Joni was born in Fort Macleod, Alberta. As a singer-songwriter, she has explored and excelled in several genres, including: folk, pop, rock, and jazz. She was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada. Joni has released at least 19 albums. It is difficult to choose one song of hers. My choice is from her 1994 Turbulent Indigo album. I'd classify it as a lament--appropriate during this time of COVID-19--focussing on the biblical story of Job, Sire of Sorrow.
British Columbia: Luke Wallace
Luke Wallace is a young singer-songwriter, folk musician. He has released 5 albums, I'd never heard of him until recently. I was quite impressed. Listen to his latest album, What On Earth here.
Manitoba: Loreena McKennitt
Loreena McKennitt was born in Morden, Manitoba, and is a multi-talented musician, exploring and performing: world music, Celtic, and Middle Eastern genres. In addition to her singing and song-writing, she plays the harp, accordion, and piano. She was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, a Western Canadian Music Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and Juno Award winner. My favourite song is her rendition of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem, The Lady of Shalott.
New Brunswick: Charles Thomas (better known as) "Stompin' Tom" Connors
Stompin' Tom was a Canadian country and folk singer-songwriter from St. John, New Brunswick. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, founder of 3 record labels, promoting his own music as well as other Canadian musicians, and a popular Canadian storyteller. One of his popular songs is about Canada's favourite sport, The Hockey Song.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea was a Newfoundland and Labrador folk-rock band in existence from 1993-2013. The band members were: Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett, Sean McCann, Darrell Power. They interpreted traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, Scottish, and Cornish heritage. From 1996-2000, they won the Entertainer of the Year award at the East Coast Music Awards. Wave Over Wave is an ode to the sailor's way of life.
Nova Scotia: Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan is a Nova Scotia singer-songwriter, who plays: piano, keyboard, guitar, ukulele, banjo, and harp. Sarah is the winner of 9 Juno Awards, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, and inducted into the Order of British Columbia. She was also instrumental in establishing the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, and which has now expanded to Edmonton, providing music education for inner city children. She is also a member of the Canadian charity, Artists Against Racism. Visit this page on her website to listen to and watch several of her songs, including my favourite, I Will Remember You.
Ontario: Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn is my favourite, all-round, Canadian singer-songwriter. Bruce has had a long, productive, and distinguished musical career, and is still an active musician. Over the years, Bruce has experimented with and excelled in several genres, including: folk, rock, jazz, blues, to name a few. He has released 36 albums, making him one of the most prolific Canadian singer-songwriters. A person of deep faith, he addresses many contemporary issues in his songs, with a prophetic voice reminiscent of the biblical Jeremiah. It is very difficult for me to choose one of his songs, since so many of them are my favourites. Give a listen to Tried and Tested, on his 2003 You've Never Seen Everything album.
Prince Edward Island: Gene MacLellan
Although Gene MacLellan was not born in PEI, he lived there several years, where he was active as a singer-songwriter. Many will remember Gene's song, Snowbird, which made Anne Murray famous. Gene struggled with depression throughout his lifetime, and in 1995, tragically committed suicide. He released 4 albums ( a 5th one was released posthumously). I remember first seeing Gene on the CBC TV program Singalong Jubilee, and was immediately impressed with his music. From 1980 until his death in 1995, he performed only in small noncommercial venues such as churches, prisons, and nursing homes. Posthumously, Gene was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and given the East Coast Music Association's Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award. My favourite song is Put Your Hand In The Hand from his 1977 album, If It's Alright With You.
Quebec: Kate and Anna McGarrigle
Sister Kate and Anna McGarrigle were active Quebec singer-songwriters from 1975-2010, until Kate's death in 2010. They performed folk-rock and country-folk genres, and released about 10 albums together, plus collaborating with other musicians, including: Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and The Chieftains. In addition to singing and songwriting, they played several instruments, including: button accordion, banjo, fiddle, guitar, piano, keyboard, flute, and harmonica. In 1993, they were appointed Members of the Order of Canada, and in 2004, received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. One of my favourite McGarrigle Sisters's songs is Travellin' on for Jesus.
Saskatchewan: Connie Kaldor
Connie Kaldor is a Saskatchewan-born folk singer-songwriter. Connie started her full-time musical career in 1981, releasing the first of her 16 albums. In that same year, she created her own independent record label, Coyote Entertainment. She wrote the lyrics for Svetlana Zylin's musical, feminist interpretation of the Bible, The Destruction of Eve, which premiered in 1998. Connie is a three-time Juno Award winner for best children's album. In 2003, her television show @ Wood River Hall, debuted on VisionTV. Connie was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2006. One of my favourites (I'm also Saskatchewan-born) is the title track from her album, Love Sask.
What do you think of my list? Do you have other favourites? I'd be happy to find out if you care to share them in a comment below.
