Highlights of The First Five Years
The Great North Wind had stopped blowing in June and for the first time in 12 years I had a summer off. No band, no radio program: free at last!
And then a funny thing happened on the way up north: I got the idea for another program, something different, something more like me. I had been up to a friend's cabin in Bala doing some writing. It was a very basic place with an outhouse and wood stove. Then I went to Quebec to visit with some friends in the Laurentians. Jean-Claude had a cabin on a mountain without electricity or running water. He hooked his CD player up to a 12 volt battery. And life was good and simple there. A great place to retreat to from the rigors of this world of urban wonders.
When I returned to Toronto I was told that if I wanted a program I would have to start in two days time. Okay! That meant getting some kind of name for this program from a cabin. When in doubt, visit your fiddle albums (if you've got any); fiddle tunes have great names and surely one would be suitable for what I was thinking of doing. I have a few hundred Canadian fiddle albums in alphabetical order but never got past the A's. Because there was Ward Allen's LP with a tune like Maple Sugar. It took me no time at all to phone the program director and tell him the name of the new show. Thus, Back To The Sugar Camp was born.
From the very beginning, I used Ward's tune as the theme.
Sugar Camp Guests in 1999
WARD ALLEN: Back To The Sugar Camp (W. Allen)
Ward Allen Presents Maple Leaf Hoedown Vol. 3: Sparton
Records SP 213
circa 1961
MARK HAINES & TOM LEIGHTON: La Cardeuse (trad)
Optimists Jig: HL0297 1997
LOST FOREVER Jeanine’s Dream (D. Connette)
Lost Forever: Nonesuch 79447-2 1997
MICHAEL HASEK: Nottawasaga (M Hasek)
Hasek: NAJA 1901 1999
FRED EAGLESMITH: Alternator (F Eaglesmith)
50 Odd Dollars: Razor & Tie Records 7930182843-2
1999
RON SEXSMITH: The Boatman (Davey Johnston)
The Great North Wind - Live @ CIUT September 1988
OCTOBER BROWNE: Naked & Small (O Browne)
October Browne: unreleased - 1999
OCTOBER BROWNE: The Gate (O Browne)
October Browne: unreleased - 1999
LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE: Ciel d’automne (A Brunet)
X: Mille-Pattes MPCD-2040 1998
BLUES GITAN: Minor Swing (D Reinhardt / S Grappelli)
La route de la soie: no label no number Sept
1999
DENIS LAJEUNESSE: Un Si Jazz (D LaJeunesse)
Le Temps Présent: no label 98-2 1998
TED HAWKINS: Fade To Black (M Knopffler)
Music For 2:47 am: TH97CD1 1997
PIERRE SCHRYER & DERMOT BYRNE: Ríl Gan Ainm:
Larry Og (L. Redigan) / Ríl Gan Ainm (trad) / Reel For Carl (J Holland)
2 Worlds United: New Canadian Records NCCD-9612-8
1999
Things fell further
into place on the second broadcast. I dug up a tape recording that I had
made in 1990 of a CPR freight barreling down the tracks near Bala, Ontario.
I was laying down about a foot away from the tracks with my walkman and
the recording suffered only minor wind damage - nearly perfect. Since the
second program the train has become a ritualistic character at the Sugar
Camp.
October 21, 1999 - Program #2
Guest: October Browne
OJNAB: Juice d'orange (JP Loyer)
Ojnab: Le Messager: Ojnab Musique DC0-01 - 1995
YVES LAMBERT: Secret des chevaliers (Y Lambert)
Les Vacances de Monsieur Lambert: Mille-Pattes MPCD 3334
- 1998
LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE: Un air si doux (trad arr x Jean
Fréchette)
Xieme: Mille-Pattes MPCD 2040
LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE: Ami de la bouteille (trad arr x
La Bottine)
Xieme: Mille-Pattes MPCD 2040
FRANK FROST WITH THE NIGHT HAWKS: Lucky To Be Living (F
Frost)
Hey Boss Man: Charly Records CRM 2011 - 1981
DENNIS GOMO: Four-Track Blues
Nippising: DG222 - 1999
OCTOBER BROWNE: Faithless (O Browne)
October Brown - released Oct 24, 1999
OCTOBER BROWNE: Holiday Romance (O Browne)
October Brown - released Oct 24, 1999
OCTOBER BROWNE: Govinda (O Browne)
October Brown - released Oct 24, 1999
NORM HACKING: Richer For The Time (N Hacking)
The Great North Wind - Live @ CIUT – September Oct 24,
1988
The Train: The CPR
Recorded by Steve Fruitman
GREAT NORTHERN: Just One Time (T Eccles)
Low Lonesome: Great Big Tater Records GBT 471 - 1999
October 28, 1999 - Program #3
Telephone Interview: Mike McKenna (ex of Mainline)
LENNY BREAU: Lenny’s Mood (L Breau)
Cabin Fever: True North Records / Guitarchives TNSD 0138
- 1997
TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA: Alberta Postcard (K Grimwood
/ E Idlet)
Closer To The Truth: Trout Records TRT-14 - 1999
DAVID WOODHEAD: The Moose With Wings (D Woodhead)
Sweets And Conundrums: Woodhead Music WM001
AENGUS FINNAN: Fool’s Gold (A Finnan)
Fool’s Gold: Shelter Valley Productions SVP01 - 1999
McKENNA MENDLESON MAINLINE: Mainline (J Mendleson)
Stink: Capitol/EMI C2 0777 7 26590 2 6 - 1969 (reissue)
OLIVER SCHROER: Dance For A New Beginning (O Schroer)
O2/Solo Fiddle: Barking Dog Music BD9901CD - 1999
LORETTO REID BAND: Jigslip (L Reid)
From The Inside Out: Reta Ceol Productions RCD 99 - 1999
BELIVO: Mouth of the Tobique (trad)
Generations: Alta Musica - BEL 001 - 1999
BRIAN HEBERT: Sassy’s Jig (B Hebert)
The Timber Train Collection: Shaggy Mane Music SMCD 9907
ERIN BENJAMIN: I Didn’t Think So (E Benjamin)
Monster In My Heart: Baby Hugh Productions BHPCD002
RON SEXSMITH: Time To Come Home (R Sexsmith)
Live on the GNW: September 5, 1988
DAVID WHITFIELD w/ MANTOVANI and his ORCHESTRA: Cara Mia
(Trapani / Lange)
Cara Mia: London Records LL 1417 - circa 1955
Playlist for November 4 - Program #4
Interview with Paul Mills (who wore a skinny markink jacket up to the
camp)
PHILLIPE GAGNON: Le Vin (reel) (trad arr. P Gagnon)
La Garouine, C'est Comme L'enveloppe de Tes Yeux...:
Polydor GU 2424.079 - 1973
PHILLIPE GAGNON: Un Jeune Avocat (trad arr. P Gagnon)
La Garouine, C'est Comme L'enveloppe de Tes Yeux...:
Polydor GU 2424.079 - 1973
SCRÜJ MacDUHK: The Northern Set - Anderson's Reel
/ Alan MacPherson of Dunbarton / The Man From Bandoran (trad arr
by Scruj MacDuhk)
The Road To Canso: Ind - SM003 - 1999
THE WAKAMI WAILERS: Camp At Hoovers Lake (trad)
River Through The Pines: Imakaw Records CD-003 - 1999
STAN ROGERS: The Puddler's Tale (S Rogers)
From Coffee House To Concert Hall: Fogerty's Cove Music
FCM 012D - 1999
STAN ROGERS: Music In Your Eyes (Willie P Bennett)
From Coffee House To Concert Hall: Fogerty's Cove Music
FCM 012D - 1999
STAN ROGERS: Take It From Day To Day (S Rogers)
From Coffee House To Concert Hall: Fogerty's Cove Music
FCM 012D - 1999
BILL GARRETT: Solitaire (E Shizgal)
Seems To Me: Borealis Recording Company BCD 117
BETH FERGUSON: For You, Johnny (B Ferguson)
Inside Talking: North Track Records EF-002-2 - 1999
BETH FERGUSON: Remember Me (B Ferguson)
Inside Talking: North Track Records EF-002-2 - 1999
STAN ROGERS: Acadian Saturday Night (S Rogers)
From Coffee House To Concert Hall: Fogerty's Cove Music
FCM 012D - 1999
MICHAEL OCCHIPINTI: Fathead (M Occhipinti)
Surrealist Blues: True North / Auracle Records TNSD 0168
- 1988
BRIAN BLAIN: The TV Shuffle (B Blain)
Who Paid You To Give Me The Blues?: Extracurricular Interactivities
- 1999
BRUCE COCKBURN: Deep Lake (B Cockburn)
Breakfast In New Orleans...: True North Records TND 0183
- 1999
DAVID WOODHEAD: Summers At Rangeley Lake (D Woodhead)
Sweets & Conundrums: Woodhead Music WM001 - 1999
KIM BARLOW: Humminah (K Barlow / K Elliot)
Humminah: Caribou Records CRCD006 - 1999
JOHN ECCLESTON: God Is Watching Me (J Eccleston)
Other Lies: Ind - No Serial No - 1999
GLEN REID: Circle of Song (G Reid)
Wildcats Howlin': Royston Road Music RRM99CD02 - 1999
GLEN REID: Crimson & Gold (G Reid)
Wildcats Howlin': Royston Road Music RRM99CD02 - 1999
BOBBY WATT - HOLMES HOOKE - OLIVER SCHROER: 21 Graves
(H Hooke)
Caught By The Tail: Holmespun Music HMCD01 - 1999
AL BRISCO: Appledale Ride (A Brisco)
Pickin' Up The Dust: Appledale Music CDAM-800 - circa
1998
ANNE WALKER: Rainwater (A Walker)
Live at CIUT on the Great North Wind - Nov. 28, 1988
AIMÉ GAGNON: Reel Desjarlais (Andy Dejarlis)
Aimé Gagnon violoneux d'origine: D & Y Gagnon
GAGCD26421
THE RHYTHM & TRUTH BRASS BAND: This Train (trad arr
by R&TBB)
Fife'n'drum: True North / Auracle Records TND 0187 -
1999
Playlist for November 18- Program #6
Guest: Sir Richard Flohil
SLIM GAILLARD: The Dirty Rooster (S Gaillard) - 1942
If It Ain't A Hit I'll Eat My...: Zu Zazz Records (mid
- 80s) ZCD 2009
THE BONZE DOG BAND: Jazz, Delicious Hot, Disgusting Cold
(Bonzo Dog Band)
The Intro: EMI UK - 99556 - 1992
D. DON BOWMAN: Willan & Waylee (D Bowman)
Six Pack Vol 1: Lonestar/Mercury L4600 - 1978
DAVID ALLAN COE: You Never Even Called Me By My Name (S
Goodman)
For The Record: Columbia 39605 - cira mid-70s
GARTH BROOKS: Right Now (C Wheeler / C Powers)
Chris Gaines Greatest Hits: Capitol 20051 - 1999
STEELEYE SPAN & PETER SELLERS: New York Girls (trad
arr by Steeleye Span)
Commoner's Crown: Chrysalis 1071 - 1975
PHYLLIS DILLER: Satisfaction (Jagger / Richards)
Golden Throats 2: Rhino Records RL 71007 - 1973
SEBASTIAN CABOT: It Ain't Me Babe (B Dylan)
Golden Throats 1: Rhino Records
JIMMY REED: Tribute To A Friend (J Reed)
Jimmy Reed: Paula Records PCD 8 - 1966
ELVIS PRESLEY: Don't Be Cruel (Imitation) (E Presley)
The 1 Million Dollar Quartet: Bootleg Recording - 1956
JERRY LEE LEWIS: Big Blue Diamond (E.K. Carson)
Jerry Lee Lewis (From box set): Bear Family Records DFX
1529 - 1987
MONTY PYTHON'S FLYING CIRCUS: Annie's Song: Farewell to
John Denver (J Denver)
Fulfilling A Contractural Obligation: Polygram 12216
- 1980
JACKIE WILSON & LAVERN BAKER: Think Twice (Version
X, late 1950s)
If It Ain't A Hit I'll Eat My...: Zu Zazz Records (mid
- 80s) ZED 2009
SOLOMON BURKE: Presents For Christmas (S Burke)
King Solomon: Atlantic / Koch 8016 - 1968
Playlist for November 25- Program #7
Guest: Marcelo Puente
COMPAÑEROS: Tupamaros (M Theodorakis)
Compañeros: Ind / no serial - circa 1981
MARCELO PUENTE: Cuando Me Veas Llegar (When I Arrive)
(M Puente)
Mares y Barrios (Oceans and Neighbourhoods): Puente-Espil
Productions MPCDTHRS 230647 - 1999
MARCELO PUENTE: Valparaiso (M Puente)
Mares y Barrios (Oceans and Neighbourhoods): Puente-Espil
Productions MPCDTHRS 230647 - 1999
MARCELO PUENTE: Barrios (Neighbourhoods) (M Puente)
Live In Studio
MARCELO PUENTE: Camino A La Luna Llena (Road To The Full
Moon) (M Puente)
Mares y Barrios (Oceans and Neighbourhoods): Puente-Espil
Productions MPCDTHRS 230647 - 1999
JAMES KEELAGHAN & OSCAR LOPEZ: Spanish Is A Loving
Tongue (C B Clark, Jr / M Williams)
Compadres: Jericho Beach Music 9701-2 - 1997
DEL VEZEAU: Twistin Gypsy (D Vezeau)
Paradigm: no label / no serial - 1999
GLAMOUR PUSS: Businessman (R Cormier)
Blues du Jour: GPCD 002 - 1999
World Premier:
GRIEVOUS ANGELS: 22 Trailer Park (C Angus)
22 Trailer Park: Jimmy Boyle Records / no serial - 1999
World Premier:
GRIEVOUS ANGELS: Jessie's Room (C Angus)
22 Trailer Park: Jimmy Boyle Records / no serial - 1999
BENJI: These Wheels (T Slimmon / L Melville)
Benji II: DROG Records CD 068 - 1999
Playlist for December 2 #8
SHARLENE WALLACE: Still Life: Bound Branches (S Wallace)
Journey of Shadows: SWCD002 - 1998
LAURA REPO: Frozen (L Repo)
Mountain of Me: Repo Girl Records RGR CD 101 - 1999
BLACKIE & THE RODEO KINGS: Summer Dreams, Winter Sleep
Kings Of Love: True North TND 0180 - 1999
PENNY LANG: When The Wind Blows (B Snider)
Some Body Else: She Wolf Records SWPL 9901-02
LENNY BREAU: Muskrat Ramble
Boy Wonder: Guitarchives/True North - TNSD 0172
BURNING SKY: Celebration Song
Enter The Earth: 1998
BO WATSON: (White Buffalo Calf) Pipe Carrier (B Watson
/ M Hill)
Opening Moves: BW 0043 - 1999
ELAINE KILPATRICK: Shoeshine Man
Murmurs of the Millenium: Promo CD EK-001 - 1997
LES FRÈRES GRENIER: Un Pied Mariton
Un Pied Mariton: Bonanza B-29710 - circa 1975
CATE FRIESEN: Late In The Evening (C Friesen)
Joy's Disorder: Wide-Eyed Music WEMD 004 -1999
OLIVER SCHROER: Whistle In the Dark (O Schroer)
02: Barking Dog Music BD9901CD - 1999
DAVID FRANCEY: St. Johns Train (D Francey)
Torn Screen Door: Laker Music LKR-1001 - 1999
SALAMANDER CROSSING: The Last Iron Horse (D Dick)
Bottleneck Dreams: Signature Sounds SIG-1244
CPR Train
Recorded by Steve Fruitman - 1990
TIM HARRISON: Train Going East (T Harrison)
Tim Harrison: Second Avenue Records SAS 2005 - 1999
See Porcupine Awards
December 16 - #9
Guest: Dennis Gomo, bluesman
Last show of the year, century, millennium, before xmas,
before new years,
before all the terrible things that they predict are
going to happen don't actually happen. This is it.
JIM McHARG'S METRO STOMPERS: Sugar - no credits
Thumbs Up: Arc Citation Series ACS 5016 - circa 1968
LA BOTTINE SOURIANTE: Le réveillon du jour de l'an
- trad arr. by La Bottine
Tout comme au jour de l'an: Mille-Pattes / EMI MMPCD-2035
- 1987/93
TRANBY CROFT: No Change In The City - P. Floyd
Demo CD: unreleased promo copy CDR - 1999
THE GRIEVOUS ANGELS: Millennium Blues - C. Angus
22 Trailer Park: Jimmy Boyle Records JB-22 - 1999
DENNIS GOMO: When The Time Comes - D. Gomo
Nippising: Dennis Gomo Records DG222 - 1999
DENNIS GOMO: There's Only Love - D. Gomo
Live In Studio
DENNIS GOMO: Robert Johnson Medley - p.d. arr by D. Gomo
Live In Studio
KATHERINE WHEATLEY: Snowmobile Suit - K Wheatley
Habits And Heroes: Hoot Music Company HMCCD-001 - 1999
CHUCK BRODSKY: On Christmas I Got Nothing - C Brodsky
Radio: Red House Records RHRCD 119 - 1998
RICK WHITELAW: Train Train - R Whitelaw
Polishing The Stone: RW 1 - 1999
CPR Train time
NIGHT SUN: A Camel In Nunavut - B. Dawson / E Hamilton
/ N Erkloo
One Moment of Grace: Borealis Recording Company BCD121
- 1999
I spent the winter holidays (and the change into the new millennium) in the UK, only to return three weeks later in a year that started with 20.
