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.
Red is the Rose marked the debut for this incredibly talented trio of sisters. Known for their shimmering, flawless, three-part harmony, and traditional/folk-pop fusion, the Ennis girls would go on to win multiple East Coast Music awards and a Juno award for best country recording in 2002. Anchored by the reflective and image-laden writing of eldest sister, Maureen, the Ennis Sisters have carved out their permanent place in Newfoundland’s famed musical history and this was the album that started it all.
Tense, tough, tender and melodic. Behold the debut from Mark Bragg, an astute songwriter with a distinctive vocal style. The episodes of intriguing characters are delivered with a visceral and heady beat and a knowing sense of compassion. The Wreckless Kind was one of our three best local releases of 2001 and still remains as a tidemark for supurb songwriting.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Newfoundland folk music doesn’t get more pure, more authentic than Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne. Sea shanties, ditties and traditional songs all with a sing-along feel and a host of traditional instruments are trademark for this dynamic pair. You will get a true sense of people, place and time from this cornerstone recording. It also includes Jim’s original composition, Wave over Wave which has become one of the most recognizable and well-loved songs in the history of the island.
Joanna is one of the newest and most promising young voices in the province. In roughly one year, she has performed live extensively, written an album worth of songs and released her debut album to both critical and popular acclaim. She is a thoughtful lyricist who tackles a number of themes throughout the album. She speaks eloquently of love, loss and her feelings on a dark and real side of our nation’s history. She does so with confidence and great poise. She is a confident lyricist whose voice is smoky and warm. It is airy and light, flowing and seemingly effortless. Fans of Natalie Merchant and Nick Drake will absolutely love this acoustic, folk record. The sound is rounded out nicely by Iliya Nicoll on violin, Jake Nicoll on drums, Ben Rigby on banjo, Dave Bridger on upright bass and Joanna on acoustic guitar. It is a wistful album perfect for early mornings or late nights. A formidable debut to be sure.
A couple of years back, three of Newfoundland’s most gifted musicians were set to go on tour together and decided to record an album to help fund their travels. It was originally set to be a limited run of one-hundred or so albums. Once they were sold that would be it. What they failed to anticipate was that the album would catch on and demand for it would continue well after the tour had ended. They needed to record the album quickly before the tour so they set out for Gander, set up a microphone in a shed (SHED No Tears) and recorded the album live, together in full takes (no editing) using only one microphone. This type of recording requires serious skill as musicians and a keen awareness of what each musician is playing at all times. The beauty of this album is the togetherness and incredible execution of the music by three artists who are so strong as soloists that it is hard to imagine them not stepping on each others toes throughout the tunes. They do not. Not even for a second. They are so sympathetic to each others’ playing that the result is a cohesive, fluid and authentic representation of incredible traditional music. Daniel takes on fiddle duties, flute and accordion, Aaron plays accordion and mandolin and Matthew splits his time between vocals, octave mandolin and guitar. The album is a varied mix of fast-paced dance-up tunes interspersed with some ballads that would eventually make it onto Matthew’s solo debut, Ballads (I.e.: The Banks of Newfoundland). “Shed No Tears” also features original compositions by Daniel (Selma Barkhams’s Waltz and Stephanie’s Birthday) and Aaron (Aaron’s Reel). The record is a shining example of the vitality and joy inherent in keeping this traditional genre alive. These three men are ambassadors for the music of Newfoundland. We couldn’t ask for finer representation. This is an incredible, genuine and honest album that will live on well beyond those original one hundred records.
