Folk Roots Radio Episode 661: feat. Rosanne Baker Thornley – Sorry I’m Late & Gordon Lightfoot Tribute
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the interview - we could have chatted for a lot longer. The extended interview…
Toronto singer-songwriter Rosanne Baker Thornley joins us on Episode 661 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about her fabulous second album, the very personal “Sorry I’m Late”, a new recording that arrived twenty-eight years after her debut, “Courage”. Sorry I’m Late is a fantastic album with a wonderful cinematic feel and one that really connects with the listener. It deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. It’s that good. Although we can’t share all of our interview on this radio episode – which stretches into an excellent conversation about songwriting and mentorship, it is really worth checking out. We wrap up the rest of the episode with a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot who sadly left us recently. So many great songs, so many memories of a fantastic songwriter; we feature a few of our favourites, alongside a couple from his banjo-toting daughter Meredith Moon, and a lovely finale from Aengus Finnan. Remember, If you like the artists you hear on this show and want to support them, don’t just stream their music – BUY their music, and then you’ll really make a difference to their income at a time when it is becoming much more difficult to make a living as a musician. Check out the full playlist below.
Interview
The Music Of Rosanne Baker Thornley (in her own words)
“The narrative that runs through Sorry I’m Late is life and the pieces of that journey. The insights. The moments of awe. The losses. The lessons. The determination to continue on. My inspiration comes from everywhere – from experiences and people – both good and bad. I have an intuitive calling to capture and describe those moments.”
“My hope is that my music and I will reach and fit into people’s lives, everywhere. That my songs will resonate with people who are struggling with, to or from something. That my songs will tell their stories and pull people into a space that is healing, hopeful, familiar, inspirational, safe. That people will feel seen, comforted, heard.”
“The song “Sorry I’m Late” reflects on the fast-paced nature of our lives and the experiences I have had in mine, such as raising my daughter. And I get it. Life is busy. I too am trying to squeeze in what I can, doing the best I can to get to the next thing. But there’s lots to do, and lots more to want to do.”
“I want other artists listening to see the deeper intention of my songwriting and to be inspired to articulate their own hearts – and to feel good about sharing that honesty.”
“Sorry I’m Late was recorded at the historic Kensington Sound Recording Studio in Toronto with a stellar lineup of talent. My hope is that the songs on the album will in some way inspire you, comfort you, move you, make you feel visible, and heard.”
“I love that I am able to step behind artists’ eyes and write songs from many perspectives and genres. From singer-songwriter to punk, I have a long history of collaborating, performing and writing. I lean in to understand the hearts of the artists who are sitting in front of me.”
For more information about the music of Rosanne Baker Thornley, visit rbtsong.com. Also, check out the That First Song initiative at thatfirstsong.com.
Show Notes
We started off our tribute to Gordon Lightfoot looking for answers to the big questions on the beautiful “Wherefore & Why”, which you can find on Gord’s 1968 album “Did She Mention My Name?”. We followed that with “Daylight Katy” a song I still have on a seven-inch single, from Gordon’s 1978 album “Endless Wire”. I just loved that song as a kid but only recently found out that it was written about his cat. That’s definitely something I didn’t know in 1978.
We followed those songs with two original songs from Gordon Lightfoot’s banjo-playing daughter Meredith Moon, “Lighthouse County” followed by the instrumental “Brokenwing Bird”. You can find both on Meredith’s sophomore release “Constellations”.
We also included a live version of the autobiographical “A Painter Passing Through” which was recorded at a Gordon Lightfoot concert at Massey Hall in 2001. You can find that on his 2012 album, “All Live”.
We wrapped up the episode with former Folk Alliance International executive director, singer-songwriter Aengus Finnan and “Lightfoot”, his lovely dedication to the Canadian musical icon. It’s the only non-Gordon Lightfoot song on the 2003 Borealis Records album “Beautiful: A Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot”. The perfect way to finish this episode.
Gordon Lightfoot may no longer be with us. His songs though… will live forever.
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!
Stay safe and well everyone!
Photo Credit: Damon Pourshain.
Listen
You can listen to this episode by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on-demand, via Soundcloud and wherever you get your podcasts – including on both Apple Podcasts and Spotify (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform).
Playlist
Dave McEathron
His Mother Called Him Angel (Instrumental Version) (Theme)
Abandoned Companions (2018, Self) CDN
Gordon Lightfoot
Wherefore & Why
Did She Mention My Name? (1968, United Artists) CDN
Gordon Lightfoot
Daylight Katy
Endless Wire (1978, Warner Bros.) CDN
Meredith Moon
Lighthouse County
Constellations (2023, True North Records) CDN
Meredith Moon
Brokenwing Bird
Constellations (2023, True North Records) CDN
Rosanne Baker Thornley
Sorry I’m Late
Sorry I’m Late (2022, Self) CDN
Interview: Rosanne Baker Thornley chatting about her sophomore release “Sorry I’m Late”.
Rosanne Baker Thornley
In Paris
Sorry I’m Late (2022, Self) CDN
Rosanne Baker Thornley
Her Mother’s Eyes
Sorry I’m Late (2022, Self) CDN
Rosanne Baker Thornley
Give Me One More Night
Sorry I’m Late (2022, Self) CDN
Gordon Lightfoot
A Painter Passing Through (Live at Massey Hall, Toronto, May 24 2001)
All Live (2012, Rhino) CDN
Aengus Finnan
Lightfoot
Beautiful: A Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot (2003, Borealis Records) CDN
Just wanted to say, Rosanne’s songs really are like listening to a journey or story she is telling you and that experience is missing in the lyrics of a lot of songs nowadays. Thank you for the interview 👍
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the interview – we could have chatted for a lot longer. The extended interview (which should be released soon) is also worth checking out. You’re also absolutely right about the songs taking you on a journey. We love the way Rosanne writes too. It was a lovely surprise for us when “Sorry I’m Late” arrived.