Folk Roots Radio Episode 535: feat. Sherman Downey – New Beautiful & More New Releases

Aug 22 2020

Newfoundland storytelling singer-songwriter Sherman Downey joins us on Episode 535 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest recording, “New Beautiful”, a very engaging album that’s chock full of character driven songs. With a hint of escapism and a hope for a brighter future, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face – the perfect antidote to these Covid times. As usual, we also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Marin Patenaude, Lara Taubman, Gurf Morlix, Graham Lindsey, Keats Conlon and Kathleen Edwards alongside celebrating Toronto’s The Slocan Ramblers who picked up a Momentum Award nomination for Band of the Year, from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Corner Brook Newfoundland’s Sherman Downey has just released his third folk/pop album “New Beautiful”, the follow up to his very well received debut “Honey For Bees” (2009) and second release “The Sun In Your Eyes” from 2013 – the first single from that album, “Thick as Thieves”, went on to win the CBC’s inaugural Searchlight competition.

The latest release tells some great stories about people watching the world go by from their front porch, playing with love at the small town gas station, and letting loose on the dance floor in the community hall. Songs about people who find contentment in the things they have, while others hope to escape the daily grind, and live a little – even if only in their dreams.

New Beautiful was recorded at Echo Lake Studios in Nova Scotia with multi award-winning producer Daniel Ledwell, and features Sherman Downey on acoustic guitar, piano and vocals; Daniel Ledwell on bass, electric guitar and horns with string arrangements by Kinley Dowling, and Alex Porter on drums.

For more information, visit shermandowney.ca.

That’s all we have time for. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have lots of great music and interviews to bring you on future episodes.

If you enjoy the music we play on this show and want to support the artists – many of whom aren’t able to play live at the moment because of the Covid-19 pandemic, don’t just stream their music – that earns them much less than a penny per play. Instead, buy their music – and really make a difference to their income. They’ll love you for it!

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, Spotify, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)