FREDERICK SQUIRE SINGS SHENANDOAH AND OTHER POPULAR HITS out May 24.
FREDERICK SQUIRE SINGS SHENANDOAH AND OTHER POPULAR HITS is the second record from Canada's favourite elusive songwriter, and the latest from Blue Fog Recordings, a small Canadian label with great taste. The album was written and recorded quickly, and already aging to perfection well before the release of Squire's 2010 publicly admired debut, MARCH 12. If MARCH 12 was the stranger who gave you the time, then FREDERICK SQUIRE SINGS SHENANDOAH AND OTHER POPULAR HITS will explain the clock.
'Shenandoah' is a traditional folk ballad of obscure origins. Echoing this classic narrative form, Squire leads the listener through forgotten moral territory with a set of exceptionally written songs primarily about forgiveness. In order to properly convey the deceivingly complex nature of this basic emotional theme, Squire sat in one chair, and using two microphones, recorded three instruments - vocals, guitar, and pump organ.
Frederick Squire has been active in the Canadian music community for a number of years, initially as co-founder/songwriter of the beloved, now defunct, east coast rock band Shotgun & Jaybird (2003-08). Frederick has been found collaborating with Calm Down It's Monday, Mount Eerie, Daniel (Romano), Fred & Julie (Doiron), and most recently with Kate Maki.
"The near flawless, sultry delivery of Squire's vocals is the album's most notable asset. It's impressive Squire has managed to stay off-the-grid to the extent that he has thus far, considering the length and weight of his resume. March 12 should finally bring him the accolades he's working so hard to avoid." - Chart Attack
"If Neil Young seeps through Squire's aesthetic, it's within the pure honesty and grit of what he's up to, the kind of punk indifference that propels the heartfelt passion." - Exclaim
"Fred wants you to watch him build songs. He draws your attention to the process. He’s showing you how to make something sound ecclesiastical, reverential, while at the same time never allowing one to losing sight of the fact that underneath all that is a man with a guitar and a voice." - Weird Canada