Maria’s 2004 project, We Were Good People, explores the stories of working people in Western Canada — tales of resilience and hope through experiences of immigration, internment, exploitation and The Depression. Producer: Shannon Johnson with musical contributions by The McDades, Craig Korth (banjo, guitar, dobro), Byron Myhre (mandolin), Michael Jerome Browne (gourd banjo) and others.
Suggested tracks: How Do You Do, 1935?, a banjo-driven Depression-era train song; Can You Blame the Poor Miner?, a gentle accordion ode to miners in the Crow’s Nest Pass during Prohibition; We Were Good People, a poignant solo ballad describing a 1932 Hunger March; Mrs. McClung’s Address at Walker Theatre, a cheeky Celtic wordplay on women’s suffrage; Troublemaker, a rabble-rousing current day protest song.
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Listen to a selection of songs on the Look/Listen music page.
Reviews:
…remarkable songwriter, think of her as a distaff Woody Guthrie.
Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun
The key to this recording is her songwriting … compelling and meaningful music.
Dirty Linen, Oct/Nov 2005
Image-laden songs about the turn of the 20th century, immigration and the Great Depression all come to life with her honest narration and lilting tone.
Performing Songwriter Magazine, Jul/Aug 2005 (www.performingsongwriter.com).
…combines a keen understanding of workers’ history with an awareness of the need to link that history to today’s struggles…It’s a great CD.
David Durning, Our Times, Jul/Aug 2005
These are inspiring tales of optimism, strength and courage in adversity.
Debbie Koritsas, Living Tradition Magazine, Jun 2005 (www.folkmusic.net).
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Good News – Radio & Print!
- Troublemaker published in Sing Out! Magazine, Summer 2005 (www.singout.org)
- We Were Good People CD – 3rd most played CD, CKUA Fall 2004 Fund Drive
- Maria Dunn – 6th most played artist CKUA Fall 2004 Fund Drive
- #9 Galaxie’s Folk Roots CDs (Nov/04)
- #14 CFRO Vancouver, What the Folk, Singer/Songwriter Charts
- Gem of Canada Album 2004, Porcupine Awards, CIUT Radio, Toronto www.backtothesugarcamp.com
- Can You Blame the Poor Miner? published in Penguin Eggs Magazine, Spring 2005 www.penguineggs.ab.ca