BUY LIVE from Old Settler: Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

April 12 , 2009

Read what folks are saying about Swingin' From the Chains of Love

http://pennyblackmusic.co.uk/
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings: Swinging from the Chains of Love

Reviewed By: Malcolm Carter

It’s almost embarrassing; Canadian label True North Records, itself a label I haven’t heard of before, have at least two releases this month both from bands that are well known and established in Canada and I haven’t heard of either of them before.

Blackie and The Rodeo Kings is a trio made up of Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson who recorded what they thought would be a one-off tribute album to Willie P. Bennett the Canadian singer/songwriter who sadly passed away just over a year ago from a heart attack at the age of 57.

Linden, Fearing and Wilson are all well-known musicians in Canada and had a string of solo-releases behind them but the tribute album they believed was going to be a once in a lifetime thing actually took over and became a major project such was the response to the finished album, ‘High Or Hurtin’. The story of how the trio got together is described extensively in the liner notes by Rob Bowman to ‘Swinging From The Chains Of Love’. It makes an interesting and fascinating read.

So what can you expect from this compilation of songs from Blackie and The Rodeo Kings five albums? Firstly, and although it has nothing directly to do with the music it is relevant, the package is superb. A striking cover design on a digi-pack and a booklet full with not only that brilliant essay by Bowman but with images of various records and band photos.

As for the actual music, roots-rock is probably the best description of the sound these three talented musicians make over the fourteen songs covered by this compilation. The band mix folk, blues and country to good effect. There is a cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ that is taken from the ‘Johnny’s Blues’ tribute album that apparently reduced Rosanne Cash to tears ( in a good way I hasten to add) when she heard the band perform the song their way live. It’s certainly an inspired take on one of Cash’s best-known songs and the story behind the recording is covered in detail in the liner notes.

Special mention has to be made of the previously unreleased ‘The Caves Of Jericho’ where, unsurprisingly, the Blackies sound like the Band; there’s that soulful joining of voices that is so sorely missed, voices that shouldn’t gel so well together but just do and with the playing sounding so effortless yet so right it’s a faultless version of a song that originally appeared on the ‘Jericho’ album.

In many other ways as well Blackie and the Rodeo Kings bring back memories of The Band, especially on the songs members of Blackie composed. But even on Willie P Bennett songs such as ‘White Line’ the spirit of The Band hovers over the arrangement of the song and in the harmonies. Also, much like The Band, this trio, by mixing the various roots styles, make more of a lasting impression when the vocals emit more emotion which is usually on the slower-paced songs. Whereas their playing cannot be faulted it really is when the three members either take it on turns to sing a verse or sing in harmony on a chorus that the magic happens. On faster paced numbers like the title song, while again the playing and singing cannot be faulted, the band sound much like any other group and tend to lose that thing that makes them so special.

Thankfully whoever compiled these fourteen songs has chosen tunes that showcase that Band influence to the full; ‘Heaven For A Lonely Man’ is another fine example and makes a good case for checking out the trio’s original five albums.

Superbly produced by Colin Linden this is an excellent place to start for those of us who have only just discovered what must be one of the best bands to ever come out of Canada.

http://www.americana-uk.com
Fine foot-stomping fare

http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Getting airplay in the UK, on BBC Scotland

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November 18, 2008

What started out as a tribute project to the late Willie P. Bennett, has evolved into one of the most entertaining Canadian roots super groups of all time, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings.

After releasing the critically acclaimed High or Hurtin’ in 1996, Tom Wilson, Colin Linden, and Stephen Fearing, fresh off successful solo projects, found themselves drawn in by the chemistry between them and started writing songs that could only be expressed through the Blackie & The Rodeo Kings medium. This translated into Juno nominations for BARK (2003) and Let’s Frolic (2007), as well as a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album for Kings of Love (1999).

Swinging From The Chains Of Love features a collection of tracks from the Blackie catalogue including favourites “49 Tons”, “Stoned” “Heaven For A Lonely Man”, the title track “Swinging From The Chains Of Love” and a previously unreleased track; ‘Caves of Jericho’ featuring the late Richard Bell and a cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’.

BUY IT HERE!

Summer 2008

Colin is out playing guitar with Emmy Lou Harris! Check out Emmylouharris.com for tour date info.

Check out these great audio links of Blackie and he Rodeo Kings at Hillside festival in Guelph! Colin's on FIRE!

December 26 , 2007

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Hey, the soundtrack features B&RK's tune, Stoned (so buy the soundtrack, OK?) :
 
Weirdsville is opening in theatres in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax this coming Friday October 12th.

Joyously directed by Allan Moyle (Pump Up The Volume, New Waterford Girl) and starring Scott Speedman (Felicity), Wes Bentley (American Beauty) and Taryn Manning (Hustle & Flow), the film has delighted audiences at film festivals across North America and the UK, garnering rave reviews:

 

“A cleverly constructed, capably crafted, and often uproarious shaggy dog comedy that riffs on everything from “Trainspotting” and Quentin Tarantino to Race With the Devil and Elmore Leonard…could command an even larger cult following than the helmer’s endurably popular “Pump Up the Volume” (Variety Magazine)

“Let it take you where it will and it won’t disappoint, funny as all get out” (3.5 stars) (The National Post).

“Here's a fast, funny farce with a jagged little bite, well worth watching.” (Now Magazine)

“Possibly one of the funniest, wildest and most enjoyable films out of Canada…you do not want to miss this train to WEIRDSVILLE.” (The Coast)

“By turns genuinely engaging and laugh out loud funny, WEIRDSVILLE is daft but brilliant.” (Montage)

“This absurd crime odyssey has so much gonzo enthusiasm that it's impossible not to enjoy watching these crazed characters bounce off of each other. Director Moyle and writer Wennekers merrily indulge in comedy so wrong that we can't stop laughing”. (Shadows On A Wall)

“Imagine Trainspotting, directed by Guy Ritchie’s Canadian brother, but played for laughs”. ‘Aint’ IT Cool News’

 

September 15th, 2007

Check out these photos of Tommy, Colin, Jocelyn Lanois and Dan Lanois performing at a TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) party this September. Click on the thumbnail to see the biggger picture.

B&RK will be taping a CBC Radio Fuse episode on October 10th, 2007 with Murray McLauchlan and you’re invited to be a part of the audience.

Potential audience members need to request a seat in advance (through our web site, http://www.cbc.ca/fuse).

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Just in case someone reading this doesn't know about this: Blackie's track "Stoned" is used in the opening of the new Canadian film Weirdsville.
http://www.weirdsville-the-movie.com/

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Blackie’s “Let’s Frolic” was the 2nd most played tune on XM’s country show, at the end of August 2007.  http://www.xmradio.com/

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings "Let's Frolic" debuted a few weeks ago at #62 on the National Americana chart in the US.   B&RK is the 5th most added to the Americana charts in the USA 3 weeks running! Can total world domination be far behind?

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Let's Frolic Again
August 2007
http://www.herohill.com/2007/08/reviews-blackie-and-rodeo-kings-lets.htm
Back story time for all of you new to Blackie and the Rodeo Kings. Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, Tom Wilson decided to form a Canadian roots supergroup to bring the music of Willie P Bennett to the masses. Long story short, Willie P was a staple of the Canadian folk circuit in the later 60's and 70's - you can read more about him here - but essentially his style of music influenced a lot of the Canadian music that was eaten up in the 90's (the Skydiggers and BNL owe him a big chunk of change). Colin, Stephen, and Tom decided to record an album of his classic songs, and finally brought some exposure to the road hardened vet.

The trio's take on his songs was so well received that they decided to keep on rocking and now they are back with the bookend of the Woodstock session; they recorded 29 songs for two records that were released 9 months apart. The second release from the Woodstock session is less structured and you can actually feel the life flowing through Let's Frolic Again. It's like you are watching the band play on your porch.

The record - a whopping 14 songs - is best described as one of those jam sessions that turns out perfect; the songs mix well and the solos sound great. They venture into country, blues, skatting boogie, and a toss in a few spirited covers (including Willie P Bennett's Sometimes It Comes So Easy and Murray McLachlan's Down by Henry Moore), but the real gift of this record comes from the pure joy coming from the band. You can almost see the big smiles they wear, as they laugh and say things like.. "solo" and "one more" before playing a few extra notes.

Obviously, the band that comes to mind for me is well, The Band, so it's great to see Garth Hudson's name attached to the project. The record starts with a bang, as Better Off Alive grabs you with a rollicking riff, vocal interplay and some heavy ivory work. It sets the party vibe, and that tone stays until the last beer is polished off and the last note is played. Over the next 13 songs, you are transported to the 60's, and the boys hit their stride on tracks like Sometimes It Comes So Easy and the road trip ready How Long (which if our friend Joel Plaskett is reading, would be a fantastic cover for you to add to the mix). I don't want to make sweeping generalizations, but if you don't want to shake it to Don't Blame Your Blues on Me you might actually not like music

Something's On My Mind is another great number, that makes you wish you were driving out of town in the late afternoon sun with the radio the only sounds you can hear, but the trio throws in some slowed down ballads to break up the sound. The accordion laced There's No One Like You After All is a tear jerker, and the marching drum backing and tight three part harmonies on Down to the Well gives the record that change of pace it needs to help you take a breath.

I could go on and on about songs that I like (Take Cathy Dancing and the album closer, Red Red Robin), but it's probably easier to say that I really can't find anything bad to say about this record. Let's Frolic Again is an album any roots, 60's jam fan needs to own.

For our Halifax readers, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are playing the Casino on October 5th and 6th and looks like they might be making their way across the country after that.

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When Tom Wilson, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing entered the studio to record Let's Frolic, they ended up with a whopping 29 songs.
Not wanting to release a double, they decided to wait nine months and put out Let's Frolic Again.
And frolic they do. Envision a Saturday night kitchen party with a box of your favourite brew and a group of fun-loving musicians letting it all hang out. Along with the solid originals they tastefully cover Murray McLachlan's Down By the Henry Moore, Porter Waggoner's hit Ole Slewfoot, Willie P. Bennett's Sometimes It Comes So Easy and even an old Teenage Head chestnut, Something On My Mind! It's the ultimate roots recording with elements of country, rock, folk, boogie woogie, blues and even zydeco with special guests Garth Hudson and Malcolm Burn contributing their talents to this lively celebration. Out Tuesday.

Bruce Leperre,
Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday April 28, 2007

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Three heads (and two CDs) are better than one. Party animals Tom Wilson, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing kick up their heels again on this rollicking Rockpile-style follow up to Let’s Frolic. 4 stars

Daryl Sterdan,
Sun Media, Sunday May 6, 2007

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Less self-conscious, less contrived but no less artful than its predecessor,the music on Let's Frolic Again - the second batch of songs culled from the Woodstock sessions that yielded last years roots music hit Let's Frolic - is BARK when the pressure is off and they've settled down to play some party music after a meal they cooked themselves and a couple of bottles of wine. In some ways a more genuinely collaborative and musically diverse effort than the first Let's Frolic Again contains some live originals with deft retro arrangements. It also features several spirited cover songs, including a noble swip at long gone but never forgotten Toronto/Hamilton punk band Teenage Head's Something On My Mind. To these ears, it's BARK at their best. 3.5 out of 4 stars

Toronto Star, Thursday May 10, 2007

September 2007: THE UK CONTINUES TO SHOWER THE LOVE ON B&RK!

Let’s Frolic and Let’s Frolic Again have been released in the UK by Proper Music Distribution!
http://www.properdistribution.com/artist-roster/artist-details.php?pg=4&a=B&id=1802

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ENGLAND LOVES LET'S FROLIC!
Review:
MAVERICK MAY 2007

Blackie And The Rodeo Kings
Let's Frolic
True North Records•TND430
****
Brilliantly rootsy music from Canadian super group

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings comprise three top singer-songwriters: Stephen Fearing on guitar and vocals, Colin Linden on electric guitar, Dobro, slide guitar, mandolin and vocals, and Tom Wilson on acoustic guitar and vocals. They are also joined by an excellent rhythm section comprising Gary Craig (drums), John Dymond (bass), Richard Bell (keyboards) and John Whynot (piano, organ).

Colin's slide guitar is a revelation on the superbly raunchy title track, Let's Frolic, on which he also gives a wonderfully raw and gritty vocal performance. The wonderful ballad, Loving Cup, is given a dreamy rendering by the Eagles-styled vocals of Stephen Fearing. The slightly troubled and tormented lyrics of Crown Of Thorns, are put across expertly by Colin's tortured and hurting vocals, accompanied wonderfully by Daniel Lanois on pedal steel, plus some great harmony vocals from Tom Wilson.

As well as Daniel Lanois' appearance, they also have the divine voice of Pam Tillis on the tender The Fool Who Can't Forget.

The rocking blues guitar intro of Life Is Golden leads nicely into this wonderfully brooding rocker, which has all three taking turns with lead vocals, and this track also has some quite scintillating slide guitar licks. I have said on a number of occasions that some of the best albums being released at the moment are coming from Canadian groups and artists, and this is another fine example of that point. DK

 

Juno nominated Blackie & The Rodeo Kings (B&RK) were the first (and the funniest) presenters at this years live Juno broadcast from Saskatoon on Sunday, April 1.  The band were scheduled to arrive in time for the Saturday night JUNO Award show as B&RK, Colin Linden and Stephen Fearing were nominated for awards and Colin Linden was to perform. The flight from the UK was delayed and they missed the show. B&RK member Stephen Fearing won his first JUNO award that evening for his beautiful album Yellowjacket and the much deserved award was accepted by his manager, Bernie Finkelstein. Congratulations Stephen.

Let's Frolic Again is part two of the Juno nominated and critically acclaimed CD Let's Frolic. It is the result of the sessions that happened at the legendary Bearsville Studio. BARK were only there to record one CD, but everything went so well they recorded 29 songs and is the reason we have Let's Frolic Again.  With long time collaborators Richard Bell, John Dymond and Gary Craig and guest appearances from Garth Hudson, Jimmy Welder, Malcolm Burn and John Wynot, Blackie has produced one of their most satisfying and inspired efforts to date.   The CD includes covers of Murray McLauchlan’s ‘Down by The Henry Moore’ and Teenage Head's `Something on My Mind’ and was produced once again by the wonderful Colin Linden.

On March 27 Blackie performed a 75 minute live concert on the popular national television show Crossroads in Bonn, Germany.   The charismatic trio and their band were a huge hit.  They also did a string of shows in the UK including London’s Borderline to a packed crowd that included members of The Barenaked Ladies and Ron Sexsmith and received great reviews.  They were also a hit at SXSW playing to a sold out crowd with line-ups down the street.

Tickets are on sale for Toronto's May 4 show at Trinity St. Paul Church on Bloor St and are $25.00 in advance and $30.00 at the door and be purchased at the Horseshoe Tavern front bar, Ticket-master, Rotate This, and Soundscapes.   Tickets are also available for the  Rogers Spring Music Festival at Hamilton Place May 5 they are $29.95 and are available at Hamilton Place and Ticket-master.  Both shows include very special guest Barney Bentall in support of his 2006 release Gift Horse.  You always get much more than great musicianship and great music at a Blackie & The Rodeo Kings show.  Laughing your head off comes in as an extra added bonus.  Enjoy.

EPK for Let's Frolic!

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