James Gordon
photo by Greg King
Based in Guelph, Ontario, James Gordon is known to many North Americans as the founder of Canada's premier folk group TAMARACK. With this durable trio he toured every corner of the continent, recorded fourteen albums, and made countless television and radio appearances. He has become well-known for his original songs about Canada's identity and heritage. He was a regular songwriting contributor to the CBC radio programmes "Ontario Morning" and "Basic Black". He has also released numerous solo albums for adults and children , composed works for symphony orchestras, co-written a popular series of "Jim and Dave" family musicals and written music for theatre, dance and film. His original folk opera "Hardscrabble Road" debuted in 2003. His songs have been recorded by a number of other artists including The Cowboy Junkies, Melanie Doane, Hilary Spencer, Al Simmons, Ian Bell and James Keelaghan.
His song "Frobisher Bay" was featured on Canada's most successful television program ever, "Canadian Idol", and it was named "Favourite Canadian Song" in the roots category in a national CBC radio contest. It's been recorded by dozens of artists around the world.
His song "Mining For Gold" is in the new John Sayles film "Silver CIty" starring Kris Kristoferson, Daryl Hannah and Richard Dreyfus.
2005 was Gordon's busiest year... he spent 5 weeks in England as composer/musical director for David Cregan's new play "Jealous River", he toured the U.S., Japan, and Canada's east coast, released his new album "Hardscabble Road"- and made a presentation at an international conference in Cuba on his ongoing work with "healing and the arts".
These days James tours North America and Great Britain as a solo act or accompanied by some of Canada's finest musicians, including Sandy Horne on bass and Marion Linton on fiddle, or with his two sons Evan and Geordie as "James Gordon and Sons".He produces CDs for other artists at his Pipe StreetStudios.
Signed to Borealis Records, Gordon's latest release "Endomusia" has received the best airplay of his long career.
"Gordon has a feel for the totality of Canada like few songwriters. When you consider such songs as Mining for Gold, Harvest Train, Frobisher Bay, Fields of Rock and Snow and Lonesome Cowboy's Lament, you end up with as enduring a handful of songs as has ever been written in this country by a single writer....The Kitchener-Waterloo Record
"It is the range and depth of Gordon's songs that is so special, honed to perfection"- Detour Magaine, Great Britain
For Booking information contact
Shawna Cooper 519-766-4342
scoop4992@rogers.com
Bookings in the U.S.A:
Pat Stinson, Writefish, 231-922-3617 ps@writefish.com
Great Britain:
Jacey Bedford at Tour Management UK
tours@jacey-bedford.com 01484 606230
As well as concert appearances, James also appears with his highly successful "Rhyme Capsules" songwriting programme in schools and at conferences.
SOME RECENT REVIEWS:
"James Gordon is really a remarkable Canadian performer. His body of work is truly original and One Timeless Moment just adds to his reputation". Les Siemieniuk , Penguin Eggs, Alberta
"One Timeless Moment is ... an excellent example of one of Canada's finest songwriters doing what he does best- telling the stories of ordinary people and ordinary towns. Sean McGaughey a.k.a. cyberfolkie- Orillia Folk Club Review
"the man is easily one of the greatest songwriters I've heard in recent years and is worth searching out on the strength of those talents alone. " Matt Fink, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Peterborough, New Hampshire
"something for everyone with a blend of ballads, quirky humour and a touch of political activism.." Ruth Farquhar, Manitoulin Expositor
"How drop dead lucky I am to be here listening to James Gordon live! The simple truth is that James infects us with a sense of who we are, in our country, in our communities, in our souls. His words and tunes touch our inner feelings about these basic things in our lives." Al McNair, Barrie Folk Society Review
"Thank you so much for perfectly brilliant One Timeless Moment!!! Splendid work! Incredibly bright impression! We were really glad and proud touch James Gordon's sincere, clean and clear creation. Please hand our sincere thanks to James for piece of his heart contained in his wonderful music.Much friendly love from Siberia". Serge Tikhanoff
"What can I say about such a collection of wonderful songs. James Gordon has that special something you find in writers like Hoagy Carmichael, Lerner and Loew, Leiber and Stoller, Buddy Holly, and the elite of modern songwriters. James Gordon has what the Irish call The Gift. He has a way with words that makes them slip by the ear all natural and yet still sound exotic and bright with potentials." Bob Mackenzie, Soundbytes, Kingston ON
To the left are "James Gordon
and Sons"-- Evan on the bass and Geordie on the right who plays everything.
Evan is producing the trio's new album,- he's got his OWN new CD coming
out, and has toured with Juno-nominated bands the Constantines and Royal
City. Geordie toured Europe this year with his band The Barmitzvah Brothers
and is a force to be reckoned with in the indie rock scene. The three Gordon
Boys will be scene at festivals and concerts this year.
James and Marion
Linton show off their straw hats with a mysterious harmonica-playing stranger
in Traverse City MI.
Somewhat formal, yet
bemused promo shot for downloading?
Or same shirt, bigger smile, but black and white?
