The long anticipated Christmas album by the darlings of the Newfoundland music scene the Once.

The golden trio of Geraldine Hollett, Andrew Dale and Phil Churchill are back with a wonderful little holiday album that is loaded with special guests from bands like Mercy The Sexton, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Dardanelles, Navigators, Punters , and solo stars like Kelly Russell and Duane Andrews.

Sure to be our biggest selling holiday album in years!!

There are a few co-writes on here… Cause It’s Christmas was a co-write between The Once and Luke Major (featuring Aaron Collis on accordion, Kelly Russell on fiddle and Fred Jorgensen on tin whistle), I Won’t Do Christmas Without You was co-written between Geraldine and Luke Major (featuring Patrick Moran on fiddle), and Oh My Rudolph was a co-write  between Phil and Jody Richardson.

They have also added their signature stamp on holiday classics like The Coventry Carol, the Walt Disney classic All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth, I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (featuring Terry Campbell on trumpet and Karen Bulmer on tuba), Gabriel’s Message (featuring Duane Andrews on guitar, Aaron Collis on accordion, Patrick Moran on fiddle and Karen Bulmer on tuba), and Hark!The Herald Angels Sing.

An Andrew Dale original song called The Light In Your Window (featuring Terry Campbell on trumpet, Kelly Russell on concertina and fiddle and Karen Bulmer on tuba), and the Dave Matthews new Christmas classic Christmas Song (featuring Patrick Moran on fiddle) round out the album.

It’s  fun, amazing, quirky, virtuosic, unique, cute, special, witty, star studded, local!

Produced by legendary Irish musician/producer, John Doyle, this is the second release from one of Canada’s finest traditional groups. The Dardanelles have found the perfect marriage of spirited, energetic, masterfully performed instrumental tunes and beautiful, reverently delivered songs with local balladeer Matthew Byrne at the vocal helm. “The Eastern Light” pays devout homage to the tunes and songs of Newfoundland while breathing a youthfulness and vitality into them that continues to accentuate their relevance and importance in 21^st century Newfoundland. This album has all the ingredients of a timeless recording, which will most definitely, be heard for years to come and against which future traditional records will be measured.

We Win Some We Lose, the brand new 7 song EP by The Once! Beautiful new set of songs featuring co-writes with Chris Kirby and the production savvy of Daniel Ledwell.

Check out the fantastic trailer for Matthew’s new album

It’s finally here! After being awarded the title of ‘Canada’s Best New Musical Act’ by CBC Radio, Sherman Downey has released his brand new album which is sure to knock your socks off.
This album is quality local folk/rock with a sprinkle of bluegrass. Mandolins, trumpets, banjos, fiddles, accordions, and a number of other instruments result is a massive wall of full, heavy sound that all assist in a more jamboree/folk like style (compared to his previous record ‘Honey For Bees’.
Be sure to come to Fred’s records to not only pick up your copy of ‘The Sun in Your Eyes’, but to also see his FREE live performance in-store on November 23rd

‘Later That Same Life’ was recorded in Lindsay, Ontario, at Studio by the River, April 15th, 2015.

The requests for an album of this kind from this legendary group have been too numerous to count. Finally, a collection of 42 songs on two discs create a magnificent cross-section of a career that spanned over 40 years! You’ll hear Denis Ryan’s beautiful tenor voice and tin whistle, Fergus’ uproarious exclamations and banjo and the original tunes that made Dermot one of our province’s songwriting treasures. This is truly a collection for anyone who remembers sneaking their first sip at the Strand or for anyone wanting a taste of authentically, heart-on-sleeve traditional music. This collection has quickly become one of our best sellers and is the perfect addition to the libraries of those who were “there” and it is timeless enough to ensure that those who weren’t will get a chance to experience it for years to come.

This is the album that started it all. The Once’s self-titled debut has solidified itself as one of the most important, and wide-reaching Newfoundland albums of all time. Its critical success has been incredible as well. It received four 2009 Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards including Rising Star of the Year, Folk Roots Recording of the Year, Album of the Year and Group of the Year. The success of the album also spawned a recording deal with Canadian folk record company, Borealis Records.

The band performed multiple shows at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, toured with legendary storyteller, Stuart McLean and his show, The Vinyl Café, took home two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Traditional Album of the Year and Best New Emerging Artist, won a Galaxie Rising Star award for their performance at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival and took home the 2011 East Coast Music Award for Best Group. The band has toured the world and has wowed audiences along the way. It has been a phenomenal and well-deserved few years for The Once.

As the aforementioned accolades imply, the album is fantastic. Built around the charming, inviting and versatile voice of Geraldine Hollett the album is rounded out beautifully by Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale who split duties, masterfully, between acoustic guitar, bouzouki, banjo and mandolin. They also provide incredible vocal harmonies. Geraldine occasionally plays bodhran and tambourine and the sound created is lovely and warm. The arrangements are well-crafted and executed with acute precision. Arguably, the most impressive element of the music is the seemingly effortless blending of three unique and entirely complimentary voices. Geraldine has wonderful emotive control of her voice. At times it teems with sincere sadness (Marguerite) and at others complete gusto and boldness (Anthem). Throughout the range of moments she is confident and self-assured, her honesty and conviction never waivers. Phil thickens the vocal mix by covering the low end and Andrew tends to carry the tenor parts. This mixing of three exceptional voices creates a beautiful tapestry whether it be atop instrumentation or standing alone on a beautiful a capella tune (The Briar and the Rose, Coming Back to You). The folk styling of this record have a familiar sound but there is a fresh youthfulness and currency to the album that has made it our biggest selling and most popular album in over a decade.

Newfoundland’s most popular and successful band over the past five years release their major label debut.

The Once let their collective talent shine and expand by preserving their rootsiness (My God, those voices!) and layering the tracks with violin, contrabass, horns, and drums.
Some standout tracks include #1, 2, 4, 6, 5, 9 and a jaw-dropping acapella reading of the Ron Hynes classic “Sonny’s Dream”.
The four year wait is over. Indulge yourself.

Produced by The Once and John Critchley (A.Curran/Spectators)

Quite simply, The Once is the biggest selling, most popular group at Fred’s in a decade. They push the musical envelope on their follow-up to a monster self-titled debut. “Row Upon Row” is a rich tapestry of aural delights. Great song choices (many of them originals- a first for the group). This album will surely help to build on the massive success they have experienced over the past two years. They have toured the world, played every major folk festival in Canada, won four Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards, two Canadian Folk Awards and an East Coast Music Award for best group. Listen to the record and you’ll find out why.

Finally, the new Sheavy CD! St. John’s stoner-rock legends return with the heaviness! Also available as a limited edition cassette.

The Dardanelles have quickly become one of Canada’s premier traditional folk groups. Having performed at many major folk festivals across the country they have been lauded for their highly infectious sound, their skillful playing and the youthful energy they bring to the music. This album is the one that set them off onto their path of rapid success and critical notoriety. This record features a slightly different line-up than the one present on “The Eastern Light”. The Bouzouki and fiddle parts on the first record were done by Andrew Dale (The Once) and Kate Bevan-Baker respectively. Both brought exceptional skill to their roles in the band and certainly left big shoes for Matthew Byrne and Emilia Bartellas to fill. On this recording you really begin to get a sense of where the band was going musically. The music is rooted in the traditional music of Newfoundland and Ireland, mingled with some original compositions all maintaining a vibrancy and joy that, historically, made these tunes so popular at dance halls all across Newfoundland. The Dardanelles pay reverent homage to two of Newfoundland’s most famous fiddlers, Emile Benoit and Rufus Guinchard by performing fantastic versions of some fiddle tunes written by the two legends that have since become very popular compositions in the Newfoundland traditional cannon. You hear the band coming together as a group on this record and their synergy is immediate. Again, one of the most striking things about the Dardanelles, past and present, is their attention to musically authentic detail. The bands trademark has become the exuberance and forward momentum of the recordings and live performance and this album is a wonderful glimpse into the group’s development. We hope that this album marks the beginning of a long and successful career for this young group.

“Towards the Sunset” is highly regarded as one of the most important and quintessentially Newfoundland albums ever written and recorded. Written and performed by brothers Pat and Joe Byrne and friend, Baxter Wareham, this album is one of the finest examples of topical, educated, poignant and socially relevant songs in all of Newfoundland music. Themes vary from the decline of the once mighty Newfoundland fishery to the governmental pressure placed upon outport communities during the mass resettlement of the 1960s. The album is sparse and to the point, featuring very little in the way of instrumentation. Nylon string guitar and accordion are the principal instruments with Pat and Joe rounding out the majority of the singing with their lived-in, charmingly weathered voices. This barebones approach to the music ensures that the messages in the songs cut through clearly. They have and continue to influence, inform and encourage new generations of Newfoundland singer-songwriters to write and sing about their home and the social and economic changes that shape our island.

“Ballads” is the solo debut of one of Newfoundland’s most authentic, vital and exceptional musical voices. Matthew Byrne is a talented storyteller. He has an innate knack for accentuating words and musical moments, adding a dramatic tone to a song. This collection of songs is an earnest, stark, sombre and picturesque representation of the authentic oral and narrative musical traditions of Newfoundland and the UK. He is a triple threat. His understanding of the ebb and flow of a narrative, his superb musicianship and his clean, clear tenor voice (we lovingly refer to him as Newfoundland’s James Taylor) all contribute to the splendor of the album. Ballads is an honestly delivered record. It is natural and has a timeless quality that is a product of Matthew’s acute sense of maintaining the structure and tradition of the songs. Byrne is an incredibly gifted musician and his confident playing hangs the perfect backdrop for his vocal. He is, in many ways, a folklorist. He comes from a long line of song collectors and in doing so; he is insuring the continuation of the art of storytelling and song that has become a cornerstone of the Newfoundland culture. His attention to musical detail, his beautifully sweet voice and exceptional playing have made this album a hugely popular release here at Fred’s.

“Home in My Harbour” is Shanneyganock’s follow-up to 2014’s “Rockin’ on the Water,” which earned them exceptional success. The band’s sound remains unchanged even if their membership hasn’t: Billy Sutton and Bob Pike are no longer in Shanneyganock, replaced by Ian Chipman and Chris Donnelly. Bassist Chipman, known as a member of The Fables and The Navigators, has been playing on and off with the band for a couple of years, while drummer Donnelly is relatively new. It’s a mixed bag of everything Shanneyganock is known for: ballads, shanties, originals and more traditional tunes. “Once More We’ll Stand” is a song Andrews wrote last year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Beaumont-Hamel; “Music and Friends” is a well-known Simani tune given new life as a collaboration between Shanneyganock and Simani’s Bud Davidge (Sim Savory died in 2010).

Shanneygannock are back and at it again! Another great, upbeat album, featuring the hit title track “Rockin on the Water” and well as many traditional tune and old favorites.

Hynes’ songs are about intrinsic human character: running the gamut of emotion, these characters struggle for an honest conclusion to their dilemma. Hynes’ talent for melody coupled with his lyrical mastery has solidified his place as one of the greatest Newfoundland songwriters.

Aaron Collis and Emilia Bartellas, two fifths of one of Newfoundland’s most popular young trad acts, The Dardanelles, have just released their brand new CD of traditional accordion and fiddle music. Their playing has a rare immediacy and vitality which comes across in their recordings as well as in the liner notes: each selection has been carefully chosen and impeccably performed.

“This album pays homage to the traditional accordion and fiddle music of Newfoundland and Labrador and is dedicated to those players that have passed along their love and enthusiasm for the tunes.” – Aaron and Emilia

Latest album from super band, Rum Ragged!

This was Ron Hynes cd debut. Storyteller, character sketch writer extraordinaire, Ron still plays all of these songs at his shows- the audience calls out for their favourites consistently! Arguably Newfoundland’s most important songwriter of the past 30 years. This work will stand the test of time.

The much-anticipated second collection of Ryan’s Fancy tunes! 22 timeless tracks from the original albums. Featuring elaborate artwork and text including personal details pertaining to each song!

Is Your Rhubard Up marks the 15the album release for The Irish Descendants since 1990. Recorded in February of 2018, it is the band’s first full length studio recording in ten years. About time we say and so it is with great pride they present their latest work. The sucess and logevity of The Irish Descendants, now in their 28th year is solely the result of a very loyal fan base that has since crossed two generations and who still faithfully continue to come out to shows and support the group. 

In the process of making Is Your Rhubarb Up  they all piled into the studio/living room of Robert Moran (brother to patrick) who let them use his house and who has a great set of unbiased ears and started in. They came out two weeks later a bit worn but very satisfied with the results. They hope you all will wnjoy what they have come up with. And for the best results… Play it as ofen as possible!

Limited collectors edition

Sherman Downey and the Silver Lining (formerly the Ambiguous Case) have, in a few short years, emerged as one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most exciting and talked about new bands at home and abroad. Their debut album, “Honey for Bees” is immediately infectious. From the first few bars of gargly harmonica in “Soulsweeping” to the story of a lonesome ‘cougar’ on the dance floor in “Easy to Break a Heart”, this record has your toes tapping and you singing unashamedly along at the top of your lungs. The album has a rootsy, folk-country flavour spiced with hints of bluegrass and americana. Sherman’s vocal delivery has been likened to a young Paul Simon and he is lyrically and melodically as sharp as they come. “I pulled out a chair, I held a door, I threw a brand new jacket in the mud and I can’t wear it anymore. I crossed my heart and hoped to die. But lately I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout this needle in my eye” declares the love-lorn anti-hero of “Mudjacket”. Sherman is a fantastic storyteller and the silver lining punctuate these narratives wonderfully and with all the warm goodness of a come home year party or a barn loft dance-up. These tunes will march into your brain and you’ll have every chorus memorized by album’s end. Sherman and the boys have performed at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, have recently finished a tour of Australia and Sherman was named Music Newfoundland and Labrador’s Male Artist of the Year for 2010. “Honey for Bees” is a true gem. Be sure to check out a live show if you’re able! Make sure you bring your dance pants!

There’s a sense of a welcoming, that an invitation has been extended to the opening track of the long awaited CD by the FORTUNATE ONES. “Solitary Sparks” builds to a full-throttle and introduces the listener to the key qualities explored, developed and achieved on “THE BLISS”. Themes of hope, reflection, desire and discovery are delved into with a positive conclusion often waiting somewhat knowingly at the path’s end.
 

“Wherever You Go” well represents the core message addressed throughout this pure pop/folk collection, a ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’/be true to yourself theme.
 
Late edition to the album, “Lay Me Down” might leave you thinking you’ve been swept back to Buckingham/Nicks debut with Fleetwood Mac with its hippie-blues element. It also provides a jolt to what is essentially a melancholy album.
 

“Without A Name” is one of the album’s finest tracks. The strings fill the melody with a nice balance of the lush and the delicate. Catherine Allan’s piano part is sweetly reminiscent of Neil Drinkwater’s work with Van Morrison; sounding like raindrops on a pond on a warm summer day.
 

“A Light Will Come” delivers one of those melodies so comfortable and sublime it sounds familiar… as if you’ve known it your whole life. Andrew James O’Brien gives us one of his finest vocal performances to date, nuanced and incredibly moving in a subtle manner, creating all the more impact as a result.
 

“I’d Wait For Anyone Who Would Wait For Me” is a catchy number penned by Mick Davis and serves up a pleasant tempo-shift before a pair of dirge-like tunes direct the listener to a more ponderous and reflective frame of mind. Catherine Allan’s ‘late vocals’ on this number is attractive and a technique often employed by THE BAND on some vintage classics.
 
A suitably pensive rendering of “Picture In A Frame”(Tom Waits) highlights the duos close harmonies.
 

In the true literary sense, “Oaks And Willows” is the most romantic of the album’s songs. Permeations of sadness adorn its theme, relatable and effective.
 

“Someday Love” is certainly one the strongest tracks; a shuffling mid-tempo number with a McCartney-esque change, jaw-dropping in its beauty and weightlessness while the title track, “The Bliss” is another highlight piece; a Paul Simon like percussive-driven tune, beautifully arranged and a message particularly potent and resonant for the young at the journeys start.
 

The blue note laden “Carry On” is a poignant song, a gentle cathartic-anthem that fittingly closes this most promising album.
 

FORTUNATE ONES are one of the key acts to hear, watch and follow from Newfoundland And Labrador.
 

-Tony Ploughman

New Christmas album from local trad band, Rum Ragged. Sure to get your ‘mistletoes’ tapping this holiday season!

“From the first knock on the door of the recording ‘Any Mummers Allowed In?’ everyone was ready and knew that what SIMANI recorded was destined to become a classic. Now a collection of all the Simani Christmas Songs and three Bonus Tracks, two of which were recorded live ‘Old Christmas Card’ and ‘C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S’ – never been released before and a newer recording of Bud Davidge with Leanne Chaulk ‘Christmas Eve With You’. ”

-www.tidespoint.com

“Sea Miner” is the second release from East Coast Music Award nominees and Music Newfoundland and Labrador winners, The Navigators. Having established themselves as one of Newfoundland’s premier bands, the Navigators have found the perfect blend of traditional Celtic and pop rock. Combining traditional instruments like the bodhran, tin whistle and fiddle with the harder edged electric guitar, electric bass and drums gives a blend that is perfectly suited to the baritone haymaker vocals of Arthur O’Brien and Fred Jorgensen. With a varied mix of original songs, a capella, instrumental numbers, ballads and shanties the band has gained a large following stemming from the huge success of their first record, “Dance and Sing”. “Sea Miner” follows in the footsteps of the debut delivering hard-hitting shanties and heartfelt ballads. All are well done and further exemplify the bands importance and lasting impact on Newfoundland’s musical landscape.

The second release from WGB. Features cast from the popular TV show.

One of the years most anticipated releases Duane Andrews and Craig Young.
Two Newfoundland guitarists extraordinaire pool their talent and awesome skill on this blend of Newfoundland traditional, original, north american folk traditional, and the likes of Django Reinhardt and Tony Rice.
Pickers rejoice and haul your jaw from off the floor!

The highly anticipated latest album from Rum Ragged!

“Stealing Genius” is the newest studio album from one of Canada’s most talented and critically acclaimed singer/songwriters. Ron Hynes has been writing and performing music for over thirty years. With a songwriting career that spans more than 30 years. He is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner and a past Juno, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. He’s been recipient of both Artist of the Year and the prestigious Arts Achievement Award from the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. John’s Folk Arts Council. Ron Hynes also holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University. In 2011 he took home the Music Newfoundland and Labrador Award for Folk/Roots Recording of the Year and his documentary, “Man of a Thousand Songs” has been garnering serious critical praise at major film and music festivals across Canada. Fans and newcomers alike will be immediately taken in by Ron’s ability to conjure wonderfully imagistic portraits by spinning clever and poignant turns of phrase. He is a wordsmith of the highest order. Themes on the record vary from the pain of having to leave ones home for lack of work and opportunity, the loss of love over time, experiencing the presence of a loved one after they have passed away, life and going for broke before its too late and even a tune about legendary NHL goalie, Terry Sawchuck. At the time of the album’s conception, Ron was going through a period of creative block. Songs weren’t coming to him and he considered taking time off from music. He was in Woody Point for the Writer’s festival and picked up a book called Night Work: the Sawchuck Poems written by Newfoundland author/poet, Randall Maggs. This book completely revitalized Ron and was the basis for the song that kick started the process of writing the album. That tune, aptly titled Sawchuck is an up tempo, lyrically vivid and instantly catchy biographical look at the tragic life and times of one of hockey’s most fabled and infamous players. The tune is an instant standout. Ron’s idea for the rest of the album was to adopt the words of other poets/writers, marry them with his own words and set them to music. Ron would reference the work of artists like Stan Dragland, Donna Morrissey, Des Walsh, Al Pittman and nephew, Joel Thomas Hynes. It goes without saying that the album itself is lyrically outstanding. It is also musically exceptional. There is an uplifting quality to the majority of the record which in some ways is a departure from the Ron albums of late. There is a jump in the step of this record. There are some lovely horn and string arrangements on a number of tunes which is a new element to Ron’s work. Standout tunes include Sawchuck and 30 for 60 a wonderful song with co-writing credit going to Al Pittman. Stealing is a blend of country and folk and is offers up some of Ron’s finest work to date.

“Soldiers and Sailors” is the third release from one of Newfoundland’s most popular live acts. Arthur O’Brien and Fred Jorgensen share the distinction of owning two of the most recognizable baritone voices in the province. They have voices that have the whisky-soaked charm that allow them to deliver the hardest of sea shanties with the ease of a ballad and the gentlest ballad with a hint of weather-worn truthfulness. The Navigators have become known for their cross over blending of the traditional form and rock and roll. Hard-hitting drums and gritty electric guitars weave throughout bodhran and well-played tin whistle giving the songs an edginess and power. Listen and find out why the Navs are one of our best selling groups.

Some of the best Newfoundland reciters are back with this special Christmas edition of From Stage to Stage. Features Dave Paddon, Hubert Furey, Harry Ingram, and Dave Penny, with a special appearance by Matthew Byrne.

D’Arcy is unequivocally one of the most important Newfoundland musician/singers in the islands long cultural history. He has been a major figure in the creation of two of Newfoundland’s most important and influential acts, The Irish Descendants and The Fables. On “By Request”, D’Arcy is at the forefront as he performs some of his favourite traditional songs. D’Arcy takes the purist approach on this record and stays very true to the authentic traditional folk sound made popular on the island over the centuries. Acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, accordion and bodhran fill out the album and give a fully fleshed out, acoustic background for D’Arcy’s warm and charmingly welcoming voice. He is truly a legend in his own time and this album is a Fred’s staff favourite.

Deantha Edmunds and Karrie Obed with the Innismara Vocal Ensemble, Tom gordon, and the Suncor Energy String Quartet perform Inuktitut Arias for all seasons. Haydn, Handel, otto and more classical composers, initially brought to Northern Labrador by the Moravian Missionaries in the 18th century.

The CBC television series Land and Sea has showcased the culture and history of Newfoundland for over 40 years and the music that has accompanied the show has become just as iconic. The opening theme, On the Beach, has been heard in living rooms across the province and beyond for many years and the man behind the music is a legend in his own rite. Sandy Morris is one of the most gifted and respected musicians in Newfoundland and his prowess and musical sensitivity are on full display on this beautifully crafted acoustic album. The music is incredibly cinematic and paints a wonderful picture of Newfoundland life and culture. This is an absolute must have recording.

Now in stock. The brand new Shanneyganock. Winners of this year’s Dr. Helen Creighton lifetime achievement award. Shanneyganock are the premier trad/folk band from NL., a potent combo of packed- pub energy and a perfect balance of rollicking tunes and singalong ditties. This much anticipated release lives up to the band’s established sound and mass appeal. For locals summer vacationing during Stay Home Year and the ideal gift for your friends living away.

Brand new album from local Ukrainian band, so much fun!

“Christmas means many different things to many different people.  In Newfoundland and Labrador, it’s mostly about family and fun, which are all touched on in this recording.  The lighter side of the season is reflected with songs like ‘Santa’s a Bayman Like Us’ and ‘Rusty Chevrolet’ which reminds us of our good friend Gabby.”

– Liner Notes

Andrew is a three time Music Newfoundland and Labrador winner (2011) for Male Artist of the Year, Rising Star of the Year and Pop/Rock Recording of the Year for this, his debut album. “Songs for Searchers” was also nominated for a 2012 East Coast Music Award for Best Pop Recording. He delivers on this album in a big way. Lyrically smart and possessing a voice clearly as honest as the themes and messages contained in these songs. Andrew is a versatile songwriter. “Songs for Searchers” blends elements of folk, pop, rock and nouveau-country. His star is quickly rising.

The much anticipated sophomore album from local singer/songwriter Steve Maloney! You won’t want to miss out on this beautiful album.

Her songs, like still waters, run deep. Forgiveness, mercy, and life’s mistakes are potent themes in the songs of this St. John’s singer/songwriter who addresses these issues with an empathetic perspective and eloquent language. Curran’s sound marries acoustic folk and textured pop sensibilities, lending range to her metaphor-rich verses delivered with an “old-soul’s voice”.

On this, her latest CD, we find Amelia at her most tuneful and upbeat; less Leonard Cohen and more Tom Petty or Warren Zevon. But Amelia’s metaphor-rich lyrics are still as constant as a northern star. This record will attract a new mess of fans and expand her audience with pop sensibilities not unlike Sarah Harmer and Kathleen Edwards.

Finally! A new Elice and Wince Coles CD to tickle your funny bone.
Features the title track “Eli’s Newfie Cruise”.

Tracks:

1. Warlike Lads
2. Rights of Man
3. Springfield Road
4. Dance and Sing
5. The Ploughboy
6. Nancy
7. Rabbits in the Basket
8. The Islander
9. The White Cockade
10. Norwegian Wood
11. The Chapel Bell Set
12. The Rhythm of the Goat
13. The Giant

Another in the extensive Coles brothers back catalog. Please note that this is private press CDR release, and not a professionally manufactured CD.

Since it’s release in the winter of 2009, “Hunter, Hunter” has become one of the most talked about and critically lauded folk albums in Canada. It has garnered a stack of awards and accolades including the 2010 Juno award for Best Folk Roots Recording, the 2011 Canadian Folk award for Best Solo Artist, multiple Music Newfoundland and Labrador and Music Nova Scotia awards and four East Coast Music Award nominations including FACTOR Recording of the Year and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. It is a beautifully poignant, layered, intellectual and wonderfully melodic. It marks the first of Amelia’s records to be made in her hometown of St. John’s. Up until the summer of 2011, Amelia called Halifax her home. The album is, “rich in metaphor, language and instrumentation. It speaks to themes of unrequited longing, the notion of belonging and reflection of love both lost and found”. Amelia is a poet, a wordsmith in the purest sense of the word. She has a profound way of dissecting the human condition and reassembling the pieces in a thought-provoking, image-laden and carefully constructed way. She says, “Songwriting is not just about the words. Lyrics need a musical partner to fully convey meaning”. A suitable musical partner was certainly found in this case. Amelia enlisted the help of Engineer/producers Don Ellis and Mark Neary and a host of wonderful musicians including folk trio, The Once, legendary St. John’s guitarist, Sandy Morris, percussionist, George Morgan, Geoff Panting on accordion and bassist, Matthew Hender to flesh out the musical aspect of the record. It is at times stark and minimalist at others it is ripe with multi-instrumental layers giving the album a wonderful dynamic. Again, the music acts as a vehicle for the lyrics. It serves the narrative giving breath to certain moments and leaving others to carry the message carefully on their own. There is a thoughtful care taken toward every instant. Amelia is a confident acoustic guitar player and her performance is rounded out by bouzouki, mandolin, banjo, accordion and percussion giving the record a stripped down, natural feel that gels perfectly with the raw honesty of the lyrics. It is an elegant and cryptic self analysis. It is often self deprecating and at times even self loathing. It is an apology, an act of penance and cleansing. It is beautiful subdued and occasionally somber. It is completely beautiful. It is fragile and at once unshakeable. Amelia packs more meaning into a single phrase than most in an entire album worth of songs. She is, undoubtedly, one of the country’s finest songwriters.

The newest solo recording from Chris Andrews, the leader of the band Shanneyganock. It’s been more than 10 years since the last solo recording and over that time Chris has collected many songs that don’t necessarily fit for Shanneyganock recordings. So Chris has finally decided to record these songs. This record covers songs from all genres of music: folk, pop and country – and are all interpreted by Chris in his own unique style.

Duane Andrew’s music is the product of a great ear, an adventurous spirit and a love of music that is beyond category. Uniting what would seem to be impossible – traditional Newfoundland music with the Gypsy Jazz of the legendary Django Reinhardt, Andrews makes it not just work – he makes it soar. The award winning guitarist, composer, producer and international performer’s latest album, Conception Bay, is the best evidence yet of his truly unique musical vision and is the sound of him, literally, bringing it all back home. (http://www.duaneandrews.ca/)

Ron Hynes is a “songwriter’s songwriter” like Springsteen, Richard Thompson, Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt, and Warren Zevon, Ron chronicles the emotions, decisions and ultimate consequences of the people and places he has known and felt. Very reflective of Newfoundland, but also universal in theme.

The SONGS FROM HOME EP is a special collaboration featuring Alan Doyle, The Once, The Ennis Sisters, Fortunate Ones, and Rachel Cousins that they created in isolation in the earliest days of the pandemic.

The Split Peas are celebrating 20 years of toutons and tunes with a 2 CD career retrospective.

Eddie Coffey is a legendary Newfoundland songwriter-entertainer who has penned some of the province’s most well-loved songs including the anthemic, Grey Foggy Day. Finally, Eddie’s best songs have been compiled on one album. As the title suggests, this is a gathering of some of the most popular songs in the Newfoundland and Labrador canon, including a wonderful rendition of Aunt Martha’s Sheep for Eddie’s old friend, legend Dick Nolan.

*Now re-issued with new album artwork!*

The Ennis Sisters are back at it again, never taking a break from their musical explorations and releasing their thirteenth studio album titled Keeping Time. Having collaborated with the likes of Alan Doyle, Mark Murphy, and Perry Chafe, 11 of the songs featured on the album are original tracks with a fresh and edgy flair.  

IT’S HERE! FRETBOARD JOURNEY’s debut CD. Duane Andrews, Sandy Morris, Gordon Quinton and Craig Young. You’ll think you died and went to guitar heaven. All acoustic; all AMAZING.

“One of the most accomplished choirs in Canada’s Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Quintessential Vocal Ensemble (QVE) was formed in St. John’s in 1993 by alumni of the award-winning Holy Heart of Mary High School Chamber Choir and their conductor Susan Quinn, out of a desire that their musical experiences together might contunue.  The choir now draws together some 40 members with diverse backgrounds in music, work and study, and is known for its primarily a cappella repertoire of many diverse styles and periods.”

– Liner Notes

Featuring D’Arcy Broderick formerly of the Irish Descendants as well as Glen Simmons from Wonderful Grand Band, Clyde Wisemas, Billy Sutton and Dave Fitzpatrick this five peice band delivers some of the most challenging celtic music to ever come from the region.

The debut recording Tear The House Down has been a fifteen month process that has culminated in an ample collection of original music as well as unique interpretations of some traditional tunes. – Tear The House Down has something for everyone and will surely introduce The Fables as the beginning of a new wave from Newfoundland.

Simani are undoubtedly one of the most household names in Newfoundland music. Their plaintive, outport folk music, anchored by acoustic guitar and accordion has filled the air at kitchen parties from Newfoundland to Alberta. Sim and Bud are arguably two of the most immediately recognizable voices in our musical culture and this album contains 19 of their wonderful tunes.

The brand new Shanneyganock is here! “Life In The Harbour” offers ten new original songs. Produced by Patrick Moran, engineered and mastered by Jason Whelan, if there was ever a Newfoundland band that epitomized the joy and energy of the Trad. music circuit it’s Shanneyganock.
Gonna be wrapped under a lot of trees this Christmas. Also available on LP.

Latest album from Newfoundland’s Alan Doyle, his third solo endeavor!

Lady Cove returns with a fantastic new choral album, accompanied by both percussion and cello. Features works by Stephan Hatfield, Sarah Quartel, James Rolfe, and many more!

When thinking about the career of the Masterless Men and how it now spans 20 years it isn’t hard to believe that they’ve remained together this long. When you watch them perform live you get the sense that if they never performed for a crowd again they would get together around the kitchen table for the enjoyment of the music and each other’s company. There is a real sense of camaraderie in this band. This kinship is a necessary ingredient to the success of a group. The other is musical ability, something the Masterless Men have a great deal of. They have become known for both their up tempo, rousing blend of traditional folk and bluegrass and their stirring, and beautifully moving ballads. John Curran, the band’s tenor singer has one of the most instantly recognizable voices of any Newfoundland performer and it is elevated by the fantastic musicianship of his band mates. 20 Years is a great snapshot of where the Masterless Men have come from and where they are presently, a crown jewel in an already impressive discography. Happy anniversary!

Fred’s Records is delighted to present Ofra Harnoy, famed Canadian cellist and her new CD “On The Rock”.

Featuring acclaimed Newfoundland artists Alan Doyle, Maureen Ennis (The Ennis Sisters), Kelly-Ann Evans, Fergus O’Byrne, Heather Bambrick and Bob Hallett, with special guests Amanda Cash and Kendel Carson. The album features classic NL folk songs. It is a wonderfully textured recording exuding warmth, emotion and sublimity.