North Country Fair - Day 4 of 4

North Country Fair brings this four part on-line fantasy festival to a close as we continue to feature some of our favourite artists in an all-Canadian line-up, and well, we are north of the 49th and we love living in this Country. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

You are listening to Acoustic Avenue, and today we are broadcasting from the future stage in our fourth episode and the final day of North Country Fair. This is Ted Crouch, your host and festival MC with co-producer Joe Little in Calgary, Alberta. On Acoustic Avenue, we recognize with respect and gratitude that these lands where we live, work, and make our music remain home to a number of indigenous nations and people. We acknowledge this land out of respect for the indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. North Country Fair is our online fantasy fair for community radio featuring some of our favorite artists presented in an all-Canadian festival lineup. In this final episode, we continue the conversation about the contributions and benefits festivals bring to Canadian communities. We also acknowledge the way festivals are addressing opportunities and challenges they face to ensure their financial and artistic sustainability during the next decade. In this first set, you will hear Gordon Lightfoot in tribute to his recent passing. We recognize the significant body of work he created during his life while leaving a remarkable legacy for the world to enjoy for many years to come. Judy Collins recorded his song Early Morning Rain before Lightfoot released it. Bob Dylan included his version of this song on the 1970 album Self-Portrait. Lightfoot said, I was totally blown away that he would record one of my songs in the first place. I'd not had a hit single myself at that point. His cover was a linchpin in that whole process because it made people in the industry aware that I was producing good songs. You will also hear Ian and Sylvia with an Ian Tyson penned tune called Some Kind of Fool. This was from the debut self-entitled album Ian and Sylvia, consisting mainly of traditional and spiritual songs and a few blues songs thrown into the mix. This song tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a man who cannot be committed to her. Overall, some kind of fool is a poignant and emotional portrayal of love and heartbreak, a reminder that true love requires honesty, commitment, and mutual respect to survive. Joining me to begin today's show are members of the Vernon Youth Choir, directed by Elizabeth Scott, and a very special guest, Richard Owings on mandolin, along with Jen Dick on the piano, Jerry Schellenberg on bass, and Larry Keats on percussion, will play Angel in Disguise. This is a song for the youth at risk, who at times may appear as something different, but beneath that pretentiousness, they all may be angels in disguise. From the future stage at North Country Fair, here is Angel in Disguise, Early Morning Rain, and some kind of fool.

SPEAKER_06 3:41

Such a strange little boy Playing with his toys on the Skyway in the middle of the highway, says, I'm doing it my way. Nobody heard his cries On the morn when he took his life, dashed last breath with the fisherman's knife, cut the wings from a delicate cord, angel in disguise. Angel Angel Look into my eyes Darkness blocked his path to the west. Down so deep was the pain in his breast. He moved on through in a wilderness. Blindness loved on emptiness. Look into my eyes. Howling wind, wolves at the door, beckoning, could he give once more? Meaty and weak, lazy and lost, drained to the bone, could not pay that cost. Look into my eyes. Try to recall the strength of young ways. Eyes wander on to the heaven above. This is how it is when you run out of the blow. Yellow to him, tell me to him don't tell that how he comes, say it loud with spot in the club, shake em and take them, pick em up, trip em up, look in times in this card in this candidate, in this card, in this card.

SPEAKER_12 8:44

With a naked in my heart, in my pockets full of stead. And I'm stuck here in the bread with a pain that ever rose. So I must be on my way in the early morning.

SPEAKER_14 11:45

I've sung every song about being low. The tourists they all give enough for the night. I will tell in the cold in my left and my right, and I must kind of fool to leave alone. The wind grows stronger on top of the fruit. And on the top, like a pension is cool. All my friends are on the book. I'm on the field.

SPEAKER_00 14:18

Folk festivals contribute to community building and social cohesion. By bringing people together in a shared space, these festivals foster a sense of belonging and create opportunities for interaction and connection among individuals from different backgrounds. They provide a platform for artists, vendors, and audience to engage with one another, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie. In this second set, we're bringing Canada's songbird, Anne Murray, out of retirement to grace the future stage. During her brilliant career, she performed at several Canadian folk festivals, including Winnipeg, Mariposa, the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, and the Lunenburg Folk Harbor Festival. She will sing a love song, written by Kenny Loggins and garnered three Grammy Awards for her rendition. Anne Murray will be followed by an artist who had a Canadian festival, the Stan Fest, named in his honor. Stan Rogers performed on the first day of our festival here, and we're thrilled to have him back to sing one of his best known songs, and one that is considered a classic in Canadian music history Northwest passage. And ending this at his David Wiffin, who played on day two of North Country Fair. In that episode, I mentioned sharing a bit more of our story on today's show. Well, during a session in Michigan, as Wiffin and I were swapping stories and songs, he spoke of his friendship with Jerry Jeff Walker and how he wished he had learned Mr. Bojangles. I offered him the sheet music that was in my guitar case, and he gave me two of his songs in exchange. More often than not, and driving wheel. From his self-titled debut studio album, Mr. Whiffen will play a buddy Johnson song from 1947 called Since I Fell for You. This is Anne Murray, Stan Rogers, and David Whiffen.

SPEAKER_08 16:19

There's a wren in a willow wood. Flies so high and sing so good and it brings to you. What he sings to you, like my brother the wren and I. Well, he told me if I try I could fly for you, and I wanna try for you because I wanna sing you a love song. I wanna rock you in my arms alone. I wanna get to know you, I wanna show you the peaceful feeling of my home, summer thunder on moon bright days, northern lights and skies ablaze, and I bring to you lover when I sing to you, silver wings in a fiery sky, show the trail of my love, and I wanna sing to you. Love is what I bring to you, and I wanna sing to you. Wanna sing you a love song? I wanna wrap you in my arms on that I wanna get to know you. I wanna show you the peaceful feeling of my home. I wanna sing you love some. I wanna rub you in my arms. Oh my god. I wanna get to know you. I wanna show you the peaceful feeling of my home. I wanna show you the peaceful feeling of my home.

SPEAKER_01 19:06

Ah for just one time, I would take the northwest passage to find the hand of Franklin reaching for the both sea, tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage, and make a northwest passage to the sea Westward from that divestrait is there 'twas said to line the sea route to the Orient for which so many died, seeking gold and glory, leaving weathered broken bones and a long forgotten lonely cairn of stones Ah for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage to find the hand of Franklin reaching for the both for sea, tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage and make a northwest passage to the sea three centuries thereafter I take passage over land in the footsteps of brave Kelsong where a sea of flowers began watching cities rise before me then behind me sink again this tardiest explorer driving hard across the plain Ah for just one time I would take a northwest passage to find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea Tracing one line through a land so wide and savage and make a northwest passage to the sea and through the night behind the wheel the mileage clicking west I think upon Mackenzie, David Thompson and the rest who cracked the mountain ran. Some parts and it show a path for me to race the roaring Fraser to the sea for just one time I would take a northwest passage to find the hand of Franklin reaching for the both for sea tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage and make a northwest passage to the sea. How then am I so different from the first men through this way? Like them I left a settled life, I threw it all away to seek a northwest passage at the call of many men to find there but the road back home again Ah for just one time I would take the Northwest passage to find the hand of Franklin reaching for the beaufort sea tracing one warm line through a land so wide and savage and make a northwest passage to the sea.

SPEAKER_02 23:53

If you just give love and never get love, you better let love. I know it's so yet I know that I can get you out of my will. You made me leave my happiness.

SPEAKER_15 24:40

You took my love, now you know since I feel you bring such misery and some beauty since I feel you will it's too bad and it's too sand you will you love me then you love me darling.

SPEAKER_02 26:09

What can I do?

SPEAKER_15 26:14

You know that I'm still in love with you will yes, I'll never see the light.

SPEAKER_02 26:34

I get the blue most every night since I fail for you since I faut.

SPEAKER_00 27:25

Canadian folk music festivals have shown remarkable resilience during challenging times through leveraging technology, exploring alternative venues, diversifying revenue streams, implementing risk management plans, and fostering artist connections. These festivals have adapted operations to ensure their sustainability with a commitment to celebrating Canadian culture and engaging their communities, their poise to continue thriving and bringing joy to audiences for years to come. In this next set, we have three artists making their way to the future stage, where each have made significant contributions to the Canadian music industry through their unique styles and innovative approaches and unforgettable songs. Terry Jacks, known for his hit song Seasons in the Sun, remains one of the best selling singles in Canadian history. He was also a member of the group The Poppy Family, who had several hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s. From his debut album, He will sing If You Go Away. Throughout his career, Leonard Cohen released numerous albums blending folk, pop, and rock genres, and with his poetic lyricism. Exceptionally skilled at crafting a lyric, he created deeply emotional and introspective songs resonating with audiences around the world. Also known for his work as a poet and novelist, we are pleased to welcome to the future stage the Canadian cultural icon Leonard Cohen with I'm Your Man. In closing this set is Sherry Ulrich, who's blessed with a beautiful voice and skillful musicianship and possesses an innovative ability at blending genres. As a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Sherry rose to prominence in the 1970s as a member of the folk trail tied pumpkin with Rick Scott and Joe Ma. Her song These Lines is from her most recent album, Back to Shore, released in 2019. Here is Terry Jackson, Leonard Cohen, and Sherry Ulrich.

SPEAKER_03 29:48

If you go away on this summer day, then you might as well take the sun away. All the boots and flu in the summer sky.

SPEAKER_11 32:45

And if you want another kind of love, I'll wear a mask for you. If you want a partner, take my hand or if you wanna strap me down in anger. Here I stand. I'm your man. If you wanna box up, I will step into the ring for you. And if you wanna dock up, I'll examine every inch of you. If you wanna drive climbing time, or if you wanna take me for a ride, you know you can. The chains too tight, the beast won't go to sleep. I've been running through these promises to you that I made and I could not keep. I put a man with a gold back, not by begging on his knees. Or I'd crawl to you, baby, and I fall at your feet on eye. Howl at your beauty let the dog in either cloth your heart and I tear it your sheet at the plea. And if you wanna work the street alone, I'll just appeal for you. If you wanna fall for your child, or only wanna walk with me a while across the sand. I'm your man. If you wanna love, I'll do anything that you ask me to do. And if you wanna know I look in the mirror, wonder who's looking back.

SPEAKER_10 36:50

She looks familiar, but I'm not as old as that face that is peering, questioning how this could be. Once was a time for that I was invincible. Soon by and by I know I'll be invisible, but right now I'm smiling. Right here's where I wanna be. Still inside and freeze, with each face is a big chase. Are from kissing and whistling, blowing out candles, and all of that wishing, worry that those I hold dear are gonna be okay. Yes, there's a few from my losses and old regrets. Times I was hurtful and thoughtless with what I said, but most you notice are from life making me smile. All I used to be is still inside the face.

SPEAKER_00 40:54

Overall, Canadian folk festivals offer a stage for artistic expression, celebration, and education, ultimately enriching the lives of the public at large. As the decade evolves, let's hope that our much loved and cherished music festivals will continue to remain agile, innovative, and responsive to changing trends and evolving audience preferences, so we can all arrive safely at the next stage of this remarkable Canadian journey. For the finale of this version of North Country Fair, we welcome two more of Canada's iconic folk singers to take us home. Stan Rogers and Laura Smith are both Canadian singer-songwriters who have contributed immensely to the country's music industry. Rogers and Smith were known for their commanding live performances and captivating audiences with their powerful vocals and stage presence. Their lyrics spoke to the lives of ordinary Canadians and celebrated the country's diverse landscape and traditions. Laura Smith, on the other hand, came into prominence in the 1990s with her album Between the Earth and My Soul, which garnered popular and critical acclaim. She was known for her soulful voice and her ability to craft poetic or contemplative songs. While Stan Rogers and Laura Smith had different musical styles, both shared a commitment to telling stories about Canada and Canadians through their music. They left indelible marks on the Canadian music scene and continue to inspire generations of musicians. This is Laura Smith with my Bonnie and Stan Rogers with Song of the Candle.

SPEAKER_09 43:46

Bring back my bunny to me. Already there's such a chill in the air. Someone's got a kite on the wind, leading coming. Well, I've got a tramp's whisker that tells me you still care. So breathing back. Bring back. I bring back my body to me. Yeah, bring back Bring back I bring back my body to me. Soon there'll be no difference between the land and the water. I can walk on the ice to places I've never been. When I get as far as I can go, oh, I'm gonna turn and throw my cares over my shoulder. Along with your memory, I'll just let it all flow down the Gulf Stream and I'll walk home singing my body lights over the ocean my body lights over the sea My Bonnie legs over the ocean. Come bring back, bring back my body to me. Yeah, bring back I bring back my body to me. Yeah, bring back back I bring back my body to me. Bring back my body. Bring back my bunny to me.

SPEAKER_01 47:56

I couldn't seem to write. It's like I got religion, and then I lost the light. An old woman once told me she'd always felt that way. She said, taken from the mold, while it still can run, a candle might not keep you from the cold, but buy another candle, son, it's not too much to pay for one more try. I had to smile before I walked away. Coffee houses bother me. I cannot tell you why, but it never seems so low, sounds as sweet as goodbye, and the waitresses in passing will remember all your name. They say look around and try to meet a single eye, and empty cups will mock me if I stay, but by another coffee stand now, it's not too much to pay, and we will try to raise your smile before you walk away tonight in our room full of candles. Another cup of ashes drains away, and at times it gets so hard to handle. Knowing one more simple song has swiftly taken wing, and I'm left alone to hear the song, a lonely candle sing the priest I found was nervous. He cleared his throat a lot, but framed in stained glass windows, his eyes were lost in thought. And I said, Father, can you tell me is some happiness my right? He said, Rather seek your joy, the blessings of your God, and happiness from worship in his sight, and buy another candle, son, before you start to pray, and don't forget to cross your breast before you walk away tonight in a room full of candles, another cup of madness strains away, and at times it gets so hard to end. Knowing one more simple song has swiftly taken wing, and I'm left alone to hear the song alone, the candle single. One too many cigarettes slowly burning down. The final cup of coffee was cold and full of grounds, and maybe one last pipe might send the words around. Still underneath my hands. This night has slipped away. It leaves me as empty as this page. And I just can't watch the dying flame. I have to walk away. So tonight I have burned all my candles, leaving only ashes in their way. The simple songs leave me behind.

SPEAKER_00 55:02

Be sure to join us next week as we begin a high-energy, hard-drive and rockin' and rollin' six-episode series to get you through the rest of the summer season called Pump Up the Wattage at the Cottage. This is Ted Crouch signing off, and on behalf of Joe Little, from our hearts to yours, stay safe and love the ones you're with. Peace. Cook's jam.