Can't Wait For You to Hear This Stuff...

Happy New Year, everybody, and thanks for coming back to check in on us. The songs are way beyond what was envisioned in the demo process thanks to the contributions of Glenn's gifted guests and after a short holiday break, we're in the final stages of tracking. Byron Pardy came by to lay down some of that extra low 5-string bass, Justin Merdsoy loosened up and played some great guitar overdubs and Glenn had no trouble finding his sweet-spot for some incredible vocal takes.

Post-Christmas Pre-New Year's Eve

Glenn Simmons and his lovely wife Lillian, Barry Canning, Paul Kinsman, Paul Boomer Stamp and Chris Ledrew got together on the eve of New Year's Eve to have a little listen to Glenn's 80% completed solo album. Glenn will be playing with Barry's group (which also includes Kinsman and Boomer) at the Delta St. John's ballroom for the NYE Gala. Barry is in town long enough to play the gig and get his 2 cents worth in about the record. A nice holiday afternoon of laughing and sipping. Glenn expects to finish tracking for the project within a couple weeks after the new year.

Merry Christmas!

We're taking a short break for Christmas and then back in the early days of January to finish Glenn Simmons debut solo album, yet to be definitively titled. Back Home has been a working title for the last few months but as time goes on, and skilled colleagues have added their particular flava, the vibe of the music has shifted. Glenn is back in late December for a NYE show with Barry Canning, Boomer Stamp, Paul Kinsman and Glenn Parsons at the Delta St. John's. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Donald Fagen meets Buddy Emmons... sorta

If Glenn Simmons has done one thing this year besides reuniting and touring with the Wonderful Grand Band, playing with the Fables, moving his family and cats into a new home, and writing/recording a solo album, it's facilitating this picture. Maybe a first for rock photography... these two noble instruments in the same photo: the pedal steel guitar and the Hohner melodica. Whoa... worlds colliding.

The Unusual Suspects (Percussion by Di Nillo, Ledrew on Pedal Steelo)

Now we're getting somewhere. New textures, colours and interactions that nobody could have ever planned are happening and there's lots of excitement as the music grows and takes us to new places. A couple songs are "finished" and a few more are close. Billy Sutton discovered he could drum but he couldn't hide, Romano Di Nillo brought his cool percussiveness to a few tracks, Boomer was back behind the kit for a couple, Chris Ledrew had us thunderstruck with his pedal steel voicings, and Paul Kinsman still hasn't found out who left the coffee cup stains on his Mellotron. You'll have to ask Glenn about the apparition... he was the one who saw it and the story requires the live retelling instead of attempting it here. One thing all the lads are realizing is that there's nothing quite as deep as playing music with people who have been doing it for many years.

Some song titles you can expect:

In the Twentieth Century
Sweet Vanilla
Anytime
Perfect Reputation
She Talked About Elvis
It Goes On

Ice Station Zebra

On October 16 when we took a break from recording there were still a few leaves on the trees. Now, after a hugely successful Wonderful Grand Band tour and DVD release, and a few expeditions to Toronto and Halifax, Glenn has resumed recording at Stagehouse Studio. Engineer Justin Merdsoy promised to play a soulful bass part to avoid shoveling the place out. He delivered, but the place still needs to be shoveled out.

Thank you! We're gonna take a little break and we'll be right back...

After living and breathing these 11 songs for weeks and months, there's now a break in the recording of Glenn's record. Rehearsals for the upcoming Wonderful Grand Band tour begin soon, and there's a grandson in Halifax to check in on. Glenn Simmons and friends will reconnect in early December at Stage House for the last couple weeks of tracking with a planned release for winter 2010... so please check back here for updates. In the meantime,we hope you enjoy this clip of Where being recorded. Boomer slayed us with his birthday performance, and Glenn had to learn the bass part to his own song. No pressure playing bass with 4 fellas and a video camera hangin' over ya.

October Gale

Billy Sutton braved the elements to cut percussion, drums and bass tracks. Bad weather, great groove.

A Break Coming Soon

Here's a preview of Back Home:-) Must be alright if it inspires JM to bust a move.

Between the Wind and the Whitecaps

Considering the geographical and spiritual distance between the North Atlantic and the mountains of Afghanistan... the lyrics of Back Home take on a new, more poignant meaning in a military context.