Recordings
Wandering Steps
We're pleased to announce the release of Wandering Steps, our latest full-length recording. Thematically, Wandering Steps is a meandering tribute to some of the greatest bluegrass composers of the past, people like Red Allen, Boudleaux Bryant and Karl Davis & Harty Taylor, people who influenced the musical direction of the genre and inspired The Blue Sky Boys, the Everly Brothers, Bob Dylan and others.
The recording features two original songs, each one reflecting a distinct but divergent stylistic trend in early American folk music. "I Wasn't Born in Carolina" is an upbeat number about living, loving and losing north of the 49th parallel. "Wandering Steps (and Slow)" is a more reflective song about the archetypal journey from home to the grave.
Thanks so much to studio wizard Jason Jaknunas at Metropolitan Studios, for his talent, enthusiasm and friendship.
Want to listen to some samples... ? If you have the flash player installed click on the yellow "play-arrow" beside the song title. If you don't see the arrow don't worry, just click on the text link and it should open in a new window.
| 1 | I Wasn't Born in Carolina | |
| 2 | The House Where We were Wed | |
| 3 | Before The Sun Goes Down | |
| 4 | You're Not Easy to Forget | |
| 5 | Brand New Heart Ache | |
| 6 | Making Plans | |
| 7 | Some Old Day | |
| 8 | Don't Wake Me | |
| 9 | Wandering Steps and Slow | |
| 10 | All Prayed Up | |
| 11 | Wildwood Flower Blues | |
| 12 | The Children Are Crying |
The Walls Around You
The record offers twelve hard-driving, rhythm- based songs. Drawing from traditional writers (such as Red Allen), and modern artists (such Laurie Lewis), the project also includes 4 original recordings: Albert Johnson, On the Mountain Side, To Tell the Truth, and Write this Down.
Each song was carefully selected to tell a particular kind of story. For example, "Albert Johnson" tells the true story of the ultimate struggle to void being walled in. In 1932, a mysterious figure shot and wounded an RCMP officer in the Canadian arctic. He managed to evade capture by outrunning his pursuers for nearly one and a half months during the dead of winter in what became the most famous manhunt in Canadian history.
We're grateful to our sound engineer and co-producer, James Stephens, at Stove Studios in Chelsea, Québec, who did a fabulous job. Special thanks also to our mixing engineer, Dave Bignell, at Sound of One Hand in Ottawa, Ontario.
| 1 | Silver Tongue and Gold Plated Lies | |
| 2 | Albert Johnson | |
| 3 | Breaking in a Brand New Pair of Shoes | |
| 4 | Sweetest Gift | |
| 5 | She's No Angel | |
| 6 | Blackjack County Chains | |
| 7 | Write This Down | |
| 8 | Say, Darlin', Say | |
| 9 | To Tell the Truth | |
| 10 | On the Mountain Side | |
| 11 | Hills of My Home | |
| 12 | Wishing Well Blues |
North to Ontario 2010
Concession 23 has once again been invited to record a new, original song as part of the North to Ontario 2010 recording project. North to Ontario, which is the brain-child of Tom (Old Coot) McCreight, is as an annual recording project designed to promote Ontario bluegrass to the world. We're honoured to have been asked to participate again this year!
This Year our contribution is entitled "Walter and Alice".
"Walter and Alice" is inspired in part by Kevin's mother who passed away in 2005 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Although Mrs. Golka is the inspiration, the song is not biographical; instead, it tells the story of a terrifying disease that afflicts thousands of Canadians each year through the lives of the fictional characters of Walter and Alice.
North To Ontario 2008
Concession 23 recorded "Wandering Steps (and Slow)" for North to Ontario 2008, which became the title track for our latest CD.
North To Ontario 2006
Concession 23 recorded "On the Mountainside" for North to Ontario 2006, which won Recording of the Year at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards.