I just had the most lovely and amazing experience this afternoon.

I  listened to Stephen Fearing for the first time today while I carved my pumpkin. At the end of the album, I was going, "What? It's over? Give me more." It's been a long, long time since a CD did that to me.

The CD? A serendipitous library copy of Yellowjacket. I'm going to have to figure out how to buy a keeper copy tomorrow.

I owe it all to the board: I'd have never checked out the album if the board hadn't turned me on to BARK first. You all are great enablers.

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borderline useless from hanging around

You'll be turned onto so much music from everyone here, it's amazing

Oh, yeah, it's awesome. My "to-buy" list has trebled in size since I started coming around here.

What's worse, a lot of the artists discovered here have deep back catalogues or are out of print sometimes. The public library is a great good thing. Unfortunately, it only goes so far when you discover a keeper. This place is going to be the ruin of me.

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borderline useless from hanging around

Nah, not a ruin of you, but we'll diversify you, we'll show you how to embrace new kinds of music, will improve your knowledge of GREAT old and new musical talents (even if it means going to the library and checking out their stash) however, many times if you're looking for something in particular, all you have to do is ask and see if anyone here can help you out The internet is a mighty tool you can find all kinds of stuff

Enjoy your new found discovery and joys 

I haven't bought Yellowjacket, yet, Snowfalling, but have two others of Stephen's that I enjoy very much, That's How I Walk & my favourite So Many Miles Stephen Fearing LIVE. I highly recommend that one.

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...then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile,
it's the grooviest thing, it's the perfect dream ~ The Cure

One man's 'ridiculous' is another man's 'Yabba-dabba-doo' ~ Charlie on Two & a Half Men

Keep it simple

...people who know me know what a big fan I am!  That being said, other than 3 songs, Yellowjacket is probably my least favourite Cd  (yeah, I know I'm swimming upstream here and the Cd is a JUNO winner etc etc etc) but it's a matter of personal preference.  Stephen has an extensive catalogue between the solo stuff and Blakcie & the Rodeo Kings..PM me if you want to hear more (I have a little sampler I put together a few years ago).  Cheers. 

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"Money talks and bullsh*t walks into the sea -they pick and choose the needy to be brave and free" - Malcolm Holcombe ("I’d Rather Have a House"- Gamblin’ House 2008)

I discovered Blackie & the Rodeo Kings because of this board. I saw them live for the first time last fall and all I can say is wowie wow wow! All the guys were so great, I didn't know where to rest my eyes! I'm sure I looked like an owl with my head turning every which way! Ha! Ha! don't have any of Stephen Fearing's solo stuff, but if people could post suggestions as to which CD's to pick up first, that would be great!!

I also discovered Blackie & The Rodeo Kings from this board, as well as THE SADIES, Justin Rutledge, Luke Doucet, and the list goes on.  I don't have any of Stephen Fearing's solo stuff either YET but I'm sure I'll be getting some

Yeah, Justin, Oh Susanna, Paolo Nutini, The Sadies, Kathleen Edwards. etc. etc. etc!!!!!!!!!!!

Lori, as I mentioned I only have two (I think), but I think the Live one, So Many Miles, would make a good first purchase.

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...then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile,
it's the grooviest thing, it's the perfect dream ~ The Cure

One man's 'ridiculous' is another man's 'Yabba-dabba-doo' ~ Charlie on Two & a Half Men

Keep it simple

I agree Sammie - it's a good introduction as you get songs from different cds.  I personally love the writing on Industrial Lullabye, and That's How I Walk....you can listen to samples over at the website too.

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"Money talks and bullsh*t walks into the sea -they pick and choose the needy to be brave and free" - Malcolm Holcombe ("I’d Rather Have a House"- Gamblin’ House 2008)

Now, that you mention it, Fran...I'm sure I have Industrial Lullaby, too!

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...then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile,
it's the grooviest thing, it's the perfect dream ~ The Cure

One man's 'ridiculous' is another man's 'Yabba-dabba-doo' ~ Charlie on Two & a Half Men

Keep it simple

I checked Fearing's site and he just played a show backed by a coffee shop in Paisley, Ontario. The coffee shop holds its shows in an art gallery or at the local legion. Sounds pretty small.

Anyone know what size venue he generally plays when he's not doing festivals or B&RK? 

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borderline useless from hanging around

This month's issue of No Depression just gets better and better. I read a great article on Blackie & the Rodeo Kings in issue #72 (same issue with feature article on The Sadies). Short article on B&RK has great picture of Stephen Fearing, Tom Wilson and Colin Linden on a roof top of a TO building or parking garage (I think I may have actually parked there if it's the one north of Dundas near AGO) and the CN Tower in the background.

Have to say, my favourite Stephen records are "The Assassins' Apprentice and "So Many Miles Live". Fearing's wry joke on Live about the meaning of an expression in New York as opposed to Toronto is hilarious but true. And of course BARK is my favourite B&RK record. What an album!

Agreed, Peter. I loved B&RK from the first listen!

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...then curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile,
it's the grooviest thing, it's the perfect dream ~ The Cure

One man's 'ridiculous' is another man's 'Yabba-dabba-doo' ~ Charlie on Two & a Half Men

Keep it simple