Howard Gladstone's MUSIC - Albums, Tracks,
Samples and Lyrics
Song for Haitian Orphans
(2010) Howard Gladstone has recorded a new song titled "Song
for Haitian Orphans", with regular accompanists Tony Quarrington and Kevin Zarnett who kindly donated their services.
ALL DOWNLOAD ROYALTIES will be
donated to charities and organizations working to support Haitian
orphans.
Listen to MP3 samples of all tracks, order
CDs, download any individual track or complete albums from
CD Baby.
Roots and Rain (2010)
ROOTS AND RAIN
is the fourth and strongest album to date from Toronto singer-songwriter
Howard Gladstone. As with his earlier three, Sunflowers Light the Room,
Candles on the River and The Breath in the Wind, the musical
territory is wide, with nature, love, justice and healing as the central
themes.
A would-be optimist at heart, he is an insightful and prolific writer who
delivers revealing songs of passion, humour and, as Virginia McIsaac from
Rambles.net wrote, topical songs with "...lyrics (that) bite into the
social conscience of humanity and touch us right in the heart..."
Rooted
firmly on the ground but with spirit close at hand, Gladstone’s writing is
all about survival and growth, even in the midst of a cruel world where
humankind is "at the mercy of the wind". The mellow feel of many of the
songs can lull you into a blissful paradise only to awaken to the harsh
reality of justice gone awry as in “Tammy (The Wheels of Justice)”, which
recounts the tragic, wrongful conviction of Tammy Marquardt, an innocent
mother charged with the murder of her son.
As we follow Gladstone's journey, there are many references to humankind
being helplessly tossed about by the elements, but he also expresses the
hope, healing and positive view of the future – as evidenced; in the opening
track “Mercy of the Wind”, with the line "if you help us help ourselves,
that's a mercy that lasts"
Roots and Rain
was co-produced by Gladstone and Juno award-winning producer Tony
Quarrington, who also adds his guitar and mandolin magic to the album.
Mastered by George Graves (U2, Loreena McKennitt, Peter Gabriel), it was
recorded at the Gladstone Home Studio and with expert technical and
production support from John Switzer and Kevin Zarnet, each song carries
with it a distinct flavour. Some take you to exotic places, as in the sweet
strains of “Khajaraho” (where violin and sitar set the mood) and “Kauai
Nights”. Some depict blind love and all its complications as in “Sweet Lies”
and Let Go of the Rain” while others bring out a little light humour and
quirky fun, such as the accordion-rich "Roamin' Hands".
The beautiful and touching "Loon on the Lake" is definitely one of those
musical jewels, the kind about which Greg Quill of the Toronto Star
commented "...If you heard this music in a crowded room, you'd suspect it
was a lost gem from another time." Reflecting on the Canadian landscape,
Gladstone echoes the elemental and survival theme again in the lyrics
"Summer’s short, life’s not long, to stay alive in this land, you have to
find your song, like a loon on the lake." Virginia McIsaac said it best:
"When he delivers lyrics, it's as if you are hearing him sculpt a song. Just
like ice carvers at a winter festival, Gladstone shapes ordinary words into
beautiful visions…songs of strength and courage."
Track listing
1.Mercy Of The
Wind
2.Sweet Lies
3.Khajaraho
4.Fall So Deep
5.Lost In Your
Love
6.Let Go Of
The Rain
7.Not Waitin’
On The Train
8.It’s Gospel
To You
9.Tammy (The
Wheels of Justice)
10.Loon On The
Lake
11.Roamin’ Hands
12.Kauai Nights
Musicians
Howard Gladstone - vocals, acoustic guitar
Tony Quarrington – acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, background vocal
Kevin Zarnett – bass, background vocal
Robin Pirson – drums plus
Shelley Coopersmith – violin
Denis Keldie - accordion
Chris Robinson- sax, clarinet
Marci Gladstone Jameson – background vocal
Bonnie Gladstone - background vocal on "Loon on the Lake"
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. Samples
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.
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
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
Light The Room 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.
