James Gordon Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 607: feat. James Gordon In Conversation – When I Stayed Home

Nov 15 2021

Guelph ON singer-songwriter James Gordon joins us on Episode 607 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his pandemic release “When I Stayed Home”. Unable to bring anyone into the studio, James pretty much recorded the whole thing himself. However, making a new album was not the only thing that James Gordon has been up to during Covid lockdown. He also finished his novel “The Ark Of The Oven Mitt” (which includes a 36 song recording) and performed a virtual tour of his one-man show “James Gordon’s Emergency Climate Musical”. He also found time to kick cancer’s butt (Yeah, James!) and all while still working at his other job as a member of Guelph City Council. As you can imagine, we had lots to talk about, which is why we’ve decided to give the whole of this episode over to the interview. So, settle down and enjoy James Gordon… in Conversation on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 599: We're All About The Music! (Be Still Edition)

Oct 06 2021

We’re all about the music again on Episode 599 of Folk Roots Radio as we bring you another hour of great new releases, with some fabulous Covid tunes and social justice songs thrown into the mix. We’ve said this a few times now – but we can’t believe how much great new music is out there. It’s our great pleasure to bring more of it to you on this episode. Join us for songs from Amos Lee, John McCutcheon, Joy Zimmerman, John Michael Ferrari, HEISK, The Furious Seasons, James Gordon, John Wort Hannam, War & Pierce, Madison Violet, Willie Nile, Matt Patershuk, Jackson Grimm, Gordie Tentrees, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Finny McConnell. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when it’s really hard to find live show opportunities. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 458: feat. Tragedy Ann & More New Releases

Aug 16 2019

Liv Cazzola and Braden Phelan join us on Episode 458 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about the sweet music they make together as duo Tragedy Ann. If you recognize the name Cazzola, that’s because Liv and sister Anita, are leaders of Guelph art.folk collective The Lifers – and Braden Phelan is a guitarist in that band. As Tragedy Ann, Liv and Braden have great chemistry and a wonderful gentle humour. They’re now charming listening rooms across Canada with their folky mix of beautiful harmonies, ukulele, accordion and guitar. We hooked up with Tragedy Ann just before they set out on a tour of Northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. It was a great conversation, and definitely well worth checking out. We also take a look at more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Rising Appalachia, James Gordon, Paper Beat Scissors, Our Native Daughters (Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell), James Hill & Anne Janelle, The Rails, Den Of Ashes and Michael McDermott. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 455: feat. Carly Thomas & More New Releases

Jul 26 2019

Episode 455 of Folk Roots Radio features an interview with London Ontario based singer-songwriter Carly Thomas recorded especially for our video series, the Sun Parlour Coffee House Sessions. Carly plays two songs live from her latest album “Versions”, and also shares a new song with us in the studio. We also check out new music from Sarah Harmer, Twas Now, Winter Wilson, Sofia Talvik, Casey Johnson, James Gordon, VK & Legends Of THE DEEP and Shari Ulrich. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 331 - O Canada!

Jun 26 2017

We’re celebrating Canada’s 150th Birthday on Episode 331 of Folk Roots Radio. As Canada celebrates this important milestone, we’ve put together a very special edition of the show that celebrates the history and diversity of the country we’re proud to call our home, while recognizing the fact that Canada’s first nations inhabited this land long before the settlers came. Joining us on this episode are Asani, Tudjaat, Andrea Menard, Same Latitude As Rome, Cotillion, Bruce Cockburn, Maria Dunn, Mike Ford, James Gordon, Stompin’ Tom Connors, Jason Collett, Marc Jordan & Ian Thomas and Toronto Children’s Chorus with Jean Ashworth Bartle & Ruth Watson Henderson. We hope you enjoy the mix we’ve put together. Happy Canada Day everyone! Check out the full playlist below.

Jun 02 2016

Singer-songwriter and former member of Tamarack, James Gordon joins us on this episode to chat about “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. As always, we find time to include tracks from some of the fine new releases we’ve received.

May 30 2016

James Gordon is just about to release “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. The title (and title track) alluding to the fact that we all have our down days, even someone as relentlessly upbeat and optimistic as James Gordon – singer-songwriter, community activist, and now city councillor in Guelph, Ontario. The album features James Gordon, accompanied by his musical sons Geordie and Evan, on 12 songs that, as expected, ooze social commentary on everything from politics and protest, to war and conflict and the environment, but, more personally, also reflect on love and loss. There’s also a very special a cappella version of what maybe his best known song “Frobisher Bay” – originally written for his former band Tamarack, it has been covered more than 100 times. Album release shows take place in Hamilton at The Pearl Company (June 11), Toronto, at Hugh’s Room (June 16), Guelph at Heritage Hall (June 17) and Collingwood (June 18) at Simcoe Street Theatre. We caught up with James at home in Guelph to chat about the new album. For more information and to BUY Tickets visit jamesgordon.ca.

Episode 226: Jay Aymar

Nov 22 2015

Toronto-based singer-songwriter, Jay Aymar joins us this week to chat about “The Chicken Came First”, his new book/live CD and his show at Hugh’s Room on Thursday November 26. We also have something very special, new music from Scott Merritt. Scott has just released his new album “OF” and will be on tour across southern Ontario through December.

Jun 08 2015

This week’s Folk Roots Radio featured an interview with North-East of England based singer-songwriter Pete Davies. Pete’s latest album “Long Way Home” is one of our favourite albums of the year so far. The fact that the album came to us out of the blue made receiving it all that more special. This week we included a special tribute to the sadly departed “Mother of Modern Folk Music” Jean Ritchie, alongside our mystery theme and some new music.

Dec 27 2014

This week’s show (December 20 2014) featured interviews and impromptu sessions recorded with Prince Edward Island based singer-songwriters Irish Mythen and Dennis Ellsworth recorded at the recent Folk Music Ontario conference. We also included some thought-provoking holiday songs alongside a new mystery theme and a guilty pleasure set celebrating Bill Withers election to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

Nov 26 2014

This week’s episode of Folk Roots Radio featured an in-studio appearance by singer-songwriters Tannis Slimmon, Jude Vadala and Katherine Wheatley who come together each holiday season for a fabulous series of holiday concerts, “Songs For The Snowy Season”. This year, they are also releasing their first album under their new group name Boreal, “Winter’s Welcome”. As usual, we featured lots of new music, plus a new mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

Oct 21 2014

DJ MacDee stepped up for another Folk Roots Radio fill-in on October 18 (Episode 171) while we were at the 2014 Folk Music Ontario Conference in Toronto. You’ve listened to the show, now enjoy his playlist!

Oct 14 2014

Folk Roots Radio on October 11 2014 (Episode 170) was broadcast live from the Guelph Farmers Market as part of CFRU 93.3fm’s annual Raise Your Voice funding drive. In honour of Thanksgiving (Canadian), this week’s show also featured a Canadian and close to home music mix alongside feature interviews with Guelph-based musicians Nicole Ensing (with The Wild Oats) and Tyler Wagler.

Sep 22 2014

DJ MacDee was again keeping my chair warm on September 20 (Episode 168) while I was in Florida for a short vacation. You enjoyed DJ MacDee on Folk Roots Radio. Now enjoy his playlist!

Aug 28 2014

One of the best things about heading off to another summer music festival is knowing that you have the perfect fill-in to keep your studio chair warm. DJ MacDee sat in for me while I was at the Eaglewood Folk Festival on August 23 (Episode 164) You enjoyed DJ MacDee on Folk Roots Radio. Now enjoy his playlist!

Aug 12 2014

I was away at the first ever Kingsville Folk Music Festival on August 9 (Episode 162). DJ MacDee once again stepped up to keep Folk Roots Radio rolling along. I hope you enjoyed the show. Now enjoy his playlist!

Jul 08 2014

I was away at the Mariposa Folk Festival on the weekend of July 5 2014 (Episode 157). Fortunately DJ MacDee kindly agreed to bring his own wealth of radio experience and musical knowledge to Folk Roots Radio. I hope you enjoyed the show. Now enjoy his playlist.

Mar 15 2014

Folk Roots Radio on CFRU 93.fm on March 15 2014 (Episode 141)

Mystery Theme: “Growing Old”

Jan 09 2013

James Gordon has taken a break from his community activism and political aspirations to record his latest CD (the 25th – we’re counting), Coyote’s Calling. Coyote’s Calling features performances by James Gordon with a backing band that includes his sons Evan and Geordie, as well as Katherine Wheatley, Jane Lewis, Jude Vadala and Louisa Krátká.

James joined us in the studio on Saturday January 5 2013; the first opportunity for anyone in Guelph to hear tracks from Coyote’s Calling plus a new song from James, “Idle No More” written especially for the aboriginal rights campaign.

Jude Vadala

Oct 29 2010

Jude Vadala releases her 5th album “Do You Ever” at the Guelph Little Theatre on Saturday November 6 2010 at 8.00 p.m. Jude has been involved in the Guelph music scene for over 30 years and was previously a member of The Bird Sisters with Tannis Slimmon and Sue Smith.