North To Carnarvon / The Jeff Barry Band (1981) [Full LP]

Описание: North To Carnarvon
The Jeff Barry Band
JB Records WRC1-1409, 1981

This self-released gem from Hamilton's country scene captures a unique moment when The Jeff Barry Band brought their regional sound to vinyl at the legendary Grant Avenue Studio. Released in the same year as Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding — to whom a signed copy was notably sent — this album showcases a band deeply rooted in both traditional country and the specific character of Ontario's cottage country.

Recorded at Grant Avenue Studio under engineer Greg Roberts, the album features an impressive ensemble: Jeff and Glen Barry on acoustic guitars, Steve Wilson on lead guitar, Dave Carruthers on steel, Bill Norris on fiddle, Dave Hadler on mandolin, Bob Longstreet on banjo, Paul Holmes on bass, and Earl Muir on drums. Vocals are shared between Jeff Barry, Glen Barry, Rick McLarnon, and Donna Muir, creating rich harmonies throughout.

The album balances beloved country standards with regional flavors. Opening with Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart" and including classics like "Crazy Arms," "Blue Kentucky Girl," and "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," the band demonstrates their deep respect for country tradition. The surprising inclusion of Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" adds a contemporary touch. Traditional instrumentals "Rambler's Hornpipe" and "Earl Mittons Breakdown" showcase Norris's fiddle prowess, while McLarnon's original "Be My Lady" provides the album's sole new composition.

The title track "North to Carnarvon," with lyrics by Metropolitan Carnarvon Commissioner Jim McLean, pays tribute to the resort village 130 miles north of Toronto on Highway 35 — a destination familiar to countless Ontario families heading to cottage country. This regional anthem, combined with the band's authentic approach and Grant Avenue's warm production, creates a time capsule of early 1980s Canadian country music, where local pride met Nashville standards in perfect harmony.

FRANÇAIS:
Ce bijou autoproduit de la scène country de Hamilton capture un moment unique où The Jeff Barry Band a immortalisé leur son régional sur vinyle au légendaire Grant Avenue Studio. Sorti l'année du mariage du Prince Charles et Lady Diana—à qui une copie signée fut envoyée—cet album présente un groupe profondément ancré dans le country traditionnel et le caractère spécifique du pays des chalets de l'Ontario.

Enregistré au Grant Avenue Studio sous la direction de l'ingénieur Greg Roberts, l'album présente un ensemble impressionnant: Jeff et Glen Barry aux guitares acoustiques, Steve Wilson à la guitare solo, Dave Carruthers au steel, Bill Norris au violon, Dave Hadler à la mandoline, Bob Longstreet au banjo, Paul Holmes à la basse et Earl Muir à la batterie. Les voix sont partagées entre Jeff Barry, Glen Barry, Rick McLarnon et Donna Muir, créant de riches harmonies.

L'album équilibre les standards country avec des saveurs régionales. Ouvrant avec "Cold Cold Heart" de Hank Williams et incluant des classiques comme "Crazy Arms," "Blue Kentucky Girl" et "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again," le groupe démontre son profond respect pour la tradition country. L'inclusion surprenante de "Margaritaville" de Jimmy Buffett ajoute une touche contemporaine. Les instrumentaux traditionnels "Rambler's Hornpipe" et "Earl Mittons Breakdown" mettent en valeur le violon de Norris, tandis que "Be My Lady" de McLarnon est la seule composition originale.

La pièce-titre "North to Carnarvon," avec paroles de Jim McLean, commissaire métropolitain de Carnarvon, rend hommage au village de villégiature à 130 milles au nord de Toronto sur la route 35—destination familière pour d'innombrables familles ontariennes. Cet hymne régional, combiné à l'approche authentique du groupe et la production chaleureuse de Grant Avenue, crée une capsule temporelle du country canadien du début des années 1980.

Side A
A1. Cold Cold Heart 00:00
A2. Margaritaville 02:23
A3. Blue Kentucky Girl 05:46
A4. Rambler's Hornpipe 08:46
A5. I've Got a Winner in You 11:01
A6. Homestead on the Farm 13:22

Side B
B1. Crazy Arms 15:54
B2. Louisiana Man 18:46
B3. When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again 21:09
B4. Be My Lady 23:30
B5. Earl Mittons Breakdown 26:51
B6. North to Carnarvon 29:05

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Numérisé par / Digitized by Rémi B. Thériault
Technics SL-D202 / AT-VM95ML / Zoom H4
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Copyright Disclaimer
I do not own the rights to this recording. All rights remain with the original creators and publishers. This recording is shared here strictly for historical and educational purposes. No infringement is intended.