Cd Isle...CDs by BC island recording artists

Since I released "One Stitch at a Time" in 2000, quilters from all over the world have been telling me their stories. Some of them made me laugh and some cry. I knew I had to write more songs to share these tales. This music is now available on a CD called "A Quilter's Embrace". It features 14 new songs with the same mix of history, current events and fun that everyone loved about "One Stitch at a Time".

While recording this CD in Toronto, I got the chance to work with some of the top session musicians in Canada, and they did a wonderful job on the new songs. I also got the chance to finally work with an old friend, and top-notch producer, Paul Mills, in the producer's chair. I had lots of help from many, many quilters, who told me fascinating quilting stories. It is thanks to their generosity that this CD has come to be. Here are the songs on the CD:

Quilter's Husband's Lament to hear a sample of this song, click here and scroll down the page until you find the title
I found this poem on the Internet, and have set it to music. It was originally adapted by Shelly Burge from a poem called "A Husband's Viewpoint" and published in her Home Extension Club newsletter in the late 1970s. If you know the author of the original poem (which ends with the husband getting directly into heaven, since "you've done your time in Hell"), please get in touch with me.

A Quilter's Embrace to hear a sample of this song, click here and scroll down the page until you find the title
After hearing about so many charity quilts done by every single guild we've visited over the years, I had to write this song. Each verse is about someone who has received an anonymous charity quilt, and the chorus is the supposed quilt label on each of those quilts. It's been bringing a tear to the eye of audiences so far!

Colleen is 1/3 of the celtic trio "The Ecclestons". In Essence is a collection of Colleen Eccleston songs to provide listeners with a representative cross-section of Colleen's work, which had been either unreleased or in limited production, up to 1997. Recorded and mixed primarily in-house by musician/producer/ husband Hugh McMillan, the styles range from almost prog-rock through to nearly country and on to acoustic folk, and features guest appearances by James Keelaghan (harmony vocal), Oscar Lopez (nylonstring guitar), Vince Ditrich (drums and percussion), Brent Gubbells (acoustic bass), Eugene Oschadsky ('cello and arrangement), and Louise Rose (piano).

Born in New Zealand ('72) and raised on the west coast of Canada, Damian's musical diversity has led to performances with some of the finest musicians in the country and abroad. (Michael Kaeshammer, David Gogo, Paul Laine, Paul Pigat, Pat Coleman,The Swinging Bachelors, Bob Murphy, Danger Danger, Phil Dwyer, Resin, The Big Band Trio, Tyler Yarema)

Performance highlights have included sharing the stage with Joshua Redman, Albert Collins, Cecil McBee, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Holly Cole, The Shuffle Demons, Buddy Guy, Metalwood, The Paladins, Colin James, The Odds, Junkhouse, Jane Bunnett, Phil Dwyer, Joey DeFrancesco, and numerous festival appearances including the Montreal Jazz Festival, Toronto and Vancouver DuMarier Jazz Festivals, Beilefeld Jazz fest (Germany), High Sierra Music Festival (USA)

As well as playing drums Damian regularly works in the chair of Producer, Engineer, Graphic Designer (this site), Composer and has run his own label Bagel Boy Records for the past 10 years.

Damian's production, engineering and graphic design credits include the bands "Dr. Tongue", "Gypsyland", "Tongue and Groove", his latest release as a band leader entitled "Digs" and the ever popular "Nicol Street Christmas I, II and III" which feature many artists including musicians from The Odds, Wunderbread, David Gogo, Camille Miller, Gerry Barnum, Paul Laine.

As a composer Damian has written a large collection of material encompassing a wide variety of musical genres both on his own and in collaboration with other artists. Many of these compositions have been featured on radio and on his label. In 2000 co-writes with Michael Kaeshammer appeared on the later's Juno nominated album "No Strings Attached" (Alma Records)

The past four years have seen Damian touring extensively with Michael Kaeshammer, a young and talented pianist who is rapidly gaining recognition in Canada and abroad as one of the most exciting live acts around. Damian also maintains a busy live and studio schedule with his own ensemble and as an in demand session player. Having performed all across Canada, USA and Europe, Damian has been busy changing the way people think about the drums.

On Digs Damian is joined by some of the most highly regarded musicians on the west coast, Throughout the album pianist Chad Geekie amazes the listener with his incredible touch and sensitivity. A busy performer Chad is also an accomplished composer. Simon Fisk and Joey Smith hold down the bass chair and demonstrate why they are two of the most sought out bass players going. Other guests include Tina Jones (Wunderbread) singing beautifully, Marty Shepard's lush trumpet tones, and newcomer Jamie Campbell on tenor saxophone. (Received Jazz Report Magazine's Most Outstanding High School Musician award)

Cd is in Like New condition. Long out of print and hard to find!!

Personnel: David Foster (keyboards), Dean Parks (acoustic guitar), Dave Boruff (saxophone), Simon Franglen (Synclavier).

Playing vocally driven, melodic rock, their song-writing is unparalleled, and their enthusiasm is mesmerizing.