The Ireland In Newfoundland

There is a lot of Irish influence on the quaint island off of Canada's east coast. From food to literature to drink. But the most treasured has to be the influence of Celtic music that has been imported into Newfoundland. Jigs and reels can be heard every Sunday morning on CBC radio filling the kitchen while men and women drink their morning coffee and read the newspaper. Break of dawn strikes as familiar sounds splash into your ears like a raving ocean. One of Newfoundlands favorite sons are a fine bunch of lads that are spreading traditional Newfoundland music as well as old Irish tunes with a bunch of their own composed songs mixed into the mix. The first thing anyone would recognize and stand back in wonder and amazement is the gravel filled voice of Fred Jorgensen. The man sounds like the deepest of oceans where salt and rocks grind the coast. He was born with the golden voice and can sing any song where he makes it his own. Here The Galway Shawl is an old Irish tune but Jorgensen makes it sounds like it came from his pen. Freds group The Navigators can be found downtown George St. many nights of the year or playing in Bonavista at The Walkhams Gate Pub. They tour across Canada and even the USA non stop living the life of the grinding band, long nights and hard days. If you haven't heard Jorgensens voice watch this video and prepare to be amazed at the rawness and deepness of it. With a strong Newfoundland accent paired in there with it the man sounds like nothing else you will find and there's no doubt he was born with a gift. Music is his life, its his family's life, numerous kitchen parties where there is non stop music sung by dozens of musicians are what he grew up with and you can really tell that from the passion he has for what he does.