CeltArctic News
a look at some of the latest albums released by other Northerners
The following musicians are only a sampling of the artists in the North who have made albums. For listings of other Northern artists, check out the GNWT Artists Database.
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Priscilla's
Revenge: "Built for Speed" ((recorded at
Spiritwalker
Productions, 2007, produced by Norm Glowach)
[GENRE: mix of Rock/Jazz/Country]
Norm Glowach, Greg Nasagaluak and Blair Brezinski make up this new hot and rockin' band in Yellowknife. All very talented musicians, their separate personal creative natures merge together, allowing them to create songs and ballads with an interesting sound and unique lyrics. In performance, their electric energy is infectious. This album was long in the making, mostly because these artists verge on perfectionism when it comes to their material. To find out more about them and how to order their CD, visit their new website: http://www.priscillasrevenge.com or email them at : WEBMASTER@PRISCILLASREVENGE.COM
Chic Callas: "My Violin & I" (recorded at Spiritwalker Productions, 2005) [GENRE: Folk/Healing]
Chic Callas, a former member of the Gumboots in Yellowknife, put out this very personal and powerful solo recording in part as a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association (NWT Division). Using the healing power of music to explore deep and sometimes dark emotional themes, Chic has demonstrated that it is possible for something positive to rise out of the ashes of depression.
Chic received support from the NWT Arts Council to make this recording possible. He has gathered together some of Yellowknife's talented musical community to lend their skills in the making of this CD.
For more information on the album, contact Chic by emailing chiccallas@hotmail.com
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Ardith Dean: "Northern Lights: moving into love" (recorded at Spiritwalker Productions, 1999)
[GENRE: healing/contemporary keyboard]
Ardith Dean is well known in Yellowknife. She has a music store, "Ardith Dean's Music", and provides piano lessons to many aspiring young pianists. Upon receiving an NWT Arts Council grant, Ardith recorded this CD of her own musical compositions. The album is entirely instrumental. The music has a spiritual quality, reflecting Ardith's connection to the magical healing power of music.
For a copy of the CD, write to Ardith Dean, 5110-53rd Street, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 1V6
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Lyndon Duong:
"Classical Guitar Serenade" (2005) [GENRE:
Classical guitar]
Lyndon is a
sensation in Yellowknife! Our very own child prodigy! He began
teaching himself to play the guitar at the age of 7. By age 13 he
has performed at countless local events, including the Folk on the Rocks
Music Festival and a spot on CBC's national radio programme, Disc Drive.
His fingers dance effortlessly on the fret.jpg)
board of his classical Yamaha
guitar. He plays a wide variety of classical pieces, as well as
compositions from his family's native country of Vietnam. In
October 2005, Lyndon released his first solo album featuring 12 of his
favourite pieces - including an awesome rendition of the Bolero.
For information on how to order the CD, email
duongbacai@theedge.ca
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The Gumboots:
The Gumboots are, if any musical group can be, icons of Canada's
North. In 2004, the group celebrated its 20th anniversary - and
it's still going strong! The members have changed over the years,
but the
music,
forever enduring, still rings true to the groups' original Northern
spirit. They have released three albums over the years, and (rumour
has it) they are in the studio again.
For a complete 1 page bio of the group, click here. Contact the Gumboots by emailing Ray Bethke.
"Spirit
of the North" (1992) [GENRE: Folk]
Tracks include their infamous "Long Johns", and the heartrending ballad, "Martha" (also recorded by Moira Cameron)
"Northern Tracks" (1994) [GENRE: Folk]
Including humorous numbers like "Clean up the Mess", laments like "Nancy McKenzie's Lament", and classic Gumbootian ballads like "Williy and the Bandits" and more...
"Search for a Passage" (recorded at Spiritwalker Productions, 2000) [GENRE: Folk]
Focusing more on a theme of Northern explorers, this CD captures the romance and the adventure of the North, past and present.
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Tom Hudson: "Dance Among The Stars" (recorded at Spiritwalker Productions, 1997) [GENRE: Country/Folk]
Tom Hudson's voice is smooth and soothing. Living in Fort Smith, NWT, Tom collaborated with Norm Glowach (Spiritwalker Productions) to write, compose and arrange all the material on this mellow CD. They also received some assistance from the NWT Arts Council.
The title track, "Dance Among the Stars" became a big radio hit locally, and still received quite a lot of airplay.
For more info about the artist or album, contact Norm at Spiritwalker Productions
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Ron Kent:
"The Last Campfire" (recorded at
Spiritwalker
Productions, 1999)
[GENRE: Folk]
Ron, currently a member of Northern Skies, received funding from the NWT Arts Council to produce this uniquely northern album. Ron has a fascination with the real life stories of the people of the North. The songs that he writes about them reflect a typically Northern attitude about life in the Territories: sometimes funny, but always homey.
Ron invited many of his fellow Yellowknife musicians to participate in this project. To order, contact Ron via the Northern Skies order form above.
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Northern Skies: "Northern Skies" (recorded at Dancing Skies Studios, 2005) [GENRE: Celtic Jazz]
Northern Skies was formed in 1998, originally as a songwriting duet consisting of Suzette Montreuil and Ron Kent. The group has since grown and multiplied, including other talented Yellowknife musicians Sean Best, Jo Russell and Patrick Duxbury. This is the group's first album. All the material is written and arranged by Ron and Suzette. In their own words, they call their musical style a "unique fusion of Celtic and jazz influences". The songs reflect the spirit of the North, its beauty, complex simplicity, politics, and magic.
To order a copy, print off this PDF form (instructions included): N.S. Order Form
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Steve
Smith:
"Beaches to Barrens" (Recorded at
Spiritwalker
Productions, 2006)
[GENRE: Folk/Rock]
This album spans from Steve's Nova Scotia roots to his present life in
Canada's North. All the songs are written by Steve and vary from
good old fashioned folk to energetic rock. The stories he tells
with his songs are wide ranging, examining the historical experiences of
others, and touc
hing his personal life here and there. Steve has been
performing at venues in Yellowknife since he moved here over a decade
ago. In that time, he has become fully involved in the music scene
here, both as a musician and as a promoter and supporter of other
artists.
To find out more about Steve, or his group Hindsite, click here.
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Modified August 19, 2008