Porcupine Awards - 1991
PORCUPINE DREAM AWARD
For all his accomplishments, Ken had a dream, and that was to produce an album that would showcase these two great artists. The result was stunning! Washington, of Hamilton, Ont., and Scarlet from Toronto, joined by Whiteley who produced and directed this album, were finally recorded the way they were supposed to be. A real dream come true!
Once again, the Twistin' Postman shows up on this list. This time, the one-time member of 'Lost and Profound' is himself awarded for this critical look at Canadian Beer ads on TV. It not only tells the story, but is really fun to listen to.
I am unaware of any other recording of this fantastic Québécois accordionist. He is as great in his field of influence as Jean Carignan was to the Québec fiddle. He now lives in Paris, France, where he feels appreciated for what he does.
The logging companies are not yet satisfied. They have logged out entire ecosystems but still aren't satisfied. When they applied for rubber-stamp approval to log one of our remaining virgin, old-growth forests near Temagami, Northern Ontario, protest sprung up and so did this song. They saved the forest for now, but what happens if we forget?
Suzanne lives in this maritime county that juts out into Lake Ontario. Her quest has earned her a reputation in her community; she seeks out stories of the by-gone days of barley schooners, rum-running, storms and tragedy.
They were friends of Janis Joplin and dedicated this album to her. But they are Francophonie from Québec who used traditional music and every gizmo they could get their hands on to make an acid-tripping album of great music.
Cremo is a native fiddler well known for his incredible style. He has written much and recorded tunes collected from all over the Canadian map.
I'm sorry to say that without this facility which programs an entire festival every weekend as well as year round programming, many folk artists would never get a gig in Toronto and be presented as something special.
I have read this book at least 3 times: The story of the 'Chapeau Boys'. This enduring folk song written by Patrick Gregg of Chapeau, Québec, investigates the thrilling history and cultural icons of this Upper Ottawa Valley village.
Formerly of the folk band 'Muddy York' with Ian Bell, this solo effort features cultural Canadiana the way it should be displayed. Traditional folk songs of mostly English heritage mixed with Yiddish, Ukrainian and French, and it's great listening to too!
I was there, I saw it and it was classy. This supermarket of folk stars (9 stages full that year) came to a grinding halt on Saturday afternoon with the exception of the main stage which paid tribute to one of Canada's most elegant writers of folk song. Wade sang with the McGarrigles and Murray McLaughlan. It was Wade Hemsworth singing his songs in front of thousands!
Geoff walked into a music shop in St. John's, Newfoundland, and picked up an accordion. He flicked the buttons, pulled out the bellows and a few months later was a member of Figgy Duff. He cites the late Harry Hibbs as one of his accordion mentors.
I was proud to present this award to these guys live, on-stage, at the Vital Spark Folk Club. The song is about longing, being far away from that spiritual home of yours that it aches in your heart while you heed the call. From Bobby's first CD 'Homeland'.
With the addition of bass playing Gwen Swick to the band, this album put them over the top, in my books. More original material, great singing, memorable lyrics and cohesiveness. I just wanted to listen to it over and over again. By the way, the title cut is about New Liskeard, North Ontario eh?