"In the rough-cut vein of Fred Eaglesmith or Kelly Joe Phelps, Tentrees is gifted"The Globe and Mail
RECENT NEWS (March 1, 2010)
"Mercy or Sin" the title track of the new album written with Jennie Sosnowski has been nominated as a finalist in the "Americana Category" of the International Song Competition out of 15 000 entries.
Yukon roots music songwriter Gordie Tentrees has released his 3rd album, Mercy or Sin, produced by Juno Award-winning producer Bob Hamilton. Joining Gordie (dobro, guitar, harmonica) on the "Mercy or Sin" CD release tour is legendary multi-instrumentalist Ken Hermanson (banjo, lapsteel, guitar) and singing sensation Jennie Sosnowski (upright bass).
Gordie Tentrees is from the cold and rustic Yukon Territory and writes like a disciple to preeminent Texas storytellers on his third album, Mercy or Sin. "Alfred" leads off the record, a darkly poignant acoustic tale "Walks with a hitch, right side hip, reads a dirt palm, right before he spits, thinks on the rain, hollers for the end, Alfred is old his blood ain't thin." But don't settle in for a mellow country/folk album, because he brings his resophonic guitar and stomp board to a roaring "No Integrity Man" for a decidedly blues-rock feel and a hint of rockabilly on "Same Old Blues." Tentrees and band are relentless road-warriors, with almost 200 dates the past year in Canada and Europe. He performed at the Olympics in Vancouver Feb. 15-17 for the New Songs New Voices Show. Tentrees was selected as the best of Canada's songwriters to perform during the games. Gordie also performing an official showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis TN and opened for legendary Texas icon Ray Wylie Hubbard. He was also selected by CBC’s Song Quest in 2009 as one of Canada’s top songwriters.
This is the much-anticipated follow up to critically-acclaimed Bottleneck to Wire (2007) and 29 Loads of Freight (2004). This album finally captures the bands dynamic live show and unique growth of songwriter Gordie Tentrees. There are 12 tracks delivering story-driven songs, edgy foot-stompers and heart-worn odes that can only be cultivated by a road warrior.
Gordie has toured relentlessly in North America, Europe and the UK, building an international buzz in the roots music world. He has opened for Fred Eaglesmith and Kelly Joe Phelps, shared stages with the D-Rangers, Rick Fines, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, performed a CBC Saturday Night Blues concert, and showcased at North American Folk Alliance, Western Canadian Music Awards and South by Southwest.
Visit www.youtube.com/tentrees74 for live video
REVIEW FROM FRED EAGLESMITH TOUR
"The concert kicked off with a strong set by Gordie Tentrees, who has been opening for the band on recent dates, and it is apparent to this listener that Tentrees has been working hard in the couple of years since he opened the same venue for Kelly Joe Phelps.
His ease and ability on resophonic slide guitar and rack mount harmonica suggest some serious time spent honing his craft; and the inclusion of an electrified stomp board lends authority to his steady tapping left foot. Good tunes with strong vocals and deft fingerpicking make for an enjoyable presentation and the addition of Eaglesmith's sidemen, Matty Simpson on electric guitar and Luke Stackhouse on string bass, to finish off Tentrees portion of the show was an added treat. Tentrees is a talent on the move, and moving in good company" Peterborough Examiner
Over the last two years he has performed at: North Country Fair, Peterborough Folk Festival, Dauphin Countryfest, Arts Wells Festival, Alaska State Fair, Islands Folk Festival, Toronto Film Festival, Blue Feather Music Festival, Fred Eaglesmith Texas Weekend, Trout Forest Music Festival, Prince George Folk Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, South Country Fair, Canada Music Week, Alsek Music Festival, Edge of the World Music Festival, Folk on the Rocks Festival, Ontario Contact Showcase, Fred Eaglesmith Picnic, Atlin Arts & Music Festival, Western Canadian Music Awards, North By Northeast Festival, End of the Road Music Festival, Frostbite Music Festival and Winterfolk Roots & Blues Festival. He is also a 2008 Official Folk Alliance Showcase winner representing Canada in Memphis, Tennessee.