VISSIA performs three songs from her album With Pleasure — “On My Mind,” “The Cliffs,” and “Never Gonna Be The Same” — recorded at Benalto Sound, Benalto, Alberta
Tag: Canadian music
Live Fix: John Borra
John Borra with Sam Ferrara and Mike Boguski perform John’s “Off My Feet” from his album Blue Wine, and “Sleep” by Art Bergmann. Recorded for Canadian Music Week 2021’s Virtual Showcase series.
Aaron Allen and the Small City Saints releasing Judgement Day on April 27
There’s a revolution underway in country music, and Aaron Allen is doing his part. On his latest album, Judgement Day — released April 27 on Shakey Wheel Records — the native of London, Ontario shows his solidarity with artists such as Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell in bringing country back to songs about real life and real people. Although Allen reveres country music’s legends, he isn’t by any stretch a traditionalist. With much of his body inked, he doesn’t immediately resemble most people’s image of a country singer. But from the moment he kicks his band into gear and launches into one of the new album’s signature tracks, “Rambling Man,” there’s no questioning his authenticity or conviction.
Judgement Day was recorded essentially live at London, Ontario studio The Sugar Shack with Allen’s Small City Saints – guitarist/producer Dan Brodbeck, drummer/co-producer Archie Gamble, fiddle player Tara Dunphy (from The Rizdales), bassist Simon Larrochette (formerly of Olenka and the Autumn Lovers), pedal steel guitarist Doug Johnson, mandolin player Blair Heddle (also from The Rizdales), and organist Michael Bonnell.
The spontaneous recording approach perfectly complements Allen’s plainspoken writing style, which digs deeper into country music’s familiar themes on songs like “Whiskey On My Mind,” “Cold Shoulder” and “Runaway.” Although in the past he’s often been compared to Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen and cult hero Chris Knight, Judgement Day finds Allen boldly staking out his own territory by drawing from his own experiences, particularly on the aforementioned “Rambling Man.”
“I wrote that song about my drummer Archie Gamble,” Allen says. “He’s been on the road for over 30 years, and I have a ton of respect for his commitment. Music is everything to him and he’s put all else aside to achieve his dream. I’ve spoken with him many times about how the scene has changed. He’s been through a lot of tough times, but for him it’s been a hell of a ride that he would never trade for anything in the world.”
With Judgement Day, Aaron Allen now begins a significant new stage of his own ride, one that’s poised to add his name to the conversation about Canada’s best new roots rock artists.
http://www.aaronallenmusic.com