theatre -- Belleville, ON
Box Office: (613) 969-0099

» Monday, December 18
Brockville Arts Centre -- Brockville, ON
235 King Street West
Box Office: (613) 342-7122

» Tuesday, December 19
Centrepointe Theatre -- Ottawa, ON
Ben Franklin Place
Box Office: (613) 580-2700  or  1-866- 752-5231

» Wednesday, December 20
Decoste Centre -- Pictou, NS

» Thursday, December 21
The Playhouse -- Fredericton, NB

» Friday, December 22
Rebecca Cohn -- Halifax, NS »View Poster (pdf)
SECOND SHOW ADDED AT 4:00 PM!
Box Office: 494-3820 or 1-800-874-1669 or online

» Friday, December 22
Rebecca Cohn -- Halifax, NS »View Poster (pdf)
8:00 PM show SOLD OUT!

» Saturday, December 23
Savoy Theatre -- Glace Bay, NS
SECOND SHOW ADDED AT 4:00 PM!

» Saturday, December 23
Savoy Theatre -- Glace Bay, NS (8:00 PM)

Christmas Album II CD Information

15 tracks:

1. I Saw Three Ships
2. At Last I’m Ready For Christmas
3. On The Very First Christmas
4. Angels We Have Heard On High
5. Good King Wenceslas
6. The Gathering Set
7. Christmas Together
8. Childhood Christmas
9. Ave Maria
10. Dancing Angels
11. Merrily On High
12. Joy To The World
13. Oran nan Cailleachan (Song Of The Old Ladies)
14. Christmas Ceilidh
15. Samhach an Oidhch’ (Silent Night)