Scruj MacDuhk
| Company type | Independent music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
| Products | Folk music albums |
Scruj MacDuhk (often written as Scrüj MacDuhk) was a Canadian folk ensemble from Winnipeg, Manitoba recognized with a Juno nomination. The lineup included vocalist and songwriter Ruth Moody, who later joined the Wailin' Jennys, as well as Leonard Podolak, known for his skills on the Clawhammer banjo and vocals, who went on to establish The Duhks.
History
Established in 1995, Scruj MacDuhk's first album, Live at the West End Cultural Centre, was released in 1997. This live recording took place in Winnipeg in collaboration with CBC Manitoba and featured the full band: Moody (vocals), Podolak (5-string banjo), Jeremy Penner (fiddle), Dan Baseley (accordion, tin whistle, steel pan), Joel Fafard (guitar), and Gilles Fournier (bass). Guest appearances included Geoff Butler on button accordion and Alistair Dennet playing the bodhran.
The group toured widely throughout Canada, performing at events such as the Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Their sophomore album, The Road To Canso, was independently released in 1999 under their own label Scruj Tunes. This record featured Christian Dugas contributing percussion and guitar, Moody providing lead and backing vocals along with piano and bodhran, Penner on fiddle, Podolak playing both 5-string banjo and bodhrán, bassist Oliver Swain adding vocals and mandolin, plus Jeremy Walsh on guitar, whistle, and vocals.
In 2000, Scruj MacDuhk earned the Prairie Music Award for best independent album. The band concluded their activities and disbanded in 2001.
Discography
- Live at the West End Cultural Centre
- Track list:
- Roddy McCorley / Lost Gander (traditional)
- Walkin Boss / Cold Frosty Morning (traditional)
- Oh No Not I (traditional)
- Rocks of Bawn (traditional)
- Alice in Frenfell (Joel Fafard)
- Fierce Warmth (Joel Fafard)
- Alan MacPherson of Dumbarton / Pretty Little Indian (traditional)
- Banks of Red Roses (traditional)
- Waiting for Nancy (Curtis Bouterse) / Aqua Marine One Step (Geoff Butler) / Paddy's Jig (traditional)
- The Road To Canso
- Cidermill: Cidermill / The Colliers' Reel / Sadie at the Back Door* (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk; * composed by Jere Canote)
- The Rambling Irishman (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk)
- La Banqueroute* / La Reel St. Jean (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk; * composed by Oscar Thiffault)
- Silence They Say (Jeremy Walsh)
- Nonsuch/Dinky's Reel/The Meech Lake Breakdown* (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk; *composed by Emile Benoit)
- The Maid Who Sold Her Barley / The Rakes of Kildare (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk)
- The Northern Set: Anderson's Rel / Alan MacPherson of Dumbarton / The Man From Dundoran (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk)
- Roddy McCorley / Lost Gander (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk)
- Things In Life (Don Stover)
- Adventure Sings (Jeremy Walsh) / Louis Riel (Andy Desjarlais)
- Cragie Hills (Trad., arr. Scruj MacDuhk)
- The Road To Canso: A Thousand Roads (Geoff Butler) / The Road to Canso (Ruth Moody) / Hare O' The Dug (Alan MacLeod)