Help Danny and the residents of the British Columbia's
Sunshine Coast save Mount Elphinstone from logging and development.
Mount Elphinstone is a rare gem of pristine bio-diverse
temperate rainforect. It is unique in the lower mainland
in that it has never been logged, largely due to a fire
which claimed its old growth trees decades ago. As a result
of this natural process, Elphinstone has reforested itself
in all its glorious biodiversity. The magic in these woods
is palpable... and every nook and cranny of mossy rainforest
floor is full of life's diversity. You can help by writing
e-mails and faxes to the decision makers.
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CD Release
Sunday June 26th, 2005
8:30 PM
Hugh's Room
2261 Dundas St. West, Toronto Ontario, Canada,
(416) 531-6604
Winner of the 2004 Golden Quill Award Porcupine Award
The new CD is All DONE!! Please Join Danny
and his band at Hugh's Room in Toronto for the official
release!
" Let death be our teacher...let
death teach us that life is beautiful and truth is spectacular"
David Bakan 1921-2004
"...not just one or two great songs with decent filler;
instead, these are powerful, full-bodied songs, sung from
the heart without preaching, without pretension."
Steve Fruitman CIUT-FM
**************
Danny Bakan's new CD, "...and Truth is Spectacular"
is truly spectacular. This is a mature statement from a
rising star in Canadian original music. Produced by Juno
Award nominated producer Glen Marshall, Bakan's second contribution
to Canadian Pop-Folk blends rootsy clawhammer banjo, finely
crafted songs, a band of top notch players and technical
wizardry to offer an album full of heart and hope.
This music arises out of community. It's story reveals a
tale of friends and family, of births and passings. Not
only did a large number of people help out in a fundraising
drive (including support from The Ontario Arts Council and
community leaders such as Toronto City Councillor Paula
Fletcher and NDP leader Jack Layton), but the recording
itself arose out of a sense of tribe. The CD was recorded
in a small converted church in Hamilton that Bob Lanois,
along with his producer brother Daniel, helped convert into
one of the sweetest sounding studios around. The "Hamilton"
sound is ever present in these recordings, with a certain
magic captured that can only arise out of a great live performance.
This goal of finding a great live performance was foremost
in Producer Glen Marshall's mind. An open recording party
was attended by family and friends.
"...and Truth is Spectacular" is also a collection
of songs written during the final years of the life of Danny's
father, to whom it is dedicated. David Bakan was an educator,
scholar a professor of psychology. The title of the new
CD is taken from a poem David wrote as he was approaching
his passing. David was recently honoured by the APA for
his contributions to the field of Psychology. His influence
in Canadian culture was also felt, as David was a staunch
defender of the rights of children and his published CBC
lectures on this issue had a dramatic impact on policy in
our country.
"...and Truth is Spectacular" addresses issues
in the cultural zeitgeist with a sense of optimism and belief
in the future. Emerging from the opening notes of "Here"
the sound is unusual, with bazouki, clawhammer banjo and
deep thunks culled from a stand-up bass framing Bakan's
telling lyrical sensibilities. From the Cajun echoes in
84,000 Ways (a song about parents- divorced, widowed, straight
and gay - raising children) through the biting banjo, organ,
bazouki and military marching snare of "How The Mighty
Can Fall " to the stunning "Twin Towers of Babel"
- a response to September 11th 2001 - these songs tell stories
of our times.
The songs range from global to local issues. These award
winning songs contain tales of Canada and tales of the world
as viewed from a Canadian perspective. There is a song about
last year's dog poisonings in Toronto's Withrow Park and
another about Bakan's travels to distant communities in
Ontario's north. The mix is topped of with some kick ass
banjo playing and an all out kitchen party feel in "The
Back Roads to Jerseyville" and the traditional "Napoleon
Crosses the Rhine". The party continues with a Canadian
version of the American classic folk song "Buffalo
Gals" and a jugband party tune called " Wonderdrug"
which tells of "a pill that you can take to make it
so your heart won't break"
"...and Truth is Spectacular"
must be heard. Like all of Bakan's work it defies genre
definitions.... but one thing is for sure... nobody is writing
songs like these, and nobody is reviving the traditional
clawhammer banjo in a pop context like Danny Bakan. Hopefully
its peace-loving, open hearted sentiments will spread far
and wide.
To
find out how you can help drop a line to newcd@dannybakan.com
The
Furry Folk Festival was a way in which Danny and Jack, pictured
on this page, tried to help other mammals in need. Danny
gatherered all his musician and poet pals together for a
night of festivities to raise funds and awareness for the
OSPCA.
As
a registered charity the OSPCA relies on donations to do
this much needed work. The Furry Folk Festival is one way
in which a bunch of animal loving folk musicians are trying
to make a difference. read more...
