Folk Roots Radio Episode 468: feat. Del Barber & More New Releases

Oct 19 2019

Manitoba singer-songwriter Del Barber joins us on Episode 468 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his fabulous new Americana flavoured album “Easy Keeper”. Easy Keeper may be the best thing Del Barber has ever done, although we are talking about an artist who has already been nominated for two Junos. A fine album, from a performer at the top of his game, and a great interview – we do hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. As usual, we wrap up the episode with some more of the latest new releases and this time we include great songs from Zachary Lucky, Ian & Sylvia, Don Brownrigg, Madison Galloway, Graham Lindsey, Caroline Spence, Susan Gibson and Lynne Hanson. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

A renowned storyteller in song, Del Barber has produced five critically acclaimed albums and been nominated for JUNO Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Four years in the making, Easy Keeper really packs a punch. 11 great songs, full of interesting characters, that are at times also deeply personal.

According to Del Barber, an ‘easy keeper’ is a farming term for an animal that is easy to manage and doesn’t require much food or upkeep. “An ‘easy keeper’ is what I realized I wasn’t enough of… moreover it is exactly how I wanted others to describe me. To me this record came as a direct result of the change in my disposition. It is a sincere reflection of my desire to become someone who is able to see the depth of my own footprint and marvel at those whose footprints become gardens rather than scars.”

Del Barber is a songwriter who is always trying to perfect his art, who spends a lot of time thinking about what he wants to deliver to his audience whether in the studio or in live performance. “I want art to be rigorous, to contain cutting social observation while simultaneously being accessible. I want it to sound familiar and friendly and parable like in scope.”

Easy Keeper was predominantly recorded in Manitoba, and produced by Del Barber with Grant Siemens (Corb Lund, Tom Russell), with Bill Western on pedal steel, Bernie Thiessen on bass and Ivan Burke on drums with Geoff Hilhorst (Leeroy Stagger, The Deep Dark Woods) on keys, and Jeremy Rusu (Rosie & The Riveters, Red Moon Road) on accordion.

For more information about the music of Del Barber, visit delbarber.com.

Listen

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