Tara MacLean finds her way home for Atlantic song review

Prince Edward Islander Tara MacLean has come home this summer with a new show that pays homage to her own musical roots.

MacLean is a seventh generation Islander who learned to play guitar from her stepfather Marty Reno and his musical partner Gene MacLellan. MacLean found national success both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Shaye.

The new show, Atlantic Blue, was a reaction to the time she's had to spend away from the Island as a performer.

"Basically I was just homesick," MacLean told CBC Radio's Island Morning.

"I've been living in British Columbia. I'd been home one summer and I saw that Lennie [Gallant] was doing his show, Searching for Abegweit, and I spoke to him and he said, 'It's just a wonderful thing. You can play music at night and just be home in the day and put your feet in the sand.' And I thought, 'That's just the perfect way to design my life.'"

A multimedia experience

Atlantic Blue features songs by Atlantic Canadian composers who've had a strong influence on MacLean, including the stories behind the songs. The story-telling is supported by films made with the help of Jason Rodgerson.

"I think it's going to be a really inspiring show and people will walk away feeling really connected to Atlantic Canada," said MacLean.

MacLean is joined on stage by Todd MacLean and Cynthia MacLeod.

Atlantic Blue is on July 23 and 24 at Harmony House in Hunter River.

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