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| Record Review by
Larry
Delaney/Country Music News Veteran West Coast singer/songwriter Dave Baker, delivers a splendid concept album paying homage to the history and folklore of the Canadian railroad....and the people who road it's rails. It is a topic that has long been of interest to Dave Baker - his first national radio play came from his 1973 album release, Kettle Valley Line - the single of which is reprised here in an updated version complete with locomotive chugging, train whistle and lonesome loon effects. Dave Baker delivers his songs in a mellow, story-telling fashion. While obviously 'traditional' in style, the beauty here is that every song lyric is understood, and that's a welcome relief from the bat-out-of-hell speed screeching that seems to have become commonplace with a lot of todays new 'vocalists'. Dave Baker sings these songs deliberately - it's not unlike the work of George Hamilton IV. Many of the story songs on Songs and Sounds of Canadian Steam are original tunes by Dave Baker, drawing on his vast knowledge and obvious fondness for the Canadian railroad system (a singing version of Pierre Berton, if you will). He augments his own tunes with several key contributions by other Canadian songwriters, most notably Gordon Lightfoot's episodic Canadian Railroad Triology. Just as effective though is Train Wreck at Almonte, a true story disaster song written and recorded by Ottawa Valley Hall of Famer Mac Beattie (& The Ottawa Valley Melodiers); and OrangedaleWhistle, a more contemporary effort written by Jimmy Rankin and one of the early Rankin Family hit records. Dave Baker co-produced Songs and Sounds of Canadian Steam with Ed Molyski, best remembered for his work with the late Ray MAuley and several early 80's hit albums with B.C. Midnite Rodeo Band. |
| TRAINS - trains.com
"I've received orders from Japan, England, Sweden, Argentina, and all over the U.S. - from Florida to Wyoming - because of the ad placed in 'TRAINS', says Dave Baker, who recorded and distributes a CD of Canadian Railway Songs. "Advertising in TRAINS puts your business on the world stage!" Dave Baker, a singer and guitar player for 40 years, released a 14-song album in January 1968. Entitled 'Songs and Sounds of Canadian Steam', this collection of Canadian railway songs is available as either a CD or cassette, and features dubbed-in authentic steam whistles fro a very unique sound. the song list includes Baker's signature tune, "KettleValley Line", a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", and Ray Griff's "Canadian Pacific". "When customers see your ad in TRAINS, it gives your business instant credibility, says Baker. "The potential for me to sell a large number of CDs is now there!" To find out how TRAINS can help promote your business, call toll free 1-888-558-1544. |
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Dave Baker contact: Coast Country email dbcoastcountry@shaw.ca |
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of Canadian Steam |
I Am |
A Portrait Of The
Westcoast In Song |
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| September
2006 |