I guess this is ruining the surprise but I’m buying this album for quite a few people for Christmas. It’s ridiculously good, very catchy, it topped fancy local charts, it features internationally known art and music stars, and it’s published by Vancouver’s Or Gallery, one of Vancouver’s best non-profit art centres. And it’s on yellow vinyl! The cover artwork makes the album itself a piece of art, too. You could frame it. Do you have any yellow vinyl? Why not? It’s also available at Zulu Records in Vancouver, Amazon, and in Europe you can order it here. Or you can email the Or Gallery and order your own copy direct. The album is cheap direct from the Or at $20 CAD (20% off for members). I am not just shilling for this album because I’m on the gallery’s board. It’s excellent, and Slade can really sing. Click below to read the details.
“Cranfield and Slade: 12 Sun Songs” is a yellow vinyl album made up of covers of pop songs about the sun. Aping a 1970s concept album Cranfield and Slade present twelve songs arranged to represent a day, beginning with songs about sunrise and winding down with songs about sunsets. Tracks range from classics such as George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” and The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset,” to the lesser-known “Sun” by singer-songwriter Margot Guryan or “Where Evil Grows” by Vancouver’s The Poppy Family. The album combines field recordings made in various Vancouver locations with electronic sound and acoustic and electric instruments.
Based in rainy Vancouver, Cranfield and Slade are made up of visual artist Kathy Slade and artist/musician Brady Cranfield, working with musicians including Larissa Loyva (Piano, Kellarissa), Johnny Payne (Victoria Victoria, The Shilos), and Chris Harris (Piano, Parks and Rec, The Secret Three, Womankind); and special guests John Collins (The New Pornographers, The Evaporators) and artist Rodney Graham (The Rodney Graham Band, UJ3RK5).
The liner notes for 12 Sun Songs were written by celebrated Canadian poet and critic Peter Culley. Published with JRP Ringier in the Christoph Keller Edition series.
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