On the Rock

On the Rock takes 14 beloved songs, jigs and reels from Newfoundland and sends them gently spinning in a new direction, courtesy of multi-instrumentalist Mike Herriott's rich arrangements featuring famed Canadian cellist Ofra Harnoy. Harnoy moved to Newfoundland with Herriott (also her husband) in 2018 after falling in love with ‘the rock’ while on vacation. That affection fairly sings through her cello, whether a tenderly bowed ‘Let Me Fish Off Cape St Mary's’ or through an energetic interjection of Bach into ‘St John's Waltz’. (The latter features the vocals of Alan Doyle, a founding member of Great Big Sea — Bob Hallett of that same band appears elsewhere, and had a hand in the album's song selection.) Both solo and layered cello imbue On the Rock with a stately, polished feel, though there is the occasional earthier turn. For instance, Fergus O'Byrne of Ryan's Fancy fame on ‘Cliffs of Baccalieu’.

Ultimately it's the considerable charms of Newfoundland's music that carries the day – gracefully performed by Harnoy and company.