Ade Gagnon "La Belle Gaspesie Chantee Par Ade Gagnon" (Caprice Records, 1967) (LP)

Ade Gagnon "Cheveux Blancs D'Une Mere " (Caprice Records, 1969-?) (LP)
(Produced by Dougal Trineer)

Ade Gagnon "Par Ade Gagnon Chantee..." (Bonanza Records, 196-?) (LP)

Ade Gagnon "Bluegrass Avec Ade Gagnon" (Bonanza Records, 197-?) (LP)

Ade Gagnon "Noel Dans Mon Village" (Bonanza Records, 197-?) (LP)
A Christmas/holiday album... not sure if it's country music, per se...

Ade Gagnon "Pense A Moi Cherie" (Manitou Records, 197-?) (LP)

Norma Gale "January, April And Me" (Caribou Records, 1970-?) (LP)
This was the first solo album from country singer and bass player Norma Gale (nee Norma Gallant, 1945-2002) who was a member of The Caribou Showband, house band for the Caribou nightclub in Toronto, joining the cast in the early 'Seventies. The liner notes on both her Caribou albums are lamentably vague, with no composer credits or information about the musicians backing her -- presumably they were mostly the same group as the on the Caribou Showband album that came out around the same time -- Mel Aucoin, Brian Barron, Roddy Lee and steel player Bob Lucier - though really that's just speculation. Ms. Gale was originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, and first established herself as a regional artist, playing at local jamborees as well as on radio and television programs throughout her teens. Although she only made a handful of records as a solo artist, she was a seasoned performer -- before joining the Caribou crew, she played in several other bands and had made about a hundred TV appearances, as noted on this disc's back cover, and previously held down a prestigious gig as the bass player for the house band at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. In the late 'Sixties she toured extensively throughout the United States, including a couple of appearances at the grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and embarked on a tour of American military clubs in Greenland, Vietnam and throughout East Asia. She seems to have left show business for most of the 'Seventies, then came back to record a couple of modestly successful singles in the early 'Eighties; later on she played bass in June Pasher's band. A severe spinal injury sidelined her performing career, causing her to retire and return home to New Brunswick

Norma Gale "April's Angel Food Cake" (Caribou Records, 1971-?) (LP)

Dick Gardiner "Where The Churchill River Flows" (Quay Records, 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Neil Bishop & Claude Caines)

Dick Gardiner "Headin' Back To Newfie" (Quay Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Neil Bishop & Claude Caines)

Dick Gardiner "A Star For Mary" (Quay Records, 1983) (LP)
(Produced by Neil Bishop & Claude Caines)

Dick Gardiner "Little Girl's Prayer" (Quay Records, 1984) (LP)
(Produced by Neil Bishop & Claude Caines)

J.J. Garnett "With Thanks From Me To You" (Sunshine Records, 19--?) (LP)

The Garrison Brothers "Songs And Stories" (Boot Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Jim Mooney)

The Garrison Brothers "Thinking Of You" (Boot Records, 1982) (LP)
(Produced by Jim Mooney & Jack Grochmal)

The Garrison Brothers "Look What The Wind Blew In" (Boot Records, 1983) (LP)
(Produced by Glenn Sutton)

Edouard Gastonguay "A Bord Du Majestueux Trans St. Laurent" (Bonanza Records, 197-?) (LP)

Edouard Gastonguay "Musique Gaspesienne" (Minuit Dans La Cuisine, 2000) (LP)

Arthur Gee "Arthur Gee" (Tumbleweed Records, 1970) (LP)
This review is more of a warning sign, I guess. Apparently from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada's Arthur Gee is another one of those weird, eclectic 'Seventies obscuro artists who get lumped in with "country rock" music just because there's some banjo or pedal steel somewhere in their mix. But really, this is a far-flung, spaced-out experimental rock album with proggy and psychedelic folk leanings... If you're into the harder core of '70s experimentalism, this record could be cool... He dips into mellower, Emmitt Rhodes-y territory, but a lot of this is pretty challenging, in more of a Kingdom Come pop-blender style. But if you're looking for a missing Chris Hillman folk-rock album, this ain't it.

Arthur Gee/Arthur Gee-Whizz Band "City Cowboy" (Tumbleweed Records, 1971) (LP)
This album is slightly more twangy and a lot more accomplished than Gee's self-titled debut, also edgier with passages that evoke some of the choppier prog and freak-folk of the era. It's mostly spacey and playful, but there are a few abrupt curves into harder "boogie rock" material that have an unexpected severity that suggests pre-punk and avant-rockers such as Alice Cooper or demos-era Devo. A little bit of twang and a few semi-pastoral passages, but this ain't the country-rock gem you might expect from the album title. If you're a twangfan, consider yourself forewarned. This is probably best celebrated as weirdo-obscuro experimentalism, but there are some more accessible tracks as well, such as the rocker "Green Countryside," although a bunch of the spacier stuff seems ripe for modern-day tributes, ala Vashti Bunyan.

Ted Germain "Ted Germain Sings Country" (Banff Records, 19--?) (LP)

Ted Germain "Place Of My Childhood Dreams" (Bonanza Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Paul Menard)

Davey Gibbs "...And His Country Hoppers" (RCA-Camden, 1962) (LP)
Nicknamed "The Country Kid," Davey Gibbs was a bluegrass-influenced bandleader from Kingston, Ontario who formed his band in the late 1940s, and kept on truckin' right through the days when he cut these albums. This one has a slightly fusty song selection, but was pretty country and robust -- the band featured a pedal steel player, standup bass, fiddle, guitars... Not sure how extensive his discography was, but this is good, solid material.

Davey Gibbs "Mister Hoedown" (RCA-Camden, 1963) (LP)

Luke Gibson "Another Perfect Day" (True North Records, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Gene Martynec, Bill Seddon & Chris Skene)
A lovely folkie album with country roots from songwriter Dave (Luke) Gibson who was a veteran of a couple of Toronto psych-rock bands, Kensington Market and Luke & The Apostles (where he picked up his stage name). In the early 'Seventies he apparently decided to drop out of the rock scene for a while and explore a mellower musical approach for a while. This mellow, contemplative acoustic-based set features excellent musicianship all around, including a young Bruce Cockburn on guitar, his former bandmate Gene Martynec, and some particularly sweet fiddling by Lenny Solomon. Perhaps a little far afield from our focus on country-based twang, but it's a really fine album, worthy of your attention. Fans of Jonathan Edwards, or perhaps even of Nick Drake, might really dig this. Recommended.

Alain Giraldeau "Guitare A La Western" (TC/Marceno Records, 1973-?) (LP)
(Produced by Andre Sevigny)
This seems to have been the only solo album by guitarist Alain Giraldeau, who is also credited on other releases on the short-lived Marceno imprint. As with other Marceno albums, this features musical backing by a group called Les El Ranchos, which apparently was the house band at the Hotel Belmont, in Saint-Agathe. Most likely Mssr. Giraldeau was a member of that group, but don't quote me on that.

The Gleasonaires "Love Gets Sweeter" (Boot Records, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Harold C. Allison, Jury Krytiuk & Cub Richardson)

Gilles Godard "Gilles Godard" (Book Shop Records, 1980) (LP)
(Produced by Bobby Bradley, Bill Godard & Jeff Newman)

Gilles Godard "Tell It To My Heart" (Book Shop Records, 1983) (LP)
(Produced by Gilles Godard & Jeff Newman)

Gilles Godard "Have I Got News For You" (Book Shop Records, 1985) (LP)
(Produced by Peter Bentley)

Gilles Godard "En Amour" (RCA Victor, 1987) (LP)

Gilles Godard "Lose Control" (Book Shop Records, 1988) (LP)
(Produced by Gilles Godard & Keith Hyman)

Gold Fever Band "Gold Fever" (Damon Records, 1978) (LP)
(Produced by Garry McDonall)

Roxanne Goldade "20 More Miles To Go" (Track Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Peter Bentley)
A teenaged pop-country hopeful from Alberta, Canada, starting at age seven, Roxanne Goldade was a child performer on a TV show based in Calgary, and cut this album when she was fourteen years old. The record has "big" sounding production, matched by Roxanne's forceful, emotive vocals, and although she undeniably sounds very young, there's still a confident, Anne Murray-esque feel to her singing, a brash, cheerful wholesomeness. Most of the songs are originals, credited to either Roxanne Goldade or Agnes Goldade -- the song "Mama Take My Hand" was also released as a single... Some of the tracks were recorded in 1975, others in '77, and on the earlier songs she sounds much, much younger. I wonder if she made more recordings... Anybody out there know more about this gal?

The Golden Ring "My Way/Galveston/Goodbye" (Arc Music, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Peter Bentley)

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" (Dominion Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Jury Krytiuk)
An eastern Canadian trio made up of steel player Mickey Andrews, Gerry Hall on guitar, Randy McDonald playing bass, along with a few assorted friends, from the looks of the cover. In the late 'Sixties, they were the house band at a fabled Toronto music hall called The Horsehoe Tavern, and they backed Stompin' Tom Connors when he first played there, in 1968 and '69. They also backed Stompin' Tom on his first LP for the Dominion label, a success that led to Connors starting his own label, Boot Records, in partnership with producer Jury Krytiuk. The band also recorded an album of their own, a mix of oldies and twangy instrumentals, with a little bit of rock in the mix; "Proud Mary" and "Games People Play" next door to "That's How I Got To Memphis" and "Me And Bobby McGee." A fine snapshot of a successful Canadian bar band, working at the upper end of the country music foodchain.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly "...At The Horseshoe Tavern" (Vintage Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Art Snider)

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly "All Over The Road" (Periwinkle Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Art Snider)

Bill Goodwin "Walk Through This World With Me" (Arc Records, 1966) (LP)
This fella was an American artist, although he was backed by a Canadian band. Originally a rocker from Colorado, songwriter Bill Goodwin made a go of it in Nashville in the early 1960s, and recorded a string of singles on various labels, though as far as I know this was his only album, mostly cover songs, but also some originals. Alas, I don't know who was in the studio band...

Arlene Gordon "Game People Play" (Hi-Lite Records, 1969) (LP)
(Produced by Ray Lawrence)
Early works from a singular figure on the Canadian musical scene... Arlene Gordon was the stage name for Arlene Mantle (1940-2013) a lesbian feminist and Toronto native who started out singing mainstream country music, but redefined herself as a hardcore political folksinger and activist over a decade later. The husky-voiced Ms. Mantle made a mark for herself on the city's music scene, supported here by a studio crew that featured Mickey Andrews on steel guitar, Gerard Hall (rhythm guitar), Ron McDonald (bass), Roy Penny (lead guitar) and Bunty Petrie on drums. The set included covers of country and country/folk hits such as the title track, Joe South's "Games People Play," as well as "Ribbon Of Darkness" from Gordon Lightfoot, and the lesser, comedic "Unmitigated Gall," which had been a novelty hit for Mel Tillis. There's some Canadian content as well -- a Hank Snow oldie, though more importantly about half the album was made up of her own originals: "The First Day," "Just A Good Time Girl," "Not Even A Tear" and "Wouldn't I" and "Ain't No Good Times," which was co-written with William Legree. In the liner notes, Mantle credits Mickey Andrews in particular for encouraging her to pursue a musical career, and to help her get started.

Rod Gordon & His Country Music Show "Begging To You" (Mytown Records, 1974-?) (LP)
(Produced by R. Bauer)

Slim Gordon/Various Artists "RED BARN JAMBOREE" (Arc Music, 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.

Slim Gordon "The Ungrateful Son" (Paragon Records, 1969-?) (LP)

Gilles Gosselin "Pompons La Biere" (Bonanza Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Dennis Champoux)

Gilles Gosselin "J'ai Queq'Chose A T'Dire" (Bonanza Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Dennis Champoux)

Ginger Graham "Rough Around The Edges" (Tri-Sound Records, 1984-?) (LP)
(Produced by Eric Baragar & Ginger Graham)
A live set with Canadian folk/country singer Ginger Graham, who shows an affinity for good material in his repertoire, including several outlaw anthems and Jerry Jeff Walker covers -- "Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother" "London Homesick Blues," and "Why Don't We Get Drunk"; Hoyt Axton's "Boney Fingers"; John Prine's "Please Don't Bury Me," and a couple from Arlo Guthrie ("Hobo's Lullabye" and "Coming Into Los Angeles"). All good stuff. There's also some Canadian content, including Graham's originals "A Thousand Words To Say I Care," "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane," and "Just A Country Boy From Old St. Kitts," as well as two more from Bruce Good, "Special Kind Of Girl" and "I Just Want To See You Tonight." The lineup is pretty sparse, with Ginger Graham on guitar and vocals, along with banjo player Allan Penrose and Tony Vani tootling on harmonica. He also had an early '80s single with an Arlo-esue novelty number, "Monday Night Football," which isn't included here.

Mike Graham "Here I Am Again" (Canadian Talent Library, 1971) (LP)
(Produced by Gary Buck, Mark Smith & George Semkiw)

Mike Graham "Friends" (GRT Records, 1972) (LP)
(Produced by Buddy Killen Billy Sherrill & Ernie Winfrey)

Mike Graham "Country Reflections" (United Artists Records, 1974) (LP)
(Produced by Ken Friesen & John Pozer)

Mike Graham "People Music" (Amber Records, 1977) (LP)
(Produced by Mike Graham, Frank Barber & Bill Hill)

Mike Graham "Miss Misunderstood" (Boot Records, 1979) (LP)
(Produced by Mike Graham & Claude Allard)

Sheila Graham "Sheila Graham" (CBC Radio Canada, 1969) (LP)

Great Speckled Bird "Great Speckled Bird" (Bearsville Records, 1970) (LP)
(Produced by Todd Rundgren)
Canadian folk-pop icons Ian & Sylvia Tyson "went country" on this experimental album, which featured musical assistance by blues-roots guitarist Amos Garrett and steel player Buddy Cage, as well as the Bearsville label's own "wrecking crew" of guitarist Jim Colegrove, piano player Jeff Gutcheon and drummer N.D. Smart, who formed the band Hungry Chuck in 1971, just as Great Speckled Bird was running out of steam... Only briefly in print, this is considered by many to be a landmark album from the early years of the country-rock genre.

Great Speckled Bird "You Were On My Mind" (Columbia Records, 1972) (LP)

Andy Greatrix "Uptown Country" (Paragon Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Jack Boswell & Bill Bonney)

George T. Green "Little Bit Of Heaven" (Continental Maple Leaf/CML Records) (LP)

Lorne Greene - see artist discography

Andre Gregoire "Andre Gregoire Chante" (TC/Marceno Records, 1973-?) (LP)
(Produced by Andre Sevigny)
A French-Canadian country ballads, with backing by a group called Les El Ranchos, which apparently was the house band at the Hotel Belmont, in Saint-Agathe. They provided backing for a couple of other albums on the Mareno label, which was a short-lived spinoff of Trans-Canada Records; alas, no info about the group's members. The back cover of this album reproduces business placards for a couple of restaurants -- a steak house and a hamburger joint -- where presumably singer Andre Gregoire was performing at the time. No bio on him yet, though I'd welcome any info.

Andre Gregoire "Si On Serait Millionnaire" (TC/Catalogne Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Paul-Emile Mongeau, Fernand Plouffe & Fernando Soucy)
No date on either of Gregoire's albums, though judging from the groovy, semi-psychedelic graphics, this one probably came later. No info on the backing musicians, other than a couple of guys, Pierre Bernard and Alain Giraldeau, who are simply credited as a "performer." (Alain Giraldeau seems to have been a guitarist; he also released a western-themed album on Marceno around the same time these albums came out...)

Adam Gregory "The Way I'm Made" (Epic Records, 2000)
(Produced by David C. Martin)

Adam Gregory "Workin' On It" (Epic Records, 2002)
(Produced by David C. Martin)

Adam Gregory "Adam Gregory" (Mensa Records, 2006)
(Produced by Jeff Nystrom & Joey Turner)

Adam Gregory "Crazy Days" (Big Machine Records, 2009)
(Produced by Brad Allen & Keith Follese)

Ray Griff - see artist discography

Buck Griffin "Buck Griffin Sings" (London Records, 19--?) (LP)

Gord Grills "Songs And Recitations" (Paragon Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Jack Boswell & Bill Bossey)
Canadian country from Ontario, with fiddler Carl Elliott, Dusty Stokes on bass, and Joe Aylward on lead guitar; Aylward later recorded as a solo artist... Lead singer Gord Grills was a farm kid who grew up around near Workworth, Ontario, and cut his teeth playing country gigs in small town bars 'way back in the early 'Sixties and started this band, the Road Rangers, in 1966. He mixes original material, super-oldies such as "Wreck Of The Old '97," and several recitation numbers, a style you don't hear much of these days... not even back when this album was made!

Russ Gurr "Federal Grain Train" (Century 21 Studios, 1970-?) (LP)
(Produced by John Hildebrand)

Russ Gurr "On Tour With... Russ Gurr" (London Records, 1973) (LP)
(Produced by John Hildebrand)

Russ Gurr "Hogs Are Beautiful" (London Records, 1976) (LP)
(Produced by Rick Inglish, Dave Shaw & John Smith)

Paul Gurry "Country Gospel" (Canadian Cavalcade Records, 1973) (LP)

Gustafson "Long Time Layin' Down" (Royalty Records, 1977) (LP)
He was Canadian... looks pretty "outlaw..." But I'm looking for more info...

Hick Music Index
Global Twang