Band: Quartette (includes Sylvia Tyson) Release: Rocks & Roses & 20 Years of Quartette Year:2013 Genre: Folk
Chatham connection:Sylvia Tyson, CM (born Sylvia Fricker, 19 September 1940, Chatham, Ontario, Canada), is a musician, performer, singer-songwriter and broadcaster from Chatham. She left Chatham in 1959 to perform in Toronto. From 1959 to 1974, she was half of the popular folk duo Ian & Sylvia with Ian Tyson.
Sylvia Tyson was made a member of the Order of Canada in 1994. She was nominated seven times for a Juno Award, the first being in 1987 as Country Female Vocalist of the Year. But despite these nominations, she has not yet won a Juno award. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame inducted Ian & Sylvia as a duo in 1992. In 2003, Sylvia Tyson herself was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Quartette is a Canadian country-folk group featuring Cindy Church, Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick and Sylvia Tyson. Each of the four members also records as a solo artist in addition to their work as a group.
Tracks: * Rock & Roses 1. Rocks and Roses 2. First Love Waltz 3. Cry Baby 4. All I know/Conquerall 5. I’ll Keep You In My Heart 6. Sweet Agony 7. Arkansas Travelogue 8. Holding You 9. Wilderness 10. Song For A Winter’s Night
* 20 Years of Quartette (Bonus Disc) 1. The Circle 2. Me and My Love and I 3. Hobo Girl 4. Spring of ’45 5. A Love That Just Won’t Stray 6. I Don’t Want To Cry 7. All Things Can Change 8. A Christmas Waltz 9. A Road Less Travelled 10. No Place Like Home _ *Watch the album preview below.
__ Quartette Discography
1993 – Quartette
1995 – work of heart
1996 – It’s Christmas
1998 – In the Beauty of the Day
2002 – I see a star
2007 – down at the fair
2013 – Rocks & Roses & 20 Years of Quartette
Band:Castle Release:In Witch Order Year:2011 Genre: Doom Metal Reside: san Fransisco Record label (Europe):Van Records)
Local Connection: Guitarist Mat Davis (from Chatham-Kent, Wallaceburg) first made waves in the metal scene locally with his band M.A.D.(The Mad) in the early nineties. M.A.D. released a few albums through Fringe records. Mat later moved to London Ontario & did well in the band Salmonblaster.
He moved to San Francisco about eight years ago & is now having a good time with Castle, alongside his girlfriend fronting on vocals & bass guitar.
Mat is constantly on tour through all of the U.S.A., Canada, & Europe. This tour cycle has been expanding & repeating many times during the bands life.
Tracks: Side One: 1. Descent Of Man 2. Fire In The Sky 3. Slaves Of The Pharaoh 4. Knife In The Temple 5. Total Betrayal 6. Spellbinder
Side Two: 1. Lost Queen 2. Shaman Wars 3. Sleeping Giant 4. Butcher Of Los Angeles 5. Devils Castle
Discography to date * Castle – 2014 – Under Siege * Castle – 2013 – Backlands (Juno nominated) * Castle – 2011 – In Witch Order. (“Album of the Year” honors from Metal Hammer Norway)
Links: * Bands website link here. * Download album link here. * Facebook link here. * Twitter link here.
Notes:Project involves three members from Chatham who later moved away to pursue further education.
Predator/Prey is an ambitious concept album exploring the nature of what it means to be a
living organism. Co-founders of the group, Adam and Dak both have artistic and scientific
backgrounds as well as a deep love for Canada’s wilderness. Prolific audiophiles, they
incorporate a genre-bending approach that attempts to mix styles in new and innovative
ways. The album was performed with emerging Canadian painter Scott Everingham (drums),
multi-instrumentalist Carrie Phipps (vocals, writings) and trumpet player Brian Moyer
(trumpet).
Members: Adam Phipps Dak De Kerckhove Scott Everingham Carrie Phipps Brian Moyer
Local Chatham Notes:
Scott began playing drums in the local punk band ‘Never’.
Carrie began playing bass in the local punk band ‘Beat Junkies‘.
Adam Phipps performed in ‘Wonderbreed’.
Band:Harper and Rowe Album:S/T Year:Circa 1967 Genre:Psychedelic Pop Rock
Connection: Ralph Murphy (Wallaceburg) joins the group Harper and Rowe.
Album Notes:Ralph takes on the name ‘Harper’ along with credits for song writing & production on this album.
Tracks. A Side 01. Here Comes Yesterday Again 02. The Dweller 03. Picture Me High 04. Where Is She 05.You And Me (Me And You) 06. Love Machine
B Side 01.Keep On Dancing 02. Good Times, Bad Times 03. Strange How People Change 04.Hold Me 05. Wake Me When It’s Over 06.Hello Sleepy Sidewalk
Other Notes:
* 1967 – Ralph also writes the single ‘Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt‘ performed by Billy Fury. Video here. * 1967 – Ralph wrote ( & co-produced) the song ‘Whatever happened to the 7 Day Week’, released by Belle & Me. (Columbia) * 1967 – Ralph wrote ‘Along Came pride’ released by Donnie Elbert on CBS.
_ Artist: Elyse Weinberg (AKA Cori Bishop) Release: In My Own Sweet Time Year: 2009 Genre:Folk, Alternative Folk Born:Chatham Ontario Canada Website:here. Preview or buy the Album:here.
Track Listing: 1. Anybody Out There? 2. Break It Wide Open 3. Hey My Baby 4. Remind Me 5. Operator 6. Darlin’ 7. The Shining One 8. Sleepwalker 9. Nothin’s Gonna Change 10. All Is Well
Produced by Cori Bishop & John Swinnerton at Sonic Sojourns, Ashland, Oregon.
Notes:
The Holy Grail. That’s how Andrew Rieger of Elf Power described the moment in 1999 when he first listened to Elyse’s long forgotten 1968 self-titled release. Back in the late ’60’s, the album received quite a bit of attention – so much so that Elyse appeared on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, in Newsweek and the L.A. Free Press, and at Shaffer Music Festival in NYC. She continued to write and record for Asylum Records. Cut to 30 years later when Rieger fell so much in love with her debut album that he contacted Elyse (now going by the name Cori Bishop and living in Ashland, Ore.).
The rest is history – Orange Twin rereleased the self-titled debut, along with two other of her songs from that era, one of which, “Houses,” features Neil Young wielding his distinctively ripping guitar sound. Since, Elyse’s story has become something of a rock legend – after the rerelease her album received massive amount of positive feedback in the press, and she was mentioned in Magnet, Time Out NY, Aquarium Drunkard, Creative Loafing (amongst others). Perhaps the most flattering result was two extremely successful indie bands, Vetiver and Dinosaur Jr. decided to cover “Houses” in the aftermath of the release.
Now, after playing extensively over the past few years, which included a date at Montreal Pop Festival in 2008, Elyse has recorded a new album for the first time since the late ’60’s – the aptly titled “In My Own Sweet Time.” Elyse’s voice is still captivating – at once sweet and melodic, while also sounding edgy and ragged, brimming with a sense of hope and liberation. As Andrew Rieger said, it’s scary and magical stuff, which is particularly captured in the album’s first single “Anybody Out There?” _ _ *Watch the CD preview below.
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Artist:Elyse Weinberg (born Cori Bishop) Release: Elyse Year: 1968 Genre: psych folk rock Born: Chatham Ontario Canada Website:here. Buy the Album: here.
Track Listing: Side 1: 1 Band Of Thieves (2:28) 2 Deed I Do (2:53) 3 Iron Works (2:53) 4 Spirit Of The Letter (2:22) 5 Here In My Heart (3:12) 6 Last Ditch Protocol (2:46)
Side 2: 1 Sweet Pounding Rhythm (2:38) 2 Meet Me At The Station (2:30) 3 Simpleminded Harlequin (2:22) 4 Painted Raven (1:20) 5 Mortuary Bound (3:26) 6 If Death Don’t Overtake Me (4:25)
Notes: This record was re-issued in 2001.
“Elyse” actually received much critical acclaim, and while not a commercial hit, the record sold fairly well, even prompting an appearance on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show”. Two more albums were recorded but never released. Included on the 2001 re-issue of this album, are two songs from this era, one of which, “Houses”, features Neil Young wielding his distinctively ripping guitar sound.
Elyse got her start performing in Toronto alongside friends like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. She later moved to Los Angeles where she recorded “Elyse”, and has since lived in London, New Mexico, and Ashland, Oregon where she currently lives. She still writes and plans to record an album of new material in the near future.
Since, Elyse’s story has become something of a rock legend – after the rerelease her album received massive amount of positive feedback in the press, and she was mentioned in Magnet, Time Out NY, Aquarium Drunkard, Creative Loafing (amongst others). Perhaps the most flattering result was two extremely successful indie bands, Vetiver and Dinosaur Jr. decided to cover “Houses” in the aftermath of the re-release.
Notes:Cher recorded the song “Band of Thieves” without giving credit to Elyse. She remembers going to the movies with her friends to see Cher’s movie and to hear Cher’s version of her song “Band of Thieves”. When the credits came on it said all music by Sonny Bono, She was shocked. _ _ *Watch the preview of this album below.
Artist:Elyse Weinberg (born Cori Bishop) Release:Elyse Year: 2001 (Re-Release from 1968) Genre:psych folk rock Born: Chatham Ontario Canada Website:here. Buy the Album:here.
Track Listing: 1. Last Ditch Protocol 2. Deed I Do 3. Iron Works 4. Spirit of the Letter 5. Here in My Heart 6. Band of Thieves 7. Sweet Pounding Rhythm 8. Meet Me at the Station 9. Simpleminded Harlequin 10. Painted Raven 11. Mortuary Bound 12. If Death Don’t Overtake Me 13. House (Featuring Neil Young) 14. What You Call It _ _ *Watch the preview of this album below.
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Notes:This is a reissue of this 1968 psychedelic classic.
“Elyse” actually received much critical acclaim, and while not a commercial hit, the record sold fairly well, even prompting an appearance on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show”. Two more albums were recorded but never released. Included on this CD reissue are two songs from this era, one of which, “Houses”, features Neil Young wielding his distinctively ripping guitar sound.
Elyse got her start performing in Toronto alongside friends like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. She later moved to LA where she recorded “Elyse”, and has since lived in London, New Mexico, and Ashland, Oregon where she currently lives. She still writes and plans to record an album of new material in the near future. Since, Elyse’s story has become something of a rock legend – after the rerelease her album received massive amount of positive feedback in the press, and she was mentioned in Magnet, Time Out NY, Aquarium Drunkard, Creative Loafing (amongst others). Perhaps the most flattering result was two extremely successful indie bands, Vetiver and Dinosaur Jr. decided to cover “Houses” in the aftermath of the re-release.
Notes:Cher recorded the song “Band of Thieves” without giving credit to Elyse. She remembers going to the movies with her friends to see Cher’s movie and to hear Cher’s version of her song “Band of Thieves”. When the credits came on it said all music by Sonny Bono, She was shocked.
Group: The Singing Teentones Year: 2005 Home: Chatham Ontario Style: Church Choir Group Formed: 1961 Members: 14
Members included
Gary Kivel, Bob Hillman, Linsa Soloman, Carol Anne Mackness, Becky Spicer, Former members John and Ruth Cornelius (currently back from Africa mission work)
This year marks the 40th anniversary since their debut record was released. That album was recorded in 1965. This year is the groups second reunion.
Band: Colours Album: Atmosphere Year: 1969 Genre: 69 PSYCHEDELIC ROCK Label: Dot Records Record No.: DLP-25935
Chatham-Kent Connection: Jack Dalton was raised in Erieau. Jack Dalton started playing music with his four brothers, The Dalton Brothers, when he was six years old. They performed the “banquet circuit” with their father, Walter Dalton (aka Michigan’s Irish Tenor), who also had his own radio show. “The Colours” were a West-Coast Psychedelic Pop act that came together in 1967 at the request of songwriters, “Jack Dalton” and “Gary Montgomery”, two hard-working, former Motown Records songwriters who also penned songs for “The Turtles”, “Nino & April” and “The Moon”. Jack now resides in Detroit.
Band Jack Dalton – Guitar Gary Montgomery – Vocals, Piano Rob Edwards – Lead Guitar Carl Radle – Bass Chuck Blackwell – Drums
ALBUM TRACKS All songsby Jack Dalton & Gary Montgomery 1. Angie 2. God Please Take My Life 3. When Will You Be Coming Home ? 4. I Tried To Make You Love Me Last Night 5. Grey Day 6. Smilin’ In Tronto 7. Hyannis Port Soul (Lost You To The Wind) 8. Run Away From Here 9. It’s Time To Tell You 10. Announcement 11. I’ll Be Your Friend 12. You’re High
Chatham-Kent Connection: Jack Dalton was raised in Erieau. Jack Dalton started playing music with his four brothers, The Dalton Brothers, when he was six years old. They performed the “banquet circuit” with their father, Walter Dalton (aka Michigan’s Irish Tenor), who also had his own radio show. “The Colours” were a West-Coast Psychedelic Pop act that came together in 1967 at the request of songwriters, “Jack Dalton” and “Gary Montgomery”, two hard-working, former Motown Records songwriters who also penned songs for “The Turtles”, “Nino & April” and “The Moon”.
Jack’s Background: When Jack was 17 years old, he and two of his brothers, Wally and Dan, formed a folk group called The Dalton Boys, which became successful performing at concerts and playing nightclubs such as Philadelphia’s Latin Quarter, New Orleans’ Playboy Club, and New York’s Bitter End. They were the first group to record ”San Francisco Bay Blues” on Decca Records. The Dalton Boys soon appeared on several national TV shows such as ABC’s Hootenanny, The Mike Douglas Show, and Mike Wallace’s PM East.??
After The Dalton Boys retired, Jack collaborated with a new writing partner, Gary Montgomery, and they signed with Motown Records, recording original songs, continuing with the name The Dalton Boys. Jack and Gary moved to the West Coast and became staff writers for White Whale Records, Robbins Fiest and Miller, and wrote for The Turtles, The Outsiders, Spiral Starecase, and April and Nino.
Jack and Gary then formed a rock group, Colours, and had radio airplay with a single called “Love Heals” b/w Bad Day at Blackrock Baby on Dot Records. After the group disbanded, Jack returned to Detroit and started a jingle company with Jeff Parsons. The Road Company quickly became the largest jingle company in Detroit, with Jack writing, arranging, playing, and singing on most of the commercials.
In 1980 Jack returned to his ”first love,” performing. He joined Doug Jacobs’ Red Garter Band and played 250 one-nighters annually. Jack continues to make his living in Detroit, singing and playing guitar ?and banjo in Detroit-based bands as well as being booked by Detroit agents as a solo performance act.
Band: The Golden Eagles Release: The Gold Album Year: 2009 Formed: Early 2008 Home: Windsor/ Chatham-Kent
Members:
Jamie Reaume – Vocals and guitar.
Neil Tupling – Bass (ex-Lost Souls Division)
Geoff Yunker – drums.
Notes: Some of you may know singer songwriter Jamie Reaume from his previous band Foreign Film Star, or saw him play a solo acoustic show in Chatham or Windsor. He used to often play at the Elephant’s Nest and other venues while growing up in Chatham.
Jamie is currently living in the Windsor area and his new band involves musicians from there as well.
This is a great indie CD worth checking out. Their first single “Cell Phone” is a great indication of jamie improving consistently with his song writing and song structures. This track alone shows signs of a band who gets it and has worked hard to drop tracks that simply rock without trying to over play, be too artsy, or too safe.
Track Listing 01 Cell Phone 02 See You Coming 03 Bird Of Prey 04 Go 05 Surfing At The Circus 06 Don’t Wanna Know 07 Twenty Something 08 Dr Shark’s Leather Couch 09 The Duke
The Gold Album was recorded from November 2008 to March 2009 at Sharktank Studios in Windsor, Ontario and was engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Plancke. The album features guest appearances from Sara Hines as Sally, Mark Plancke as Dr. Shark and Jose Ramirez as El Diablo.
Artist: Anne Murray Release: Christmas Wishes Year: 1981 Label: Label: Capitol Records Chatham Connection: Bob Lucier (from Grande Pointe, Chatham-Kent) plays steel guitar on this record and has been in Anne Murray’s band for many years.
Track Listings 1. Winter Wonderland 2. Silver Bells 3. Little Drummer Boy 4. I’ll Be Home for Christmas 5. Christmas Wishes 6. Joy to the World 7. Away in a Manger 8. O Holy Night 9. Go Tell It on the Mountain 10. Silent Night
Canadian country singer Anne Murray was born in Nova Scotia in 1945. She was the first Canadian solo singer to reach No.1 in the US charts for her single “Snowbird” and has album sales of over 50 million to her credit. Her 1984 album A Little Good News won the Country Music Associations Album of the Year and in 1993 she was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
About Bob Lucier: Bobby Lucier has been a leader in steel guitar and is world renowned for his unique style and ability. Bob was the resident steel guitar player (for roughly 20 years) on “The Tommy Hunter Show” which began airing on the CBC TV in the mid ’70’s. He was also the first steel guitarist with the famous Johnny Burke and Eastwind. Before that, he played in Bill Anderson’s “Po’ Boys band”, “Myers Brothers and the Jubilaires”, and a few others. Bob’s steel guitar playing is on many of Ann Murrays albums recorded through the years.
Visit Bob online here. http://www.ambrec.com/boblucier/
Artist: Bob Lucier Album: Nerves of Steel Circa: 1976 Genre: Country Instrument: Steel guitar Home: Bob is from Chatham Ontario (Grande Pointe)
Note: Bobby Lucier has been a leader in steel guitar and is world renowned for his unique style and ability. Bob was the resident Steel Player for “The Tommy Hunter Show” when it aired on the CBC television network in Canada for many years.
This album contains original works and material by other artists.
1. HEY GOOD LOOKIN’ 2. YOU AND ME B 3. CITY OF NEW ORLEANS 4. C’MON SON (Bob Lucier) 5. THE HOMECOMING 6. FLOWERS ON THE WALL 7. HAPPY WORLD (Bob Lucier) 8. THE WAY WE WERE 9. JAMAICAN STEEL 10. MY PLEASURE (Bob Lucier) 11. I CAN’T HELP IT 12. TOO HIGH Stevie Wonder
Click on the video below to play the album preview.
*Bob also plays steel guitar this year on:
Jesse Winchester’s album “Let the Rough Side Drag”, 1976.
Bill Amesbury – Can You Feel It – Bill signed with Yorkville Records in 1973 and made several singles in 1973-1974. After one non-charting single, the second – “Virginia (Touch Me Like You Do)” – went to #1 in Canada and did well in many countries. In 1999, it received a SOCAN Classic award for 100,000 radio plays. Bill’s success attracted Neil Bogart, who was starting up the Casablanca label. While KISS were the first signing, Bill Amesbury had the first record on the label, with the US issue of “Virginia.” This led to an album, “Jus’ A Taste Of The Kid” (1974). In 1976, Bill signed with Capitol and made one album, “Can You Feel It,” featuring the contributions of some of the finest session musicians in Canada. Bill had great success in England with his records on the Power Exchange label. His songs were discovered by other artists such as Long John Baldry, Natalie Cole and Mitch Ryder, who covered them on their albums. There were no further records by Bill Amesbury. He underwent sex-reassignment surgery and has been Barbara Amesbury for a quarter-century now. Barbara is a patron of the arts in Toronto, a filmmaker and social activist.
Band: The Jubilaires II Release: Country Horizons Year: 1981 Home: Chatham-Kent Ontario
Note: The band chose to record some of their favourite cover songs for this album. They played a lot in 1981, including shows with Charlie Pride and some radio concert series for BX.93 Country Roads.
Members:
(L-R in band photo) Brad James– R. guitar, vocals (Highgate) J.P. Marchand – R. guitar, harmonica, vocals (Tilbury) Roland Lozon – L. guitar, Violin, banjo, mandolin (Pain Court) Ray Trahan– Drums, vocals (Grande Point) John MacTavish – Keyboards, Synthesizer, strings, vocals (Glencoe) Floyd Bobier – Bass, vocals (St. Thomas)
Tracks: 01. Workin’ man blues 02. Last cheater’s waltz 03. Colour my word 04. Rocky top 05. Drivin’ my life away 06. The devil went down to Georgia 07. Blue eyes crying in the rain 08. She believes in me 09. We can’t go on (Living like this) 10. Dig a little deeper (In the well)
Engineered by: Richard Janik. Recorded and mixed in Windsor.
Notes on back cover of LP:
The Jubilaires II aren’t your “every day” country group. Their variety of musical tastes and stylings stem from years of individual experience. Two years ago, these fine musicians and singers set out on the long road to creating that “new” country sound.
Performing on numerous instruments and topping it all with dynamic vocal deliveries, these six entertainers have made the Jubilaires II favourites everywhere they appear.
Listen to their album; feel the energy and vitality of their stage performances captured in a studio environment.
Listen, and add yourself to the quickly growing number of Jubilaires fans. Bob Bean, Vice President Joy-Bean Records.
The group is the second carnation of the Jubilaires. The original Jubilaires formed in 1956, then around 1960 the Myers brothers joined them which led to the name change “The Myers Brothers and The Jubilaires. Around 1978-79 the Myers Brothers left and the Jubilaires continued on as the Jubilaires II.
Artist: Ray Francis Release: The Good Old Days Format: LP Album Year: 1975 Home: Chatham Ontario Canada Label: Condor Number: A-977-1450 Genre: Country Music
The record includes four original songs by Ray Francis. Rays son Mike (Pepe) Francis is a noted producer on this record and plays guitar on it. Mike is one of Canada’s most accomplished studio musicians.
Discography:
Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills – 1963 – Country Jamboree
The Whippoorwills – 1964 – The Whippoorwills Ray Francis – 1973 – The Country Way
Ray Francis – 1973 – An Olde Tyme Christmas
Ray Francis – 1974 – Two Sides of Country
Ray Francis – 1975 – The Good Old Days
Cover Photo: Marjon Studios
Tracks
01. Little bit of Heaven (Ray Francis) 02. Movin’ on (Merle Haggard) 03. Never gone to stay (Larry Douglas) 04. Good Old Days (Ray Francis) 05. Hell hath no fury (Shirl Milette) 06. Out of my mind (Ray Francis) 07. Here’s your roses Mary Ann (R. Schiafe/D. Hogan) 08. Only too glad (Ray Francis) 09. Cryin’ every night (Shirl Milette) 10. Before the next teardrop falls (V. Keith/B. Peters)
Band: Ray Francis Release: The Country Way Format: LP Album Year: 1973 Label: Marathon Music Genre: Country Music
This is the first solo record from Ray Francis. He had recorded two records previously under the name “Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills”.
Tracks Side one: 01. Grazing in the greener pastures 02. Drinking champagne 03. Deep water 04. I’ll be there 05. Happy tracks 06. Running gun Side two: 07. Restless woman 08. If you leave me 09. Son of hickory holler’s tramp 10. You can take the boy out of the country 11. Four in the morning 12. Black jack
Cover Photo by: John Haslip
This debut solo record charted number one on radio. From coast to coast, the first single “Restless Women” did very well especially on the east coast. This song was an original that Ray had co-wrote and was not sure if it would make it on the album, but the record label liked it and rightfully so.
Ray had told me how he first heard it on the radio while driving home on the 401. He pulled over. He called his record company to see if they knew it was being played. He was informed that it was tracked and being played all over the country. The musician is always the last to know, and this is the perfect example. S. Beaulieu.
Liner Notes:
In a world of music, there is the entertainer and there is the singer, Ray Francis is both.
Ray Francis the entertainer, is a well known name throughout Southern Ontario…where he has been performing since the late 1950’s. He formed his first band, The Whippoorwills which soon gained the reputation of the best country band throughout the area. The group often appeared on “Opry” shows and for awhile the boys toured the U.S.A.
Ray was offered a job playing drums and fronting the Gary Buck band, so he moved his wife and son to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Being constantly on the road and away from his family wasn’t the life for Ray so after a few months he moved back to Southern Ontario taking a job outside the music business. However his love of entertaining soon became strong again, so he formed another band and with his teenaged son, Mike, as lead guitarist. Shortly after Mike was offered a full time job in the music industry, so the band was dissolved. Ray joined another local group, The Rancheros (1973). The band enjoys a great success and is constantly in demand.
As one of the best “Front men” in the business today, Ray is always in demand to M.C. and his impersonations are always a hit of any show. As an entertainer he is superb.
This is Ray’s first album and listening to his beautiful rendition of “If you leave me tonight I’ll cry”, you’ll hear Ray the ballad singer. He’s equally at home with Country as witness, “Running Gun”. Listen to Ray the composer as he does his own “Restless Woman”. In face just buy this album and give yourself a treat.
I’m proud to have had this chance to introduce you to my friend, Ray Francis… all ‘round great person…husband…father…singer…composer and most of all entertainer. Marilynne Caswell, M.C. Talent Agency. London Ontario.
Band: The Whippoorwills Release: The Whippoorwills Format: LP Album Year: 1964 Formed: 1958 Disbanded: late 1964 Home: Chatham Ontario Canada
Label: Canatal Records Genre: Country Music
Members:
Ray Francis – Rythm guitar
Bill Taylor – Drums
John Tangelis – Bass
Ray Dauphin – Tenor guitar
Max Dauphin – Steel guitar and fiddle
Tracks: 01.Honey lovin’ (Bollington) 02.When two worlds collide (Roger Miller and Bill Anderson) 03.Lost in the islands (Reg Dauphin) 04.A wound time can’t erase (B. Johnson) 05.Ridin’ high (Max Dauphin) 06.Little darlin’ (John Tangelis) 07.Drivin’ nails in my coffin (Jerry Irby) 08.Dead end twist ( William S. Taylor) 09.What would you do (Jim Reeves) 10.South of the border ( Carr and Kennedy) 11.Tears broke out on me ( Hank Cochrane) 12.Tears will fall ( Ray Francis)
This is the second of two releases.
Liner Notes:
Most country music lovers in Canada and the U.S. have heard of Ray Francis and his western group – “The Whippoorwills”.
Ray and “The Whippoorwills” have appeared on the best loved country shows, including “Grand Old Opry”, with such well known artists as Brenda Lee, Ferlin Husky, Minnie Pearl, Tex Ritter and others of equal fame.
This versatile country and western group are constantly touring and making personal appearances, in both counties.
The vocal and instrumental selections recorded were carefully chosen and they feature the melodic sound of the steel guitar, which adds greatly to the rounded blend of this album. The groups first love is the type of music they recorded on this album.
Standing in the studio in their stocking feet, Ray Francis and his men played one of the finest western and country sessions we have ever heard. Why not share it with us?
Art Snider – Canatal Records.
Note:After this second album, Ray chose a solo career, recording four more albums and appeared on many TV shows.
Recorded at: Newberry Sound Studio LTD. Engineer: Dave Newberry and Art Snider Produced by: Art Snider Cover Photo: Robert Ragsdale, assisted by Margaret Epp
About Ray:
Ray bought his first guitar at the age of 13 and taught himself how to play by watching others in his area, including men living in railroad cars. Ray lived on Edgar Street which was behind the rail road station in Chatham. These train carts were home to men who worked for the rail road but travelled from city to city with their work. Ray would watch them play guitar then ask them to show him how to play that new chord he never saw before. He would then rush home and practice it until he got it down.
After a long run of it, the road took its toll on him and he decided to walk away from it all to be home with family and take on a job in his home town. Ray’s son Michael is one of Canada’s most accomplished studio musicians and carries the legacy on. S. Beaulieu
Band: Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills Release: Country Jamboree Format: LP Album Year: 1963 Formed: 1958 Label: Arc Records Genre: Country Music
Ray Francis on vocals on side one. 01. Crying In The Deep Blue Sea 02. I’ve Got A Right To Know 03. A House With Everything But Love 04. I’ll Kiss The Fast GoodBye 05. The Same Old Me 06. All Over Again
John Tengelis on vocals on side two. 07. Toujour Moi 08. I Can’t Run Away From Myself 09. Three Hearts In A Triangle 10. Anymore 11. A Dime Worth Of Dreams 12. Carribean
Band members:
Ray Francis, Bill Taylor, John Tangelis, Ray Dauphin, Max Dauphin
This is the first of two albums Ray Francis and the Whippoorwills recorded. Ray went on to record four solo records also.
Liner Notes:
“A recording company in the run of a year auditions many artists in order to find the top talent required for recording. As soon as Arc Records heard Ray Francis and The Whippoorwills they immediately recognized that here was one of the most professional sounding country bands in the land. This long play album is the result”
The Whippoorwills have been together as a unit for five years and for the past three years have been heard regularly on radio station C.F.C.O. in Chatham, Ontario, the group’s home base. The band has toured with Grand Ole Opry, stars such as Ray Price; Johnny Cash; Brenda Leeand many others, both in Canada and the United States.
The next goal that Ray Francis and his talented band are aiming for is their own weekly television show, and if talent and showmanship is the key to their goal, they are certain to succeed.
2009 Update by S. Beaulieu The band started out making $3 a night in the late 1950’s. They went on to do a weekly radio show for CFCO which ran for five years, beginning in 1960. Francis worked hard and persistently to promote the band to people with connections in the industry. Country star Jim Reeves was quick to help the band when he heard them, stating that they were the best he had heard anywhere in Canada.
In 1963 they recorded their first LP ‘Country Jamboree’ in Toronto. In those days, recordings were simply the band circled around a single microphone. There were no overdubs or room for error on a take. Musicianship mattered. By researching Ray I found and bought this album one day before going to interview Ray. It turns out Ray had a copy of all his albums except this first one. It was posted online from a Holland Street home in Chatham, so I drove over and bought it and then gave it to Ray. I thought that was pretty cool. He gets a copy of his first album, and I get to meet and learn about a local musician who was a real go-getter and made things happen for his music and love of it.
Chatham Music Archive 