A FEW REVIEWS OF CD's
PLUS PRESENTER'S COMMENTS
ON SOME LIVE PERFORMANCES
GREY COUNTY
Roots Music Report, Texas
This folk singer and songwriter is a master of his craft. Storytelling by music simplifies the feel of this album. Believable moving tales of life accompanied by beautiful music and vocals that are haunting and truthful. Canada is crowded with talented musicians and song- writers and Tim Harrison is one of the best. What a treasure this new music is - 5 star.
Sing Out!, U.S.
If 1960s-era folk music makes you sigh with contentment, you'll love this album. I don't mean that in a sarcastic way. Harrison captures the honesty and great storytelling of that era as well as effectively using simple arrangements of banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin and more to frame his great songs. There are nine originals, plus one cover (Richard Farina's "Pack Up Your Sorrows"), all directly or indirectly related to Grey County, his home in Ontario."Don Quixote's Dream" has light percussion that gives it a Spanish feel, but also features a Dobro that offers a grittier sound. The most moving song on the album is "Canada Gander's Lament". It's said that Canadian geese mate for life and this true story of a gander waiting for his love's return is heartbreaking. He finally flies away in December when the pond they used to share is frozen over. If you don't have a tear in your eye after hearing this one, you're not made of flesh and bone. "Dan's Song" is a true tale about a young man who is found hanging from a tree, dead by his own hand. Found in drag, he was not accepted in this town where "there were churches built all around the square". The last cut, "Grey County Winter", features a beautifully finger-picked guitar. It sounds like it's in a dropped D tuning, with that low string providing a nice drone under the poetic lyrics.
Don't worry about getting those old Ian and Sylvia LPs transferred to CD. Just put on this album. I guarantee it'll fit the bill".
BRIDGES
Arthur Wood, Folk Roots
"The real joy in album reviewing comes when you find that you can't take the darned creation off the deck. You want to play it for the rest of your life. And just to check that something is really happening, you succumb to playing it one more time. In any one year, this event may never happen. Sometimes, it's like an avalanche. So here we have Canadian, Tim Harrison. A recording artist for two decades, his tally, to date, is a mere quartet of recordings. His credentials are not in doubt, since the late and much missed Stan Rogers produced Harrison's 1979 debut Train Going East, while a [young] Daniel Lanois was the engineer. Performances in many of the major venues and at folk festivals on both sides of the 47th parallel followed the album's appearance. Later, Harrison founded the Summerfolk Music Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario and was, subsequently, the artistic director of numerous other Canadian open air folk music events.
In human terms, life sometimes dictates that we burn them. On other occasions, we experience the call to [re-]build them. Bridges have a multitude of applications. So here's the rub - Tim Harrison's Bridges is a nine track tour-de-force of, sometimes Celtic flavoured, contemporary folk music. The shortest cut lasts over four and a half minutes, while three tracks exceed seven minutes duration. 'Addicted' hardly describes my current state of mind. Excluding the traditional Carrickfergus, Harrison penned the other chunks of twenty-four carat gold in this collection. Haunting life affirmative anthems, for listeners with a mind to reflect and the will to respond, encapsulates the music captured stunningly on this little silver ring. All the way, that is, from 'Not For The Love Of The Money' to 'Vital Spark'.".
Steve Givens, Acoustic Guitar
"Canadian Tim Harrison is a beguiling songwriter who combines eloquent poetry, interesting and percussive guitar playing, and a voice that drips with passion and authenticity. Harrison writes about what he believes and sings with a forcefulness that makes you a believer too. His lyrics, like those of fellow Canadian Bruce Cockburn, invite us to make room for the spiritual and mystical in our lives. The addition of whistles and flutes on several cuts gives this CD a Celtic edge, but in the end it is Harrison's searing voice that reaches into the heart and demands to be heard."
TIM HARRISON
Geoff Hays, Toronto.Com
"Harrison is a wizard with words, wringing poetry from our everyday struggles and making those subtle shifts in imagery that make a great songwriter. Harrison has the all-too-rare ability to reach inside and body forth lyrics that are from the heart and real. The true heritage of folk music - alive not archival. Reminiscent of greats such as Dylan, Springsteen, Marley, you can't help but hear Harrison out."
Kevin McCarthy, Celtic/Folk Music Review
"The good news is that Tim Harrison is back with a new release. The even better news is that he has returned with an assortment of laser-like portraits of the innerscapes of human beings. His insights into the human condition, our heavenly ascents and our hellish descents, are as remarkable as is his talent for putting them into enjoyable song."
"Harrison is a wizard with words, wringing poetry from our everyday struggles and making those subtle shifts in imagery that make a great songwriter. Harrison has the all-too-rare ability to reach inside and body forth lyrics that are from the heart and real. The true heritage of folk music - alive not archival. Reminiscent of greats such as Dylan, Springsteen, Marley, you can't help but hear Harrison out."
Kevin McCarthy, Celtic/Folk Music Review
"The good news is that Tim Harrison is back with a new release. The even better news is that he has returned with an assortment of laser-like portraits of the innerscapes of human beings. His insights into the human condition, our heavenly ascents and our hellish descents, are as remarkable as is his talent for putting them into enjoyable song."
SARA AND THE SEA
Les Siemieniuk
Penguin Eggs,
Canada's Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine
It's the backbone of folk music - a boy or girl and their guitar. There are a lot of good ones around and Tim Harrison, one of old reliables who has played the folk circuit for many years, is still one of the best. In addition to all his work artistically directing a myriad of Ontario festivals, he's always kept up the songwriting and performing. He seems to be having a creative renaissance in the last few years. Harrison put out his first album in 1979, then one in 1985, but now he has put out four recordings in the last six years.Sara And The Sea is the latest. And you get exactly what you have come to expect from Harrison - songs sung from the heart and with passion. A great songwriter and even better singer, he puts his all into every word and transports you from the shoreline of the sea, in the title track, where a woman wanders the beach pondering the loss of a loved one.Sara And The Sea is populated with people facing the realities of life in Canada these days - relocating for a chance at a better life (Gonna ride that Train) to the human melancholy of lost loves in a stunning ballad Ghosts On PEI.Tim Harrison's Sara And The Sea exceeds the standards he has set in his other recordings and is a joy to listen to.
Independent Songwriter Web Magazine
It's hard to get an album that's better produced than one made by Tim Harrison. It is an auditory treat that tingles as it works its way through the ear canal. Shudder. His voice is a cross between Gordon Lightfoot and Jack Williams. The music is powerful and moving, yet has the soft touch of a feather as it sweeps the crevices of the mind. Surreal ecstasy.
Penguin Eggs,
Canada's Folk, Roots and World Music Magazine
It's the backbone of folk music - a boy or girl and their guitar. There are a lot of good ones around and Tim Harrison, one of old reliables who has played the folk circuit for many years, is still one of the best. In addition to all his work artistically directing a myriad of Ontario festivals, he's always kept up the songwriting and performing. He seems to be having a creative renaissance in the last few years. Harrison put out his first album in 1979, then one in 1985, but now he has put out four recordings in the last six years.Sara And The Sea is the latest. And you get exactly what you have come to expect from Harrison - songs sung from the heart and with passion. A great songwriter and even better singer, he puts his all into every word and transports you from the shoreline of the sea, in the title track, where a woman wanders the beach pondering the loss of a loved one.Sara And The Sea is populated with people facing the realities of life in Canada these days - relocating for a chance at a better life (Gonna ride that Train) to the human melancholy of lost loves in a stunning ballad Ghosts On PEI.Tim Harrison's Sara And The Sea exceeds the standards he has set in his other recordings and is a joy to listen to.
Independent Songwriter Web Magazine
It's hard to get an album that's better produced than one made by Tim Harrison. It is an auditory treat that tingles as it works its way through the ear canal. Shudder. His voice is a cross between Gordon Lightfoot and Jack Williams. The music is powerful and moving, yet has the soft touch of a feather as it sweeps the crevices of the mind. Surreal ecstasy.
WHEATFIELD WITH CROWS
Les Siemieniuk, Penguin Eggs
"One of my favourite books when I was in university was The Magus by John Fowles. Lo and behold, Fowles later rewrote parts of it. Mostly he changed the ending with a conclusion that came from maturity. It was an interesting and satisfying exercise for both the autor and the reader.
Tim Harrison is sort of doing the same thing. Seven of the songs on the new Wheatfield With Crows come from the now discontinued The Stars Above (1995). He has re-recorded them with new arrangements, and seasoned arrangements - the works of an older and more experienced musician. He has done a wonderful job and his fans will appreciate the new renditions.
But the highlight and strength of the album are seven new songs. Two of them are poems - W.B. Yeats' The Song of Wandering Aengus and John Masefield's Sea-fever - wonderfully set to music. Gently helped by guitar, mandolin and harmonica, Harrison sings the words in fine style. They'd both be impressed in how he captured the essence of their works.
Home Boys mines a bit of, probably obscure, Canadian history - the shipping of the sons and daughters of the destitute in England to Canada for employment as farm laborers.
As ever, Tim's voice is in great form and his handling of the arrangements, deft and lovely. Ballads at their best.
Greg Quill, Toronto Star
"Seven new originals and seven salvaged from a now discontinued CD and reconstituted, make up the new collection by veteran singer-songwriter Harrison, who's in fine voice on this album. It is perhaps his most complete and confident to date.
Still very much informed by the British Isles folk balladry, union songs and the style of the great narrative poets of the 1930s through 1950s, Harrison reveals more of himself this time around, even while he's working in the grand tradition, as in "Home Boys", an anochronistic tale of the suffering of impoverished British children, the jetsam of the Industrial Revolution, sent to work more or less as indentured slaves on Canadian farms in the early decades of the 20th century. Accompaniment by guitarist Paul Mills, Celtic harpist Sahra Featherstone, Chris Whiteley on harmonica, is sparse, assured, tasteful, allowing Harrison's fine voice and work on guitar and mandolin all the room they need."
"Seven new originals and seven salvaged from a now discontinued CD and reconstituted, make up the new collection by veteran singer-songwriter Harrison, who's in fine voice on this album. It is perhaps his most complete and confident to date.
Still very much informed by the British Isles folk balladry, union songs and the style of the great narrative poets of the 1930s through 1950s, Harrison reveals more of himself this time around, even while he's working in the grand tradition, as in "Home Boys", an anochronistic tale of the suffering of impoverished British children, the jetsam of the Industrial Revolution, sent to work more or less as indentured slaves on Canadian farms in the early decades of the 20th century. Accompaniment by guitarist Paul Mills, Celtic harpist Sahra Featherstone, Chris Whiteley on harmonica, is sparse, assured, tasteful, allowing Harrison's fine voice and work on guitar and mandolin all the room they need."
PRESENTER'S COMMENTS
Richard Carson, Hugh's Room,
Toronto, On
"Tim on stage breathes a special life into the room - his music, his craft, his performance. You're welcome here anytime, Tim".
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Lou Ligouri, Endicott Performing Arts Center,
Endicott, NY
We had the pleasure to host Tim Harrison at our venue last Saturday evening January 13th. If you haven't had the opportunity to hear Tim live, don't hesitate or wait... get to a concert and get him to your venue! He was phenomenal... humorous and insightful, his songs reach deep inside, his instrumentals were tasteful, powerful, and completed the mood of each song... the audience was mesmerized into complete silence during each song as they hung on every word... In short... Tim Harrison is a performer who should be experienced live.
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Jon Stein, Bodles Opera House,
Chester, NY
I will second Lou's comments about Tim Harrison. I booked him at Bodles and was totally enthralled with his performance. He is everything Lou said.....book him!
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Jim McTiernan, Flint Folk Music Society,
Flint, Michigan
It was one of those performances where time stands still, where when the last song is sung you look at your watch and wonder where the time went. You have not been merely entertained but taken places and seen things through the eyes of the singer. Tim really invites you into his music and with his expressive voice and guitar, you become part of his songs. Needless to say I enjoyed his performance and could have spent more time under his spell. Thanks for sending him our way and we hope to have in back in the future for an encore performance.
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Bill Keith
Trinity House Theatre, Livonia, Michigan
"We enjoyed having Tim play at Trinity House Theatre. His CDs are striking but pale in comparison to his commanding live presence. The audience wouldn't let him off the stage... we look forward to having him back."
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Steve Rosenberg, World Folk Music Assn,
Alexandria, VA
"Tim was a pleasure to work with, and an audience AND staff favorite at our annual benefit concert."
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Sharyl James-Wright
Home Routes Host 2011-2012 Season
Our house concert with Tim was truly a treat. He provided a vehicle away from the day to day rumblings. A time to pause, reflect, smile and ponder was such a welcome retreat. Thanks again for a lovely lovely evening sharing your immense talent and love of your craft with our house concert audience.
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Sonny Ochs, WRPI-FM/Remembering Phil Ochs Concerts
"An outstanding performer who deserves to be heard!"
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Vivian Cheng, Mother's Wine Coffeehouse,
Troy, NY
"Tim brought a good crowd into Mother's. His songwriting is absolutely enchanting, and the vocal nuances he incorporated into the performance really brought the stories to life!"
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Bob Alonge, New Song Folk Club,
East Bridgewater, MA
"Tim is by far one of the BEST performers we have ever had at our place!"
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Irene & Peter Breichmanas, Precious Friends House Concerts
Dundas ON
"A house concert with Tim is an experience not soon forgotten. His lyrics are both poetic and intellectually stimulating. His melodies are haunting, at times driving, and always masterfully delivered through intricate guitar work...[his] distinctively expressive voice and easy, captivating manner takes the audience on a voyage which transforms the ordinary and mundane into pure magic. He speaks directly to our senses, evoking powerful, artistic word images which last long after the concert is over, as does the realization that we have shared a special moment with an uniquely talented artist."
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Mike Barker, Folk Under The Clock,
Peterborough, ON
Tim provided an enjoyable evening sharing his classic songs taken from his outstanding album, "Wheatfield with Crows".
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Andrea Murray, Barrie Folk Society,
Barrie ON
Tim is a lover of celtic music and because of that I am a lover of Tim's music. His voice is both soothing and haunting as he transports the listener across the Atlantic with such songs as "In Dark Irish Kitchens", or a personal favourite of mine, "Carrickfergus". As well, his heartfelt and elegiac lyrics extend a visceral experience for the audience. When Tim sings, you can almost smell the salty ocean air in "Sara And The Sea" or feel the warmth of love shared by his two friends in "Two Hearts Beat in Galena".
Tim's background in folk music is steeped in the traditional sounds that remind of the days of Stan Rogers and Phil Ochs. Tim is also fortunate to have played with many talented musicians both from the past and present music scene. One such talent is Paul Mills, who delighted the crowd with his lively and varied accompaniment, adding a richness of colour and flavour to Tim's already tasty repertoire.
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Beth Auerbach, Sleepy Hollow Folk Club,
Falls Church, VA
Tim delivers what we're looking for in a house concert performer -- an ability to connect with a diverse audience in an intimate setting; a stylistic range that keeps everyone interested; a voice that's pure pleasure; and between-song vignettes both clever and very genuine.
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Dean Verger, Rasputin's Folk Cafe,
Ottawa ON
... music delivered with confidence and competence, Tim engages his audience through the vividness of his songwriting, the deftness of his playing and the emotional vibrancy of his voice.
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John O'Connor, The Blackthorne Music Hall,
South Easton MA
Tim opened here for Renbourn and for those thirty minutes, the audience forgot who they were there to see!
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Karen Finkenberg, Folk Music Society of Huntington,
Huntington, NY
Tim Harrison's performance at this month's Hard Luck Cafe was a terrific finale to our season. If you haven't seen Tim perform, you've missed a good show.
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Cammie & Ben Collier, Sawbriar Acoustic Stage,
Pilot Mountain, NC
"Tim's a wonderful artist - we'd love to have him return!"