David Storey - Made in Canada (2019)

Recorded live off the floor at Operation Northwood studios, made in Canada is the culmination of David Storey’s multi-decade career spent performing in coffeehouses, church basements, art galleries, taverns, intimate venues (Hugh’s Room) and festivals (Winterfolk, Orangeville Blues and Roots Festival). The collective wisdom of touring and creating has resulted in this, his third and most fully-realized album yet.

Thoughtful, witty and always accentuating the positive, as he delves into the gritty characters portrayed in these songs, this well-regarded songwriter proves with made in Canada – as he has done with 2012’s Movin’ On and 2015’s Coming Home…that David is one hell of a Storeyteller.

Best known as executive producer and director of the iconic comedy series and movie Corner Gas and its more recent animated sibling, David Storey is also the quintessential songwriter.

Co-produced, engineered and mixed by Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, The Weather Station,) made in Canada’s nine pithy, unforgettable songs resonate with quality and life lessons, his canvas including natural landscapes and human empathy, whether they’re Storey solo performances or in full band mode with his trusted four-piece Side Road Scholars.

Demonstrating wry wit and penetrating insights about life’s challenges, characters and passions – delivered with both humor and poignance – David Storey unfolds made in Canada’s captivating folk, folk-rock and Canadiana journey with an honesty that prompted both NOW and Toronto Life to declare his music “a beautifully rendered mix of intelligent songs” and Blues and Roots Radio to also rave: “There’s a strong current flowing through these songs; a sense of those things that abide, that endure, that remain an indelible part of who we are.”

“Chin Up“ - A reassuring acoustic tour-de-force of intricate guitar fingering intermingled with hope, healing and encouragement.
“Small Time” – On the album’s first single, the Side Road Scholars deliver an organic Canadiana feel stylized after The Band as a tribute to life simple and modest, boosted by your circle of friends and family.
“50 Clicks” – An intense and intimate Winnipeg-based murder ballad that contemplates an irretractable act of jealousy through the haze of alcohol, sweetened by engaging harmonies.
“I’m Gone” – A declarative blues-rock fantasy about a Bay Street lawyer working himself to death, and one of his colleagues dreaming of escaping the chains of 9-to-5 drudgery.
“Back in Regina” – The Prairie comfort zone for dreamers who prefer reality and a place that Storey calls “one of the most unsung beautiful places in Canada,” lovingly woven with Lawrie Ingles’ complimentarily sweet piano interlude.
“Bring It” – A glimpse into the life of a pick-up goaltending drifter who ekes out a living by renting his services and his melancholic muddle of bravado, dare and pride.
“Someday” – The passionate heart of ambition still beats despite outward appearances that suggest the contrary, as this song about seeing the human side of inmates perfectly articulates.
“My Girl’s Coming to Town” – An upbeat lament about the lonely road warrior whose blues are temporarily interrupted by the impending visit of a romantic partner.
“Trout Lake” - An unlikely occurrence in a hockey game that results in a fleeting moment of localized glory and validation, as the subject of the song puts a biscuit in the basket and basks in elation.

David Storey – Vocals, guitar, co-producer

Henry Lees – Background vocals, percussion
Howard Rabkin – Bass, background vocals
Bob Cohen – Acoustic/electric guitars, mandolin -
Lawrie Ingles – Keyboards, background vocals
Darryl Neudorf – Co-Producer

Tracklist:

01. Chin Up
02. Small Time
03. 50 Clicks
04. I'm Gone
05. Back in Regina
06. Bring It
07. Someday
08. My Girl's
09. Trout Lake