Search - The Portland Megaband :: The Portland Megaband: Live

"The Portland Megaband: Live" is a high-energy recording of contra dance music. Most contra dance bands consist of 3 - 5 musicians. The Portland Megaband has 70 musicians! This band is known for its precise, enthusiastic renditions of the naturally-lively fiddle tunes that make up the contra dance repertoire. The album is structured just like a dance itself with sets of jigs and reels (both traditional and recently composed) and waltzes and a schottische interspersed. This cd was recorded at the annual Megaband contra dance in Portland, Oregon, March 9, 2002 with 30 fiddles, 10 mandolins, banjos, and autoharp, 7 whistles, flutes, recorders, 3 concertinas and accordions, 2 clarinets, 2 saxophones, 3 hammer dulcimers, 9 guitars, 4 percussionists, keyboard, bass, and harp. Although the tune sets here have been edited to fit the time allotment of the cd, many transitions within and between the tunes have been left intact to retain the feel and flow of an actual Megaband dance. Hopefully, the listener will experience this same energy and excitement as do the dancers who come to Portland from all across the United States to attend this special event.