The second track from Barrule's forthcoming second album 'Manannan's Cloak'; The King Of The Sea (Ree Ny Marrey) tells the tale of the staple in the traditional Manx diet, the herring!

The King Of The Sea

A wonderful collection of new songs from one of our most important and vital songwriters…If it doesn’t bring a lump to your throat, you’re already beyond help. Essential listening, then, this Gathering. – Penguin Eggs Magazine (March 2016)

On her sixth album, Gathering, past Juno-nominated songwriter Maria Dunn highlights stories of love—not songs of romantic love, but songs of family, community, humanity and the love that fires our actions to make the world a better place. 

In keeping with Pete Seeger’s words (1994), “The key to the future of the world is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known”, the songs range from historical and narrative to personal and immediate, inspired by social justice stories both global and local.

A storyteller through song, Maria writes about the resilience and grace of “ordinary” people. Her earlier albums anchor these tales in music that melds North American roots with her Scottish-Irish heritage. With Gathering, Maria continues to expand her musical palate with contributions from Sufi singer Karim Gillani and jazz saxophonist Jeremiah McDade.

Recorded at DanLyn Studios in Sherwood Park, Gathering was produced by Shannon Johnson (Juno award winner with The McDades for 2007’s Bloom). Guest musicians: Eric Breton (percussion), Karim Gillani (guest vocal), Shannon Johnson (violin), Ojas Joshi (tabla, percussion), Jeremiah McDade (saxophone, bansuri, whistles, guitar), Solon McDade (upright bass) and Asani (singers Debbie Houle,  Sarah Pocklington and Terry Morrison).

The 11 songs on Gathering range from “Malala”, a buoyant call to action inspired by Malala Yousafzai, to “When I Was Young”, a flowing old-time ballad inspired by Alberta indigenous leader Dorothy McDonald-Hyde. “How I Live” shares the quiet courage of families supporting their children with disabilities, while “When The Grandmothers Meet” celebrates women across the globe, with its exuberant vocals and joyful horn lines. The recording finishes with “Music In The Meadow”, a bluesy bow-driven wordplay on the wonder of the Rocky Mountains.


03 When I Was Young

Barrule's take on the tune that inspired the Manx national anthem.  Mylecharaine's March is a traditional Manx tune normally played for a dance involving a group of men.  Wielding gorse sticks, they stomp about hitting sticks and finish the dance by 'chopping off the head' of the fiddle player...

Mylecharaine's March

A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, twice Juno nominated Maria Dunn is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and unvarnished melodic songs about ordinary people. 

In January 2021, Maria releases her seventh album, Joyful Banner Blazing, produced by Shannon Johnson (of Juno-winning band The McDades). In keeping with Pete Seeger’s words (1994), “The key to the future of the world is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known”,  Joyful Banner Blazing highlights stories of family, community and the love that fires our actions to make the world a better place. 

Maria performs (solo, ensemble) at theatres, folk clubs, conferences and festivals across Canada and internationally. She has been featured on Canadian TV, CBC National Radio, CKUA Alberta Radio, BBC Radio Scotland, and her original songs published in Sing Out! and Penguin Eggs magazines and the Rise Again songbook (2015). Other artists, including Niamh Parsons, The Outside Track and Bob Bossin, have recorded her original songs.

Please see Maria's website for upcoming shows and most recent touring highlights.

She’s assured, strong, and her versatile voice carries her songs straight to the head and heart. - Sing Out!

An arrestingly powerful singer-songwriter who writes great historical and social commentary. -  WFMT Chicago

03 When I Was Young

Maria Dunn

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