Pipe Street Records Proudly
Presents
the 'original cast' studio recording of James Gordon's acclaimed folk opera
"Hardscrabble Road"

This ground-breaking musical theatre production, technically an 'opera' since the play is entirely sung, uses sharp political satire and serious dramatic commentary to tell the tale of a group of homeless people in an inner Canadian city. Six main characters sing of their plight and point out the personal impact that our current global situation can have on us all. Gordon's most ambitious work, with 24 new songs; it manages to convey an important and timely, politically-charged message with a sense of humour. Quite possibly the first "anti-globalization activist musical", Hardscrabble Road raises the art of the 'protest song' to a new and entertaining level!
Inspired by the "Beggar's Opera" and its successor the "Three-Penny Opera"- Hardscrabble Road's music is a hybrid combination of folk, pop, jazz, rock and world beat sounds. Recorded at Guelph's Pipe Street Studio and produced by James and his son Evan, this recording features the original cast from the 2003 live debut at Guelph's River Run Centre. Gordon shares the lead vocals with a 'Who's Who" of the Guelph area's music scene: Ken Brown, Nonie Crete, Sandy Horne, Amy Nodwell and Ryan Schneider. Lois Cherry, Marion Linton, Evan Gordon and Randall Coryell join James as the principle instrumentalists.
Robert Reid of Nightlife Magazine said this about the play: "Gordon's satirical wit is sharp, but it's leavened with moments of compassion and tenderness, which makes for a poignant musical experience".
We think you'll agree.
You can order the CD by Clicking Here- by calling in an order at 519-837-3757 or faxing 519-837-3776 The CD costs 17.00 Cdn plus applicable taxes and shipping.. Check out the Back To School Special on the same page that gets you any other CD HALF-PRICE with the purchase of this CD!
HARDSCRABBLE ROAD will be touring again iin '07.... e-mail james@jamesgordon.ca to find out about bringing this production to your community.

January 19th-- The Registry Theatre.. Kitchener ON- a revival of my folk opera about the "needy and the greedy"- 8 p.m. 122 Frederick St. Tickets 18 dollars.. 15 seniors, 10 for students... Available at The Centre In The Square or at the door.

January 20th . Georgetown ON at The John Elliot Theatre.. 9 Church Street 8 p.m. tickets (905) 877-3700
January 23 and 24-- Toronto ON Edward Day Gallery 952 Queen St. W. cross streets Queen and Shaw 8 p.m.

click HERE to see some of the amazing fan mail we've received about the production,
and CLICK HERE to read the press reviews.......
We've been absolutely overwhelmed by the positive response to the show, and plans are underway to tour the production next year,, followed by a CD release ....

 

 
The "Original Cast"-
Ken Brown as "Jeremiah"

- Veteran folk musician, maker of works of social significance who's often guitar player of choice at traditional Irish sessions, record producer who puts his own music only on his website (www.kbrown.ca), author of monkey stories, singer of old songs, writer of new ones, Ken has been composing since before he could play, singing before that, and acting whenever he can, often in front of audiences. Home is where you help make community--Ken makes Guelph his home.
 

Nonie Crete as "Jenny"

In the last few years Nonie Crete has gained a reputation world-wide as a strong Canadian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist wth a unique sound that is rooted in the traditional music of Canada and the British Isles. She has toured Ireland, opening for such acts as Clannad and Altan, where the response to her music was overwhelming. Nonie recently released a CD produced by Paul Mills, aka Curly Boy Stubbs, a mainstay of the Canadian folk scene, who says "She has a fabulous voice that will knock your socks off. She is a great guitar player and harpist, Nonie is a solid entertainer who impresses everyone who hears her."
Nonie already has a number of recorded projects under her belt, The earlier projects have kept her on the road from her base in Fergus, Ontario for the last few years, both alone and in collaboration with fellow musical traveler Eugene Rea.
Of her show, Bonnie Ewen, editor of the Guelph Mercury wrote, "her entire being is integrated with her music and her audience" "Nonie is rising strongly by pure determination, talent, energy and dynamics."

James Gordon as "The Narrator"

James Gordon has spent more than twenty years toiling in the folk mines as a solo singer-songwriter and with the legendary trio Tamarack. He has released over thirty albums, and has toured relentlessly across North America, Great Britain, South-East Asia and Japan.
His songs are becoming part of the fabric of Canadian culture. His classic "Frobisher Bay" was recently named "Favourite Canadian Song" in the roots category in a national CBC radio contest, and it's been recorded by dozens of artists around the world. His "Mining For Gold" was featured on the multi-million-selling Trinity Sessions album by the Cowboy Junkies, and dozens of other acts have recorded his songs.
He's written for symphony orchestras, dance and theatre works, film scores, written family musicals as half of "Jim and Dave", and was heard on CBC radio across Canada every two weeks for five years as 'songwriter-in-residence on the Basic Black programme. Currently signed to Borealis Records, Gordon is based in Guelph, where he produces other artists in his Pipe Street Studio in his spare time. His book of road stories, "A Thousand And One Canadian Nights" is due out next year.

Sandy Horne as 'Sally'

Sandy Horne is known to Canadians for her work with the hugely successful band "The Spoons" . In the '80's this group had two gold albums, two Juno nominations and a string of pop radio hits. They toured and opened for acts such as Culture Club, The Police, and Survivor, and they were pioneers on the pop video scene. In 2001 she started working with James Gordon , (her next-door neighbour), wandering across the street to help him record his Mining For Gold CD. They've toured extensively throughout North America and Britain as a duo, and released"One Timeless Moment" together on Borealis Records.
 
 
 

Nabi Loney as "Lucy"

Nabi is only sixteen years old, but she's already made a strong impact in her home-town of Guelph with her remarkable voice and her impressive stage presence. Nabi took over the role of Lucy orignially played by Amy Nedwell, who appears on the cast recording. She has appeared as a solo performer and as an opening act for James Gordon,, and last year was a hit at this year's Hillside Festival.
A Guelph High-School student, she is uniquely qualified to the demanding role of "Lucy" the street-kid in "Hardscrabble Road", where she'll also play in the on-stage orchestra and sing in the chorus. We just have to sneek her out of school for some rehearsals!

Ryan Schneider as "Jack"

With his creative style and confident performances, there can be no doubt that Ryan Schneider knows where he is going. Already his musical accomplishments are remarkable, performing in public for more than a decade and releasing his first album, "Here I Am", at age 14. An acoustic demo entitled "Just a Teaser" was recorded in 2001 followed by the release this year of his first demo CD with "The Ryan Schneider Band". A full-length album followed, and he's currently living in Nashville and dev eloping and impressive resume for such a young artist. The Guelph Mercury reports Ryan as "blessed with musical chops and a sense of songcraft far beyond his years" while The Packet & Times has this to say about Ryans performance at Mariposa "Schneider was the talk of the festivalwell-received is an understatement..unbelievably good".

Hardscrabble Road hopes to be coming to a theatre near you soon. For more information contact james@jamesgordon.ca
Back to the New News Page