Episode 253: Noah Zacharin

May 13 2016

Toronto based singer-songwriter and guitarist Noah Zacharin joins us on this episode of Folk Roots Radio to talk about “Strange Rider”, an album that gives a band treatment to a selection of some of his older songs. It’s one of our favourite albums of the year so far, and definitely worth checking out. As always, we also include music from some of the new releases that we’ve received.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Noah Zacharin‘s seventh recording, the genre-defying “Strange Rider” moves effortlessly between blues, jazz, folk, pop and r n’ b, and even throws some doo-wop into the mix. The album features ten older Noah Zacharin songs given the widescreen treatment, with support from co-producer Douglas September, and an elite group of Toronto musicians and backing vocalists, aided by legendary side players Ralph Carney (Tom Waits) on horns and Ken Pearson (Janis Joplin) on piano. The album has a wonderful expansive and lush feel, without ever feeling over-bearing or forced – and really rewards multiple listening. We caught up with Noah Zacharin at home in Toronto. For more information, visit noahsong.com.

Among the new music we played on this episode, we featured a third track of Swedish Americana from Sofia Talvik, who spent sixteen months on a 37 state tour of the US while writing her latest album. That album “Big Sky Country” is definitely worth checking out.

Jack Sunrud and Craig Bickhardt are Idlewheel. They’ve just released a great live album, “Live at Morning Star” recorded, before an intimate audience at Morning Star Studios. The album dips into their back catalogue but also includes six new tracks.

Luca Burgalassi is a singer-songwriter from Italy who released his solo debut “Shadows and Fragments” in 2015. The instrumental “34 Orange Road” features some beautiful finger-picking guitar in an open D tuning.

Check out the full playlist with artist links below and share your love for all the great folk and roots music out there. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us! You can listen to this show again on Mixcloud by following the link below.

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (expected 2016)

Honor Finnegan
Stark As Stone
Roses And Victory (2016, Frock Records)

Bianca De Leon
Independence Day
Love, Guns & Money (2011, Self)

Sofia Talvik
Dusty Heart, Empty Hand
Big Sky Country (2015, Makaki Music)

Sweet Alibi
Moving To The Country
Walking In The Dark (2015, Self) CDN

Luca Burgalassi
34 Orange Road
Shadows and Fragments (2015, Videoradio Edizioni Musicali)

Noah Zacharin
The Way Love Calls
Strange Rider (2016, Self) CDN

Interview: Noah Zacharin discussing his new album “Strange Rider”. Check out the full interview HERE.

Noah Zacharin
Miss Me When I’m Gone
Strange Rider (2016, Self) CDN

Vincent Cross
Michael Brown
Old Songs For Modern Folk (2016, Rescue Dog Records)

Victor Anthony
Find That Good Thing
Mystery Loves Company (2015, Self) CDN

Lizanne Knott
Come For The Kill
Excellent Day (2016, Self/Proper)