Living as close to Canada as I do (Michigan)  I’ve done a great deal of camping in Ontario.  Generally when we have gone we wait until we get to Canada to pick up the beer.  They offered certain selections that, shall we say packed a little more “punch” than what we could get in the States, so we waited until we got into Canada stock the cooler.  Fortunately the musical imports coming from Canada are full strength and the same as available in Canada;  no need to go all the way to there to get them.  (But if you do go there, try the beer!)

If you haven’t been roped in yet by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings this is the perfect time to pick up some imports. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings started off as a side project years ago for musicians Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson. Their plan was to record a single disc tribute to a Canadian singer/songwriter, Willie P. Bennett, which was released in 1996. All three had well established solo careers when they decided to do the project and have continued with their solo careers as well as their work as BARK. That project went so well that have continued to collaborate and make great music together as well as individually.  True North Records, a great label out of Canada, has released three excellent discs that can get you up to speed with this great group of musicians.

Swinging From The Chains Of Love is a new compilation garnered from the previous 5 Blackie discs.  This disc features some of their best roots rockin‘ tunes, Heaven For A Lonely Man, Stoned and 49 Tons as well as previously unreleased Caves of Jericho and a cover of Folsom Prison Blues.

From The Water is the new solo release from Colin Linden, who brings more of a blues edge to BARK.  Most of the tunes were written or co-written by Linden, who also produced the disc.  He is joined by an array of folks, including harmonica ace Paul Reddick and the 2008 version of The Memphis Horns, so you get an idea of what the sound is like.  If Linden lived south of the border he would likely be a (musical) household name, but thankfully we have good access to his music now.  From The Water is Colin’s 11th solo release.  At last count he has played on more than 300 albums (including discs by Bruce Cockburn, Robert Plant and Allison Krauss, and Emmylou Harris) and has produced at least 70 albums.

Stephen Fearing has recently released a “best of” collection entitled The Man Who Married Music containing tunes picked by Fearing himself.  The disc also includes two new tunes, The Big East West and No Dress Rehearsal.  His music tends be be a bit softer and acoustic, such as the sparse Beguiling Eyes.

This is truly an (north)Americana supergroup.  Other than Texas perhaps no place has been delivering better stuff these days than our northern neighbors.

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