Side One
1. Christopher McKhool: Breaking Sky – 2002 *
2. Grievous Angels: Hanging Songs – 2003 *
3. The Shaftmen: Shaftmen Boogie – 2006*
4. Blackie & Rodeo Kings: North – 2013 *
5. Mendelson Joe: Canada Song – 1972 *
6. Rush: Subdivisions – 1983 *
7. The Ugly Ducklings: Nothin’ – 1966 *
8. Syrinx: Aurora Spinway – 1971 *
9. Mary Margaret O’Hara: My Friends Have – 1988 *
10. Corin Raymond: Riding West on Dundas (Live at CIUT) – 2006 *
11. David Gon: The Loon Calling Me – 1988 *
12. The Shuffle Demons: Spadina Bus – 1986 *
13. The Sadies: Starting All Over Again – 2013 *
14. Bobby Edwards: Café Summer – 1987 *
15. Ted Hawkins: Angel Eyes – 1997 *
16. Rough Trade: America Bad And Beautiful – 1982 *
17. Richard Chamberlain: Three Stars Will Shine Tonight – 1962
18. Mickey McGivern: Four Strong Winds (Instrumental) – 1965 *
The Bee Side
1. Sultans of String: Stomping At The Rex – 2017 *
2. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Unity – 1975 *
3. Buddy Wassisname & The Other Fellas: Punk Junk – 1986 *
4. Philippe Bruneau et Jean Carignan: Lev eta patte – 1961 *
5. Steve Heckbert: Fiddleheadin’ – 1982 *
6. Jim Gregrash: Hot Polka – 196? *
7. La Bottine Souriante: La Gronde – 2003 *
8. Kensington Market: Help Me – 1969 *
9. The Spades: The Unknown – 2013 *
10. Handsome Neds: In Spite of the Danger – 1985 *
11. David Bradstreet: Renaissance – 1977 *
12. Margaret Stowe: Tallyho Ragtime Blues – 2002 *
13. The Mothers of Invention: It Can’t Happen Here – 1966
14. Figgy Duff: Lake St. John Reel / Blackthorn Stick – 1983 *
15. Jane Siberry: Marco Polo – 1981 *
16. Ian & Sylvia: Four Strong Winds – 1964 *
17. Oliver Schroer: My Uncle’s Pockets – 1996 *
18. Alan Baekeland: Ripped Off Winkle – 2004 *
*CanCon = 94%
Side One
1. Chris McKhool: Breaking Sky
(Chris McKhool)
Sixty Second Songs: DROG 100
Toronto
Chris McKhool: violin
Produced by Lewis Melville, 2002
2. Grievous Angels: Hanging Songs
(Charlie Angus)
Hanging Songs: Jimmy Boyle Records 2002??05
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar, vocals, mandolin
Peter Jellard: guitar, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, fiddle, organ, vocals
Dave Patterson: vocals, guitar, slide
Tim Hadley: bass, vocals
Al Lamore: drums
Produced by Alec Fraser, 2003
Recorded at Liquid Recording by Alec Fraser, Toronto
Mastered by Andy Krehm at Silver Birch Productions, Toronto
I remember being present during the recording sessions for Hanging Songs – rebel songs that a man could get hung for. A lot of thought and energy went into it. It also featured a new drummer Al Lamore and electric guitarist Dave Patterson after the departure of original Angel drummer Peter Duffin. Dave played with the Angels for about 15 years but passed on a few years back. The three original members (Peter, Tim and Chuck since 1987) have another three since the band were reformed a few years ago. They just released their latest album in 2024. With Charlie Angus retiring from politics, they will have a lot more time to continue on.
3. The Shaftmen: Shaftmen Boogie
(Shaftsmen)
Mining The Blues: ind. No serial
Timmins ON
Bass Guitar, Vocals – Gil Boissonneault
Drums, Vocals – Mike Charette
Lead Guitar, Vocals – John Savard
Lead Vocals, Guitar – John Emms
Keys – Robert Pell
Produced by Paul "the Axe" Rouillard, 2006
Recorded at Sound Forge Studios, Sudbury ON
This is the personnel listed for the Shaftsmen’s second album from 2009. I’ve searched for other info but other than being a Timmins blues band since 2005 with three albums out, I can’t find the exact personnel listing for their first album, Mining The Blues
4. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings: North
(Tom Wilson)
45 single bw South: FU:M Records FUM036
Toronto Hamilton Halifax
Colin Linden: acoustic guitar, dobro, vocals
Tom Wilson: acoustic guitar, lead vocal
Stephen Fearing: acoustic guitar, vocals
Johnny Dymond: bass
Gary Craig: drums
John Whynot: organ
Produced by Colin Linden, 2013
Recorded by John Dymond and Colin Linden at Pinhead Recorders, Nashville TN
Mastered by Craig Calbi and Steve Falone at Sterling Sound, NYC
5. Joe Mendelson: Canada Song
(JB Mendelson)
Mr Middle of the Road: Nobody Records 9230-1027
Emsdale ON
Mendelson Joe: guitar, slaps, foot, vocals
Produced by Mendelson Joe (as Joe Mendelson), 1972
Recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto by Stuart Taylor
Mr Middle of the Road was Mendleson Joe’s first solo album, released just after the breakup of Mainline. He would record one more Mainline (sort of) album with Michael McKenna before dedicating his life to painting and recording his songs on several albums.
6. Rush: Subdivisions
(Peart / Lee / Lifeson)
Signals: Anthem Records ANR-1-1038
Toronto
Neil Peart: drums
Geddy Lee: synths, bass, vocals
Alex Lifeson: guitars
Produced by Rush and Terry Brown, 1983
Recorded and mixed at Le Studio, Quebec by Paul Northfield
Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Master Disc, NYC
Rush were not a singles act! This song was the last to be recorded for Signals and was released as a single, went to number 1 in Canada but only hit No. 21 in the US. Still, their best single ever released in the US. They did much better with their albums.
Growing up in a Willowdale subdivision called Bathurst Village, Geddy knew exactly what he was singing about.
7. The Ugly Ducklings: Nothin
(Dave Byngham / Roger Mayne)
Somewhere Outside: Yorktown Records - YT 50,001
Toronto ON
Dave Bingham (vocals)
Glynn Bell (guitar)
Roger Mayne (guitar)
John Read (bass)
Robin Boers (drums)
Produced by Bill Huard, 1966
Recorded by Dave Leonard, Ray Lawrence, Gary youngblood & Terry Vollum at Stea Phillips, NYC and Hallmark Sound, Toronto and Bay Recording, Toronto
8. Syrinx: Aurora Spinway
(John Mills-Cockell / Syrinx)
Long Lost Relatives: True North Records TNX 5
Toronto
John Mills-Cockell: synths, keys
Doug Pringle: sax, guiro, bongos, bells
Alan Wells: congas
Produced by John Mills-Cockell & Eugene Martynec 1971
Recorded at Eastern Sound Studios, Thunder Sound, Pathe-Humphries & Bay Studios, Toronto by Dave Kalunbach, Don Stewart & Bill Roncken
Mastered by Bob D'Orleans
John Mills-Cockell
Born: May 19, 1943, Toronto
John Mills-Cockell is a graduate of The Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto. In 1967 he won a BMI Award to Student Composers for his Movements for Orchestra and Reverberation for Solo Trombone and Two Stereo Tapes. From there he progressed to Moog Synthesizer, being the first Canadian to own one. He joined rock band Kensington Market (second album only) before forming Syrinx in 1969.
Pringle was a producer and director of digital media, television and music.
Allan Wells - percussionist (deceased 3 November 2010)
9. Mary Margaret O’Hara: My Friends Have
(Mary Margaret O’Hara)
Miss America: Virgin Records: VL 2559
Toronto ON
Rusty McCarthy, guitar
Hendrik Riik, bass
Michael Sloski, drums
Produced by Mary Margaret O'Hara and Michael Brook, 1988
Recorded by Paul Cobbold at Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales UK; Joe
Primeau at Phase One Studios, Toronto; Stephen Traub at Comfort Sound, Toronto
Mixed at Comfort Sound by Michael Brook and Mary Margaret O'Hara
Mastered at The Townhouse, London UK
This is still one of those albums that cannot be explained, only experienced.
10. Corin Raymond: Riding West on Dundas
(C Raymond)
Live on Back To The Sugar Camp: July 13, 2006
Toronto ON
Corin Raymond, guitar, lead vocal
Marc Roy, mandolin
Darcy Yates, bass
Produced by Steve Fruitman, 2006
Recorded by Fred Spek in CIUT Studio 3
Recorded live in Studio 3 at our old digs at 91 St. George.
11. David Gon: The Loon Calling Me
(David Gon)
Island Miles Away: CBC Northern Services WRC1 5676
Yellowknife NT
David Gon: guitar, vocal
Eddie Bimm: keys
Ron Prescott: drums
Gary Spicer: guitar
Peter Fredette: bass
Randall Prescott: harmonica
Produced by Les McLaughlin
Recorded at Snowcan Studios, Ottawa by Marc Lajoie January 1988
David Gon
b. Yellowknife NT 1953
A member of the Dog Rib First Nation, he had a good career as a singer-songwriter playing across the northern reaches of Canada. He got hired to perform at the Northwest Territories Arctic Show at Expo ’86 in Vancouver as well as the Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton in 1987, all of which lead to the recording of this album in Ottawa the following year.
12. The Shuffle Demons: Spadina Bus
(D Parker / The Shuffle Demons)
Streetniks: Stubby Records - R-001
Toronto ON
Rich Underhill - alto, baratone sax
Mike Murley - tenor, baratone, alto sax
Dave Parker - tenor sax
Jim Vivian - bass
Stich Wynston - drums
Produced by The Shuffle Demons and Michael Wojewoda, 1986
Recorded by Michael Wojewoda, Paul Edwards & Roman Zak at Grant Avenue Studios, Hamilton
Mastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto
No more busses on Spadina these days – only modern streetcars now but it really doesn’t matter; this song still stands! Great production too considering it was recorded during the terrible (production-wise) 1980s. The bass and drums sound like they’re right in your room. They recorded 2 vinyls that have stood the test of time remarkably well.
13. The Sadies: Starting All Over Again
(The Sadies)
Internal Sounds: YepRoc Records YEP-2353
S. Ontario
Mike Belitsky: drums
Sean Dean: bass
Dallas Good: guitar, organ, vocal
Travis Good: guitars, fiddle, vocal
Produced by Dallas Good, 2013
Recorded by Guillermo Subauste
Mastered by Peter J Moore at The E Room, Toronto
14. Bobby Edwards: Café Summer
(Bobby Edwards)
Twilight Drive: Duke Street Records DSR 31041
Scarborough ON
Bobby Edwards: solo guitar
Bob Mann: guitar
Danny Colomby: bass
Chris Dahmer, Steve Hunter, Ray Parker: keys
Paul Hannah: drums
Brian Leonard: percussion
Erich Traugott: trumpet
Guido Basso: flugelhorn
Vern Dorge: also sax
Eugene Amaro: tenor sax, flute
Virginia Markson: flute
Jack Zaza: flute, oboe
Jim McDonald, Gary Pattison: french horns
Russ Little: trombone
Erica Goodman: harp
Bill Richards: concert master
Produced by Bobby Edwards, 1987
Recorded by Andrw S Hermant at Manta Sound with Peter Lee and Mark Baldi
Mastered by George Graves at Lacquer Channel, Toronto
Robert David Edwards
b. Nov 24, 1948 in Scarborough, ON / d. South Lake Hospital, Newmarket Sept 15, 2021 (72)
Ted Hawkins RIP
d. Toronto March 22 2025 (69)
15. Ted Hawkins: Angel Eyes
(E Brent / M Dennis)
Music for 2:17 am: IND – TH97CD1
Toronto
Ted Hawkins: vocals
Victor Bateman: bass
Jerry Fuller: drums
Bruce Griffin: organ
Bob Brough: sax
Produced by Victor Bateman, 1997
Recorded by Nic Tjelios at Casa Wroxton, Toronto
Mastered by Nick Rawson at The Other Studio, Toronto
I met Ted when he lived at 160 Huron in Toronto – I was his letter carrier for ten years. I remember how excited he was when he released this album. He gave me a copy to play on the radio. Super nice guy!
Kevan Staples RIP
d. Toronto March 23, 2025 (75)
16. Rough Trade: America: Bad And Beautiful
(Kevan Staples / Carole Pope)
Shaking The Foundations: True North Records TN 50
Toronto ON
Kevan Staples: guitar, piano, Synth, persussion
Carole Pope: vocals
Jorn Andersen: drums
Howard Ayee: bass
Produced by Eugene Martynec, Kevin Staples, Carol Pope, 1982
Recorded by Gary Grey, Rick Starks, Peter Lee at Manta Sound, Toronto
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound, NYC
Really: ½ of Rough Trade, a band he shared with Carole Pope that made music history. The two of them met in 1968 and formed Rough Trade in the mid ‘70s.
George Richard Chamberlain RIP
b. Beverly Hills CA, March 31, 1934 / d. March 29, 2025 (90) Waimānalo, Hawaii,
17. Richard Chamberlain: Three Stars Will Shine Tonight
(Jerrald Goldsmith / Pete Rulolo / Hal Winn)
(Theme From Dr. Kildare)
45 single bw A Kiss To Build A Dream On: MGM Records 13075X
Beverly Hills CA
Richard Chamberlain: vocals
David Rose Orchestra
Produced 1962
The song was the theme for the television series Dr. Kildare. The series' lead actor, Richard Chamberlain, released it in 1962 as a single in his first venture into a singing career.
18. Mickey McGivern: Four Strong Winds
(Ian Tyson)
Twelve String Guitar: Arc Records – A 660
Pembroke ON
Mickey McGivern: 12 string guitar
Al Mathews: piano
Artie MacLaren: rhythm guitar
Bill Bartlett: drums
Mark McGivern: bass
Produced by Ben Weatherby, 1965
Mickey McGivern
b. December 13, 1931 Pembroke ON
Mickey McGivern’s career began with an inexpensive Palm Beach guitar at the age of 12
and, by the age 17, he was on road with The Kidd Baker Show. He became a session guitarist, performing on well over 300 recordings.
Over the next twenty years, he fronted a number of bands, most notably The Mustangs, touring Canada and the US and backing such artists as Del Reeves, Johnny Paycheck and Bob Luman.
Mickey became one of the most respected session guitarists in Canada, working for RCA,
Quality and Arc Records. He has over 350 documented sessions to his credit, backing
such artists as Johnny Burke, Artie McLaren and Dick Nolan. Indeed, its hard to find an Arc
records from the 60s and early 70s that Mickey didnt play on.
Mickey was raised in Pembroke, Ontario where he still resides and continues to perform.
The Bee Side
1. Sultan’s of String: Stomping At The Rex
(Chris McKhool / Kevin Laliberte)
Ten Years of Music: Fiddlefire Records MKC 2070
Toronto
Chris McKhool: violin
Kevin Laliberte: flamenco guitar
Eddie Paton: guitar
Drew Birston: bass
Rosendo Leon: drums
Andrew Collins: mandolin
Produced by Chris McKhool, 2017
Edited for vinyl by John “Beetle” Bailey at The Drive Shed Recording Studios, Toronto
Mastered by Peter Letros at Wreckhouse Mastering and Paul gold at Salt Mastering
2. Stompin’ Tom Connors: Unity
(TC Connors)
The North Atlantic Squadron: EMI-Music Canada - 72435 20822-2
Halton Hills ON
Tom Connors: guitar, vocal
Gary Empey: bass
Bill Lewis: lead guitar
Glen Reid: banjo
Produced by Tom C Connors, 1975
3. Buddy Wasisname & The Other Fellers: Punk Junk
(Johnson / Blackmore / Chaulk)
Makin’ For the Harbour’, World Records WRC1-4525
Gander NL
Ray Johnson: accordion
Kevin Blackmore: vocals
Wayne Chaulk: guitar
Produced by Buddy Wasisname & The Other Fellers, 1986
Recorded. & mixed by Paul Fogwell & Nick Fleming.
Recorded at J.S.R. Studio & Reflections Lounge, Gander.
4. Philippe Bruneau avec Jean Carignan: Leve eta patte
(Jean Carignan)
Quens Ben Ta Blonde: London Serie Francais MB 32
Montreal / Levis QC
Philippe Bruneau: accordion
Jean Carignan: fiddle
Produced 1961
5. Steve Heckbert: Fiddleheadin’
(Steve Heckbert)
Bottoms Up!: Shadbangers - WRC1 2255
Chatham NB
Steve Heckbert: 12 string guitar, fiddlehead vocal
John Aubey: banjo
Colin Cameron: fiddle
Ollie: bass
Hot Dog: percussion
Produced by Steve Heckbert, 1982
Recorded by Harold Tsistinas at Solar Audio, Dartmouth NS
Bottoms Up was financed by working the Alberta Oil Fields till he saved enough money.
Fiddleheadin’ was written at East Point, NB in August 1979. Long time singer at the celebrated Miramichi Folk Song Festival
6. Jim Gregrash: Hot Polka
(Trad)
Dance With Jim Gregrash: Regis Record – RLP-4003
Harod Manitoba
Jim Gregrash: fiddle
Others not listed
Produced in the 1960s
Jim Gregrash
b Elphinstone, Manitoba 1902 – 1972
Gregrash began recording in the early 1950s and is one of the first Canadians to record Ukrainian music. He lived his life in Manitoba and made a lot of appearances on various artists’ recordings.
7. La Bottine Souriante: La Gronde
(Jean François Bélanger)
J’ai jamais tan ri: Mille Pattes MPCD 2043
Joliette QC
Réjean Archambault: double bass
Ėric Beaudry: guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, shoes
Pierre Bélisle: piamo, Hammond B3, Rhodes, trumpet
André Brunet: violin, shoes,
Pierre-Luc Dupuis: accordions, harmonicas
Robert Ellis: trombone bass
Jean Fréchette: tenor sax, flute, flageolet
Jocelyn Lapointe: trumpet, flugelhorn
Sandy Silva: body tap, percussion
André Verreault: trombone
Produced by Jean Fréchette, 2003
Recorded and Mastered by Claude Champagne at Studio Champagne, Terrebonne QC
8. Kensington Market: Help Me
(Eugene Martynec / Felix Pappalardi)
Aardvark: Warner Brothers WS-1790
Toronto ON
Alex Darou - bass
Jimmy Watson - drums
Gene Martynec keys, guitar, vocals
Keith McKie guitar, vocal
Luke Gibson guitar, vocal
John Mills-Cockell - moog
Produced by Felix Pappalardi, 1969
Remastered by Ted Carson at MusicLane Mastering
Once again, we get the Moog treatment on this album featuring soon-to-be member of Kensington Market and Syrinx. On stage he had to reprogram his kit after every song so he only played on every-other song.
9. The Spades: The Unknown
(James McKenty)
45 single bw 49 Tons: Seventh Fire Records SFR003
Peterborough ON
James McKenty: guitar
Winchester Street: drums
Chachi Robichaud: bass
Produced by James McKenty - 2013
Recorded in the winter of 2013 at The Narrows Studio, Peterborough
Peterborough’s James McKenty, of The Spades, came up with the idea of starting a different kind of record company: Seventh Fire Records would only issue 45s. It was like a book of the month club; you joined, subscribed to receive a record every month. McKenty would get artists into the studio to produce two songs and watch them grow. This worked for a few years and have since, modified their goals and have released a few albums.
10. The Handsome Neds: In Spite of the Danger
(Ned R Masyk)
45 Single: Handsome Records HN 002
Toronto ON
Handsome Ned (Robin Masyk): vocal, rhythm guitar
Steve Koch: lead guitar
Rene Fratura: bass
J.D. Weatherstone: drums
Produced by The Neds, 1985
Recorded by Rich Dodson at Marigold Studios, Toronto
Robin Masyk
b. June 4, 1957, Germany / d. January 10, 1987, Toronto.
The Handsome Neds consisted of Steve Koch (Viletones, Demics, Hayseed Hellions) on guitar, J.D. Weatherstone (Demics) on drums, and bassist Rene Frattura (Herald Nix) and of course, none other than Robin Masyk aka Handsome Ned. Producer Rich Dodson was a member of The Stampeders
11. David Bradstreet: Renaissance
(David Bradstreet)
David Bradstreet: Universal / A&M - SP-9026
Toronto, ON
Dave Bradstreet: acoustic guitar, vocal
Carl Keesee: bass, bg vocal
Jerry Marotta: drums
Bob Mann: electric guitar
Lance Quinn: electric guitar
Peter Phillips: piano, organ
Don Oriolo: bg vocal
Produced by Don Oriolo, 1977
Recorded by Ed Stasium with John Hazen at Phase 1 Studios, Toronto
Mixed by Ed Stasium and Don Oriolo
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, New York City
David Bradstreet b. London UK
Bradstreet was gifted with a big voice, like Jim Morrison: very distinct and resonant. Although born in the UK, he was raised in Oakville, Ontario where he began his music career in the 1960s. When up and rising singer Valdy covered his song “Renaissance” in 1974, Bradstreet watched as the song hit the top of the charts. He’s worked as a musician, producer, songwriter, recording jingles, film soundtracks. In short, he knows how to survive in the music biz. He released 3 vinyl albums between 1976 and 1980. Long time associate, Carl Keesee, has been playing bass for Bradstreet ever since.
12. Margaret Stowe: Tallyho Ragtime Blues
(M Stowe)
Things I Do: Tallyho Music TM 0001
Toronto
Margaret Stowe: guitars
Steve Sauve: keys
Michelle Josef: drums
Scott McGregor Moore: guitar
Wally Jericho: trumpet
Tom McKay: bass
Produced by Margaret Stowe and Michelle Josef, 2002
Recorded by Margaret Stowe at The Space, Toronto
Mastered by Jams Paul at The Rogue
13. Mothers Of Invention: It Can’t Happen Here
(Frank Zappa)
Freak Out: Verve Records V-5005-2
Los Angeles CA
Frank Zappa: vocal, musical director, orchestrator, and arranger
Ray Collins: vocal
Jimmy Carl Black: vocal
Roy Estrada: vocal
Elliot Ingber: vocal
Jeannie Vassoir: the voice of Suzy Creamcheese
Produced by Tom Wilson, 1966
Recorded by Val Valentin at Sunset-Highland Studios of T.T.G. Inc, Hollywood
From Frank Zappa’s first album with The Mothers, released as a double album in 1966. This is the 3rd movement of the suit, Help, I’m A Rock. Everyone thinks that “It Can’t Happen Here” but they’re wrong; it just did happen here. This song may be 55 years old but….
Freak Out! was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.
14. Figgy Duff: Lake St. John Reel / The Blackthorn Stick
(Trad)
After The Tempest: Boot Records BOS 7243
St. Johns NL
Pamela Morgan: guitar, vocals
Dave Panting: mandolin
Geoff Butler: Accordion
Derek Pelley: bass
Noel Dinn: drums
Produced by Tom Trecumuth, 1983
Recorded Dan Kuntz at Studio 306, Toronto
Mixed by Mark Wright & Lenny DeRose at Phase One Studios, Toronto
Mastered by George Graves at The Lacquer Channel, Toronto
Cover by Ian Bell
Figgy Duff were Newfoundland’s answer to rockin’ Celtic driven music long before the Pogues came along to claim that crown. It was the invention of drummer / Percussionist Noel Dinn and singer Pamela Morgan. After The Tempest was the group’s second full-length album.
15. Jane Siberry: Marco Polo
(Jane Siberry)
Jane Siberry: Street Records SR002
Guelph ON
Jane Siberry: vocals, guitar, piano
John Switzer: bass
David Bradstreet: electric 12-string, kick-drum
Produced by David Bradstreet with Carl Keesee & Jane Siberry, 1981
Recorded by David Bradstreet & Carl Keesee, Toronto
Mixed by David Bradstreet, Carl Keesee and Chad Irschick at Inception Sound, Toronto
Great opening lines: How did I ever get into this mess / I fell in the river and I wrecked my dress.
16. Ian & Sylvia: Four Strong Winds
(Ian Tyson)
Ian And Sylvia: Vanguard VRS-9133
Alberta / Toronto
Ian Tyson: guitar, vocal
Sylvia (Fricker) Tyson: vocal
John Herald: bass
Eric Weissberg: guitar
Produced by Maynard Solomon & Jack Lothrop, 1964
Released April, 1964
Ian Dawson Tyson
b. Sept 25, 1933 Victoria, BC / d. Dec 29, 2022 (89) Longview, AB
Sylvia Tyson nee Fricker
b. September 19, 1940, Chatham, Ontario
Ian Tyson would recall "Four Strong Winds" as the first song he ever wrote, and credit Bob Dylan for inspiring Tyson to follow into writing "original folk songs. "(As a songwriter) Bob blazed the trail into the wilderness, into unknown territory." Tyson remembered meeting up with Dylan in the autumn of 1962 at the Kettle of Fish in Greenwich Village. Tyson recalls Dylan telling him, 'I got this new song I just wrote' and he sang me 'Blowin' in the Wind'. And I thought: “I can do that,” and the next day I wrote 'Four Strong Winds'."
Tyson explained that he asked Dylan's manager Albert Grossman "who was the only one [on the scene] that had a roof over his head:"...'Can I use your apartment tomorrow, cause I want to try and write a song?'" Grossman said sure. I went over there and opened up the guitar case and started to fooling around and strumming. And it took half an hour" to writ "Four Strong Winds". Although Tyson's personal favorite of his compositions is "Summer Wages", he recalls realizing "Four Strong Winds" "was pretty good because [when] I sang it in the folk clubs it blew everybody away".
The song has been recorded by many artists, including Hank Snow, The Seekers, Judy Collins, the Chad Mitchell Trio, Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, The Searchers, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Trini Lopez, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Chad and Jeremy, The Wolfe Tones, The Tragically Hip, Joan Baez, Vanity Fare, Glenn Yarborough, Harry Belafonte, Tony Rice, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, Sarah McLachlan, David Wiffen, Hep Stars, Les Contretemps, Neil Young, Mickey and Bunny and Schooner Fare.
17. Oliver Schroer: My Uncle’s Pockets
(Oliver Schroer)
Stewed Tomatoes: Barking Dog – no serial
Toronto
Colleen Allan: tenor sax
Carlos Del Junco: harmonica
Rich Greenspoon: Drums
David Woodhead: Bass
Ben Grossman: flame drums
David Travers-Smith: Trumpet
Oliver Schroer Violin [5 String Violect]
Ahmed Hassan: didgeridoo
Ravi Naimpiali: bells
Brent Titcomb: voice
Produced by Oliver Schroer, 1996
Recorded By Andrew St. George at Comfort Sound, Toronto
18. Allen Baekeland: Ripped Off Winkle
(T C Connors)
Calgary Does Connors: Bring Your Own Plywood - SRCR001
Calgary, AB
Allen Baekeland: guitar, vocal
Steve Nykolyn: drums
Steve Pineo: electric guitar, bass
Charlie Veilleux: steel
Ron Casat: keys
Executive Producers: Dawn Loucks, Jennifer Abel & Cam Hayden, 2004
Mastered by Richard Harrow
Another great compilation featuring artists from Calgary performing Stompin’ Tom songs. He claimed that he covered this particular song because “it was one of Tom’s most political statements.” He went on to claim, in the liner notes of Bring Your Own Plywood, that Connors was not the “be-all and end-all of the distinctly Canadian country sound.” He stated matter-of-factly that “I’m sure Tom would second me when I urge you to seek out the music of Stevedore Steve and Ward Allen, Mac Beattie, and Marcel Martel, and Roy Payne and Earl Mitton and so many other incredible performers that have been undeservedly ignored and forgotten.”
Heard over:
CIUT FM 89.5 CHMR FM 93.5 FM
University of Toronto Radio Inc Memorial University, St. John's NL
Mondays 12 noon Tuesdays 10 pm NT
Radio Bell Island 93.9 FM Radio VGR
Wabana, Bell Island NL London/Thetford UK
Wednesdays 4 pm NT Tues 10 pm GMT; Sat 3:30 am
Bluewater Radio CFBW 91.3 FM VOBB The Voice of Bonne Bay
Walkerton ON Rocky Harbour 98.1 FM
Grey Co. ON Bonne Bay 95.9 FM
Sundays 6 pm ET Tuesdays 9 pm NT
BOIR Bay of Islands Radio Home Grown Community Radio
100.1 FM CHCR 102.9 FM
Corner Brook, NL Killaloe ON
Thursdays 2 pm NT Various Times
Community Radio CIOE
97.5 FM
Lower Sackville NS
Sun 8 pm AT