Lean Too, recorded in 2011, is a blues ballad in the best folk rock tradition, with a sublime fiddle solo by Hamish Pike and sweet blues harmonica from Ian ‘Croft’ Beecroft. Pete’s brother Rob plays bass and piano plus produced the audio and video.
Verse 2:
Open up the backboards,
Smell the Daphne in the air,
Mellow down easy…
In my favourite winter chair.
Recorded in 2011, Canadian Hill tells the story of families waving from what became known as Canada Hill, Isle of Bute Scotland, to their loved ones, as they sailed to the Americas and Australia in the 19th century. Pete MacFie vocals, guitar; Hamish Pike on fiddle, Ian ‘Croft’ Beecroft flute and Rob MacFie on bass. Not a perfect recording but the only known ‘take’ this is destined to become one of Pete’s best loved songs. Peter has left a great legacy of unique folk rock original songs. Peter’s ancestor came from the Isle of Bute.
A fun version of the song by Louise Oxley & Pete MacFie, filmed by Chris Cowles at one of Pete’s many BBQs at the ‘Cart Shed Studio’ at Dulcot.
Pete composed this song in 2011 following a romance with a Texan lady sand sculptor. With fabulous harp playing by Ian ‘Croft’ Beecroft, sweet fiddle from Hamish Pike, and brother Rob MacFie adding bass and organ, this is one of Pete’s best compositions. Sadly Pete can no longer sing or play guitar. August 2020.
A 6th generation Tasmania, Peter was a graduate of the University of Tasmania, and has been a teacher and public historian, including site historian at Port Arthur 1983-1991. Peter was active in the community, helping form several local history societies and instigated the Professional Historians Association of Tasmania. He also published numerous reports, papers and books and delivered many talks on topics musical, historic, or both.