Album Notes

Filled with political and social commentary on today’s America, folksinger Jack Harlan’s third independent release Love Come Around offers inspiration for the daunted heart.

"With pastoral qualities strengthened by a sweet and slightly rough rutted voice" (Albany Gazette USA), Harlan’s eleven bare bone vocal and acoustic guitar testimonies conquer fear and doubt revealing an artist who sings praises to the ones who have not yet given up.

While numerous artists have been tagged ‘the next Dylan’ Splendid Magazine out of Chicago writes, “Harlan not only has the talent to wear such a mantle well, but the potential to exceed the labels.”

Soaking up and inspired by a well of influences such as Arlo Guthrie, Ritchie Havens, Nick Drake, and Townes Van Zandt to name a few have helped Jack develop into “one of Vancouver’s most commanding songwriters.” (Vancouver Province)

Harlan has a no-nonsense lyrical approach. “Secret Behind the Sun” ("we don’t need to kill in the name of religion/religion is the enemy of God"), and “Economy of Love” (“it’s a war for the sake of a few men’s needs/we could use all that money to get New Orleans off its knees"), balance their fiery protest of war and religious fanaticism by proclaiming "when love is what you choose to see/ in spite of everything/ then only love can be received."

“This Time Around” has soldiers leaving the battleground of Iraq, unhappy businessmen disposing of the ladder of success, and in what might be a reference to Britney Spears, "she’s shaved her hair off/ she looks like her true self now", tells of a pop singer choosing to dance with natives in a Pow Wow. Tracks “Celebrate” and “Down From A Mountain” offer similar spiritual quests with piercing blows to the proud, reminiscent of Dylan’s gospel years.




Want to know some of Jack's favorite recordings, what he thinks about, where likes to write, plus more? Pease read below in simple point form...got to love point form, it's so easy to read!

More of Jack

- Has shared the stage with John Mann (Spirit of the West), Ron Sexsmith, Fred Eaglesmith, Tom Wilson, Colin James and Dido.

- Latest release Love Come Around (2008) is Jack’s most political themed album to date

- Favorite creative writing place is a basement filled with thrifty furniture

- Jack is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director.

- At 14 years-old a vast collection of records was given to Jack from a missionary friend. This opened up his world to the old folk sounds of chain gangs, traveling folkies and howling blues singers. A big contrast to the heavy metal stadium rock and synthesized music of the Eighties.

- Believes that the popular TV. show American Idol is the death as to how we consume and find out about musicians.

- First live music experience was listening to his Father, Uncles and Aunts play country music for people at barn dances in central Alberta.

- Favorite band of all time is U2. Though he does wish Bono would not wear the sunglasses for the last 20 years.

- Does not pay attention to any other sport other than Hockey. Favorite team is the Calgary Flames.

- Has toured the USA six times and Canada four times.

- Used to play concerts on old steam engine trains. “I think it was an experiment for the organizers...it was a sad, awful and funny at that time in my life. I was shoved in the tiny back corner of a cart. All they had for sound was a cheap 12-inch transistor speaker that I played through. Drowned out by the noise of the train rocking and rolling, swinging back and forth with my guitar in hand trying to keep my balance, I would hold myself up with the microphone stand. I remember playing This Train is bound for Glory, by Woody Guthrie.

- Currently lives in Niagara Falls, ON.

- Is a huge fan of 80’s TV. His favorite is Magnum P.I.

- First song he learned to play was Shake, Rattle & Roll by Bill Haley and the Comets.

- Has released four independent albums; Hymns of Sorrow 1999, Scintilla 2001, Resolutions 2006 and Love Come Around 2008.

- First job was a movie theatre attendant. “There was only one theatre and I saw Dances with Wolves 26 times. One day, while cleaning the theatre, I found blue silk panties on the floor…I remember thinking to myself, Dances with Wolves? When did you get turned on lady, during the buffalo hunt?”

- First band was called The Trainmen formed at puberty and disbanded one year later.

- One of his greatest musical inspirations is Bruce Springsteen

- Has had two different documentaries filmed about his life by students at the Vancouver film school. The Director who spent countless days following Jack’s every move is currently nowhere to be found.

- Greatest inspiration for writing songs is to find commonality among people.

- Use to write most of his material with a rye and diet coke in hand, a bag of potato chips with dip, watching ice hockey on TV.

- If able to work with any producer, it would be Daniel Lanois.

- First concert was Iron Maiden when he was twelve.

- Born Calgary, Canada, March 28th 1974.

- First learned he was a sap and had a knack for writing depressing songs at ten years old when he would catch himself crying to the opening and closing music of the popular television soap opera Young and the Restless. “I was ten would sit looking out my bedroom window on a rainy day just thinking.”

- Some favorite recordings:

The River Man (Nick Drake)
The National Anthem (Radiohead)
On The Way Home (Buffalo Springfield)
True Love Ways (Buddy Holly)
Everybody’s Talking (Harry Nilsson)
Be Not So Fearful (Bill Fay)
Master Song (Leonard Cohen)
I’m on Fire (Bruce Springsteen)
Man In The Long Back Coat (Bob Dylan)
In Dreams (Roy Orbison)
Baby I'm a Want You (Bread)