Sounds of the world will be filling SAGA Public Art Gallery when One Camel Short hosts a CD release party.
This duo, with Dick Owings on five-string violin and Murray MacDonald on guitar, vocals and percussion is due to release their first CD together.
Through their 12-year musical collaboration, the two have created a repertoire of original pieces and arrangements that explore musical crossroads from around the world.
Their concerts, and new CD take listeners on a rockin’ musical journey which might begin with a homegrown song of the Canadian Prairies, then jump into a wild Bulgarian handkerchief dance, followed by a sliding snake-oil blues or brand-new, old-time fiddle tune, and, after further adventures, end up in a sultry groove that may make you want to belly-dance.
Owings and MacDonald played their first gig together in 1999 as The Clashing Plaids, performing Scottish songs and dances for a Robbie Burns dinner in Kingfisher, B.C.
Discovering that the two shared a common interest in Celtic music and other Anglo/Canadian folk styles, they founded the duo on these interests and kept the name.
Since then, their many gigs around the North Okanagan/Shuswap have included an annual re-appearance at the same Robbie Burns event, for which they have become the house band.
All the while, their musical explorations and compositional interests have gradually broadened to embrace influences from many other styles of traditional and world music.
“By 2009, we were feeling that a new name might better convey our evolving musical persona,” says Owings. “One Camel Short came to us from somewhere out in left field, bringing with it a sense of journeys, mystery, and quirkiness – and we went for it.”
Owings says the CD was a long time in the making.
After a couple of years of “scratch-recording” tunes in Owings’ home studio, the two sought help from an experienced outside ear and engineer.
“This led us to Andrew Smith and his Lille Gard studio in Kelowna,” Owings says.
“Working with Andrew’s great ear, great gear, dazzling Pro Tools chops, and gentle manner, we were finally ready to proudly release our music to the world.”
One Camel Short will officially release their CD by the same name at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the SAGA Public Art Gallery.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Combined concert and CD packages are $20 for adults and $15 for students.
For reservations or more information, call 250-833-1187 or by email to onecamelshort@gmail.com.
Tickets will be available at the door, space permitting. The CD is also available at Acorn Music.
