Information/Write-up
THE YUKON SESSIONS
The log-cabin studio houses everything Randall Prescott needs. Almost. That's why he wants mattresses and styrofoam. Under his direction, CBC Yukon technicians Bert Cervo and Bob Unger heave the stuff into place. Now the vocalists can lay down their tracks in a sound-proofed booth.
On the street, and in all the hang-outs where Yukon musicians jam, the word is out. One of the hottest producers in the country is set-up in Bob Hamilton's backyard studio.
Yukon fiddle champion Rusty May, radiating energy, bursts through the door. Her bow nearly disintegrates as she records two furiously-paced tunes and a free flowing medley of contemporary and traditional songs. Says Prescott, who's worked there, “She can play in Nashville.” Not only can she . . . she has.
Country singer Clint Carpenter drops in. His voice cuts through a tune the way Whitehorse winter slices into the bone. The long night is falling, the temperature dropping. No wonder Clint sings a “Dream of a Warmer Place.”
Late that night, the First Nations group “Sundog” arrives with a collection of instruments never seen in Nashville. One length of wood contains pebbles and water called a rainstick. Their woodwinds and drum are not merely musical instruments; they're spiritual too. The band stands in a circle to both gain and transmit the spiritual energy that gives “A Song for Mother” and “The Rain” their ethereal quality.
Marty Waldman wanders by. If it’s rose-colored glasses that give Marty his vision, Randall wants a pair. “Just Another Day in Paradise” sums up how the producer is beginning to feel about these recording sessions, despite the round-the-clock schedule.
For five days and nights, musicians and songwriters shuttle between gigs and the Old Crow Studio. “Inconnu” squeezes its tuba through the door; their progressive music blows the crew away. Daniel T’len tells his story songs in Southern Tutchone and sings “O Canada” in the same aboriginal language.
Randall Prescott is weary but exhilarated; the Yukon Collection is complete.
THE BROADCAST RECORDINGS
CBC North Broadcast Recordings are produced to reflect the rich variety of musical expression in the Canadian North. This is the eighth CBC North Broadcast Recording released on compact disc.
Over the years, CBC North has produced more than 50 broadcast recordings representing over 600 individual selections of music ranging from traditional drum dance, AYI AYI songs and throat singing to contemporary pop and country music both in english and the many other languages of the north.
All songs on “Another Day in Paradise” were composed by the performers and represent a cross section of the rapidly growing musical community in the Yukon.
The music was recorded at Old Crow Studios in Whitehorse during the week of January 18th, 1993 and at Lakeside Studios in Clayton Lake, Ontario in February, 1993
Musicians
The House Band:
Jim Salt: drums
Kenny Post: drums
Roland Mitton: bass
Anne Avery: keyboards
Steve O’Connor: keyboards
Tom Barnaby: bass
Gil Benoit: guitar
Terry Tufts: guitar
Jon Park Wheeler: guitar
Don Reed: fiddle
The G-Notes:
George McConkey
Bob Hamilton
Gil Benoit
Inconnu:
Len Osland: drums
Andrea McColman: keyboards
Jay Burr: tuba
Nick DeGraff: guitar
Lucy Desaulniers: vocals
Rusty May:
Marc Paradis
Bruce Bergman
Groovies:
Ivan Zenovitch: guitar
Paul Stephens: bass
Sundog:
Phil Gatensby
Nedra McKay
Doug Smarch Jr.
Kennett Bloor
Barr Chamberlin:
Manfred Janssen
Jim Salt
Production
Produced by Randall Prescott
Executive Producer: Les McLaughlin
Technicians: Bert Cervo, Bob Unger, Don Wiggans
Recorded at Old Crow Studios, Whitehorse, Yukon, January 18, 1993
Recorded at Lakeside Studios, Clayton Lake, Ontario, February 1993
Notes
CBC North Broadcast Recordings document the wide range of musical expression in the Canadian North. This release is the eighth volume in the CBC North Broadcast Recording series and represents a cross-section of the Yukon’s rapidly growing musical community. All songs were composed by the performers.
Artwork
Cover photo: ‘Horses of the North’ by Ted Harrison, courtesy of the artist
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