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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!
- 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
- Twelve Candles – A tragic waltz where lovers
never connect; this song is based (loosely) on the facts surrounding a
Paris hotel fire.
Listen
- 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
- I Want To Be Closer – A lyrical and intimate
love ballad.
Listen
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Big House Blues – When a family is
disintegrating everybody suffers; it’s hard to escape from your roots.
- Six Years On The Road – A death in the family
brings the possibility of reconciliation, as a wayward son returns home.
- 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!
- 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.
- When Like The Rain – A lyrical ballad; a restful
lullaby.
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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
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Howard Gladstone, guitar, vocal
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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
- Tattoo On My Heart
Listen
- Prisoner of New Orleans
Listen
- Down To the Delta
Listen
- Too Many Voices Gone Silent
- Aboriginal Burial Ground
- Damaged Angel
Listen
- Fishin' By The Book
Listen
- Candles on the River
Listen
- Goin' Offshore
- Holes
- Photograph
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Howard Gladstone - vocals, guitar
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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
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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
-
Coming Home To You
Listen
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Sunflowers Light The Room
Listen
- Healing Hands
- Guilty of Love
- I Am Your Child
- Down To Earth
- Silver Handled Dagger
Listen
- When Lightning Strikes Listen
- Fire and Firefly
- Grand Canal
- Coincidence
Listen
- Too Soon, It's September
- Welcome To The Lake
- 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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