Folk Roots Radio Episode 328: We’re All About The Music!

We’re all about the music on Episode 328 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the artist interviews to check out a great mix of the latest new releases. This time round we include first plays for new albums by Stewart Legere, Robbie Bankes, Moonfruits, Harpdog Brown, Alanna Gurr, Montgomery Delaney, Kim Doolittle and Peter Calo alongside more tracks from recent albums we’ve really been enjoying. Listen to the episode and check out the playlist below.

Show Notes

Notes about some of the new music on our radar that made it into Episode 328 of Folk Roots Radio.

Stewart Legere from Halifax North Scotia released his debut album “Quiet The Station” early this year. Recorded over four years in Halifax, Nova Scotia the album is a lyrically rich snapshot of life in all its colours.

Quiet The Station is a frank and invigorating album that takes up the theme of divorce. Married at 22 and broken up five years later, Stewart wrote and recorded this album as a tender and unconcealed snapshot of a heart submerged in sorrow, swimming in friendship, and immersed in love.

The albums also features contributions from Kim Harris, Melanie Stone, Don Brownrigg, Rose Cousins and Jenn Grant.

Singer-songwriter Robbie Bankes splits his time between his home in Calgary Alberta and Rauland, in Norway, where he’s going to school to study folk music. Robbie’s just released his debut album “Foothills” – a collection of child ballads, Scandinavian folk melodies, American civil war tunes alongside a few originals. Robbie received a Canadian Folk Music Award Young Performer of the Year nomination for his first E.P., 2015’s “Through February Snow”. For more information, visit robbiebankes.com.

Imaginative Ottawa based art folk duo Moonfruits have just released their latest album “Ste-Quequepart” (translates as Saint Somewhere), a francophone concept album about life in an imaginary maritime village and the everyday challenges faced by its inhabitants. Moonfruits will be touring the album across Canada this year.

Recorded at La Piaule – the studio owned an operated by the Levac brothers of franco-ontarian post rock band, Pantaloon, in St-Bernardin and produced by Donald Charrette (Naskigo Productions), Ste-Quequepart’s intimate moments give way to a cinematic feel as characters emerge to speak through song. Escorted by a banjo and a parlour guitar, the varied instrumentation includes touches of glockenspiel, kalimba, string quartet, organ and drums.

For more information, visit moonfruits.ca.

Alanna Gurr has just released her latest E.P. “Stand Still” (2017, Missed Connection Records) which features five songs written by Gurr, and arranged by her band The Greatest State. The album was co-produced with bandmate Thom Hammerton (Cuff The Duke, Odd Years, Minotaurs) at Andy Magoffin’s House of Miracles in Cambridge ON.

Harmonica wizard Harpdog Brown‘s latest album “Travelin’ With The Blues” nearly slipped by without mention on Folk Roots Radio. A lo-fi, totally authentic and nicely packaged ‘back to the golden age’ electric blues album, it showcases Harpdog’s stage show with his Travelin’ Blues Show, and features guest appearances from Big Jon Atkinson, Carl Sonny Leyland, Charlie Musselwhite, Danny Michel, Jimmy Morello, Kid Andersen, Little Victor and Rusty Zinn. Check out Harpdog Brown online at harpdogbrown.com.

Former US Marine, police officer in the Bronx, lawyer and singer-songwriter Montgomery Delaney has just released his third album “Almost Anyone”. Featuring 13 well-crafted songs, the album is a tribute to his dear friend, the late, great songwriter and poet, Terence Martin, who passed away in 2011. All the songs on the album are by Montgomery Delaney except for the title track which was written by Terence Martin. For more information, visit montgomerydelaney.com.

Kim Doolittle has just released her 9th album in a 43 year music career. The new album “Into the Blues” (2017, Doo-A-Little Music) was produced by Ken Whiteley.

“Music is my life. I love to sing, write, play and tell stories about a life I had perfectly planned. Those plans went more curly than straight, teaching me that too many plans are laughable while those curves inform my muse. This album comes straight from the heart and the songs reflect a deep desire to move forward in my musical life authentically, with an eye on looking back at where it all began.”

“I am so grateful to have been mentored by Ken Whiteley – my music could not have been placed in better hands. The songs are reflective and meant to create hope and optimism through strength, perseverance, trust and spirit. We cannot get enough of that in the world. I hope you enjoy the music. I look forward to singing for you very soon.”

Visit Kim Doolittle online at kimdoolittle.com.

With a background as a guitarist, composer, arrange and songwriter, Peter Calo has been described as a master musician. Exceptionally versatile and talented, he’s spent the last twenty years working with Carly Simon, and has a resume that also includes work with both James Taylor, Hall and Oates. Originally from Alberta, Peter now lives and works in New York City. His latest solo album of polished pop-rock “Time Machine” is out now on En Route Records.

And that’s all we have time for, this time around. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music and interviews to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us!

Listen

You can listen to this episode again on Mixcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via iTunes, Soundcloud, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (Pre-release, self)

Stewart Legere
The Rise And Fall
Quiet The Station (2017, Self) CDN

Merlin Snider
Fresh Dirt
One Light Many Windows (2016, Barking Dog Music)

Robbie Bankes
The Unquiet Grave
Foothills (2016, Self) CDN

Moonfruits
Les Marins
Ste-Quequepart (2017, Self)

Guy Bélanger
Traces & Scars
Traces & Scars (2017, Disques Bros Records) CDN

Wayne Neon
I Wanna Be a Blues Guy (Live)
The Songs of Tony Quarrington (2017, Self) CDN

Harpdog Brown
What’s Your Real Name (feat. Rusty Zinn)
Travelin’ With The Blues (2016, Dog House Records) CDN

Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State
Holy Roller
Stand Still EP (2017, Missed Connection Records) CDN

Phil Henry Acoustic Trio
Birdhouse In Your Soul
PHAT Live (2017, Phil Guitar)

Montgomery Delaney
Grace
Almost Anyone (2017, Nightstick Records)

Todd Adelman & The Country Mile
Not A Day Goes By
Time Will Tell (2016, Porch Lantern Music)

Rachel Baiman
In The Space of a Day
Shame (2017, Free Dirt Records)

Kim Doolittle
Long, Long Way From Here
Into The Blue (2017, Doo-A-Little Music) CDN

Peter Calo
Sail Away
Time Machine (2016, En Route Records)