Island Miles Away

For David Gon, music comes from the people and from the land. He's a Dogrib Native who grew up listening to the beat of the skin drum, and watching dancers perform to the intense rhythms. The drums and the dancers have had a profound affect on David and his music. He was born in Yellowknife in 1953. His music reflects an admiration for the people of the land, the words and wisdom of the elders, the hopes and dreams of the young.

In the song "Ethsey (Grandfather)" he seeks approval to form his community and learn the "white man's ways". But he promises to return, unchanged. Respect for the land comes through in his melodic poem "The Loon Calling Me". These and other songs on this CBC Northern Service Broadcast Recording are a powerful statement of David Gon's approach to life. David has taken his music across Canada, having performed in the Northwest Territories Arctic Show at Expo '86 in Vancouver, and at the Canada Winter Games in Cape Breton in 1987.

The songs on this album were recorded in January, 1988. For David Gon, they are an expression of the value of the old ways...as well as the new.

David Gon: guitar, vocals
Peter Fredette: bass
Ron Prescott: drums
Gary Spicer: guitar
Randall Prescott: harmonica
Eddie Bimm: keyboards

All songs composed by David Gon
Arranged by David Gon, Randall Prescott, and Eddie Bimm
Recorded at Snocan Studios, Ottawa, Ontario
Engineered by Marc Lajoie
Executive producer: Les McLaughlin

Photography by Don Wiggins