”Homespun From Niagara”

Country of Friends

• Tory, 68, announced the end of his mayoralty, less than four months after he was easily re-elected to a third term, in a brief address to reporters Friday evening at city hall. It came one hour after the Star published an investigation that revealed his misconduct.
• Country of Friends is a rewrite of You've Got a Friend written by Carole King and recorded by James Taylor.

Trying to Remember

Had the pleasure of meeting The Brothers Four in 1964 on the TV Show Lets Sing Out, here they are singing Try to Remember.

 I’ve rewritten it as “Trying to Remember” a song about the challenges of aging and short-term memory. It’s about a couple in elderhood with an agreement to fill in each other’s memory gaps. Special thanks to Wils, Jim and Harvey for their preview and comments about this Homespun production.

Lost My Kit At Lundy’s Lane

This story you are about to hear was imagined, completely imagined but sometimes you know the things we imagine seem real, sometimes more real than life itself.

There was a fundraiser auction to raise money to promote awareness of the War of 1812 and the importance of the Battle of Lundy’s Lane in the struggle to become Canada......

A Kinder Gentler Time?

Cousin Dave sent along a poem about growing up in the 50's. It has been recorded with some sound tracks from that decade. Did those who grew up in the 50's share one of the greatest decades in history?

One Way Blues

A Homespinner reached out with this “Tommy you’ve done country, folk, gospel, pop and rock stories and songs – what about the blues – done any blues lyrics or tunes?”

Well, as a matter of fact there is one titled  “One Way Blues” ©  written En route DEN CHR 01 29 2015  - this is a pre-covid piece, however, given the changes over the last 7 years, like our health and health care systems, the weather and environmental conditions, interest rates, war in Ukraine and most economies : One Way Blues may still be relevant.

Bound for Beijing

In the early hours of Saturday, March 8, 2014 A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777- flight 370 departed from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing China and contact was lost with air control a little more than a hour after it took off and the plane went missing. This incident triggered an unprecedented international search and rescue operation that spanned from the southern Indian Ocean to Central Asia. 

And this incident triggered my memories of the Weavers and the Kingston Trio singing The Good Ship Reuben James. Studio records show the song was rewritten within days of the tragedy called "Bound for Beijing". It is released here in February 2023 for the first time.

About Time

Recently a Homespinner asked me “Have you written and recorded anthing on the subject of time?” Turns out I did once, en route from Salt Lake City to Phoenix on the 27^th of January 2015, it was about time.  So here it is with a pan flute recording of “Only Time” by Maciej Majchrowski on Youtube. Thank you Maciej!

When Salmon Come Home

Attending a Beamsville Bunch Beacon Breakfast recently was reminded of a conversation with Linda and Pat a few years ago about the magnetism that draws us back to hometown family and friends . This is a Zoomer Wrap, that is a spoken poem, spoken over a recognizable, instrumental track, in this case Lonesome Valley, by Eli West, on Youtube. Thank you Eli.

 

A Song for a Prince

Since his fall from grace over his friendship with deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his out of court settlement in a civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, and the funeral service of his mother Queen Elizabeth, Prince Andrew has disappeared from public life. This is an adaptation of the Eagles Song Lying Eyes. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. We understand the adage innocent until proven guilty.

Don’t Get Around Much

Like his tune “Misty, Duke Ellington wrote “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” in 1940 as an instrumental. He titled it as “Never No Lament”. in 1942 Bob Russell added lyrics, at which point the title changed to Don’t Get Around Much Any More. It became a hit shortly thereafter. Here it has been rewritten as Don't Get Around Much, a Covid Lament.

Foller de Drinkin’ Gou’d

Homespinner John C. reached out to remind us that it is Black History Month and requested the song and a story to go along with it - Follow the Drinking Gourd. As teenagers, we used to sing this song together in the front room of his home, called Sleepy Hollow. With a little research and help from the internet here’s the backstory.

Hazel McCallion - Queen of the Gaspesie

Well she was known as a shrewd and iron-willed politician, the longtime Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion with her broad reputation for a common touch and boundless energy,  affectionately known as Hurricane Hazel, died on Sunday, January 29^th 2023. This is our heartfelt tribute to Hazel, a decorated and most deserving pioneer in effective and efficient political leadership in Canada. She lived In the footsteps of notable pioneers like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.

Our Happy Hour

Researched, written and recorded in response to the recent announcement of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction suggesting limiting alcohol consumption to 2 (two) drinks per week. We do not mean to offend anyone who abstains and/or believes that alcohol is evil. There is an interesting story to be heard.

Tim Hortons Song and Story

After winning the Stanley Cup In 1967 as a Leaf, defense pair Tim Horton and Larry Hillman both ended up playing for Punch Imlach and the Buffalo Sabres. Horton partnered with investor Ron Joyce, and opened a coffee and donut shop in Burlington. The site became the home office for Ron to begin Franchising the business in earnest.

According to Larry , who bought our home in Vineland, at that time, Tim wanted to be able to get a coffee ½ way between Toronto and Buffalo – hence the Burlington site.

Here is a note received from John R a long time Franchisee.

Tom. 

That song was first released at our Toronto convention. 

For all the franchises to hear before being released to the public. 

A Gold Leaf Has Fallen

Another Leaf has fallen from this magnificent tree of life and this time it was a Golden Leaf.  Robert Marvin Hull better known as Bobby died today January 30, 2023) a Canadian pro hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. His blonde hair, skating speed, end-to-end rushes, his curved stick and ability to shoot the puck harder and faster than most others earned him the deserved name "The Golden Jet".