Album Notes

Death - the Musical (Karaoke at the Afterlife Bar and Grill) was a hit musical in Nova Scotia, Canada - its quirky thoughtful and in-your-face look at North American's attitude towards death was received with standing o's and demands for a CD.

The CD came out not long before 9-11. Suddenly the title became controversial and sales stopped.

But lately, those who take time to listen to the music actually laud its healing qualities and thoughtful look at our inability to face our own mortality. They recognize that facing mortality enriches our journey through life.

The song "Journey" has become an anthem in many communities and has been sung at both weddings and funerals.

Its message - that if we accept that we are mortal and could die tomorrow, we could live fuller and more meaningful lives - captures what people were feeling after 9-11.

The writers know mortality very personally. One writer's brother had died in New York back in the sixties. At the time, the writer was only seventeen. Another of the writers, lost her mother to death very suddenly. Life changes for people exposed to sudden death, sometimes towards good despite the pain. In this instance, it changed to art.

Some of Canada's top musicians perform on Death -the Musical - several of them multiple ECMA winners:

Laura Smith, Cory Tetford, Bill Stevenson, Jeremiah Sparks, Doris Mason, Lisa MacDougall, Jennifer Wyatt, Jim Henman, David Burton, Pat Henman and the Nova Scotia Mass Choir are just some of the many talented singers on Death - the Musical.

One of the songs, "Down to Heaven" is featured beautifully in the wonderful art movie "The Event" by award-winning directorThom Fitzgerald.

The "Finale" (I am the Dance) incorporates Salsa Spanish, French Folk music, Gregorian Chant, Mi'qmak Chant, and a tiny bit of Celtic rhythm. As with the entire CD, genres weave together bidding a bittersweet farewell to life and death.