Laker Music is pleased to announce the April 30th, 2013 International release of David Francey’s new album So Say We All. This will be the 10th album for three-time Juno Award winner.
“Canada’s best contemporary songwriter” (Sing Out).
Fourteen years ago at the age of 45, Francey began an astonishing journey from manual labourer to award-winning folk troubadour – renowned for writing with heart-wrenching honesty about the struggles of the poor and working class. His new album reflects his own journey through a period of struggle.
“The lesson learned,” he says, “was to celebrate every day spent on this side of the soil and to keep marching no matter what comes our way.”
That spirit of perseverance bursts from each song on the album, from the opening track “Rain” about the failure and rebirth of love to the bittersweet hymn “So Say We All.” Capturing the dark times (“Pandora’s Box,” “Ordinary Man”) as well as life’s shining moments (“Satellite,” “Blue Skies”), the album is a perfect acoustic showcase of what makes Francey’s songwriting so special. Poetic and fearless, Francey draws from his own experiences, delving into his recent depression (“Harm”) and singing about his colorful experiences on the road (“Cheap Motel”).
Now ten albums into his recording career, Francey has demonstrated the kind of consistency as a songwriter that makes even other songwriters shake their head in disbelief. On So Say We All, he shares yet another collection of so-good-they-could-be-traditional numbers marked by the perfectly-stated poetry and stick-in-your-head melodies of the enduring folk song, best exemplified by songs like “Blue Yonder” and “Long Long Road.”
These remarkable songs are brought to life by Francey’s first-rate touring band – guitarist Mark Westberg, guitarist/banjo-picker Chris Coole and celebrated Maritime multi-instrumentalist Darren McMullen. Capturing their raw energy and musicianship, producer Ken Friesen recorded the band live at Signal Path Studio in Almonte, Ontario. Keeping it all close to home, Francey also brought in his son Colin to play drums and invited fellow Ontario artist Tannis Slimmon to sing harmonies.
Beautifully spare and full of instant classics, So Say We All is sure to be a favorite with folk fans of every generation.
In support of his new album, David Francey will be touring Canada and United States throughout 2013 and 2014. For his full schedule, please visit www.davidfrancey.com
BIOGRAPHY
David Francey is a Scottish-born Canadian carpenter-turned-songwriter, who has become known as “one of Canada’s most revered folk poets and singers” (Toronto Star). Born in Ayrshire, Scotland to parents who were factory workers, he moved to Canada when he was twelve. For decades, he worked across Canada in rail yards, construction sites, and in the Yukon bush, all the while writing poetry, setting it to melodies in his head and singing it to himself as he worked.
A truly authentic folk singer, Francey is a documentarian
of the working person who never imagined earning a living from his music. But when he was in his 40s, his wife, artist Beth Girdler, encouraged him to share his songs and sing in public. The reaction was instant. His first album Torn Screen Door came out in 1999 and was
a hit in Canada. Since then, he has released nine albums, won three Juno Awards and has had his songs covered by such artists as The Del McCoury Band, The Rankin Family, James Keelaghan and Tracy Grammer.
One of his most personal albums to date, So Say We All delves deep into his recent struggles with depression and loss. With songs about hope and perserverence, the album sounds like a classic folk record that will appeal to folk fans of all ages.
For more about David Francey and to view his touring schedule, please visit www.davidfrancey.com.
PRESS QUOTES
“one of Canada’s best loved troubadours”
--Toronto Star
“He’s like those Texas songwriters, the Guy Clarks and Van Zandts and such, who take life and set it to music, in such plain but perfect language.”
--CBC
“songs that go straight to the heart and stay there”
--Sing Out!
“chock full of tunes that paint vivid pictures, pack visceral emotions and have the fine detail of good short stories.”
--Minneapolis Star Tribune
“the likeliest candidate for all-Canadian folk singer”
--The Ottawa Citizen
“the closest thing [Canada] has to Woody Guthrie”
LAKER MUSIC