Folk Roots Radio Episode 500: feat. Ken Whiteley in Conversation – Calm In The Eye Of The Storm

Canadian folk legend Ken Whiteley joins us on Episode 500 of Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about “Calm In The Eye of The Storm”, his first recording in four years and a project that looks at the personal, political and spiritual dimensions of finding peace in these turbulent times. The follow up to 2016’s Freedom Blues, the new album has a fabulous bluesy, folky and gospel sound, and a wonderful message to share with the world. Recorded during the coronavirus Covid-19 emergency, we chat about the album, Ken’s production work, live show and gospel matinees. It was a very enjoyable conversation, and hopefully it will be of great comfort to listeners during a period of uncertainty for many people. Stay safe and healthy – we’ll get through this together. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

One of Canada’s most respected roots musicians, Ken Whiteley really needs no introduction. As a teenager in the 1960’s he performed with brother Chris and friend Tom Evans as The Original Sloth Band. His collaborations with brother Chris (The Whiteley Brothers) and old friends Mose Scarlett and Jackie Washington (Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley) resulted in a wonderful collection of critically acclaimed recordings, successful tours and several awards. His most recent collaborations are Ken Whiteley and The Freedom Blues Band and Ken Whiteley and the Beulah Band.

Ken Whiteley’s music and gospel sessions have been a feature at just about every festival in Canada. He has also performed gospel matinees at Hugh’s Room in Toronto for the past eighteen years. Ken Whiteley is a past winner of a Canadian Folk Music Award, a Genie Award and multiple Juno and Maple Blues nominations. He is also an active producer having worked on more than 135 albums.

Calm In The Eye Of The Storm features multi-instrumentalist Ken Whiteley on acoustic guitars, resophonic guitar, electric guitar, mandolins, lap steel, vibraphone, piano, organ, ukulele, washtub bass and acoustic bass guitar with musical support from Ben Whiteley (string bass, drums), Lyle Mozlan (shakers, cajon, bongos, tambourine), Bucky Berger (drums), George Koller (string bass), Gord Mowat (string bass), John Showman (fiddle) Cathy Fink (banjo), Walter McLean (congas) and Njacko Backo (flexatone) with guest harmony vocals from Eve Goldberg and Jane Lewis (Gathering Sparks), Amoy and Ciceal Levy, Felicity Williams (Bahamas), Tomika Webb, Nikki D. Brown and Gloria Brown.

For more information about the music of Ken Whiteley, visit kenwhiteley.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 Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises
Roll Right (2019, self)

Ken Whiteley
Lay My Burden By The River
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN

Interview: Ken Whiteley discussing his latest album “Calm In The Eye Of The Storm”.

Ken Whiteley
I Hear The Wind
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN

Ken Whiteley
Greed Is A Flawed Organizing Principle
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN

Ken Whiteley
Give It Up To God
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN

Ken Whiteley
Calm In The Eye of the Storm
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN

Ken Whiteley
Let Me Rest Awhile
Calm In The Eye Of The Storm (2020, Borealis Records) CDN