Side One – Not The Angels
1. The Easternaires: Tobique Woman – 1977 *
2. Stompin’ Tom Connors: My Stompin’ Grounds – 1971 *
3. Prairie Oyster: Tom Cat – 1986 *
4. The Jitters: Hard As Nails – 1987 *
5. Fergus Hambleton: Summer Fun – 2019 *
6. Manteca: Jungle Beast – 1984 *
7. Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians: So This Is Venice – 1924 *
8. Klezmerovitz: Schwartz’s Blue Sirba – 2004 *
9. kd lang: Helpless – 2016 *
10. Oscar Peterson: Alice In Wonderland – 1968 *
11. Kevin Head: Everybody Needs A Backyard To Return To – 1974 *
12. Oliver Schroer: Wild Apples Set – 1996 *
13. The Trews: Tired Of Waiting – 2004 *
14. The Kingbees: Burnin’ The Town Tonight – 1981 *
15. Ron Sexsmith: Strawberry Blonde – 1997 *
16. The Sadies: Lucifer Sam – 2006 *
17. Sultans of String: Sable Island – 2017 *
Side Two – Is the Angels
1. L’Etranger: Barricades – 1982 *
2. Grievous Angels: Parking The Cod – 1993 *
3. Grievous Angels: Sarah Gordon – 1990 *
4. Grievous Angels: Gumboot Clogeroo – 1988 *
5. Grievous Angels: A Mile Outside of Kirkland – 1991 *
6. Grievous Angels: D Miner Reel – 1996 *
7. Grievous Angels: Pipeliner’s Song – 1993 *
8. Grievous Angels: The Ballad Of Red Dan – 1993 *
9. Grievous Angels: Thunderbird Town – 1996 *
10. Grievous Angels: Peter’s Shuffle – 1990 *
11. Grievous Angels: Jessie’s Room – 1999 *
12. Grievous Angels: Hanging Songs – 2003 *
13. Grievous Angels: Reesor Crossing Tragedy – 2003 *
14. Grievous Angels: The Dionne Quints / St. Anne’s Reel – 1991 *
15. Grievous Angels: All Night Depanneur – 2020 *
16. Grievous Angels: Blue Alberta Skies – 2013 *
14. Grievous Angels: Friday Night – 2024 *
15. Grievous Angels: This Is How the City Falls – 2024 *
16. Grievous Angels: Salamanka – 1993 *
17. Grievous Angels: La Bastringue – 1993 *
100 % CanCon *
And Now for The Particulars
Side One – Not The Angels
1. Easternaires: Tobique Woman
(Gene Swazey)
Tobique Woman: Audat Records – 477-9049
Tobique, NB
Ron Briggs: keys, vocal – Plaster Rock
Lyle Millard: bass, vocal – South Tilly NB
Wyatt Millard: drums, vocal – South Tilly NB
Gene Swazy: guitar, vocal – Tobique Narrows NB
Produced 1977
Recorded by Grant Kennedy
2. Stompin’ Tom Connors: My Stompin’ Grounds
(TC Connors)
My Stompin’ Grounds: Boot Records BOS 7103
Halton Hills, ON
Tom Connors: vocals, guitar, boot
Gary Empey: bass
Bill Lewis: lead guitar
Produced by Dr. Connors, 1971
Classic Connors! The song that names all the provinces gets us started on our Canada Day show.
3. Prairie Oyster: Tom Cat
(Chris Cuddy)
Oyster Tracks: Stony Plain Records SPL 1093
Toronto ON
Joan Besen, piano
Denis Delorme, pedal steel, dobro
Keith Glass, guitars, lead vocal
John Adames, drums
John P Allen, fiddle, guitar
Russell deCarle, bass, lead vocal
Danny Greenspoon: acoustic guitar
Jeff Wolpert: tambourine
Produced by Don Bird & Danny Greenspoon, 1986
Recorded by Jeff Wolpert at Inception Sound, Toronto
Mixed by Hayward Parrot at McClear Place
Prairie Oyster is a country group, formed in King City, Ontario, in 1974 by Russell deCarle (vocals) and Keith Glass (guitar), formerly of the bluegrass group King City Slickers. Joan Bessen joined the band in 1982 as pianist. Prairie Oyster, were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2008) and a recipient of the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award (2011). Won 6 Juno Awards for Best Country Group or Duo between 1986-96.
4. The Jitters: Hard As Nails
(Blair Packham)
The Jitters: EMI Capitol CLT 48126
Toronto ON
Blair Packham: lead vocal, guitar
Danny Levy: lead guitar
Matthew Greenberg: bass
Vic D’Arsie: keys
Randy Cooke: drums
Produced by Paul Gross, 1987
Recorded by Joe Primeau at Phase One Studio, Toronto
Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk, NYC
Songwriter Blair Packham was only 13 when he saw John Prine play Massey Hall. He saw this guy standing alone before three thousand people, holding an acoustic guitar. Packham volunteered at the Mariposa Folk Festival on Toronto Islands in the 1970s and loved the folk blues of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. Through them he started listening to the music of other folk greats. He formed the Jitters around 1980 but always wanted to return to playing an acoustic guitar.
5. Fergus Hambleton: Summer Fun
(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 Number 9 Studio, Toronto by Bernie Cisternas
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
6. Manteca: Jungle Beast
(Jim McGrath)
Strength In Numbers: Ready Records – LR 050
Toronto ON
Henry Heillig: bass
Matt Zimbel: congas, percussion
Aaron Davis: keys
Herb Koffman: trumpet, flugelhorn
John Johnson: alto, tenor, soprano sax, piccolo
Ralph Bowen: sax
Dave James: drums
Norman Jones: timbales, percussion
Rick Tait: trumpet, flugelhorn, synth
Produced by Matt Zimbel, 1984
Recorded by Jeff Wolpert at Inception Sound Studios, Toronto
7. Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians: So This Is Venice
(Ambrose Thomas)
100 Years of Recorded Sound: Canadian Recording Industry Association C 100
London ON
Produced by Eleanor Sniderman & Edward Moogk, 1977
Recorded in Richmond, Indiana, at the Gennett Studios, 1924
Gaetano Alberto Lombardo b. London ON, June 19, 1902 / d. Nov 5, 1977 Houston TX (75)
Looking back 100 years to the year 1924.
100 Years of Recorded Sound is a 7 inch 33 and 1/3 LP featuring historic Canadian recordings from 1888 to 1927. It was released by the Library of Canada. It was produced by Eleanor Sniderman, the wife of iconic Canadian music store owner Sam “The Record Man” Sniderman. It features an extremely early recording of Baron Stanley (who donated the Stanley Cup) in 1888, as well as Emile Berliner (inventor of the flat disc record) in 1904; Prime Minister MacKenzie King in 1927. This 1924 recording of Guy Lombardo was the first record he ever made!
8. Klezmerovitz: Shwartz's Blue Sirba
(Trad)
Klezmerovitz Featuring Allan Merovitz: KLEZ062004
Calgary, AB
Allan Merovitz – percussioon
Jonathan Lewis – violin
Greg Rumpel – accordion, guitar, piano
Frank Rackow – sax, clairnet
John Hyde – bass
Robin Tufts - drums
Produced by Klezmerovitz, 2004
Recorded & Mixed by Jonathan Lewis
Mastered by David Horrocks at Infinite Wave, Calgary
Allan Merovitz first came to my attention as lead vocalist of Toronto’s Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band. He later moved to Calgary and started Klezmerovitz. He is also known for singing Mac Beattie song – Little Shack Up The Pontiac, in Yiddish.
9. kd lang: helpless
(neil young)
Hymns of the 49th Parallel: Nonsuch Records 7559-79474-3
Consort AB
kd lang: vocal
teddy borowiecki: keys, accordion
ben mink: guitars
david piltch: basses
Produced by Ben Mink and kd lang, 2016
Recorded and mixed by David Leonard at Conway Recording Studios, Los Angeles
Mastered by Robert C Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, Maine
What an amazing rendition of this Classic Canadian. Omemee isn’t quite located in Northern Ontario; it’s on Highway 7 between Lindsay and Peterborough in the Kawartha Lakes district. There was a lot of speculation after this song was released, which town was that town in North Ontario he was singing about. But Omemee is where Neil spent his childhood.
10. Oscar Peterson: Alice In Wonderland
(Sammy Fain)
The Great Oscar Peterson on Prestige!: Prestige PR 7620
Montreal
Oscar Peterson: piano
Sam Jones: bass
Bobby Durham: drums
Produced by Hans Georg-Brunner-Schwer. 1968
Recorded in Europe
11. Kevin Head: Everybody Needs A Backyard To Return To
(Kevin Head)
No Frills: Shellout Records 50-101
Gananaoque ON / Ketch Harbour NS
Kevin Head: guitar, vocals
Bruce Chapman: piano
Jinx ONeil: bass
Ron Doug Parks, drums
Ken Pearson: organ
Scott MacMillan, Dave MacIssac, Wade Brown: guitar
Kate McGarrigle: banjo, accordion
Louis Benoit: mandolin
Gordon Stobbe: fiddle
Chaim Tannenbaum: harmonica
Dick Snook: sax
Produced by Kevin Head 1974
Recorded by Al Feeny and Lindsay Kidd at Audio Atlantic Studios, Halifax
Mixed by Kevin Head & Ken Pearson
Formerly from Nova Scotia, where he still has close ties, Kevin toured extensively throughout the Maritimes with bands, theatre troupes and as a solo performer/singer, songwriter. He has performed in shows with Valdy, The Rankin Family, Larry Gowan and acted on stage with the late Denny Doherty of the Mamas and Papas. He released a new CD of LIVE material recorded October 2013 with his band and life/musical partner MISS V (Vanessa Head) with whom he performs regularly these days.
Kevin & Vanessa Head are Head over Heels, an acoustic guitar/vocal duo based out of Gananoque, Ontario. They perform a diverse mix of original music and interpreted covers of folk, jazz, classic rock and contemporary tunes.
12. Oliver Schroer: Wild Apples Set – Loukoum / Wild apples / Ben Grossman’s Jig
(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
13. The Trews: Tired of Waiting
(Colin MacDonald, Jack Syperek, J-A. MacDonald, Sean Dalton, Eric Paul)
House Of Ill Fame: Nettwerk – 0 6700 31030 1 5
Antigonish NS
Colin MacDonald - rhythm guitar, lead vocals
John-Angus MacDonald - lead guitar, backing vocals
Jack Syperek - bass guitar, backing vocals
Sean Dalton - drums
Produced by Gordie Johnson, 2004
This album, The Trews first, went gold in Canada and did respectably well in the US. The band started their career with the name One I'd Trouser, a line taken from a song in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. They changed their name to Trouser and eventually The Trews. The release of their first full-length CD House of Ill Fame followed in 2003. Produced by Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson, the album contained the 5 singles. Their big one, "Not Ready to Go", hit number one on Canadian rock radio and was the most played song of 2004. Since then they’ve released several studio albums, three live ones and a number of EPs. They eventually relocated to Hamilton ON.
14. The Kingbees: Burnin’ The Town Tonight
(Jamie James)
The Big Rock: RSO RS1-3097
Toronto
Jamie James: vocals, guitars
Michael Rummans: bass, bg vocals
Rex Roberts: drums, bg vocals
Produced by David J Holman & Rich Fitzgerald, 1981
Recorded by David J Holman and Mark Ettel at Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton, Ontario
Mastered by Bernie Grundman
From the second of two Kingbees albums
15. Ron Sexsmith: Strawberry Blonde
(Ron Sexsmith)
Other Songs: Interscope Records B000001Y40
St. Catherines / Stratford ON
Accordion – Sheryl Crow
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Jerry Marotta
Guitar, Vocals – Ron Sexsmith
Keyboards – Mitchell Froom
Marimba – Kenny Wolleson
Percussion – Jerry Marotta
Produced by Tchad Blake, Mitchell Froom, 1997
This, Sexsmith’s third album release, won the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year at the 1998 Juno Awards.
16. The Sadies: Lucifer Sam
(Syd Barrett)
In Concert: Outside - 23339-9015-2
Richmond Hill, ON
Dallas Good: guitar, vocals
Travis Good: guitar, vocals
Mike Belitsky: drums
Sean Dean: bass
Mike Burlington: drums, shakers
Gary Louris: vocals, guitar
Produced by The Sadies, 2006
Mastered by Peter Moore at the E Room, Toronto
A great cover version of a Syd Barrett’s song from Pink Floyd’s first album, Piper At The Gates of Dawn. Recorded live in Lee’s Palace. I’ve heard them do other early Floyd songs at their live shows. It perfectly captures the essence of the song.
17. The Sultans of Swing: Sable Island
(Chris McKhool / Kevin Laliberté)
Ten Years Of Music: Fiddlefire Records MKC 2070
Toronto ON
Chris McKhool: violin
Kevin Laliberté: flamenco guitar
Eddie Paton: guitar
Drew Birston: bass
Rosendo León: drums
Paddy Moloney: tin whistle, Uilleann pipes
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
Violinist Chris McKhool was putting out some pretty interesting solo albums in the early 2000s when he met up with flamenco jazz guitarist Kevin Laliberté and that's when everything began to click. Fusing their wild sounds with world music, they formed the basis of the Sultans of String. Since then they've released several well received albums that have generated a lot of interest. What a treat to finally hear them on vinyl!! It's a totally different experience. Ten Years of Music is a compilation album of earlier works but it sure works to my liking.
Side Two – Is the Angels
1. L’etranger: Barricades
(Charlie Angus / Andrew Cash)
Innocent Hands EP: Sensible Record Company LET-001
Toronto ON
Andrew Cash, guitar, vocals
Peter Duffin, drums, vocals
Charlie (Chuck) Angus, bass, vocals
Produced by L'etranger, Greg Lunny and Mike Phillips, 1982
Recorded at Nova Sound June 1982, Toronto
According to Charlie Angus: “We were only about 18 when we wrote this and we just picked up the first ‘Jam’ album.
Charlie Angus got together with drummer Peter Duffin and guitarist Andrew Cash in their post-punk band L’etranger in the early ‘80s. They released three 12 inch EPs before Angus left the band in 1986.
Chuck started busking at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market where he met singer Michelle Rumball and multi-instrument player Peter Jellard. Their jams turned into The Grievous Angels (named after a Gram Parsons song) who started playing The Cabana Room in the Spadina Hotel with bass player Tim Hadley and Peter Duffin. They recorded their first album, Toute la Gang in 1988. 36 Years and 9 albums later (including Charlie’s 20 years as an elected MP) and the Angels were back on the Horseshoe stage last month, releasing Last Call for Cinderella.
I first started following this band in 1988 after a friend of mine, Joe Benneroch, urged me to check them out claiming several members were from my hometown of Timmins. What was really weird was I found out that Michelle Rumball’s aunt and uncle purchased my grandparents’ home on Toke Street. We both lived at the same house a generation apart.
The songs are very Canadian so perfect for our Canada Day show. Songs you’ll hear include two Stompin’ Tom songs. Surviving members Jellard and Hadley, along with Angus, form the backbone of the current 7 piece Grievous Angels. Not to be confused with an American band of the same name.
2. Grievous Angels: Parking The Cod
(Peter Jellard)
Watershed: Jimmy Boyle Records 181093
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion, vocals
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Produced by John Switzer with Rick Conroy, 1993
Recorded by Don Kerr with Dale Morningstar at the Gas Station, Toronto
3. Grievous Angels: Sarah Gordon
(Chuck Angus)
One Job Town: Stony Plain Records SPCD 1152
Cobalt ON
Peter Jellard: accordion
Chuck Angus: guitar
Tim Hadley: string bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Michelle Rumball: vocals
Produced by John Switzer, 1990
Recorded by David Ferri at Orchard Studios
Exec Producers: The Snakes from Timmins
A song written about Chuck’s grandmother who immigrated to the Northern Ontario mining town of Timmins from her native Dundee, Scotland.
4. Grievous Angels: Gumboot Clogeroo
(Tom C Connors)
Toute la Gang: Moose Records 001
Cobalt ON
Michelle Rumball: spoons
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: accordion
Peter Duffin: drums
Tim Hadley: bass
Produced by Andrew Cash & Grievous Angels, 1988
Until very recently, this album was only available on cassette. I dare say that it’s got the only triangle solo committed to disc. This was recorded during the hayday of the early Angels when they were very hip, attracting a very young crowd.
5. Grievous Angels: A Mile Outside of Kirkland
(Chuck Angus)
Sparky’s: unreleased board tape
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion, vocals
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Lynn Simmons: vocals
Kirsti Macleod: vocals
Board Tape produced 1991
Recorded by Les Charbon live at Sparky’s, Calgary AB Aug 1, 1991
In 1989, the Angels spent their summer touring western Canada in a Winnebego, making them extremely popular with western folk festivals. They got signed to Holgar Petersen’s Stony Plain Records label and released their second album, One Job Town. That was when Michelle Rumball started experiencing problems with her voice – most likely from singing in dives with shitty monitors in smoke filled clubs – and had to leave the band just prior to the album release at Toronto’s Diamond Club. After trying out a few female singers, Chuck decided to sing his own songs as lead vocalist.
6. Grievous Angels: D Miner Reel
(Peter Jellard)
Waiting for the Cage: Jimmy Boyle Records 1996
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: guitars, fiddle, harmonica, vocals
Rick Conroy: keys, vocals
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Produced by Scott Merritt, 1996
Recorded by Scott Merritt at The Cottage, Brantford ON
Mastered by Paul Intson, Scott Merritt and Rick Conroy at Alanson St. Music
7. Grievous Angels: Pipeliner’s Song
(Chuck Angus)
Watershed: Jimmy Boyle Records 181093
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion, vocals
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
With
Peter Kierswalter: clarinet
John Switzer: tuba
Produced by John Switzer with Rick Conroy, 1993
Recorded by Don Kerr with Dale Morningstar at the Gas Station, Toronto
Great Canadiana here! Pipeline builders were based in Northeastern Ontario one year and really changed the feel of the town of Cobalt. Here’s an idea of what it might have been like had you been there.
8. Grievous Angels: The Ballad Of Red Dan
(Chuck Angus)
Watershed: Jimmy Boyle Records 181093
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion, vocals
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
With
Peter Kierswalter: clarinet
John Switzer: tuba
Produced by John Switzer with Rick Conroy, 1993
Recorded by Don Kerr with Dale Morningstar at the Gas Station, Toronto
One of my favourite Angel’s originals. I remember them playing it at The Diamond Club for the release of One Job Town and Richard Flohil – upon hearing them play it live – wonder “Why the fuck is that not on the album?” It came out on the next one. Just a great song about a guy Chuck met drinking at the Croatian Club in Schumacher (a mile outside of Timmins). “The money may be plastic now but it still comes from the mines.”
9. Grievous Angels: Thunderbird Town
(Chuck Angus)
Waiting for the Cage: Jimmy Boyle Records 1996
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: guitars, fiddle, harmonica, vocals
Rick Conroy: keys, vocals
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Produced by Scott Merritt, 1996
Recorded by Scott Merritt at The Cottage, Brantford ON
Mastered by Paul Intson, Scott Merritt and Rick Conroy at Alanson St. Music
I can remember when Timmins had the big mining boom in 1965. One of the prospectors who found a motherlode was seen motoring down Third Avenue with the top down of his brand new Thunderbird convertible with his 9 year old son in the front seat. That’s what happens in a boom town.
This was the fourth album release produced by Scott Merritt that really saw the Angels come of age in the recording studio. A lot more nuance to the structure and dynamics of the songs. The CD was also an interactive one that played on a PC featuring graphics on the workings of a hard rock mine.
10. Grievous Angels: Peter’s Shuffle
(Peter Jellard)
One Job Town: Stony Plain Records SPCD 1152
Cobalt ON
Peter Jellard: accordion
Chuck Angus: guitar
Tim Hadley: string bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Michelle Rumball: triangle
Produced by John Switzer, 1990
Recorded by David Ferri at Orchard Studios
Exec Producers: The Snakes from Timmins
In live performance, The Angels always featured a few Cajun and Zydeco tunes from the fingers of multi-talented Peter Jellard who can play just about anything. He’s been heard playing banjo, fiddle, accordion, sax, electric guitar, distorted harmonica, vocals and who knows what else.
11. Grievous Angels: Jessie’s Room
(Chuck Angus)
22 Trailer Park: Jimmy Boyle Records 22
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: lead guitar, fiddle, harmonica, accordion, bg vocals
Tim Hadley: bass, bg vocals
Peter Duffin: drums, mandolin, bg vocals
Michael Fonfara: organ
Produced by Michael Fonfara, 1999
Recorded by alec Fraser at Liquid Sky Studios, Toronto
Mastered by Nick Blagona at Metalworks, Toronto
I didn’t really care for 22 Trailer Park when it first came out but the songs have certainly grown on me. This album was produced by the amazing Michael Fonfara who used to play in Rhinoceros, Electric Flag and Lou Reed’s back-up band. He also spent time in Toronto’s Downchild.
12. 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 Peter Duffin.
13. Grievous Angels: Reesor Crossing Tragedy
(Tom C Connors)
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
with
Steve Fruitman: Cajun triangle
Produced by Alec Fraser, 2003
Recorded at Liquid Recording by Alec Fraser, Toronto
Mastered by Andy Krehm at Silver Birch Productions, Toronto
I got to play triangle on this Stompin’ Tom song, written by Connors in 1965 shortly after this bloody labour battle that took place near Kapuskasing Ontario.
14. Grievous Angels: Dionne Quintuplets / St. Anne’s Reel
(Trad / Trad)
Sparky’s: Unreleased live performance
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar
Peter Jellard: fiddle
Tim Hadley: bass
Rick Conroy: keys
Peter Duffin: drums
Board Tape produced 1991
Recorded by Les Charbon live at Sparky’s, Calgary AB Aug 1, 1991
15. Grievous Angels: All Night Depanneur
(Chuck Angus)
Summer Before the Storm: Jimmy Boyle Records JBRLP1220
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar, vocals
Janet Mercier: vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, accordion, harmonica, vocals
Ian McKendry: guitar
Tim Hadley: bass, vocals
Nathan Mahaffy: drums, vocals
With
Andy Maize: vocals
Billy MacInnis: fiddle
Andy Seguire: Wurlitzer, keys
Blair Yarrington: trumpet
Nicolas Tjelios: mandolin, percussion, organ
Ewen Farncombe: piano
Produced by Charlie Angus, Tim Hadley and Nicolas Tjelios, 2020
Recorded and mixed by Nicolas Tjelios at Big Red Button Studio, Belleville ON, PO. Recording, Guelph ON, Casa Wroxton Studio, Toronto
Mastered by Phillip Shaw Bova at Bova Lab Studio, Ottawa
Chuck was more widely known as Charlie, the NDP politician since 2006 and that took the steam out of the Angels’ sails. If lucky, they would get together to do a yearly fundraiser for Chuck’s election campaigns in Toronto and maybe another gig or two but for all intents and purposes, the Angels were not a functioning band. Since Charlie decided not to run again, he’s been writing and recording more new Angel’s songs. Now fronting a new 7 piece Angel’s incarnate band, they’ve released two more albums since 2020, still featuring relevant songs about social issues. As a live band, they still have that old Angel’s magic, especially when Chuck introduces ‘Boozoo’ Jellard to play a Cajun tune.
16. Grievous Angels: Blue Alberta Skies
(Chuck Angus)
The Great Divide: Jimmy Boyle Records 2013
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, vocals
Tim Hadley: bass, vocals
Dave Patterson: electric guitar, vocals
Al Lamore: drums
Produced by Charlie Angus and Nicolas Tjelios, 2013
Recorded by Nicolas Tjelios at Laurie Aiken’s house, Plainfield ON
Mastered by Andy Krehm at Silver Birch Productions
The Great Divide is perhaps more than that: it divided the old pre-Charlie NDP Angels from the current one. Recorded in 2013, it was the only Angels’ album released between Hanging Songs 2003 with 2020’s Summer Before The Storm. It was also late-guitarist Dave Patterson’s last album with the band.
14. Grievous Angels: Friday Night
(Chuck Angus)
Last Call For Cinderella: Jimmy Boyle Records 2024
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar, vocals
Janet Mercier: vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, electric guitar, bg vocals
Alexandra Bell: keys, vocals, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass, bg vocals
Ian McKendry: electric guitars
Nathan Mahaffy: drums, vocals
with
Burke Carroll: pedal steel
Produced by Grievous Angels, 2024
Recorded by Jeremy Darby at Canterbury Music, Toronto
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
Friday Night appeared on the Angels’ second album, One Job Town, 1990
15. Grievous Angels: This Is How the City Falls
(Chuck Angus)
Last Call For Cinderella: Jimmy Boyle Records 2024
Cobalt ON
Charlie Angus: guitar, vocals
Janet Mercier: vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle, mandolin, accordion, harmonica, electric guitar, bg vocals
Alexandra Bell: keys, vocals, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass, bg vocals
Ian McKendry: electric guitars
Nathan Mahaffy: drums, vocals
with
Burke Carroll: pedal steel
Produced by Grievous Angels, 2024
Recorded by Jeremy Darby at Canterbury Music, Toronto
Mastered by Philip Shaw Bova
16. Grievous Angels: Salamanka
(Trad)
Watershed: Jimmy Boyle Records 181093
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: accordion
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Produced by John Switzer with Rick Conroy, 1993
Recorded by Don Kerr with Dale Morningstar at the Gas Station, Toronto
The Grievous Angels are and have been: Chuck Angus, Peter Jellard and Tim Hadley along with Rick Conroy, Michelle Rumball, Peter Duffin, Lynn Simmons, Kirsti MacLeod, Laine Hoogstraten, the late Dave Patterson, Al Lamore, Andy Seguire, Alexandra Bell, Nathan Mahaffy, Ian McKendry and Janet Mercier. Their records have been produced by Andrew Cash, John Switzer, Scott Merritt, Nick Tjelios, Michael Fonfara and Alec Fraser.
17. Grievous Angels: La Bastringue
(Trad)
Watershed: Jimmy Boyle Records 181093
Cobalt ON
Chuck Angus: guitar, vocals
Peter Jellard: fiddle
Rick Conroy: piano, piano accordion, percussion
Tim Hadley: bass
Peter Duffin: drums
Produced by John Switzer with Rick Conroy, 1993
Recorded by Don Kerr with Dale Morningstar at the Gas Station, Toronto
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