Side A – Mountains
1. The Blue Valley Boys: Black Mountain Rag – 1964 *
2. Tennessee Ernie Ford: Smokey Mountain Boogie – 1949
3. The Two Tones: Kilgarry Mountain – 1962 *
4. Charlie McKinnon: Kelly’s Mountain – 1964 *
5. The D. Rangers: Stoney Mountain Breakdown – 2004 *
6. Ronnie Hawkins: Bluebirds Over The Mountain – 1965 *
7. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Big Rock Candy Mountains – 1969 *
8. Oliver Schroer: Moving Mountains – 1996 *
9. Lighthouse: Mountain Man – 1969 *
10. Daisy DeBolt & Bob Derkash: Mountain Folk – 2000 *
11. Crowbar: Mountain Fire – 1971 *
12. Ego: The Mountains Have Awaken – 1982
13. Mountain: Roll Over Beethoven – 1973
14. Plaid: Yu Mountain – 2016
15. Mart Kenney & His Gentlemen: In The Shadow Of the Mountain – 1970 *
16. Ike & Tina Turner: River Deep, Mountain High – 1966
17. Marvin Gaye I& Tami Terrell: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – 1967
18. Flatt & Scruggs: Foggy Mountain Breakdown – 1977
19. Tom McQueston: Mist on the Mountain – 1980 *
Side Two – Water
1. Raffi: Water Dance – 1980 *
2. David Celia Band: She’s A Waterfall – 2010 *
3. David Essig: The Singing Waterfalls – 1984 *
4. Ken Whiteley: Waterfall (If This Be Love) – 1987 *
5. Daniel Lanois: Still Water – 1989 *
6. Outlaws: Waterhole – 1975
7. Don Messer & His Islanders: Rippling Water Jig – 1960 *
8. Hotcha! Hey Little Water Boy – 2009 *
9. Nick Ferrio: Come Hell or High Water – 2015 *
10. Mike Aiken: Thick Black Water – 2008
11. Roy Payne: Where the Blue Waters Foam – 1975 *
12. Hans Staymer Band: Six Feet Under Water – 1974 *
13. Gordon Quinton: The Water Is Wide – 2006 *
14. Jack Reeves & The Reeves Boys: Muddy Waters – 1973 *
15. Tragically Hip: Born In The Water – 1991 *
16. Willie P Bennett: Down To The Water – 1975 *
17. Standells: Dirty Water – 1966
18. Heads In The Sky: Heavy Water Meltdown – 1981 *
19. Bad Tractor: Cec McEachern’s Breakdown – 2018 *
CanCon = 74%
Side A – Mountains
1. The Blue Valley Boys: Black Mountain Rag
(trad)
On Stage At The Drake: Arc - 579
Toronto ON
Bunty Petrie: fiddle West Bathurst NB
Dick Nolan: guitar Corner Brook NL
Roy Penny: guitar Corner Brook NL
Johnny Bourque (Burke): bass - Rosaireville NB
Moose Latreck: MC
Producer Unknown – 1964
Fred Snyder, better known to his listeners as Moose Latreck,
was a CHUM DJ who produced a country music show. He studied at the Ontario
College of Art, also did much the artwork on the early CHUM Charts. Snyder
left CHUM in 1966 to go to country-formatted CFGM in Richmond Hill. He moved
to CHIN radio in 1967, beginning a 33-year career as production manager.
In 1980, Snyder/Latreck returned to the airwaves on CFGM with Saturday Souvenirs,
a two-hour weekly program of country classics. The show lasted about a year.
Snyder, a native of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, began his radio career in the
early '50s at the Canadian Armed Forces station in Fort Nelson, B.C. He was
at CJAD in Montreal from 1954 to 1956, when he moved to CKCO-TV in Kitchener,
Ontario, to handle production.
Fred Snyder died June 22, 2006, exactly 42 years after the final appearance
of the Moose Parade on the CHUM Chart. The name "Moose Latreck" was
the brainchild of Allen Farrell, CHUM's promotion director who also wrote
the The CHUM Story. He was Producer / label owner Art Snider’s brother. The
third Snyder brother was Dave, who worked as a producer and multi-instrumentalist,
mostly on TV
2. Tennessee Ernie Ford: Smoky Mountain Boogie
(Ernie Ford / Cliffie Stone)
Sixteen Tons: Capitol Records Star Line Series DT 1380
Bristol TN
Ernie Ford: vocals
Cliffie Stone Orchestra
Produced by Lee Gillette, 1960
Originally Recorded 1949
Ernest Jennings Ford
b. Bristol, Tennessee Feb 13, 1919 / d. Oct 17, 1991 (72) Reston, Virginia
When I was a kid watching I Love Lucy, there was an episode where
the guest star was Tennessee Ernie Ford. What a voice he had! While Ford
was mostly into bluesy country, it was his gospel recordings that sold incredibly
well. What I didn’t know was how much he loved boogie music. In fact, on
Sixteen Tons he wrote and recorded several boogies. Shot-Gun Boogie, Catfish
Boogie, Smoky Mountain Boogie and Blackberry Boogie and they’re all great.
Smokey Mountain Boogie was originally recorded by Ford in 1949.
3. The Two Tones: Kilgarry Mountain
(Trad)
Two Tones at the Village Corner: Canatal CTLP-4026
Toronto ON
Gordon Lightfoot:guitar
Terry Whelan: guitar, vocal
Howie Morris: bass
Produced by Art Snider, January 20, 1962
The Two Tones were another Snyder produced act consisting of
Terry Whelan and Gord Lightfoot. Their only album, released on Snyder’s Canatel
records label in 1962, was recorded live from the Village Corner coffeehouse
in Yorkville when the village was a rich folk music haven. Around that time,
Art Snyder brought Lightfoot down to Nashville to record some of his original
songs which first saw the light of day on a few obscure singles. An entire
album was released (without Lightfoot’s approval) in 1972 called Early Lightfoot.
Kilgarry Mountain is also usually called “Whiskey In The Jar”.
4. Charlie McKinnon: Kelly’s Mountain
(Lillian Crewe Walsh / C MacKinnon)
Sons of My Cape Breton Home: Arc 547
Little Bras D'Or, Cape Breton Island, NS
Charlie MacKinnon: vocal, guitar
Producer Unlisted: 1964
Kelly’s Mountain cuts across the top of Cape Breton Island between
Englishtown and Sydney. It was penned by Lillian Crewe Walsh and Charlie
MacKinnon who set it to music. Walsh was also known for her song “Ghost of
Bras D’Or”. MacKinnon was a prolific singer/songwriter who recorded several
albums in the 1960s.
5. The D Rangers: Stoney Mountain Breakdown
(D Rangers)
We Stay High And Lonesome: Dollartone Records - no serial
Winnipeg, MB
Tom Fodey – bass
Jaxon Haldane – vocals, banjo, saw
Aaron Goss – mandolin
Don Zeuff – fiddle
Chris Saywell
Frank Barth: pedal steel
Produced by Pat Temple, 2004
Recorded at Bedside Studio, Winnipeg by Len Milne
Mastered by Scott Pinder at Polyphonic Labs
These guys were a blast to see live. One of those bands that always have something going on.
6. Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks: Bluebirds Over The Mountain
(Ersel Hickey)
45 single bw Goin’ To The River: Hawk Records HR-106
Toronto / Peterborough ON
Ronnie Hawkins: vocal
The Hawks: The Band
Produced By Ronnie Hawkins Enterprises, 1965
Ronald Hawkins
b. Huntsville, Arkansas Jan 10, 1935 / d. May 29, 2022, Peterborough ON
Bluebirds Over The Mountain has been covered by The Beachboys,
Ritchie Valens, Dick and Dee Dee etc. Hawkins was Awarded the Walt Grealis
Special Achievement Award special Juno from CARAS 1996. He was also
presented with the SOCAN Special Achievement Award 2007. Appointed Officer
of the Order of Canada 2013. Not bad for a lad from Arkansas.
Songwriter Ersel Hickey was born in New York to an Irishman and a Canadian
mother (from Kingston). He got involved in songwriting in the early ‘50s.
While visiting Rochester in 1957, Phil Everly told Hickey he should write
his own material. That night Hickey wrote "Bluebirds Over the Mountain",
which he subsequently recorded and charted at No. 75 in the United States
and No. 8 in Canada. The song was later recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958
and was a top 100 hit. Hickey died at age 70 in July 2004.
7. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Big Rock Candy Mountains
(Harry McClintock)
60 Old Time Favourites: Boot Records – STC 1
Halton Hills, ON
Stompin’ Tom Connors: guitar, vocal
Ron (Randy) McDonald: bass
Produced by Dr. Tom Connors & Jury Krytiuk, 1969
Recorded by Merv Buchanan
A 1928 hit recording was subsequently popularized by later recordings
of Bing Crosby, New Christy Minstrels, Roger Whitaker, Tom Waits and Pete
Seegar. It was also used in Brother Where Art Though. Tom recorded it on
his first batch of old folk and country songs on a five record box set released
in 1968 by Dominion Records called “Stompin’ Tom Sings 60 Old Time Favourites”
which was followed by “Stompin’ Tom Sings 60 More Old Time Favourites. In
2012, the year before he died, he went in and recorded 120 more old time
Favourites, some of which has yet to be released.
8. Oliver Schroer & Stewed Tomatoes: Moving Mountains
(Oliver Schroer)
Stewed Tomatoes: Big Dog Records 1996
Toronto
Oliver Schroer: violin, finger cymbals
Colleen Allen: tenor sax
Ben Grossman: percussion
Anne Lindsay: violin
David Travers-Smith: trumpet, E-flat horn
David Woodhead: bass
Produced by Oliver Schroer, 1996
Recorded by Andrew St. George at Comfort Sound, Toronto
Mixed by Andrew St. George and Oliver Schroer
9. Lighthouse: Mountain Man
(Skip Prokop)
Lighthouse: RCA: LSP-4173
Toronto ON
Skip Prokop - drums & vocals
Paul Hoffert - keys & vibes
Ralph Cole - guitar, vocals
Grant Fullerton - bass, vocals
Pinky Dauvin - percussion, vocals
Ian Guenther - violin
Don Dinovo - violin, viola
Don Whitton - cello
Leslie Schneider - cello
Freddy Stone - trumpet, flugel
Arnie Chycoski - trumpet, flugel
Howard Shore - alto sax
Russ Little - trombone
Produced by Paul Hoffert & Skip Prokop - 1969
Recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto by Ron Johnsen & Peter Houston
Ronald Harry "Skip" Prokop
B. December 13, 1943 in Hamilton, Ontario / d. August 30, 2017 London ON (73)
First Band was Riverside Three before joining The Spats in Toronto
which became The Paupers 1965-68. Formed Lighthouse 1968 after recording
an album with Al Kooper & Mike Bloomfield, turning down the offer to
be the drummer for Janus Joplin’s Kosmic Blues Band. Lighthouse made its
debut on May 14, 1969, at the Rock Pile in Toronto and won Juno Awards for
Best Canadian Group of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
10. Daisy DeBolt & Bob Derkash: Mountain Folk
(Daisy DeBolt)
Live at the Sugar Camp: DCD 105
Toronto
Daisy DeBolt: vocals, mandolin
Bob Derkash: accordion
Produced live to air at CIUT by Steve Fruitman, 2000
This was recorded live to air. Meeting Bob Derkash and hearing him play was an amazing experience for me as a radio dj.
11. Crowbar: Mountain Fire
(Roly Greenway)
Bad Manors: Paramount Records PAS 6007
Ancaster ON
Roly Greenway: bass, vocals
Sonny Bernardi: drums
Kelly Jay: piano, vocals
Rheal Lanthier: lead guitar, vocals
The Ghetto: lead guitar, slide guitar, vocals
Jozef Chirowski: piano, organ, vocals
Steve Kennedy: horns
Produced by Love, 1971
Recorded Terry Brown at Toronto Sounds Studios
Roly (Roland Harold) Greenway
b. Guelph ON 1942 / d. Dec 22, 2020 Guelph ON (78)
Roly Greenway was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall
Of Fame for having co-written a Canadian anthem with fellow Crowbar band
member, Kelly Jay. It was called ‘Oh What A Feeling’. He was a fine bass
player who continued performing until just recently. Kelly Jay died in 2019.
Greenway started playing guitar in 1958 and later backed up Zsa Zsa
Gabor and Liberace. Because he was such a strong bass player, he was conscripted
into the service of Ronnie Hawkins in the latter ‘60s. When Hawkins
fired the band in 1969, he claimed that “these boys could fuck up a crowbar
in 15 seconds. It probably took them 15 seconds to realize that Crowbar would
be their new name.
12. Ego: Fjollin hafa vakao (The Mountains Have Awaken)
(Bubbi Morthens / Ego)
i Mynd: Steinar Records ST 063
Reykjavik, Iceland
Beggi Morthens: guitars
Runar : bass
Maggi Stef: drums
Bubbi Morthens: vocals
Produced by EGO and Tomas Tomasson, 1982
Recorded by Louis Austin, Starling Studios, London, October 1982
Mastered at Town House Cutting Room
From the legendary Icelandic punk band lead by Bubbi Morthens.
If you can find this record, consider buying it. You won’t be disappointed.
Bubba Morthens sings in Icelandic, like a Viking punk. He got kicked out
of his previous band, apparently for being too egotistical which is why he
named his new band Ego. Since his punk rock days, he’s mellowed out a lot
and has spent most of his career singing folk style songs which are no less
hardened.
13. Mountain: Roll Over Beethoven
(Chuck Berry)
The Best of Mountain: Columbia (Windfall) Records WKC 32079
Long Island, NY
Leslie West: guitars, vocals
Felix Pappalardi: bass, vocals
Corky Laing: drums
Steve Knight: keys
Produced by Felix Pappalardi, 1973
Recorded by Bob d’Orleans
Leslie Weinstein aka Leslie West
b. New York City October 22, 1945/ d. December 23, 2020 (75) Palm Coast, FL
Leslie West was playing his heavy rocking blues around New York
for a few years, always disappointed in how his band was perceived by the
music biz. He met Cream’s producer Felix Pappalardi who was impressed with
West but decided that he needed a new bass player, so Felix decided to play
in West’s Mountain. Cream’s influence on Mountain was undeniable. Their biggest
hit song, ‘Mississippi Queen’, was a creative adaptation of folk singer David
Rae’s original song. After Mountain broke up in ‘72, West formed another
band with Corky Liang (formerly from Montreal) and ex-Cream bassist Jack
Bruce: West, Bruce and Laing. Their first gig was at Carnegie Hall.
He went into cardiac arrest on Monday, December 21, 2020[2] and was rushed
to a hospital in nearby Palm Coast where he never regained consciousness.
14. Plaid: Yu Mountain
(Plaid)
The Digging Remedy: Warp Records: LP277B
London UK
Andy Turner and Ed Handley: electronics
Benet Walsh: flute, guitar
Produced by Plaid, 2016
Mastered by Noel Summerville
15. Mart Kenny & His Orchestra: In The Shadow Of the Mountain
(Johnny Burt)
Mart Kennys 50th Anniversary Musical Tribute: World Records WRS1-101
New Westminster BC
Norma Locke: vocals
Produced for Canadian Talent Library 1982
Songs recorded between 1938 - 1964
Herbert Martin "Mart" Kenney
b. March 7, 1910 Toronto / d. February 8, 2006 New Westminster BC (95)
1st Canadian Orchestra to record for RCA 1938. His band worked Playter
Hall (Broadview & Danforth) as well as the Mart Kenney Ranch near Toronto.
Married Norma Locke 1952
b Montreal 15 Oct 1923 / d Mission BC 17 Sep 1990 (66)
16. Ike & Tina Turner: River Deep – Mountain High
(Phil Spector / Jeff Barry / Ellie Greenwich)
Get Back: Liberty Records LO-51158
Clarksdale MS
Tina Turner: lead vocals
Leon Russell (keyboards)
Michel Rubini (piano)
Jim Horn (saxophone)
Barney Kessel (guitar)
Glen Campbell (guitar)
Earl Palmer (drums)
Carol Kaye (bass guitar)
Frank Capp (percussion)
Darlene Love, Fanita Barrett, Jean King, Gracia Nitzsche, Clydie King: bg vocals
Produced by Phil Spector, 1966
Recorded by Phil Spector at Goldstar Studios, LA
Phil Spector had seen the Ike & Tina Turner Revue perform at a club on
the Sunset Strip and invited them to appear on The Big T.N.T Show. Spector
was impressed by Tina Turner and wanted to use her voice with the Wrecking
Crew, and his "Wall of Sound" production technique. He went to the Turners'
house, and struck a deal with Ike Turner to produce Tina. Ike agreed, but
wanted the recordings to be credited to Ike & Tina Turner.
After several rehearsals, and two sessions for the musicians to lay down
a backing track, Spector got Tina Turner into the studio but she was unable
to provide what he wanted. The following week she returned to the studio
with Ike Turner. Due to Spector's perfectionism and tendency to abuse workers
in the studio, he made her sing the song over and over for several hours
until he felt he had the perfect vocal take for the song. She recalled, "I
must have sung that 500,000 times. I was drenched with sweat. I had to take
my shirt off and stand there in my bra to sing."
It was reported that the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson attended the session, where
he sat "transfixed" and "did not say a word". When Spector inducted Ike &
Tina Turner into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, he revealed in his
speech that he had invited Ike Turner to play guitar in the session for "River
Deep – Mountain High," but Turner didn't show up. The recording of the song
was later dramatized for Tina Turner's 1993 biographical film, What's Love
Got to Do with It.
17. Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
(Nicolas Ashford / Valerie Simpson)
45 Single bw Give A Little Love: Tamla Motown – T-54149
Washington DC / Philadelphia PA
Marvin Gaye: vocals
Tami Terrell: vocals
The Funk Bros
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Produced by Harvey Fuqua and Johnny Bristol, 1967
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.
b. April 2, 1939 Washington, D.C / d. April 1, 1984 (44) Los Angeles, CA
Thomasina Winifred Montgomery
b. April 29, 1945 Philadelphia, PA / d. March 16, 1970 (24) Philadelphia, PA
18. Flatt & Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
(Earl Scruggs)
The World Of Flatt And Scruggs: Columbia Records KG31964
Nashville TN
Earl Scruggs: banjo
Lester Flatt: guitar
Benny Sims: fiddle
Curly Seckler: mandolin
Howard Watts: bass
Compilation Produced, 1977
Lester Raymond Flatt
b. June 19, 1914 Sparta, TN / d. May 11, 1979 (64) Nashville
Earl Eugene Scruggs
b. January 6, 1924 Cleveland County, North Carolina / d. March 28, 2012 (88) Nashville
Flatt & Scruggs first met in 1945 when Scruggs joined Bill
Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, and both became part of what proved to be Monroe’s
most influential lineup. They formed their own band The Foggy Mountain Boys
in 1948. Within a year they were recording for Mercury Records, their first
release being The Foggy Mountain Breakdown, recorded December 11, 1949.
It changed the way five string banjo was used in bluegrass music forever.
Were among the best bluegrass bands and were asked to record “The Ballad
of Jed Clampett”, the theme song for the Beverly Hillbilllies TV Show in
1962. Because of this they got to appear on several episodes of the program.
Not until the 1972 release of the movie “Deliverance” would bluegrass music
be in vogue again.
19. Tom McQueston: Mist on the Mountain
(Trad)
With Variations: no label or serial no.
Toronto
Tom McQueston: fiddle
Kate Murphy: piano
Ian Bell: guitar
Produced by Ian Bell, 2008
Recorded by Brian Pickell at Tommy's home - 1980*
Thomas McQueston
b. N. Ireland, 1902 / d. King City ON 2002
This guy learned to play when he was a child, learning from a fiddler
born in the 1870s. He taught a very young Graham Townsend for a couple of
years when Graham was wearing out his teachers. I knew him from the Nobleton
Fiddle club where he loved to jam. By then his fingers weren’t so agile but
he could still belt out a tune. This was the only known recording of him
other than live gigs where people used to tape him.
Side Two – Water
1. Raffi with Ken Whiteley: Water Dance
(Raffi Cavoukian)
Baby Beluga: Troubador Records TR-0010
Vancouver BC
Raffi: guitar, vocals
Ken Whiteley: mandolin
Bruce Cockburn: guitar
Grit Laskin: dulcimer, accordion, pennywhistle, long-neck mandolin
Produced by Raffi & Ken Whiteley, 1980
Recorded by Daniel Lanois at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton ON
Mixed by Raffi, Ken Whiteley & Daniel Lanois
Half-Speed Mastering by George Graves at Lacquer Channel, Toronto
2. David Celia Band: She’s A Waterfall
(David Celia)
Live at Studio 3, CIUT
Toronto
David Celia: guitar, keys
Chris Banks: bass
Selina Martin: vocals, tambourine
Cleve Anderson: drums
Michael Holt: keys, vocals
Produced and Mastered by Steve Fruitman, 2008
Recorded by Sam Petite June 3, 2008
3. David Essig: The Singing Waterfalls
(Hank Williams Sr)
While Living In The Good Years: New Woodshed Records NWS-016
Protection Island, BC
David Essig: fretted instruments, piano, vocals
Rockin’ Randy Kempf: bass
Paul Beedham: drums
Produced by David Essig and Fred Elgersma, 1984
Recorded by Steve Beach at Shotgun Studios, Brantford ON
Mixed by David Essig
This is a really obscure Hank Williams song that Essig found while working
at CBC Radio for his country show “Six Days on The Road”. He dedicates his
version to Molly O’Day, a country singer from West Virginia who first recorded
it for Columbia in 1948 after learning it from Hank Williams Sr.
4. Ken Whiteley: Waterfall (If This Be Love)
(Jimi Hendrix)
Bright Side: Pyramid Records – P-004
Toronto ON
Ken Whiteley: vocal, guitar
Colin Linden: guitar
Produced by Ken Whiteley, 1987
Recorded by Ken Whiteley and Sean Snell
Cover by Ian Bell
Mastered at McLear Place, Toronto
One of Jimi’s most beautiful songs!
5. Daniel Lanois: Still Water
(Daniel Lanois)
Acadie: Opal / WB - 92 59691
Hamilton, ON
Daniel Lanois guitar (steel, electric and acoustic), bass, vocals, omnichord
Malcolm Burn keyboards, guitars, backing vocals
Brian Eno keyboards, vocals
Adam Clayton bass
Larry Mullen, Jr. drums
Produced by Daniel Lanois, 1989
Recorded by Malcolm Burn and Mark Howard, New Orleans LA
Additional Recording at Brian Enos Wilderness Studio, UK
Mixed by Malcolm Burn & Daniel Lanois w Mark Howard
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC
Daniel Roland Lanois
b. September 19, 1951 Hull (Gatineau) QC
Daniel Lanois and his brother Bob set up their own recording studio
in their mother’s basement in Hamilton in the 1970s producing mostly folk
and bluegrass recordings. Then when punk blew in, they got a call from Brian
Eno who wanted to book time in their studio; Daniel didn’t know who he was.
It turned out to be an epiphany moment for both Eno and Lanois, totally changing
Daniel’s attitude, resulting in co-productions of U2 and Bob Dylan. It wasn’t
until 1989, however, that Daniel decided to make a solo record. On this track,
Brian Eno did the haunting keys and backing vocals at his studio in UK
Lanois was invested in the Order of Canada in 2018. His brother Bob (April 4, 1948 - April 19, 2021 (73) Hamilton ON
6. The Outlaws: Waterhole
(Outlaws)
Outlaws: Arista Records AL 4042
Macon GA
Hughie Thomasson: lead guitar
Monte Yoho: drums
Billy Jones: lead guitar
Frank O’Keefe: bass
Henry Pauy: guitars
Produced by Paul A Rothchild 1975
Recorded by Fritz Richmond at Elektra Sound recorders, Los Angeles
The band was the first act signed to Arista Records under Clive Davis.
Davis was in the audience at a show in 1974 where the band was opening for
Lynyrd Skynyrd in South Carolina. At the end of Lynyrd Skynyrd's set, lead
vocalist Ronnie Van Zant said from the stage: “If you don’t sign the Outlaws,
you’re the dumbest music person I’ve ever met—and I know you’re not.”
Clive Davis obviously had high hopes for the Outlaws band, supplying them
with Doors’ producer Paul A Rothchild and recording engineer Fritz Richmond,
the jug blower for Jim Kwesken’s Jug Band. Fritz’s jug and washtub
bass can be heard on a variety of recordings by artists that included
Jackson Browne , Loudon Wainwright III, Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Tom
Rush, Ry Cooder, Norman Greenbaum, and The Grateful Dead.
7. Don Messer & His Islanders: Rippling Water Jig
(trad)
The Best of Don Messer & His Islanders – Vol 2: Apex records – AL 1609
Tweedside NB
Don Messer: fiddle
Cecil Santry: bass
Jack Doyle: piano
Bill LeBlanc: drums
Compilation Produced, 1960
Messer claimed that this was one of the most difficult tunes
to play, relying a lot on the pinky finger to play it properly. Once when
Messer messed up his pinky finger, he had to let his temporary replacement
– Cec McEachern – to play it on the live television broadcast of the Don
Messer Show.
8. Hotcha! Hey Little Water Boy
(Trad)
Live in studio at CIUT
Toronto
Beverley Kreller: vocals
Ian Druckman: guitar, vocals
Produced live on air at CIUT by Steve Fruitman, 2009
A high spirited attempt at Hey Little Water Boy by this Toronto based duo
although I think that Beverley’s voice suffered from it towards the end but
it got done.
9. Nick Ferrio: Come Hell Or High Water
(Nick Ferrio)
45 Single: Headless Owl Records - SFR010-7
Peterborough ON
Jonas Bonetta: bg vocals
Gavin Gardiner: bass
Ian Kehoe: drums
Steve Lambke: guitar
Sylvie Smith: bg vocals
Produced by Gavin Gardiner & Nick Ferrio, 2015
Mastered by Phil Demetro
Nick Ferrio grew up in the small town of Virginia, Ontario, near Lake Simcoe
where, he claims: “We had a gas station and a Becker’s (milk store),”
he recalls. He moved to Peterborough and integrated into the music scene
there, playing in a lot of bands. He soon became an advocate for Canadian
musicians claiming:
“I feel like 99% of musicians in Canada are not able to make a sustainable
living doing what they’re doing.” That was pre-pandemic!
10. Mike Aiken: Thick Black Water
(M Aiken)
Hula Girl Highway: Northwind Records NW 1553-08
Norfolk, Virginia
Mike Aiken: guitar, vocal
Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Tony Paoletta (pedal steel)
Larry Berwald (guitars, dobro, lap steel)
Amy Aiken (vocals, percussion, washboard)
Produced 2008
Mike grew up outside of Buffalo so he’s nearly Canadian! I met him at
the 2013 North American Folk Alliance held that year in Toronto.
11. Roy Payne: Where The Blue Waters Foam
(R Payne)
Willie's Yellar Pick Up Truck: RCA - KXL1-0095
Trout River NL
Produced by RCA - 1975
Recorded by Hayward Parrott at RCA's Toronto Studio
12. The Hans Staymer Band: Six Feet Under Water
(Peter Sinclair, David Jenneson, Al Hovden)
45 single bw Instant Comfort: RCA Promo: PA-50018
Vancouver BC
Hans Staymer: harmonica, vocal
Robbie King: keys
Doug Edwards: guitar
Wayne Kozac: sax
Paul Burton: drums
Produced by Don Hamilton, 1974
Staymer saw Louis Armstrong in the 1950s while still living in his native
Germany. He also got into playing the music of Django Reinhardt. He moved
to Canada in 1962, settling in Edmonton as a goldsmith. He began performing
there, playing songs by blues legends like Leadbelly at local clubs which
eventually saw him perform in bands. In 1968 he moved to Vancouver and formed
a band called Django which lasted about four years. In 1972 he formed the
Hans Staymer Band and recorded an album called “Dig A Hole” on GSF Records.
In 1997 he formed a duo with another German ex-pat Andreas Schuld. Their
first CD, recorded by Billo Bourne (Bourne & McLeod) received a 1997
Juno Award nomination for Best Blues Album. They still gig off and on.
13. Gordon Quinton: The Water Is Wide
(Gordon Quinton)
The Yellow Sky: Woodnight WNMCD 004
St. John’s NL
Gordon Quinton: guitar
Produced by Gordon Quinton, 2006
Recorded by John Lacey
14. Jack Reeves And The Reeves Boys: Muddy Waters
(Joseph T. Babcock)
Jack Reeves And The Reeves Boys: Bronco Records – BR 212004
Milton ON
Jack Reeves, rhythm guitar, vocals
Wayne Snider, drums
Dale Martin, bass (Timmins ON)
Jim Pollack, Lead Guitar
Bob Lucier, Ron Peters, Steel guitar
Produced by Bud Crosgrey, 1973
Recorded by Jim Morgan at Captain Audio Studios, Toronto
Mixed at Sounds Interchange, Toronto
Mastered at RCA Studios, Toronto
Although most people in Toronto will never have heard of this band, they
were one of the most popular live acts in the city during the mid 50s to
late 60’s. In fact, this album – their only one – was recorded in 1973, long
after their popularity had faded. They played mostly in the Golden Horseshoe.
15. Tragically Hip: Born In The Water
(Bobby Baker / Gord Sinclair / Gordon Edgar Downie / John Fay)
Road Apples: MCA Records – CMCA-10173
Kingston ON
Accordion: Malcolm Burn
Bass, Backing Vocals: Gord Sinclair
Drums: Johnny Fay
Guitar: Bobby Baker (2)
Guitar, Backing Vocals: Paul Langlois
Piano: Benmont Tench
Recorded By: Bruce Barris
Tambourine: Phil Jones (3)
Vocals: Gordon Downie
Produced by Don Smith, 1991
Engineer [Assistant] Scott Campbell
Lacquer Cut By Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound
Mixed By Bruce Barris, Don Smith
Mastered By Ted Jensen
16. Willie P Bennett: Down To The Water
(Willie P Bennett)
Tryin’ To Start Out Clean: Woodshed Records WS 004
Toronto ON
Willie P Bennett: guitar, vocal
Dennis Pendrith: bass
Bill Usher: drums, percussion
Chris Whiteley: harmonica, trumpet
Ken Whiteley: piano, organ
Ron Dann: Pedal Steel
Zeke Mazurek: fiddle
Dennis LePage: banjo
David Essig: mandolin
Produced by Dave Essig, 1975
Recorded by Phil Sheridan at Thunder Sound, Toronto
Mastered by Bill Cuddihy at RCA Toronto
William Patrick "Willie P." Bennett
b. 26 October 1951 Toronto / d. 15 February 2008 Peterborough ON
David Essig, producer of the first Willie P Bennett albums, also
utilized the services of Dennis Pendrith on his own solo albums.
17. The Standells: Dirty Water
(Ed Cobb)
45 single bw Rari: Sparton Records P 1453
Los Angeles CA
Tony Valentino: guitar
Larry Tamblyn: vocal, keys
Gary Lane: bass
Dick Dodd: drums
Produced by Ed Cobb 1966
Originally released on Tower Records in the US, producer Ed Cobb
wrote the song after a visit to Boston, during which he was robbed on a bridge
over the Charles River. The bands name was created by Larry Tamblyn, derived
from standing around booking agents' offices trying to get work.
Dirty Water was the band’s only real hit song. Although none of the Standells
had been to Boston before the song was released, the city adopted the song
as its own. In 1997, "Dirty Water" was decreed the "official victory anthem"
of the Red Sox, and is played after every home victory won by the Boston
Red Sox. Although it’s played at Fenway Park regularly, the band make no
royalties from it since it was credited to producer Ed Cobb. Still, it’s
a song that The Standells are extremely proud of.
"Dirty Water" is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."
18. Heads In The Sky: Atomic Energy Sweet
Heavy Water (Russ Walker)
Meltdown (Russ Walker)
Requiem: (Russ Walker)
Heads In the Sky: Illuminated Records IR 001
Oak Ridges ON
Russ Walker: keys, guitar, percussion
Steve Webster: bass
Gerry Fielding: drums
Chris McKim: mellotron
Produced by Russ Walker, 1981
Recorded by Russ Walker and Brock Fricker, Rene Brossard and Gerry Fielding
Recorded at Brock Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Amber Studios by George Simkiw and Paul Bonish and Zaza Sound, Toronto
The brainchild of Oak Ridges, Ontario musician Russ Walker. The band released
one album and an EP on their own Illuminated Records. The full-length LP
was also released in Japan, Holland and Germany.
19. Bad Tractor: Cec McEachern’s Breakdown
(Cecil McEachern)
Blessington: Meyer’s Creek Records MLRLP 0517
Belleville ON
Tim Hadley: guitar
Ian McKendry: electric guitar
Mike Budding: bass
Steve Fruitman: drums
Produced by Nicolas Tjelios, 2018
Recorded at Big Red Button Studio, Belleville ON by Nicolas Tjelios, May 2017
Mastered for vinyl by Phillip Shaw Bova at Bova Lab Studios, Ottawa
Bad Tractor got this song from PEI fiddler Billy MacInnis who learned it from Cecil McEachern himself.
