Howard Gladstone

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Howard Gladstone's MUSIC - Albums, Tracks, Samples and Lyrics 

 

 

 

The Breath In The Wind (2007)


The Breath In The Wind, Howard Gladstone’s third CD of original songs is basically a live album with singer-songwriter Howard Gladstone on acoustic guitar and vocal, and just two accompanists - long-time collaborator and brilliant guitarist Tony Quarrington, and outstanding bass accompanist Kevin Zarnett..

A self-described romantic-realist, Howard Gladstone’s songs cover a lot of musical territory, styles, and themes. The album ranges from ballads to blues to folk with hints of country, pop and old-time jazz. Gladstone gets around, and the songs reference locations as diverse as Paris’ Left Bank, New Orleans, Jerusalem, Georgia (USA, not USSR) , Delhi (Ontario), and of course, the Good Old USA.

The opening song "Follow Your Heart" is an upbeat and optimistic song in a minor key and sets the tone. Songs range from love ballads (I Want to Be Closer) to a mini-tragic tale of love gone wrong (Twelve Candles); to family dynamics (Big House Blues, Six Years On The Road), to reflections on human nature and the illusion of security and permanence (Tear Down These Walls in God’s Garden). Other songs are just plain fun (Six Weeks In A Plaster Cast); South Of the Border (Good Old USA) is a satirical look at the USA from a Canadian perspective. The title track "The Breath In The Wind" is written in memory of the loss of a mother.

Virginia McIsaac wrote, "Howard Gladstone shapes ordinary words into beautiful visions… these are songs of strength and courage.. with lyrics (that) bite into the social conscience of humanity and touch us right in the heart …(and) arrangements that really make the songs interesting" in reference to Gladstone’s previous album. It serves as an apt description of what Gladstone is continuing with the release of "The Breath In The Wind."
 Samples of all songs on the CD are available by clicking here on CDBaby!

  1. Follow Your Heart – A hopeful song in a minor key; following your dreams usually entails risk – since what’s good comes at a price. Listen
  2. Twelve Candles – A tragic waltz where lovers never connect; this song is based (loosely) on the facts surrounding a Paris hotel fire. Listen
  3. Tear Down These Walls in God’s Garden – A plea for reconciliation in spite of understanding the dark side of human nature; the illusion of security. Listen
  4. I Want To Be Closer – A lyrical and intimate love ballad. Listen
  5. King of Bad Choices – A nod to the music of the 1920s; this guy is a throw-back, the type of man who needs an attitude adjustment in 21st century society. Listen
  6. Leon’s Last Song - Humour and irony with a touch of defiance; in the face of death, down-and-out, Leon keeps on proudly leading the life he chose.
  7. Drinking More Than I Should – The bottle’s half full, or maybe half empty; a bluesy/boozy statement that love is a powerful and fiery thing; and well worth it.
  8. Big House Blues – When a family is disintegrating everybody suffers; it’s hard to escape from your roots.
  9. Six Years On The Road – A death in the family brings the possibility of reconciliation, as a wayward son returns home.
  10. South of the Border (Good Old USA) - A satirical look at our American neighbours and our smug Canadian selves. I hope they recognize it’s a joke the next time I cross the border!
  11. Six Weeks In A Plaster Cast - When you’re served lemons, the best plan is to make lemonade. Yes, I did break my arm, and wrote this song during that period.
  12. When Like The Rain – A lyrical ballad; a restful lullaby.
  13. The Breath In The Wind – This song was written immediately after the death of my mother. The breath in the wind is the breath in the song, and I can’t explain it better than that. Listen

  • Howard Gladstone, guitar, vocal

  • Tony Quarrington, guitars (acoustic, electric, classical), mandolin, percussion, background vocal

  • Kevin Zarnett, bass, harmonica, background vocal, engineer


CANDLES ON THE RIVER (2005)

Gladstone’s concern for social issues is deeply etched in his songs, from native rights issues (“Aboriginal Burial Ground”), to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (“Damaged Angel”) to the closing of Maritime fisheries (“Fishin’ by the Book”) to globalization and corporate indifference (“Goin’ Offshore”).  “ Down to the Delta” surveys the history of the blues and the modernization/commercialization of the beloved South- and  wonders where that music is going.

Other songs explore more personal territory. "Prisoner of New Orleans” and "Tattoo on My Heart" are stories of lost love and recovery.  “Photograph” is a long  narrative concerning youth,  lost love, war, colonial mythology, memory and history. Not as confusing as it appears.  T

 The title track  “Candles on the River” takes its inspiration and rhythm from a sunrise Gladstone observed in India and love of Indian music .

 The albums’ 11 tracks feature unadorned production and solid  ensemble performances.  Gladstone provides vocals and acoustic guitar. Tony Quarrington, co-produced the album, and contributes guitar and mandolin.  Denis Keldie plays Hammond B3 organ, piano, and accordion.  The rhythm section of Russ Boswell on acoustic stand-up bass and Al Cross on drums adds a tasteful no-nonsense bottom end.   Guests include Anne Lindsay on violin, the late Eddie Baltimore on slide-guitar, Clela Errington and Alan Soberman on backup vocals, and Bruce Longman.   Many of the tracks were recorded in a single take, with minimal overdubs.
Samples of all songs here - from CD Baby site

  1. Tattoo On My Heart   Listen
  2. Prisoner of New Orleans  Listen
  3. Down To the Delta        Listen
  4. Too Many Voices Gone Silent
  5. Aboriginal Burial Ground
  6. Damaged Angel       Listen
  7. Fishin' By The Book        Listen
  8. Candles on the River    Listen
  9. Goin' Offshore
  10. Holes
  11. Photograph
      
    • Howard Gladstone - vocals, guitar
    • Tony Quarrington - co-producer, guitars, mandolin, banjo, backing vocal
    • Denis Keldie - Hammond B3 organ, piano, mandolin, accordion, effects, odds & ends
    • Russ Boswell - stand up acoustic and electric bass
    • Al Cross- drums 
      plus guests
    • Anne Lindsay - violin
    • Eddie Baltimore - slide guitar
    • Clela Errington, Alan Soberman - backing vocals
    • Bruce Longman - electric bass, vocals on "Too Many Voices Gone Silent"

SUNFLOWERS LIGHT THE ROOM (2002)

A collection of 13 songs and 15 tracks,  "Sunflowers" exists in a a variety of musical styles, including folk, rock, blues, country, and a couple of jazz-tinged ballads. Howard Gladstone's music has been  described as "acoustic folk rock with a country twist."  Toronto Star called this a "fascinating debut."

The lyrical style is as diverse as the music. One minute ethereal, the next minute hard-hitting, the songs strive to create an emotional space that invites the listener to enter. 

 A music lover as well as a song writer, Howard has long listened and absorbed myriad influences.  Howard ’s music owes its roots to diverse musical and literary influences, ranging from the poet Rumi to Dylan, to modern singer/songwriters, via way of folk, blues, the murder ballad tradition, with helpings of rock, pop, Indian music, jazz and a smattering of the classics. 

Sunflowers features full studio production, with many excellent musicians including : Tony Quarrington, Eddie Baltimore, Denis Keldie, Anne Lindsay, David Woodhead, Victor Bateman, Suzie Vinnick, Lori Cullen, Gary Orme, Brian and Bonnie Gladstone, plus jazz stalwarts - Kirk MacDonald, Barry Romberg, Bob George to add a jazz flavour to several tunes.


         Click Title for  Lyrics                               

  1. Coming Home To You        Listen   
  2. Sunflowers Light The Room    Listen 
  3. Healing Hands                    
  4. Guilty of Love                     
  5. I Am Your Child                  
  6. Down To Earth                    
  7. Silver Handled Dagger           Listen
  8. When Lightning Strikes   Listen        
  9. Fire and Firefly                      
  10. Grand Canal
  11. Coincidence                      Listen
  12. Too Soon, It's September
  13. Welcome To The Lake
  14. Down to Earth (acoustic) Listen
     

      More samples here on CD Baby website

 

Sunflowers and Candles cover paintings by Julie Gladstone. 
Breath In the Wind album design by Josh Cappel
   

 

 
 
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