Turnout wasn’t as high as expected for their debut performance, as approximately 70 people, consisted mostly of Maritimers who were in the mood for a party, though not dancing, at first.
After a brief set by an opening duo, who learned a handful of songs for this gig, it was time for Shanneyganock.
The band, singer/guitarist Chris Andrews, multi-instrumentalist Mark Hiscock, bassist Bob Pike and drummer Mike Clarke warmed the crowd up with some upbeat traditional Celtic songs, “Fishing on the Lorry,” “I’se Da Bye” and “Whiskey in the Jar” as well as old American traditional songs and quite a few originals.
And while Andrews, changed a broken string, Hiscock, who was alternating between three different concertinas, a banjo and a mandolin throughout the show, entertained the crowd with some peppy instrumentals. After the change they broke into something from their latest CD “VII,” “Skellara Hat.”
Their tight set showed why they get compared to the Great Big Sea, though I also heard a lot of similarities to Tanglefoot. They had some tight vocal harmonies, Andrews’ baritone and Hiscock’s tenor melded well especially on more country flavoured originals like “ A Town this Size.” which featured some choice mandolin licks.
—By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
