Side
A
RIP Bob Lanois
1. Willie P Bennett: Lace and Pretty Flowers: 1977 *
2. David Essig: Grease Is Cheaper Than Parts: 1976 *
3. The Dixie Flyers: Roses In The Snow: 1978 *
4. Glen Reid: Hard Rock Miner: 1978 *
5. Richard LePage: Le reel de Charlevois: 1979 *
6. Joe Hall & Continental Drift: Moment To Moment: 1978 *
7. Humber River Valley Boys: The Highwayman: 1977 *
8. Mirth: Trucker’s Lament: 1977 *
9. Denis LePage: Groundspeed: 1977 *
10. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor: 1978 *
11. The Troggs: I Want You: 1966
12. David Celia: Tongues: 2015 *
13. James Hill: Tie One On: 2014 *
14. Robert Fripp: Heptaparaparshinokh: 1981
15. The Striped Bananas: Blue Generation: 2020
Side B
Hit the Switch
1. Golden Earring: Intro / Plus Minus Absurdio: 1975
2. Golden Earring: Love Is A Rodeo: 1975
3. Golden Earring: The Switch: 1975
4. Golden Earring: Kill Me (Ce Soir): 1975
5. Fergus Hambleton: Walking In A Storm: 2019 *
6. Jimmy Buffett: Tampico Trauma: 1977
7. Paul Edward Royes: Child Of The Sun: 2019 *
8. The Who: Much Too Much: 1965
9. West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band: I Won’t Hurt You: 1967
10. Spooky Tooth: Things Change: 1973
11. Daniel Lanois: Beneath The Stormy Skies: 1989 *
12. The Beatles: Helter Skelter: 1968
13. Rory Gallagher: There’s A Light - 1972
CanCon* = 56%
And Now for The Particulars:
Side ARIP Bob Lanois
Robert Lanois b. 1947/1948 in Gatineau, QC / d. Apr. 19, 2021 (73)
Across his long career, Bob Lanois made musical and technical contributions to albums from younger brother Daniel Lanois, Simply Saucer, Emmylou Harris, Willie P. Bennett, Raffi, Sylvia Tyson, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and more. Bob and Daniel Lanois began recording and engineering music in the laundry room of their mother's home in Ancaster, ON. Naming the basement studio MSR (Master Sound Recordings), the two soon began holding sessions at a flat rate of $60, producing artists and local radio jingles. As their popularity grew locally, the brothers continued to build out the studio with gear they both purchased and built themselves.
In his book, ‘Soul Mining’, Daniel Lanois described he and his brother Bob this way:
“My brother Bob and I are of similar mind. It’s the kind of mind that dismantles the engine of the family car and then reassembles it before my mother gets home. The mind that looks at the electrical transformer up on a pole and figures out high-voltage current reduction to 220 and then down to 110. The kind of mind that memorized each and every name of each customer. The mind that wants to know what goes on behind the doors of factory buildings, wants to know the sidelines of the steel business in Hamilton and how they make wire all stacked up in a yard on large industrial spool.
“My brother Bob was always the scientist of us two. We were pretty much inseparable once we got our recording studio going. Bob and I would stay up late nights challenging every situation with bright ideas. I love all ideas, even absurd ones. After all, pushing the envelope is such a large part of innovation."
One such piece of homemade gear featured at MSR was detailed by friend Bob Doidge in Michael Barclay, Ian A.D. Jack and Jason Schneider's book Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985–1995, as follows:
Bob made this huge thing — and people still talk about it today — that when you were all finished your mix, you'd put it through this thing called the 'Bob-ometer,'...It had two big dials and it was all welded shut so you couldn't get inside to find out what was in there. Bob knew what it did, and we sort of had an idea, but people would call up asking to use it before they went to Toronto to get their records mastered...the dials were big enough that when you turned them and asked people to listen for the change, they'd hear a change.
1. Willie P Bennett: Lace and Pretty Flowers
(WP Bennett)
Hobo’s Taunt Woodshed Records WS007
Peterborough ON
Willie P Bennett: vocal, guitar, harmonica
Steve Taylor: drums
Ken Whiteley: piano
Michael Gardner: Fender bass
Rick Taylor: high stringed guitar
Produced by David Essig & Willie P Bennett, 1977
Recorded by Dan & Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
William Patrick Bennett b. Toronto 26 Oct 1951 d. Peterborough ON 15 Feb 2008 (56)
2. David Essig: Grease Is Cheaper Than Parts
(David Essig)
Stewart Crossing: Woodshed Records WS 006
Protection Island BC
Dave Essig: guitars, mandolin, autoharp, vocals
Alan Soberman; bass
Bill Usher: drums, percussion
Chris Whiteley: harmonicas, trumpet
Dan Lanois: percussion
Produced by Dave Essig, 1976
Recorded by Dan & Bob Lanois at MSR Productions, Hamilton ON
Mastered by Bill Cuddihie at RCA, Toronto
David Essig b. December 2, 1945 in Frederick, Maryland
Essig moved up to Canada in 1971 after performing at that year’s Mariposa Folk Festival held on Toronto island. He started up Woodshed Records mid 70s and worked with the Lanois Bros out of their Grant Avenue Studios in Hamilton. Woodshed released many great Canadian Folk & Blues acts incl. Willie P Bennett, the Original Sloth Band, Margaret Christl, the Dixie Flyers, etc. He did most of the production work on Woodshed releases along with the Lanois brothers.
3. The Dixie Flyers: Roses In The Snow
(Tom C Connors)
Cheaper To Lease: Boot Records BBG 6002
London ON
Bert Baumbach: guitar
Ken Palmer: mandolin (d. Oct 2013)
David Zdriluk: bass
Willie P Bennett: harp
Denis LePage: banjo
Produced by Denis LePage, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Ave Studios, Hamilton ON
4. Glen Reid: Hard Rock Miner
(Glen Reid)
Hard Rock Miner: Boot BOS 7190
Burks Falls ON
Glen Reid: guitar
Ken Whiteley: piano, mandolin, accordion
Robbie MacNeill: guitar
Bill Cymbala: drums
David Zdriluk: electric guitar, bass
Bob Lucier: pedal steel, dobro
Willie P Bennett: harmonica
Denis LePage: banjo
John Allen: fiddle
Larry Smith: bg vocals
Produced by Denis Lepage, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studio, Hamilton
In 1975, Bob Lanois began looking for a more suitable studio space, and with Daniel and friend Bob Doidge, came to settle on an old Edwardian home in downtown Hamilton on Grant Avenue. The elder Lanois and a small team would spend the next year renovating the space, leading the trio to open Grant Avenue Studio in 1976.
Grant Avenue Studio's place in musical history is one that reaches beyond Canada, having played a role in recording and engineering releases from the likes U2, Johnny Cash, Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Jon Hassell and Ani DiFranco.
5. Richard LePage: Le reel de Charlevois
(Trad)
Et Fils / And Sons: Boot Records ¬ BOS 7204
Rivière Bleu QC
Richard LePage: accordion
Michel LePage: mandolin, piano
Denis LePage: banjo
Roly Lapierre: fiddle, guitar
Bill Hill: guitar
Paul Howell: bass
Produced by Denis LePage ¬ 1979
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton ON
Cover by Ian Bell
Richard LePage was the father of record producer, and banjo specialist, Denis LePage. B.
Started playing accordion at age 9 and this was the only album he ever made.
6. Joe Hall & Continental Drift: Moment To Moment
(Joe Hall)
On the Avenue: Posterity Records – PTR 13009
Peterborough ON
Joe Hall: guitar, vocals
Tony Quarrington: guitar, moog
Martin Worthy: percussion, drums
Paul Quarrington: bass
George Dobo: keys, rhythm guitar, bells-
Steve Hutt: sax
Art Jansen: viola
Peter Stryniak: violin
Joel Quarrington: double bass
Produced by Tony Quarrington, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Ave Studios, Hamilton ON October 1978
Hans Joachim Boenke b. Wuppertal, GM May 15, 1947 / d. March 22, 2019, Peterborough ON (71)
7. Humber River Valley Boys: The Highwayman
(John Glover)
The Humber River Valley Boys: Woodshed Records WS 008
Toronto ON
Brian Pickell: guitar
Don Thurston: Mandolin
John Glover: mandolin harmonies
Dave Harvey: bass
Produced by David Essig, 1977
Recorded at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton ON by Bob Lanois
Cover by Ian Bell
This was the first release by the HRV Boys.
8. Mirth: Truckers Lament
(David James Bowen / Scott Harridine)
First Borne: Depah Records: FBM1
Ottawa ON
David James Bowen: lead vocal, guitar
Jerome James: drums
Woody Woodhead: bass
Davey Pearce: banjo
Mark Haines: fiddle
Pat Watson, Alison Reynolds, Leslie Tench: bg vocals
Produced by David James Bowen & Gary J Hayes, 1977
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Ave. Studios, Hamilton ON
9. Denis LePage: Groundspeed
(Earl Scruggs)
Larger Than Life: Boot Records: BBG 6001
London, ON
Bert Baumbach: guitar
Ken Palmer: mandolin
Willie P Bennett: harp
David Zdriluk: bass
Denis LePage: banjo
Produced by David Essig, 1977
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studio, Hamilton
Cover: Ian Bell
Denis LePage, son of Quebecois accordion player Richard LePage (1925-2017) who recorded an album for Boot Records. After the family moved to Sarnia, Ontario Denis took up the banjo and got involved with bluegrass scene around London and joined The Dixie Flyers. Later he had a solo career releasing two LPs and then four more with Station Road. All before 1982!
Colin Linden of Blackie & The Rodeo Kings wrote:
“Heartbroken to learn of the passing of Bob Lanois, a great friend to us in Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and a true inspiration to me... brilliant photographer, ergonomic studio genius, engineer, harmonica player... none of these terms come close to describing his wild free soul.”
Glen Marshall, artist/producer who built Hamilton’s famous Catherine North music studio, said Lanois was among the most gifted people he’d ever met, a renaissance man in the truest sense, embracing the whole scope of experience from the poetic and lyrical to the technical and exact.
“When at the age of 22 he built Grant Avenue, having never been in a real studio, he set the whole first floor floating on springs. He hung every inch of that place,” and it was a model of how a studio should be done, a measure of Lanois’ instinct for perfection.
“He was like a brilliant mad scientist, always designing and making electronics or little machines. He was extremely clever.”
Bob was also an excellent photographer.
10. Sylvia Tyson: Sweet Survivor
(Sylvia Tyson)
Satin On Stone: Salt Records SR 101
Toronto
Sylvia Tyson: vocals
Doug Riley: keys
Kim Brandt: bass
Bob McClaren: drums
David Wilcox: lead guitar
Danny (Daniel) Lanois: rhythm guitar
Carla Jenson, Judy Donnelly, Sharon Learning: bg vocals
Produced by Don Potter, 1978
Recorded by Bob Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
Mixed by Bob Lanois and Don Potter
Mastered at JAMF, Toronto
Sylvia Fricker Tyson b. 19 September 1940 (80) Chatham, ON
Sylvia Tyson was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994.
She was nominated seven times for a Juno Award, the first being in 1987 as Country Female Vocalist of the Year.
11. The Troggs: I Want You
(Larry Page/Colin Frechter)
Wild Thing: Fontana Records (mono) MGF-27556
Andover UK
Reg Presley: lead vocals
Chris Britton: lead guitar
Peter Staples: bass
Ronnie Bond: drums
Produced by Larry Page, 1966
Note: in the UK this album came out as ‘Out Of Nowhere’ with a totally different order of songs, beginning with Wild Thing. On the cover: back and front: it’s “The Troggs: Wild Thing: With A Girl Like You”. I got the catch them opening for The Who (and followed by the MC5) at the CNE Coliseum in Toronto, presented by Russ Gibb from Detroit. They wore their two tone beige striped suits like they wear on the front cover.
12. David Celia: Tongues
(David Celia)
Double Mind: Seedling Music 088907212580
Toronto
David Celia: guitars, vocals, clavinet, moog, nedulaphone
Michelle Casillas: bg vocal
Cleve Anderson: drums
Tim Jackson: bass, bg vocals
Produced by David Celia, 2015
Recorded at The House of Miracles
Mastered by Andy Magoffin at The House of Miracles
13. James Hill: Tie One On
(James Hill)
The Old Silo: Borealis Records BCVL 230
Halifax NS / Ottawa ON
James Hill: vocal, baritone uke, tambourine, organ
Joel Plaskett: drums
Produced by Joel Plaskett, 2014
Recorded at New Scotland Yard, Dartmouth NS by Thomas Stajcer
Mixed by Joel Plaskett and Thomas Stajcer
Mastered by LaPointe at Archive Mastering, Halifax
James Hill b. Nova Scotia, 1980
As a kid, Hill was inspired to learn to play the ukulele from Haligonian Chalmers Doane (Melanie Doane’s father) who wrote the book on learning to play the instrument. As a singer/songwriter, he began recording albums in 2002 featuring his ukulele. Teamed up with his cello playing wife Anne Janelle (previously Davison). In 2015, his album "The Old Silo" was nominated for the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year.
14., Robert Fripp: Heptaparaparshinokh
(Robert Fripp)
A League of Gentlemen: Polydor PD-1-6317
London UK
Barry Andrews: organ
Robert Fripp: guitar
Sara Lee: bass guitar
Jonny Toobad (Johnny Elichaoff): drums
Produced by Robert Fripp, 1981
Recorded by Tony Arnold at Arny’s Shack, Parkstone, Dorset
My ‘bought in Canada’ copy on Polydor has a wrong label. On the label it says for side 1, the band Rainbow’s 1981 release, Difficult To Cure. Rainbow was a band that came after Deep Purple, featuring Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover. The label lists only 5 tracks but there are eight on the record so it’s definitely The League of Gentlemen. The label on side 2 is the correct one so two different labels on the same record.
15. The Striped Bananas: Blue Generation
(Duncan Shepard)
Pictures I Hear: Cosmic Sunshine Records 99099-8
Danbury CT
Duncan Shepard: vocal, guitars, bass, mellotron, keys, sitar, recorder, dulcimer, drums
Chantelle Shepard: vocals, organs
Andrew Lowden: vocals, drums
Produced by Duncan Shepard, 2020
Recorded by Duncan Shepard and Andrew Lowden
Mastered by Andrew Mitchell at Audio Bay Mastering, Grand Rapids MI
This is a new album released on Green vinyl! in 2020, with all that’s been going on, is difficult with so many people out of work and music venues closed down. And yet, this group, that’s been going for about a decade, keeps on creating.
Side B
The Golden Earring: Switch, Side A - 1975
1. Golden Earring: Intro / Plus Minus Absurdio
(G Kooymans / B Hay)
2. Golden Earring: Love Is A Rodeo
(G Kooymans / B Hay)
3. Golden Earring: The Switch
(G Kooymans / B Hay)
4. Golden Earring: Kill Me (Ce Soir)
(G Kooymans / B Hay / J Fenton)
Switch: Track Records / MCA MCA 2139
The Hague, Netherlands
George Kooymans: guitar, vocals
Rinus Gerritsen: bass, keyboards
Barry Hay: flute, vocals
Cesar Zuiderwijk: drums
Robert Jan Stips: keyboard
Bertus Borgers: saxophone
Eelco Gelling: guitar
Produced by Golden Earring, 1975
Recorded by Andy Knight, John Kriek, Jan Schuurman
Mixing: Andy Knight, John Kriek
The other day I put this album on the platter which made me think: “Which song should I use for 33.45.78? After listening to the entire side A, I realized that these songs cannot be separated, that they must be listened to as a unit. All four tracks are totally different and yet they tell a complete story, musically and lyrically. This band was founded fourteen years earlier by Rinus Gerritsen and George Kooymans as a duo in 1961. A year later they were a four piece and over the next number of years, they would go through a lot of musicians. Barry Hay joined in ’67, followed by drummer Cesar Zuidnerwijk in 1970. By the 1975 release of this album they knew exactly what they were doing and where they were going with it. It was the band’s tenth album.
Kill Me (Ce Soir) was covered by Iron Maiden as a B side on their 1990 single "Holy Smoke"
5. Fergus Hambleton: Walking In A Storm
(Fergus Hambleton)
NeighbourHoods: Current Records 40391
Toronto
Tim Bovaconti: guitar
Neil Chapman: guitar
Eric St. Laurent: guitar
George Koller: bass
Bob Cohen: bass
Davide DiRenzo: drums
John Adames: drums
Michael Daquevado, Ed Hanley: percussion
Julie Long: piano
Lou Pomanti: organ
Kevin Fox: cello
Drew Jurecka: violin
Howard Moore: trumpet
Ryan Garbett: French horn
Hermina George, Julie Long, Emily Steinwall, Tim Bovaconti: bg vocals
Fergus Hambleton: vocals, guitar, piano, recorder, clarinet, sax
Produced by Fergus Hambleton, 2019
Recorded at Kensington Sound, Toronto by Vezi Tayyeb
Mastered by Joao Carvalho
One of the mainstays of the great Canadian reggae band The Sattalites, Fergus is a Juno Award winning singer-songwriter. He put this album out a couple of years ago, on vinyl. And it’s really good.
6. Jimmy Buffett: Tampico Trauma
(Jimmy Buffett)
Changes in Latitudes; Changes in Attitudes: ABC Records AB 9022 990
Mobile Alabama
Jimmy Buffett: vocals, acoustic guitar
Michael Utley: organ, piano
Harry Dailey: Bass
Kenneth "Barfullo" Buttrey: Congas
Michael Jeffry: lead guitar
Farrell Morris: percussion
Jimmy Buffett, Harry Dailey, Michael Jeffry, David Bryant: background vocals
Norbert Putnam, Michael Utley: string arrangements
Produced by Norbert Putnam, 1977
Recorded Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida and Quadrafonic Sound Studios, Nashville, TN by
This is a great song by Buffett from his best selling album which features his mega-hit, Margaritaville. It’s one of those albums where every song is excellent, with great grooves. It’s also the album that turned the tide on Buffett’s Margaritaville sound of lazing around, partying, drinking, boating in the Gulf of Mexico and just having a hell of a good time.
7. Paul Edward Royes: Child Of The Sun
(PE Royes)
Child Of The Sun: Message To Love PER001
Toronto ON
Paul Edward Royes: guitars, bass
Phil Naro: vocals
Jim Neilson: bass
Alexander Tukatsch: drums
Produced by Paul Edward Royes, 2019
Recorded at Message To Love Studios, Toronto
Mixed by Clifton David Broadbridge at El Mocambo Productions
Mastered by Joao Carvalho at Joao Carvalho Mastering, Toronto
This is a sleeper album. I say so because, on first hearing it I wasn’t that impressed, but after hearing it several more times, it just awakens. I’m not too sure what Royes’s approach was: is this a solo or a band album? I still haven’t worked that part out. The front cover just says ‘Child of the Sun’ and nothing else; Royes, who wrote all the songs, plays guitar and has Phil Naro singing them. And I’ve always had a soft spot for power trios, which this essentially is. Like The Who it’s made of bass, drums and guitar with a vocalist.
8. The Who: Much Too Much
(Pete Townsend)
My Generation: Decca Records DL 74664
London
Keith Moon: drums
John Entwhistle: bass, bg vocals
Pete Townsend: guitar, bg vocals
Roger Daltry: lead vocals
Nicky Hopkins: piano
Produced by Shel Talmy, 1965
Recorded at IBC Studios, London
An early Who cut that appeared on their first album, known as the song that comes before My Generation yet it has that pop sensibility and could have been released as a single but wasn’t. It would have made the perfect B side.
9. West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band: I Won’t Hurt You
(S Harris / B Markley / M Lloyd)
Part One: Reprise Records Germany REP 54 108
Los Angeles CA
Bob Markley (vocals)
Shaun Harris (bass)
Danny Harris (guitar, vocals)
Michael Lloyd (guitar, vocals)
Ron Morgan (guitar)
John Ware (Drums)
Produced by Bob Markley and Jimmy Bowen, 1967
Recorded by Lee Herschberg at a home studio
They formed in 1966, intended to parallel that being developed on the east coast by Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground. They broke up in 1971.
10. Spooky Tooth: Things Change
(Gary Wright)
Witness: Island Records SW 9337
Carlisle UK
Mike Harrison: lead and backing vocals, percussion
Mick Jones: electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Gary Wright: keyboards, backing and lead vocals, synthesizer
Chris Stewart: bass
Mike Kellie: drums, percussion
Produced by Spooky Tooth, 1973
Recorded at Olympic Studios and Island Studios, London by Brian Humphries
active between 1967 and 1974
this was basically the last major album the band released with American keyboardist Gary Wright at the helm. After they broke up, Mick Jones went on to form Foreigner in 1976 and Gary Wright went solo. Other past members of the band played with Mott The Hoople and Humble Pie.
11. Daniel Lanois: Beneath The Stormy Skies
(Daniel Lanois)
Acadie: Opal / WB: 92 59691
Hamilton, ON
Daniel Lanois guitar (steel, electric and acoustic), bass, vocals, omnichord
Mason Ruffner: guitar
Malcolm Burn: keyboards, guitars, backing vocals
Tony Hall: bass
Willie Green: drums
Produced by Daniel Lanois, 1989
Recorded by Malcolm Burn and Mark Howard, New Orleans LA
Additional Recording at Brian Eno’s Wilderness Studio, UK
Mixed by Malcolm Burn & Daniel Lanois w Mark Howard
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC
12. The Beatles: Helter Skelter
(Lennon / McCartney)
The Beatles: Apple Records SWBO 101
Liverpool UK
Paul McCartney: lead vocal, backing vocal, lead/rhythm guitar
John Lennon: backing vocal, six-string bass, sound, piano
George Harrison: backing vocal, lead/rhythm guitar, slide guitar
Ringo Starr: drums, vocal shout
Mal Evans: trumpet
Produced by George Martin and Chris Thomas
Recorded at EMI Abby Road, Studio 2 by Chris Thomas Sept 18, 1968
Released on The Beatles (white album), Nov 22, 1968
Bonus Track:
13. Rory Gallagher: There’s A Light
(Rory Gallagher)
Deuce: Polydor Records 2383 076
Ballyshannon Ireland
Rory Gallagher: guitar, vocals, harmonica
Gerry McAvoy: bass
Wilgar Campbell: drums
Produced by Rory Gallagher, 1972
Recorded at Tangerine Studios, London by Robin Sylvester
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