Songs From The Avenue
SONGS FROM THE AVE: Alberta Avenue is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Edmonton, once being the very outskirts of a city that would soon swallow up its neighboring town of Beverly. Now perched on the doorstep of a revitalization project, how do we connect the rich past to the darker present to a brighter future? If these sidewalks could talk, the stories they would tell. If these streets could sing, the songs we would hear. Connecting the past to the present gives people the foundation to envision a better future. Resident songwriters of this neighbourhood, including Scott Peters, Terry Morrison, Chris Wynters, Brent Oliver, Paul Bellows, James Murdoch, White Cats, Captain Tractor, Joe Bird, Dr Blu, and Barry Westerlund, connect tales of long time residents, unsung stories of the harsh streets, and find a way to a future of this vibrant community.
It is distributed through ‘Six Shooter Records’
riches and grace
Terry’s most recent recording is a great collection of original compositions combined together with a smattering of songs by other writers. Produced by Edmonton bassist and studio maven Mike Lent , there is a real jazz sensibility that weaves its way through this album. The cover songs on this CD include the live Klezmer feel of “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon”, the haunting “Liverpool Lullaby” based on a traditional ballad with lyrics by Stan Kelly, as well as the Ellington classic “Prelude To A Kiss” featuring Terry’s rich contralto and Mike’s unparalleled upright bass playing.
Morrison’s original cuts are diverse as well, including the sweet textural tune titled “A Fine Balance” about combining two lives together, to the pop motown feel of “Casual Encounter” relating the repercussions of a brief romantic liason.
The musicians that lent their considerable talent to this recording are; Teddy Boroweicki accordion and piano, Graham Guest Hammond B3 and piano, Bob Tildesley trumpet and flugelhorn, Mo Lefever electric guitar, Lyle Molzan drums and percussion, Jeff Bradshaw pedal steel, Brent Parkin electric guitar, Gary Koliger acoustic guitar and of course Mike Lent upright bass.
This is a fine collection of songs and represents a true crossover of Morrison’s musical influences. It is rich and graceful just as the title promises.
Terry received funding for this album through the Rawlco Radio 10k20 program , a program designed to support the local music scene in Edmonton. This is a program that can be truly touted as proof of what the corporate world can do to support communities. Bravo!
Listen:
Orphan_Lake.mp3
Casual_Encounter.mp3
Wild Roses Northern Lights
This recording released in 2006 by the Smithsonian Folkways Label, is a compilation of songs performed and written by Alberta Songwriters.
“The artists represented on this compilation were selected because their compositions vividly illuminate one or more aspects of the multifaceted culture that is contemporary Alberta; however, they represent only a handful of the Albertan country, folk, and roots artists whose music reflects what it means to be from “Wild Rose Country”. We hope this CD inspires listerners to seek out and enjoy more music from Albertan singers, songwriters and bands ...
Another veteran of the Alberta folk scene, Terry Morrison continues to build on an impressive body of work which is as poetic as it is compelling. A native of Edmonton, she started to gain experience as a performer in the mid 1970’s, when she began playing coffeehouses, folk clubs and concerts. Hanging with peers and learning the craftsmanship of accompanying oneself on guitar and shaping songs gave her the resources to record a handful of superb recordings. Albums like No Covers and Breaking Ground find her warm voice weaving its way through arrangements that broaden the folksinger songwriter idiom as jazz and electric instrumentation envelop songs that project images of travel and experience.“
*Peter North – liner notes from Smithsonian Folkways ‘Wild Roses Northern Lights’*
High Mileage Soul
‘High Mileage Soul’ was released in December of 2003. It was recorded by Scott Franchuk of Riverdale Recorders and produced by Morrison and Franchuk. Terry has solicited the talents of some of Edmontons best musicians including; Chris Smith (guitar), John Gorham (bass and vocals), and Paul ‘Duke’ Paetz (drums and vocals). The CD includes appearances by Thom Golub (upright bass), Maria Dunn (accordian), Bob Tildsley (trumpet), Kevin Cook (guitar), Gary Bowman (piano), Mark Ladouceur (bouzouki) and Lance ‘Uncle Thirsty’ Loree (pedal steel).
This recording is a great collection of 13 original songs whose subjects range from life as a traveling musician in the title cut ‘High Mileage Soul’, to the plight of a farmer in times of drought in ‘Long Dusty Road’ and the introspective jazzy strains of ‘Sweet Sanctuary’. There’s lots here to choose from and fans of Morrison’s songwriting won’t be dissappointed.
“Morrison’s gift for painting aural pictures gives way to an aching intensity at points…. ‘High Mileage Soul’ is the best testament yet that Morrison’s acute musical observations should be heard.”
Roger Levesque Edmonton Journal
h3. Sample Tracks
High Mileage Soul
Veil of Tears
No Covers
“No Covers” is a live concert recording of Terry Morrison’s original tunes. The concert took place in the spring of 1997 at Convocation Hall at the University of Alberta. This magical evening of music in a remarkable acoustic space was recorded by Colin Lay, undeniably one of Canada’s best recording engineers.
On this recording Terry has enlisted the generous talents of some of Edmonton’s finest musicians including; Maria Dunn (accordion), Brian Gregg (guitar), Dwayne Hrynkiw (percussion), Shannon Johnson (violin), Dale Ladouceur (chapman stick & harmonies), Barrie Nighswander (guitar), Farley Scott (upright bass), John Towill (fretless bass).
The songs on ‘NO COVERS’ range from the upbeat acoustic pop of ‘Cream in My Coffee’, ‘Something Going On’ and ‘Naked’ to the jazzy feel of ‘Moment of Reckoning’ or ‘Compitas’. From the introspective ballads ‘Psyche’s Dream’ and ‘Blue Madonna’ to the quirky blues of ‘Hot and Bothered’. The album is a collection of 13 of the best recordings of the evening and holds something for everyone. Despite the diversity of the songs, there is a depth and cohesion in this recording that allows the listener to feel the atmosphere of the concert hall. Morrison has the kind of rich full voice you can fall into. This in combination with skilful accompaniment and strong compositions all add up to a wonderful CD.
“This 13 track, 64 minute disk shows off one of the most intellectually compelling songwriters in town… thoughtful but never boring it resonates with universal experience and lots of heart”
Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
Sample Tracks
Cream in my Coffee
Blue Madonna