Various Artists "ALBERTA COUNTRY" (1989) (CD)
Various Artists "BAR DE L'OUEST: EN SPECTACLE" (World Records, 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Guy Charbonneau)
A pretty obscure live set recorded at the Bar De L'Ouest, a honkytonk club in Port Gatineau, Ottawa that opened in July, 1979 by Guy Charbonneau (presumably the hockey player, and not the politician...) who promptly put out this album as a souvenir set. Though billed as some of Canada's "top country artists," these Outaouais country crooners are pretty unfamiliar: the lineup included Claude Baune, Josee Beaulne, Joselyne Belland, Dale Culli, J. C. Fontain, Ted Larabie, Yvette Martin, Rae Palmer, Sam Samson and Allan Wood. They're mostly singing English-language covers of Nashville hits, although there is one track with a French title. The Bar De L'Ouest was apparently still in operation as recently as 2018... On a side note, the World Records label was, I believe, a notorious "tax scam" outfit, although this release has unusually informative liner notes compared to their other albums. Great cover art!
Various Artists "CANADIAN COUNTRY" (RCA Victor, 1974) (LP)
Various Artists "COUNTRY CLUB: THE HITS OF THE OPRY NORTH" (RCA-Canada, 1978) (LP)
Various Artists "COUNTRY GOLD" (GRT Records-Canada, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Art Snider)
An odd, hodge-podgy double album gathering together sessions (possibly random singles?) of several Canadian artists recording for GRT and other labels. The record was helmed by producer Art Snider, owner of the Sound Canada studios and host of the CBC-TV variety show, Country Hoedown, who provides a rather sparse sound overall, although in some cases the thin, tinny production is actually quite nice. The lineup includes Californian emigre Stan Farlow, who apparently cut a few singles for Snider in the early '70s, including reprises of his slavish imitations of Johnny Cash as well as a plainspoken rendition of "Me And Bobby McGee" that's one of the examples of how Snider's sparse arrangements could help bring out the lyrics of the songs. ... Elsewhere, Canadian rockabilly pioneer Jack Bailey croons a few country ballads, sisters Simone and Nora Hart cover tunes such as "Rose Garden," "Snowbird," and "Help Me Make It Through The Night," as well as singers Jimmy Lewis, Ron van Dykoff and Jimmy Nolan. Perhaps one of the most unexpected entries comes from old-time pop singer Lorenzo Conyers -- formerly of the Ink Spots vocal group -- whose version of "Knock Three Times" is one of the more effective performances on here... For the most part, this 2-LP collection is an outwardly unimpressive, budget-line release focused on knock-off versions of Top Forty hits... But for country fans who are willing to give the cheapie labels a chance, it does yield a few surprises. Worth a spin, though don't get your hopes too high.
Various Artists "LES 24 GEANTS WESTERN" (Trans-World Records, 19--?) (LP)
A collection of traditionally-oriented Canadian country artists, including Les Belair, La Bolduc, Paul Brunelle, Willie Lamothe, Roland Lebrun, Marcel Martel, Roger Miron, Ti-Blanc Richard, Raymonde Rouleaux, Marcel Tremblay and Johnny Zabe
Various Artists "LYNN RUSSWURM'S CANADIAN COUNTRY, v.1" (BACM) (CD)
Various Artists "LYNN RUSSWURM'S CANADIAN COUNTRY, v.2" (BACM) (CD)
Various Artists "ON STAGE AT THE EDISON" (Arc Records, 1966) (LP)
The husband-wife team of Donna Darlene and Shot Jackson seem to have made Canada their base of operations for a while, as seen in this and several other Canadian-label releases. This compilation spotlights the couple on three song, with additional tracks by northern neighbors including Billy Adams, Loretta Drew, Jerry Lee Legacy, Bob Lucier, Mickey McGivern, and Warren Robb. Someday I'll track down the details of their residency at The Edison club, but for now, let's enjoy the mystery...
Various Artists "THE RED BARN JAMBOREE" (Arc Records, 1965) (LP)
This album is a memento of the Red Barn Jamboree show, which was run by Canadian singer Slim Gordon, ne Murray Gordon Lewis (1926-2010), originally from Nova Scotia. Like most country performers from the hillbilly era, Gordon moved around a lot, landing short-term gigs at various barn-dance shows, as well as touring with established artists such as George Jones and Hank Snow, but the Red Barn show in Oshawa, Ontario was his big gig. During the early 'Sixties, he hosted the show and booked the talent, forging alliances in the States with folks at the Grand Ole Opry and WVVA's Wheeling Jamboree. Gordon was invited to perform on the Opry in 1962, though his career was mainly made up in Canada. Apparently he decided to give up on show business in the early 'Seventies after joining a USO package tour for the American armed forces, and suddenly realized his career wasn't quite what he'd hoped it would be. He bailed on the music scene and eventually got licensed to become an insurance agent. But here he is in his prime, joined by his daughter Shirley Gordon and the brother-daughter duo of Lonnie & Lottie, from Quebec. It's worth noting there were many other "red barn" venues over the years, on both sides of the border, so tracking any one of them down can be a little daunting. Thanks to Grand Bend Strip newspaper for their informative interview with Mr. Gordon.
Various Artists "SASKATCHEWAN AFTER DARK" (Studio West Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Mitchell Barnett & Clarence Deis)
A sprawling double-LP set of local bands from Saskatchewan, divided into four musical genres -- one album side each of "Pop," "Rock," "Country" and "Folk." The country bands on Side Three include Gary Fjellgaard, Free Spirit, Deborah Lauren & Country West Band, Brian Sklar & Prairie Fire, and Glen Stace & The Cowneds.
Various Artists "SONGS FROM THE TAVERNS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST" (Last Minute Record Company, 1975) (LP)
Although this isn't all strictly "country" stuff, there is plenty of twang in here, including a bit of '70s-style rockabilly retro. Includes artists from Portland, Seattle and Vancouver BC, such as the Cement City Cowboys, Rose & the Dirt Boys, Lance Romance and the Holy Modal Rounders-affiliated avant-nutkiks, Les Clamtones. Sounds pretty groovy!
Various Artists "WILD ROSE COUNTRY" (Wild Rose Records, 19--?) (CD)
Various Artists "YOUR COUNTRY HOUSE PARTY" (Chateau Records, 196--?) (LP)
(Produced by Art Snider)
Various Artists "YUKON & OTHER SONGS OF THE KLONDIKE" (Stamp Records, 1973) (LP)
Canada has long had a vibrant love of country music, often tinged with strong regional pride and songs extolling the great Northern expanse. Some artists, of course, became well-known down south, but for every Hank Snow there are literally thousands of other musicians who never made it to Nashville, or never even tried. At any rate, the Canadian country scene is huge, and deserves to be celebrated in its own right. I'm pretty sure I'm only scratching the surface here, and welcome any recommendations, additions or corrections.
