Album Notes

Multi-instrumentalist and singer Ian Bell has been performing Canadian traditional songs and dance music since the 1970s. Along with musicians like Muddy York, Anne Lederman, Oliver Schroer and The Friends of Fiddlers Green, Ian has appeared across Canada at major folk festivals, minor barn dances and everything in between. He has also been part of numerous recordings including the ground-breaking Canadian traditional album "Scatter The Ashes" with Anne Lederman.

After three well-received CDs of original material Ian has returned to his roots with an unusual collection of mostly traditional songs and tunes, joined by some of Ontario's finest roots musicians including Geoff Somers, Anne Lederman, the late Oliver Schroer and Grand Masters fiddle champion, Shane Cook.

The music on this CD ranges from driving Metis fiddle tunes to Sea Chanteys to Lumbercamp ballads, and also includes songs by the likes of Mac Beattie & His Ottawa Valley Melodiers. It's widely varied acoustic arrangements capture the spirit of every song and tune.