I’m Not Up For Sale

Johnny Oliver

Summerside singer-songwriter Johnny Oliver has released his second album, I’m Not Up For Sale. His debut album, The Reason‚ came out in May 2008. It won Johnny nominations for Male Vocalist and Country Recording of the Year at the 2009 Music PEI Awards.

Johnny went back into the studio to produce his second album, I’m Not Up For Sale‚ at Guernsey Cove Parlour Productions with Gordon Belsher. His goal with this CD, he says, was to show a greater diversity in his choice of songs, while staying true to his country roots and his desire to produce original material.

I’m not Up For Sale was released in June 2009. The title track, “I’m not Up For Sale‚“ is a ballad about holding onto one’s pride despite the many trials and tribulations that one has to face. Johnny has either written or co-written all of the songs on this album. His wife and two daughters have played major roles in the creation of this new album. His wife Joan co-wrote four songs, while his daughters help with studio production. Johnny has a three-piece band with his two daughters, Dallas (bass) and Dakota (keyboard, sax). They call themselves The Johnny D’s.

Once Upon a Dream

Angie Arsenault

Acadian Islander Angie Arsenault has released her first full-length CD Once Upon a Dream. The Montreal-based singer-pianist-songwriter is proving herself adept at getting her message out to the masses. Over 500 fans from around the globe put their money where their ears are on Sellaband.com, and raised enough cash to completely finance Angie’s full-length album debut. (Sellaband.com is an Amsterdam-based music label that uses crowd-sourcing to raise money for musicians—typically $50,000, at no cost to the artist—which is then used to produce and record an album.) Angie is the first Canadian artist to have an album funded solely by Sellaband.com.

The album—recorded in full band mode with piano, bass, drums and cello with additional strings and guitars—explores internalized dream space as it relates to externalized expression. It was produced by Montreal’s Daniel Cinelli. In support of the just-released Once Upon a Dream, Angie is releasing the first album single, “Turn Around,” as well as launching a series of web video shorts that chronicle the making of Once Upon a Dream. Visit www.angiemusic.com for complete details, as well as for Twitter and Facebook information.

This Moment with You

Emma Gallant

Emma Gallant from Morell is releasing her first CD, This Moment With You, this summer. The CD features Emma Gallant singing seven original songs backed by Todd MacLean on guitars and keyboards.

“I tend to write the lyrics first,” she said, “and then the music comes more easily. Sometimes the subject matter is drawn from my own life or that of acquaintances, but often it’s just in my mind.”

This Moment With You was recorded by Gordon Belsher at Guernsey Cove Parlour Productions. “Emma’s writing positive upbeat pop songs about life and love, as well as beautiful ballads, all very well crafted and catchy,” says Gordon, “and she has a great voice!”

A Change of Reasons

Richard Wood

Island fiddler Richard Wood has released his 6th CD A Change of Reasons. The album is a collection of fiddle tunes performed with by Richard Wood backed by Cape Breton multi-instrumental J.P. Cormier. On the recording is new jig-reel “Use Your Imagination” which was composed by Richard to honour the 100th anniversary of the publication of L.M. Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables. The CD’s finale is a live track that captures the powerhouse trio of Richard Wood on fiddle, Gordon Belsher on guitar, and Brad Fremlin on piano.

Included with this release is a bonus disc—a compilation of selections from Richard Wood’s five previous CD’s. It plays like a concert of the decade of his career 1994 to 2004. Moving from traditional Celtic medleys to experimentation with rock and techno arrangements, Richard takes fiddling in his own unique direction. There are over two hours of fiddle jigs, reels, strathspeys, hornpipes, clogs, and slow airs in this double CD set.

“You will be pleasantly surprised with A Change of Reasons,” says Richard. “The double CD set has the most requested cuts from my past albums (lots of musical colour and instrumentation), and a selection of new tunes full of raw emotion and passion that take us back to traditional kitchen music with a small combo.”

Atlantic Voices

A Collection of Women Singer-Songwriters

Warner Music has recently released Atlantic Voices—A Collection Of Women Singer-Songwriters on the Warner Music Canada/Rhino label. A new generation of East Coast women have musically stepped forward. Each artist on this collection brings her own twist to the singer-songwriter genre. Included on the recording is a Juno winner, and several of the artists have won ECMA, Music NS, Music PEI and Music NL awards.

Far Away

Jeff Morris

Produced on PEI by John Boswell and mixed and mastered by David Rashed. Musicians performing on the recording are Carl Cormier (drums), Moe Hashi (drums), John Boswell (bass, keys, BGs), Darren Ings (keys), David Rashed (keys), Jeff Morris (all guitars, lead vocals, keys). Jeff wrote all songs except track 6 which was co-written with John Boswell. The lyrics were written by Jeff, as well as some co-writes with Jamie MacSwain and Lawrence Patzer.

Jeff Morris writes and sings his original pop-rock compositions which he describes as “radio friendly groove-based acoustic pop, and crunchy power pop.” His first two recordings, Sitting on the Moon (EP 2000) and afterglow (2002), were well received. Far Away, his second recording project, has already attracted attention. The latest single, “Photograph,” is currently in the top ten of www.eastcoastcountdown.com and in regular rotation on radio in Atlantic Canada including Magic 93FM in Charlottetown. Jeff has made an appearance on BTV to promote the new album. You can catch him on CBC Radio 1’s Atlantic Airwaves on May 2 at 5 pm.

Jeff now resides in Charlottetown and teaches at National Music. He is a graduate of Grant MacEwen College Edmonton in Jazz Studies (guitar performance). Far Away is available on PEI at CD Plus, Back Alley Music, Best of PEI Market, and National Music in Charlottetown. It’s also at www.skynetmusic.com and soon on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby etc.

www.jeffmorris.net, www.myspace.com/jeffmorrissongs

To Serve the Song

Rhythm Rules

With the release of their debut recording, To Serve The Song, Rhythm Rules has cooked up a menu with a variety of flavours, from reggae to rock, and a mix of other hors d’ouevres in between.

This 12-course meal is a collection of songs written by Jon Rehder and Reg Ballagh, “lovingly and sometimes angrily,” served up with just the right amount of herb and spice. “It’s food for thought,” says Jon, “from the service in the Temple of Song.”

The band features Chris Gauthier (guitar, lap steel), Remi Arsenault (bass), Reg Ballagh (drums, percussion), Jon Rehder (guitar, piano, vocals), Patricia Richard (vocals). Additional creative colours are by Johnny “Porko” Theodore (organ), Herb Poole (baritone horn), Barrie Sorensen (sax section), Rick Tersteeg (cello). Special assistance and “musicality” was given by Nick Gauthier. This project was recorded at Reggie’s Recording Palace and engineered and mixed by James Carrier, “the Cowboy Scientist.” It was produced by James Carrier and Rhythm Rules. Graphic design is by Sarah Tamula with front cover dinner drum photo and assistance by Allieanna Ballagh.

The CD is available at Back Alley Music and many Island Stores and online at RhythmRules.ca

That Female Look

The Barnkats

The Barnkats are best friends since Grade 3, bandmates since the summer of Grade 9, and bros before barnyard hoes. They have recently released their first EP titled That Female Look.

The Barnkats are really just Katie Rankin (vocals and keyboard) and Gillian Arsenault (vocals and guitar); they are supported on the album by Mira Dahn, violin and Andrew Woods, drums. The CD was produced by Perry Williams at Virtual Studios in Bonshaw throughout the summer and fall of 2008. Williams also lends bass and guitar tracks to the album. Combining folk, pop, country, and electro, the EP contains six original songs that tackle everything from haters to local-celebrity crushes to dancing with your bff. That Female Look can be purchased at Back Alley Music or at a Barnkat show.

www.myspace.com/thebarnkats

Bluegrass Bouquet - Volume III

The Daughters of Bluegrass

Congratulations to Janet McGarry on achieving another major accolade in her musical career. Janet is now part of an elite group of leading women in bluegrass music, in fact she is the first International artist to become a “Daughter of Bluegrass.”

The “Daughters of Bluegrass” project is a series of award winning CD recordings which showcases leading female vocalists and industry musicians. Lorraine Jordan, herself a leading bluegrass recording artist from North Carolina, was instrumental in putting the project together. Janet first met Lorraine in 2006 while sharing the stage at a festival in Nova Scotia, which is where Lorraine invited Janet to participate as a leading artist in the next project. Janet is the first Canadian artist to join this elite group consisting of some 52 women in bluegrass, and she now appears on Volume III, released this past September.

For this CD, Janet re-recorded “Scenes from an Old Country Graveyard,” a song she has previously released on her My Dixie Darlin album back in 2006. The song was penned by Tom T. and Dixie Hall shortly after the funeral of Jeanette Carter and in a fitting tribute, Janet’s re-recording has an old time feel accompanied with only guitar and autoharp, reminiscent of the original Carter family music. The project was recorded at Blue Circle Records Studio in Nashville, TN, also owned by the Halls, which is where Janet traveled to record the song this past March.

Janet’s friendship with Tom T and Dixie began while she was working on her gospel recording when she first contacted them for original material to include on her project. A friendship developed from this initial contact and they have been very supportive of Janet’s music ever since.

Janet showcased with the Daughters at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass last October, and this February she will be returning to Nashville to participate in a special stage performance of the “Daughters of Bluegrass” during the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) music weekend. And this summer, Janet will team up once again with Lorraine Jordan at that same festival where they first met—at Fox Mountain in Aylesford, NS—bringing it all full circle.

a kick in the blood

Battery Point

Battery Point has come a long way since forming just over a year ago. Their new album, A Kick in the Blood has been nominated for an East Coast Music Award in Best Rock Recording category, and recently won Rock Recording of the Year at the 2009 Music PEI awards. The band is comprised of Dennis Ellsworth and Bruce White, who share the guitar and vocal duties, and Brady and Craig MacDonald, as the rhythm section. The writing is a collective effort.

It’s straight up rock and roll, but with a twist—Battery Point has two capable vocalists. The album is upbeat. The band says, “It’s fast and fun and rocks start to finish.” “Whole Lotta Nothin,” the album opener, sets the precedent for what follows. “Losing Sleep Oversleep” is a crowd favorite live. “A Chapter of Accidents” has a chorus that highlights Battery Point’s vocal harmonies. “Damage City” is a rhythmic stomp with dynamic drums and a melodic chorus.

A Kick in the Blood was recorded at Shell Lane Studios in Malpeque, by Paul Milner during the summer of 2008. Before the recording session began, the band had written over thirty songs. From those songs they narrowed it down to ten songs that they feel fit well together. They worked on the songs for months tearing them apart and putting them back together in many different shapes and forms before final decisions were made. The album was completed in August and released by Sandbar Music on September 30, 2008.