
Sterling Sound in New York is one of the great, famous studios. I'm lucky that drummer Jean Martin runs a studio on Sterling Ave. just around the corner from me. Along with David Travers-Smith's studio, they anchor Toronto's own Sterling Sound.
Jean Martin's "Farm" on Sterling was the site today for a really wonderful experience.
A few months ago, Bonnie Ste-Croix wrote to me asking if Voyageur might be available for a recording session for a project she's doing that's taking her into studios in every province and territory of Canada. It seemed like a perfect fit. An even more perfect fit turned out to be the availability of the amazing Stephen Fearing who was passing through town and agreed to add some of his extraordinary guitar playing to Bonnie's recording. Now, you probably know that Stephen was the first person to officially play Voyageur on Canada Day 2006 and has played it on a number of occasions since so it was a nice little reunion in Jean's cozy studio.
He laid down a few takes of different stuff using Voyageur and you'll hear the results on Bonnie's "Canadian Girl" CD when it is released in the New Year.
Pictured clockwise from top left: Lynne Hanson, Bonnie Ste-Croix, Jean Martin, Stephen Fearing.
Thanks also to David Travers-Smith.
Posted at 5:38 PM
Over the last few years, I've done many school visits to talk about Voyageur but today the school came to me!
Canadian artist and author Robert Fones lives in (and is represented by a gallery in) the neighbourhood and we spoke at our local coffee shop a while ago about trying to do something with a class he teaches through Sheridan College. As it turns out, he was leading a little walking tour of our neighbourhood for a group of Sheridan design students and asked if he could bring them by.
My living room became an impromptu classroom and I think we had a pretty productive class. It must have gone well since Robert has suggested I come to the school next time and speak to a larger group. Looking forward to it.
Thanks to Robert and everyone who accompanied him on the tour!
BTW - since I'm bound to be asked - the Haida artwork on the wall in the picture is Jaalen Edenshaw's "Box of Treasures" - a piece that I marvel at every day.
Posted at 8:57 PM