MP3 This Old World - FOLK: Urban Folk

We sing songs that tell stories--- often Canadian, some topical, some historical, some with humour, some anthemic, some a cappella others accompanied by guitars, mandolins, dobro---all substantive.

15 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Urban Folk, FOLK: Political Folk

Details:
THIS OLD WORLD is Fraser Union's latest CD. It takes its title from a recent song written by Barry, but it is paired with a song that dates from the 17th century. It is an old world, and "The World Turned Upside Down" reminds us that our concerns today are not all that new.

As with our previous albums, this one reflects our penchant for content. Many of the songs treat the subject of what most people do most of their waking lives: work. In addition, as with our previous recordings, the album has a decidedly Canadian bent - especially West Coast.

You may recognize some of the songs from much earlier recordings (now out of production). We re-recorded those that have been most requested, but even on some of the earlier songs as well as newer ones we've added new elements: Henk's dobro, Barry's banjo, and guest drummer, Duncan Truter.

Like this old world, we've been around for quite a while doing what we do. But we hope you find some surprises here. For instance, a Bruce Cockburn song that has never been recorded.

Song titles: This Old World, The World Turned Upside Down, Everything Possible, Everybody's Cryin' Mercy, When The Tide Goes Out, Canning Salmon, Westcoast Lullaby, Drill Ye Tarriers, The Truck Driver's Song, This Land is Whose Land?, Goin' Down The Road, The Ballad of Robert Harkness, Hard Rock Miner, Bank Trollers, All Used Up, Where I Stand

Fraser Union first formed in 1983. The current members have been together since 1987, performing and recording songs that have a great deal of meaning to them and their audiences. Dan Kenning, one of their members, says they tend more towards "songs of content than songs of contentment," but a quick look at the range of music on their recordings, THIS OLD WORLD, FROM THERE TO HERE, HELLO, STRANGER, and SPLIT/SHIFT indicates that Fraser Union are not quickly pigeon-holed.

Many of their songs come from the workplace: "Coal Town Road", "Chemical Worker's Song", "Woman of Labrador", "Empty Nets" (woes of fishing), "Ships of the Deep" (merchant shipping), "Everything Possible" (child-rearing), "Their Way" (post-secondary teaching), and "The Ghost Program" (computer programming).

Many others tell stories of BC: "Bank Trollers" (about West Coast fishing), "Snap the Line Tight" (log salvaging), "The Ballad of Robert Harkness (about the Cariboo gold rush), "Canning Salmon", "Truck Driver's Song", "Hard Rock Miner", "Salmon Circle", "Drill Ye Tarriers", "Kettle Valley Line", "When the Tide Goes Out", "The Grand Hotel".

But some tell stories from other times and places: "The Last Battle," about the Métis uprising and the last stand of Louis Riel, "The Goodnight-Loving Trail," about the most valuable member on the cattle drive--the cook, "Augustus and Catherine," about the Overlanders and moving West, and "Lady Franklinâs Lament," about the ill-fated Franklin expedition.

Fraser Union also sings contemporary songs with a bite ("Canaries in the Mine" is about environmental hazards in an aircraft factory; "One Big Highway" is about globalization). Whether on recording or in concert, Fraser Unionâs repertoire contains no throw-aways.

Fraser Union have been heard many times on CBC radio: nationally with Max Ferguson and Bill Richardson; locally with Paul Grant, Mark Forsythe, David Grierson, Kathryn Gretsinger, Sheryl MacKay and others.

Fraser Union is Dan Kenning, Henk Piket, Roger Holdstock, and Barry Truter. Their four strong voices present some songs a cappella and others accompanied by a variety of instruments including guitars, mandolins, dobro and banjo. They've performed, for example, at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Seattle Folklife Festival, Islands Folk Festival, Mayworks, Winter Roots Festival, the National Conference of Teachers of English, the Working Knowledge Conference at UBC, and countless benefits and coffee houses.

Some Praise for Fraser Union---

Faith Petric (in The Folknik, San Francisco Folk Music Club, Sept/Oct 2006 Volume XLII, Number 5): "Listening to and singing along with Fraser Union is sheer delight."

Linda Allen, Washington State musician and historian: "Wonderful! Great selection of songs! You all sing about what matters...and thanks for including my song on such an important project."

Bill Gallaher, BC author and songwriter: "If one is going to sing songs that help define the West Coast, it would be hard to find a better collection than these."

Leon Rosselson, UK songwriter and musician: "Your version of World Turned Upside Down will make a worthy addition to my collection - unvarnished, unadorned. Which is what I like about your treatment of all the songs - respecting the words and letting them speak for themselves."

Barry Rathburn (5 November 2007) - Qualicum, BC

"I just wanted to say that I bought all three of your CDs. Loaded them up in the CD player and enjoyed them immensely. I really enjoy the west coast flavour. Your songs really capture the essence of BC life. Thank you."

Gaylene Lueger (4 August, 2005) - in response to hearing Fraser Union singing "Canning Salmon" live on CBC Radio

"I loved both your CDs (very, very much!) Looking forward to the Canning Salmon one in the Fall. Telling people where I work how wonderful you guys are! Keep up the good music!"

Robert Rodriquez (in The Folknik, e-zine of the San Francisco Folk Music Club, November/December 2003 Volume XXXIX, Number 6)

"Fraser Union knows how to pick and deliver a song: good harmonies; direct, evocative, and powerful lyrics; and songs with content. Their songs are about places far and remote as well as close to home, times past and gone as well as up-to-date, and issues that trouble one's thoughts and tweak otherwise impervious hearts and consciences. From There To Here deserves a lot of praise ...."

Laurie Postans' review of From There To Here (in BC Folklore magazine, Issue 16, January 2002)

"The songs are delivered with gusto, conviction and often humour, to their own accompaniment of acoustic guitars, mandolin and octave mandolin. [They] illustrate the ability of Fraser Union to move comfortably between widely different types of material - from quiet ballads to rabble-rousing anthems to satiric humour that leaves the audience calling for more. There are no throw-away numbers on this CD - each song is powerful, with the substance of real life."

For more, please see www.fraserunion.com

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