Along with Noel Dinn, Pamela Morgan was one of the founding members of Figgy Duff (a traditional Newfoundland white pudding) were the progenitors of the Celtic maritime sound - a folk/rock hybrid incorporating traditional jigs and reels.
In the early years, Figgy Duff criss-crossed the island seeking the songs and music of the people, learning in the oral tradition as generations did before - gauging their success by the joy it brought to those who taught them the songs. In a short time Figgy Duff became famous for their folk/rock fusion and original arrangements and it was not long after that those outside of Newfoundland discovered the band as something new and exotic.
Despite an early deal with Island Records that resulted in as-yet unreleased album, and an early indie album called 'After The Tempest' in 1984 (featuring two original songs), their eponymous debut, featuring a 4-member raw ensemble, was produced by Tom Treumuth and Gary Furniss and released through Phonodisc in 1981.
For the next 12 years Noel Dinn and singer/songwriter/producer Pamela Morgan led Figgy Duff (in its several incarnations) through the production of three more studio albums and countless tours of North America and Europe; taking the band from local innovators to a powerful and critically lauded international presence in the burgeoning worldwide Folk/Celtic scene.
1990's 'Weather Out The Storm' was again produced by Tom Tremeuth and Gary Furniss as the first act on Tremeuth's newly resurrected Hypnotic Records. The writing skills become more evident, yet rooted in the bandÕs traditional background. It featured five highly original songs, and the traditional music sparkles with even more innovative arrangements. With a reconfigured line-up, Figgy Duff embarked on a full-scale tour of Canada in the winter of 1991. The album itself was nominated for a Juno Award 1991.
1993's 'Downstream' became their first all original offering with songs by band leaders Noel Dinn and Pamela Morgan and featured special guest appearance by guitarist Ken Greer (Red Rider, Gowan). Shortly after the completion of the album, 'Downstream', bandleader Noel Dinn died of cancer at the age of 45 on June 26, 1993.
Pamela Morgan disbanded Figgy Duff shortly thereafter and would compile a "best of" called 'A Retrospective: 1974-1993' in 1995. The single "Inside A Circle - 1999", from the 'Weather The Storm' album, will be released in June 1999 to coincide with the 25th Anniversary Reunion tour this summer.
Before Dinn's untimely death, he worked with Morgan to produce the exquisite 'The Colour Of Amber' with Anita Best. Through "Colour..." Morgan continued her musical journey, redefining some of the most haunting traditional material, that ultimately landed the album on several "Year's Best" lists throughout the world.
With the release of her first true solo album, 'On A Wing And A Prayer', Morgan carried the legacy of Figgy Duff through her own highly innovative, self-produced original music, which earned critical acclaim and a place on various international compilations. She has also recently completed an album of seasonal old-world favourites, 'Amber Christmas'.
Pamela Morgan has spent the past several years working tirelessly to gather all her former recordings under her own label, Amber Music. With her impressive body of work, as well as releases by Anita Best and the late Emile Benoit, Morgan's Amber Music is bringing the past togther with the present and passing the musical legacy on.
Morgan has also co-produced music for others including Emile Benoit's 'Vive La Rose' alongside Noel Dinn and Gary Furniss; and Anita Best's 'Crosshanded'.
With notes from Francis Fagan of Amber Music
Singles
as PAMELA MORGAN AND ANITA BEST
1992 Suil A Gra (Amber Music)
as PAMELA MORGAN
1996 The Game (Amber Music)
1996 Backseat (Amber Music)
1996 Wish You Could Stay (Amber Music)
1998 The Holly And the Ivy (Amber Music)
1998 The Cherry Tree Carol (Amber Music)
with FIGGY DUFF
1990 Heart Of A Gypsy (Hypnotic/A & M)
1990 Weather Out The Storm (Hypnotic/A & M)
1990 Woman of Labrador (Hypnotic/A & M)
1993 Freedom (Hypnotic/A & M)
1993 Downstream (Hypnotic/A & M)
1993 Sweet Temptation (Hypnotic/A & M)
1999 Inside A Circle (Amber Music)
Albums
as PAMELA MORGAN
1996 On A Wing And A Prayer (Amber Music)
1998 Amber Christmas (Amber Music)
1999 Collection (Amber Music)
[US/Europe release only]
as PAMELA MORGAN & ANITA BEST
1994 The Colour Of Amber (Amber Music)
with FIGGY DUFF
1981 Figgy Duff (Hagdown/Phonodisc)
1984 After The Tempest (Celtic Music/Hypnotic)
1990 Weather Out The Storm (Hypnotic/A & M)
1993 Downstream (Hypnotic/A & M)
1995 A Retrospective: 1974-1993 (Amber Music/EMI)
Video
with FIGGY DUFF
1990 Weather Out The Storm
1990 Woman Of Labrador
1993 Freedom
as PAMELA MORGAN & ANITA BEST
1992 Suil A Gra
Compilation Tracks
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