"Always Wecome" is the first solo release by Marc Bernier on Empty Pockets Records - flute and fife player Skip Healy's own label. That said, it's not surprising that Bernier's album draws on several folk traditions, including American fife, traditional Irish, as well as sea chanteys. On this album, Bernier sings in addition to playing banjo, guitar, bodhran, and fife. In short, every sound you hear on "Always Wecome" is made by Bernier.

Bernier, a professional musician, sailor, shipbuilder, and maker of Irish bodhrans, has spent five years in the chantey department at Mystic Seaport, CT. As an accomplished percussionist, he has played in some of the Northeast's most highly respected Cajun and Zydeco bands, and he has played the bodhran with several prominent Irish music performers.

"Always Wecome" features a raw form of singing and playing that eschews running the music and vocals through a series of machines and software to achieve unrealistic perfection. Bernier's earthy roughness is left intact to create an authentic, live-performance sound.

A strong set of tunes with Bernier on banjo includes Sergeant O'Leary's / The Power of Whiskey / Handsome Young Lasses. The first two jigs are popular in the fife and drum tradition, while the third is an Irish tune composed by Charlie Lennon, but learned by Bernier from the well-known Connecticut fiddler, Danny Gardella. On fife, one of his strongest tunes is The Road to Boston, also known as Governor Greene's march.

Bernier's best vocal arrangements include Rocky Road To Dublin, which is remarkable because he slows the song down to a manageable speed where you can actually enjoy the lyrics and music. Another song, Spancilhill, shows off Bernier's ability to walk away from raucous chanteys and sing a touching ballad. One of the true highlights of "Always Wecome" is an incredibly funny song written by Rhode Island folk singer Jon Campbell, Keep On Fishin', which tells a story about a fishing boat crew's interesting way of dealing with the death of their cook.

"Always Wecome" will be a strong performer with folk audiences who believe that rough edges makes folk music into good music. "Always Wecome" is an Empty Pockets Release and is only available online at www.skiphealy.com or by calling 401-885-2502.

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