Folk Roots Radio Episode 222: Benjamin Dakota Rogers

This week’s new release hour features new music from Trent Severn, Gary & Whit and Anne Walker and more, alongside a 100% a cappella version of the Gordon Lightfoot classic “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” from Cadence. We also talk to one of the most exciting talent’s on the contemporary folk and roots scene, Benjamin Dakota Rogers.

We started off with Trent Severn with an Emm Gryner – Dayna Manning song “Stealin’ Syrup” from their new album “Trillium”, which is apparently based on a true story – the 2012 heist of $18 million dollars of Maple Syrup! My appetite wetted, I’m now looking forward to the movie. And, for some reason, I also feel like having pancakes for supper!

Anne Walker has released a new album “Down The Horseshoe Valley Road”, that’s all about growing up in Coulson, a small town in rural Ontario. From that album we listened to “Horseshoe Valley Road”. We also took our first listen to the beautiful harmonies of Gary & Whit – Gary and Whitney French from Newfoundland with the title track from their new album “Matches” and pretty good it is too! We’ll definitely be dipping back into that on future shows.

Three time Juno-winning vocal quartet Cadence are releasing a 100% a cappella version of Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” that features some pretty nifty vocal acrobatics and instrument mimicry. The single commemorates the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the legendary freighter, with the loss of all 29 sailors on board, as it attempted to cross Lake Superior in a storm in the early evening of November 10th 1975. The new single will be available for download on iTunes and via the Cadence online store from November 10. The new track was arranged by Ross Lynde and recorded at Own Your Voice Studio. Performers on the recording are Carl Berger (founding member and current manager), Kurt Sampson, Lucas Marchand and Ross Lynde.

“Fine Bloom”, the debut album by Gunnison Colorado based folk quartet Free The Honey was the most popular album for airplay during October according to Folk DJs worldwide, which is fine by us, because we love it! The album features 13 original tunes with a wonderful old-time gospel-folk bluegrass feel and great harmonies that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a folk music revival meeting in a cosy coffee house in Appalachia! From that album, we listened to a beautiful instrumental written by Katherine Taylor and Tristan Scroggins entitled “Hymn For Renewal”. We’re hoping to get an interview with the band in the coming weeks.

A multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and composer, Benjamin Dakota Rogers pushes the boundaries of traditional folk. Combining fiddle, guitar and mandolin with his unique voice and strong lyrics he is creating music that demands attention. Benjamin earned a Young Performer of the Year nomination at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for his E.P. “Wayfarer” (2014, Self) and his latest, the full-length album “The Strong Man’s Address to the Circus Crowd” (2015, Self). Benjamin joined us at the Folk Music Ontario conference to chat about his music and play a new song “Whiskey and Pine” live. Listen to the interview HERE.

Well, that’s all we have time for. Check out the full playlist with artist links below and share your love for all the great folk and roots music out there. Thanks to all the artists who share their music with us, and thank you for listening. We have a lot of great music to bring you on future shows. I hope you’ll join us! You can listen to this show again on Mixcloud by following the link below.

Folk Roots Radio – Episode 222 New & Noted by Folk Roots Radio on Mixcloud

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises (Demo)
Roll Right (expected 2015)

Trent Severn
Stealin’ Syrup
Trillium (2015, Self) CDN

Anne Walker
Horseshoe Valley Road
Down The Horseshoe Valley Road (2015, Self) CDN

Gary & Whit
Matches
Matches (2015, Self) CDN

Cadence
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
(Single) (2015, Self) CDN

Free The Honey
Hymn For Renewal
Fine Bloom (2015, Self)

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
The Strong Man’s Address to the Circus Crowd
The Strong Man’s Address to the Circus Crowd (2015, Self) CDN

Interview: Benjamin Dakota Rogers chatting about his music at the Folk Music Ontario conference. Listen to the interview HERE.

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Whiskey & Pine (Live)

Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Ashes to Ashes
The Strong Man’s Address to the Circus Crowd (2015, Self) CDN

Lynn Jackson
Young
Songs of Rain, Snow & Remembering (2015, Busted Flat Records) CDN

Roy Schneider
The Book Of Love
Ten From The Pen (2015, Shiny Gnu Records)