In the summer of 1997 the lions of Chor Leoni had the opportunity to go on “safari” to Pacific and Atlantic Canada, so we decided to collect a group of these Canadian songs and sing them for (and often with) our wonderful hosts in Vancouver, Salt Spring Island, Victoria, St. John’s, Baddeck, Cheticamp, Truro, Charlottetown, Indian River, and Halifax. Our love affair with Canadian folk music proved so fruitful that we decided to record a CD for you in the spirit of strengthening the musical bonds that tie us together and so firmly say “Canada.”
Canadian Safari has become the label’s top selling compact disc!
Track List
- Fogarty's Cove Stan Rogers, arr. Ron Smail
- The Water is Wide Anonymous, arr. Miles Ramsay
- Vive L'Amour Anonymous, arr. Alice Parker and Robert Shaw
- Away from the Roll of the Sea Allister MacGillivray, arr. Diane Loomer
- Ave Maris Stella Latin Canticle, arr. Diane Loomer
- Chì mi na mòr bheanna Anonymous, arr. Stephen Smith
- Song for the Mira Allister MacGillivray, arr. Stuart Calvert
- She's Like the Swallow Newfoundland folk song, arr. Stephen Chatman
- Red River Valley Anonymous, arr. Miles Ramsay
- The Carrion Crow Nova Scotia folk song, arr. Stephen Smith
- Potlatch Fair British Columbia folk song, arr. Stephen Chatman
- Northwest Passage Stan Rogers, arr. Ron Smail
- Four Strong Winds Ian Tyson, arr. Larry Nickel
- Dondaine la Ridaine Quebec folk song
- Wood River Connie Kaldor, arr. Willi Zwozdesky
- Oh Mary, Come Home Henry C. Work, arr. Stephen Chatman
- Grand Hotel British Columbia folk song, arr. Stephen Chatman
- Drunken Sailor Sea shanty, arr. Robert Sund
- Barrett's Privateers Stan Rogers, arr. Ron Smail
- Make and Break Harbour Stan Rogers, arr. Ron Smail
Take a cross-country summer vacation in your living room and leave the “driving” to your CD player with this new recording from Chor Leoni. Many of you will remember the Nova Scotia tour of this men’s choir just over a year ago. The songs they performed in concert were laid down on tape after they returned to Vancouver.
The songs visit all regions of the country although they seem to spend quite a bit of time in Nova Scotia as nine of the twenty pieces have some connection to Canada’s Ocean Playground. Even both of the accompanists were born in Nova Scotia. But they do take time to visit the other areas of the country, with songs like “The Water is Wide,” “She’s Like the Swallow,” “Four Strong Winds,” “Vive l’amour,” and that Vancouver classic, “The Grand Hotel.”
The men sing well throughout the entire recording with great balance, phrasing and intonation. Loomer sets the mood for each piece and does a particularly fine job on “Ave Maris Stella,” “The Water is Wide,” “Wood River” and “Make and Break Harbour.” It is a romantic CD with many wistful moments. The choir obviously loves this music and, according to the liner notes, these pieces were recorded “for you in the spirit of strengthening the musical bonds that tie us together and so firmly say ‘Canada’.”
These many fine examples of Canadian folk music are wrapped in a great package with patriotic folk art on the cover, all of the texts, and friendly, informative notes. It is a recording that suits many moods and situations, from a rainy afternoon at home to a fun-filled summer road trip – either way it is a great way to experience Canada.
Dan Chase
Chorus, the newsletter of the Nova Scotia Choral Federation
Summer 1998
Can CDs be bought in Peterborough ?
Hello Jim,
We don’t have a list of outlets carrying our CDs, so it’s probably best to do a google search – “Peterborough + CD” and then calling around. Otherwise they are available from the Chor Leoni website here.
sincerely,
Bruce
Chor Leoni
I have 2 CD’s by Chor Leoni and love them….Now I need give them as gifts to friends….Wishing you all a Wonderful Holiday Season….Suzy Hackett James!