The Best of the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2016
Contents
The Best of the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2016. A blog about the great Canadian music scene.
Best Album
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were created to recognize, encourage and promote Canadian talent in the folk, roots and world music genres. This year’s awards were given out in Ottawa on November 19th, 2016. Here are the winners in the Best Album category.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
This Year’s Juno Award-winning album by the renowned Québecois band Le Vent du Nord, Tromper le Temps is a stunning and varied collection of traditional and original tunes, all performed with the band’s signature energy and virtuosity. With special guests like French Canadian singer I believe Aude Langlois on a few tracks, the album is a joy from start to finish, and a worthy addition to any fan’s collection.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers – Secret Victory may not have been the best album of the year, but it was certainly the most surprising. Coming out of left field (or rather, Prince Edward Island), this traditional Celtic/folk group released an album that was not only great, but also managed to break through to a wider audience. Thanks in part to some well-placed performances on CBC’s ” q” and NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts,” The East Pointers built a following that culminated in a Juno win for Traditional Folk Album of the Year. If you’re looking for something new in the world of folk music, check out The East Pointers – you won’t be disappointed.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
The Bombadils are a Canadian folk music band from Newfoundland and Labrador. The group formed in 2006 and has released four studio albums. The band’s musical style is based on traditional Newfoundland music, but with a modern approach. The band has won several awards, including the Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album in 2016 for their album Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet.
Best Traditional Album
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were held in Edmonton on November 19, 2016. This is the 12th edition of the awards and the 5th time they have been held in Edmonton. The event was hosted by Shirley Eikhard and David Newland. The awards ceremony was held at the Winspear Centre and was attended by over 1400 people.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
This Quebecois band’s ninth album is a stunning showcase for the group’s traditional and contemporary skills, with all four members writing, singing and playing to perfection on a set of original tunes and traditional songs.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers – Secret Victory is a great album for folk music lovers. This album has a great variety of songs, ranging from traditional ballads to upbeat modern tunes. The East Pointers are a great band, and this album is a perfect example of their talent. If you’re looking for a good folk album, this is the one for you.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
After several years of honing their craft and perfecting their live show, The Bombadils released their debut album in 2013. Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet was recorded in just four days at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. The album captures the energy and excitement of The Bombadils’ live show, and features 12 original songs that are at turns whimsical, heart-warming and thought-provoking.
With intricate vocal harmonies, driving rhythms and virtuosic instrumental performances, The Bombadils have crafted a sound that is all their own. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences – from folk and bluegrass to Pop and Jazz – they create a sound that is fresh, fun and eminently singable.
Best Contemporary Album
The Canadian Folk Music Awards are pleased to announce the nominees for the 12th annual Canadian Folk Music Awards. The Awards will take place in Ottawa, at the National Arts Centre on November 13, 2016. This is the only Award show in Canada that honours and celebrates the outstanding achievements of the Folk, Roots, and World music communities.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
Le Vent du Nord is a Québécois folk music band formed in 2002 in Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec. The band has toured internationally and has released eight albums. Le Vent du Nord has been nominated for several Juno Awards and Canadian Folk Music Awards, winning several of both. In 2016, they won the Juno Award for Best Contemporary Album for their album Tromper le Temps.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers – Secret Victory (The Best of the Canadian Folk Music Awards 2016) is a compilation album of live and studio recordings by the Canadian folk music group The East Pointers. It was released in 2016 by The East Pointers Records. The album won the Juno Award for Best Contemporary Album at the Juno Awards of 2017.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet is the perfect title for this record – it captures the wandering, ethereal quality of the music within. The Bombadils are a duo made up of Sarah Mullins and Luke Fraser, who between them play an impressive range of instruments. The result is an intricate, beautifully layered sound that belies the fact there are only two people playing.
The opening track, “Coalmines”, is a particular standout; beginning with just Sarah’s voice and Luke’s guitar, it swells to include fiddle, banjo and mandolin before finally easing back down again. It’s a masterclass in how to build and release tension in a song, and it sets the tone for the rest of the album perfectly.
If you’re a fan of folk music, or just beautiful music in general, this is an album you need to hear.
Best Roots/Traditional Album
The Canadian Folk Music Awards are an annual celebration of the best in Canadian Folk Music. This year’s awards ceremony was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 12, 2016. The award for Best Roots/Traditional Album went to Le Vent du Nord for their album Tromper le Temps.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
Tromper le Temps is the ninth studio album by the Canadian folk music group Le Vent du Nord. It was released on September 30, 2016, by Borealis Records. The album won the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2017.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
Secret Victory by The East Pointers is the best roots/traditional album of 2016. The album is a collection of traditional and original songs that are sure to get your toes tapping. The East Pointers are a traditional Canadian folk group that is quickly making a name for themselves in the music world. If you’re a fan of traditional Canadian folk music, then this album is a must-listen.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
The Bombadils are a quartet of multi-instrumentalists and vocalists who love pushing the boundaries of folk music. Drawing on Celtic, bluegrass, old-time, and contemporary influences, they create a sound that is all their own. Their latest album, Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet, was recorded live in the studio and captures the energy and spirit of their live shows. It was nominated for Best Roots/Traditional Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and won the award for Best Ensemble.
Best Singer-Songwriter Album
Toronto-based musician Tanika Charles won the prestigious award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards last night. The win is for her debut album, Soul Run, which was released in September of 2016. Charles was up against some stiff competition in the form of fellow Canadians such as Donovan Woods and David Francey.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
One of the most decorated and well-known traditional music groups in Canada, Quebec’s Le Vent du Nord has been a driving force in the rejuvenation of French Canadian music since their formation in 2002. Tromper le Temps is their eighth studio album, and it sees the band expanding their sound while still staying true to their roots. The album features a mix of traditional Quebecois folk songs and original compositions, all performed with the group’s trademark energy and virtuosity. If you’re looking for a taste of the best that Canadian folk music has to offer, Tromper le Temps is a great place to start.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers’ Secret Victory is an album deeply rooted in the traditions of Canadian and Maritime music, with a modern pop sensibility. The trio – Tim Chaisson (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, lead vocals), Koady Chaisson (banjo, percussion, harmony vocals), and Jake Charron (bouzouki, guitars, harmony vocals) – hail from Prince Edward Island on Canada’s East Coast.
Their sound is fresh and lively while remaining respectful of the past. The lyrics are often funny and light-hearted, but also deal with more serious topics such as mental illness and addiction. The album was produced by Tim Chaisson and recorded at his home studio in PEI. It features guest appearances by some of Canada’s most respected traditional musicians, including Joel Plaskett, Rose Cousins, Matt Andersen, and Dave Gunning.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
Named after a fictional family of musical maestros in Dr. Seuss’s The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, The Bombadils are a band of fun-loving, young Canadians who celebrate life through song. The foursome – Sarah Hoffman, Chris Gcgiillis, Luke Fraser and Anh Phung – met while studying music at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. They released their debut album in 2012 and have been touring extensively throughout Canada and Europe ever since.
Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet is The Bombadils’ third album and it finds the band at the top of their game. They have perfected their unique blend of bluegrass, folk and pop, creating a sound that is fresh, yet strangely familiar. The album features fourteen original songs written by Hoffman and Gillis, as well as a cover of Doug Paisley’s “Strong Feelings.”
The lyrics are personal and introspective, but they are also universal in theme. Hoffman’s sweet voice effortlessly weaves its way through stories of love, loss and hope, while Gillis’s masterful banjo playing provides the perfect accompaniment. Fraser and Phung round out the sound with their impressive mandolin and fiddle skills respectively.
If you are looking for an uplifting album to help you get through these dark winter months, look no further than The Bombadils’ Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet. It is sure to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
Best Instrumental Album
The Canadian Folk Music Awards were created to recognize the achievements of Canadian folk, roots and world music artists and to promote Canadian music in this genre to the general public. An independent jury of music professionals from across Canada selects the nominees in each of the 14 award categories. Nominations are based on artistic merit and creativity, regardless of genre, sales, or record label.
Le Vent du Nord – Tromper le Temps
Le Vent du Nord is a French-Canadian band from Québec who plays traditional Québécois music. The band formed in 2002 and has released eight studio albums. Tromper le Temps, their most recent album, won the 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Instrumental Album.
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The East Pointers – Secret Victory
The second album from the Canadian trio, The East Pointers, is a collection of traditional and original tunes that are sure to get your toes tapping. Fiddles, banjo, and guitar come together to create a sound that is both fresh and familiar. With a mix of old-timey tunes and modern melodies, this album has something for everyone.
The Bombadils – Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet
The Bombadils are a Canadian folk music duo from Newfoundland and Labrador. The duo consists of Sarah White on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, and Luke Powers on guitar, banjo, bouzouki, and bodhrán. Their debut album, Grass & Wild Strawberries, was released in 2011.
Grassy Roads, Wandering Feet is the Bombadils’ second album. It was recorded in analog at Blue Rodeo’s Woodbine Studio in Toronto and was produced by Colin Cripps. The album was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2016.
