Villages – Dark Island
Photo by Mel Stone. Cape Breton Island-based Celtic folk-rock quartet Villages released a new full-length album on Feb. 17, their second release, called Dark Island. The 11 tracks are meant to give one a flavour of what it would mean ...
Le Vent du Nord – 20 Printemps
In early March, Le Vent du Nord released a new album called 20 Printemps, a title that signifies rebirth and rejuvenation, appropriate for a group that has over two decades expanded and developed its musical vision – a vision dedicated ...
Alan Doyle – Here, Tonight
On March 11, Alan Doyle released his first live album, titled Here, Tonight. It’s a collection of songs recorded at shows over the past few years, backed up by the immensely talented The Beautiful Beautiful Band, consisting of Cory Tetford, ...
Bruce Cockburn’s Greatest Hits (1970-2020)
On Dec. 3, True North Records released Bruce Cockburn’s Greatest Hits (1970-2020), a two-CD, 30-song compilation that covers 50 years in the career of this iconic Canadian singer-songwriter. It was no doubt quite the challenge to decide what to include ...
Catherine MacLellan – Holiday
If we’re being honest, this holiday season may not be the easiest to ease into, as it’s our third year of life with COVID-19. Fortunately, Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan has released a new four-cut Christmas EP called Holiday that ...
The McDades – The Empress
For those unfamiliar with the McDades, they are an immensely talented Celtic-rooted group out of Edmonton consisting of three siblings: Shannon Johnson (violin and vocals), Solon McDade (bass and vocals) and Jeremiah McDade (whistles, bansuri, saxophones, guitar and vocals). They ...
David Wiffen – Live at the Bunkhouse
According to their website, Mapache Records is a “Barcelona-based record label that reissues long-time lost albums that blow your mind.” I can’t vouch for the mind-blowing quality of their entire catalogue but one recent reissue of real interest to Canadian ...
John Wort Hannam – Long Haul
Alberta singer-songwriter John Wort Hannam has just released his eighth album called Long Haul. Over the years, accolades for John have included a Juno Award nomination, a Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Album of the Year, and a Kerrville ...
Jane Mathew – Such Perfect Lives
Toronto singer-songwriter Jane Mathew released her debut album, Such Perfect Lives, today, and what a stunning beginning it is, leaving us looking forward to what comes next. Jane was born in Oman and moved to Thornhill, ON when she was ...
A second look at Noah Derksen – America, Dreaming
A lot of great roots albums come out every month here in Canada, and some of them arguably don’t get all of the recognition they deserve. Richard Barry is out to fix that by not only reviewing new albums, but ...