Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
Folk Icon James Gordon Goes On A Hunt For Harmony In “Leonard’s Secret Chord” From New Album ‘Wrinkles and Scars’

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Folk Icon James Gordon Goes On A Hunt For Harmony In “Leonard’s Secret Chord” From New Album ‘Wrinkles and Scars’
James Gordon
Sat Mar 23, 2024
Cashbox Canada

One of the more curious aspects of the artistic temperament is that the more you accomplish, the more you strive for. Case in point: Canadian folk legend James Gordon, who after a whopping 42 albums and successes in multiple other avenues of creative and civic life is still looking for “Leonard’s Secret Chord”—which is not only a metaphor for the elusiveness of the proverbial muse, but the title of his new single to boot. Check it out on YouTube here:

And yes, that title is indeed a Leonard Cohen reference. Gordon wrote his song after watching a documentary on the omnipresent “Hallelujah,” which Cohen recorded in 1984 and which later became a staple of films, TV and the repertoires of other artists.

“Looking at his great body of work, I believe Cohen was always searching for meaning, for truth,” Gordon says. “Looking for a key solve the mystery of the universe. I think all creatives share that quest.”

A more uptempo cousin to the Cohen track, “Leonard’s Secret Chord” finds Gordon remarking on the intellectual and spiritual wanderlust of the driven—a group he feels we all fall into at one time or another:

Painters and poets, philosophers and kings
Looking to the cosmos for the same things

Rebels and angels, singers and dancers
Everybody’s out there looking for answers
We’re all looking for, we’re all looking for
Leonard’s secret chord

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/album/1VFImYYRrEgxaHMtpDeOAJ

The ridiculously prolific Gordon absolutely fits that description. As a founding member of folk trio Tamarack, with whom he performed from 1978 to 2000, and subsequently as a solo artist, he’s made enough albums to fill a decent-sized independent record shop while touring extensively across the globe. He’s composed for symphony orchestras, the musical theatre and dance troupes, written film scores, and served as a songwriter-in-residence on CBC radio for over a decade. As a record producer, he’s credited on CDs by numerous Canadian folk artists, and his mentorship programs have spurred the careers of countless youth and adult songwriters alike. That’s not to mention his accomplishments as a published author, playwright, theatrical director, podcast host and even a two-term city councillor in his native Guelph.

Yep—textbook underachiever.

The latest jewel in his crown is Wrinkles and Scars, a forthcoming live album of which “Leonard’s Secret Chord” is but one facet. Recorded at Guelph’s River Run Centre in January 2024, the performance finds Gordon backed by his “Exceptional Ensemble” of Ian Bell, Randall Coryell, Anne Lindsay, Katherine Wheatley and David Woodhead. The 14 songs run the gamut from personal musings on aging and loneliness to some of the more politically charged material for which Gordon is known—including musical protestations against climate change, religious fundamentalism and the Rwandan genocide.

“I try to stay optimistic despite our current challenges,” he says. “As an activist, I want to hold onto hope, otherwise there’s no point investing energy into ‘the cause.’ That often feels pretty unrealistic in my moments of despair.”

Ah, but therein hangs the eternal quest for that secret chord of harmony and fulfillment. Thanks for still fighting the good fight, James. And hallelujah.

jamesgordon.ca

Reviews
Album
James Gordon
Month: Sep 2020
Sammy Jackson Jazz-Pop R&B Artist Sammy Jackson Looks in the “Past Tense” with New Single
Dead Romantic Alt-Rockers Dead Romantic are “All Talk” in Breakthrough Debut Single
Ramshackle Rodeo Alt-Electro Rockers Ramshackle Rodeo Go Full ‘Dystopian Crescendo…
THE FAMILY CURSE 54-40’s NEIL OSBOURNE + Daughter KANDLE Have The Folk/Blues As THE FAMILY CURSE…
Aimee-Jo Benoit Aimee-Jo Benoit Reinvents the Classics With New LP, Borjoner
DRAE Blues/Hip Hop Duo DRAE’s Political Prediction Comes True in New…
Greg Rider Singer/Songwriter Greg Rider Second Date Was Almost '…
Icelandic Artist Kahnin Releases Timelier than Ever New Single, “DuckTape" Icelandic Artist Kahnin Releases Timelier than Ever New Single, “DuckTape…
Midas Wright Rapper & Producer Midas Wright Captures Life Best Lived in New…
Morchella Alt-Indie Artist Morchella Unearths Human Complexities in…
Tucker Lane Tucker Lane is Soaring High with New Single ‘Paper Wings’
Toronto Rapper M.Y.A. WRITER Releases Debut Two-Version Track, “WORLDISAMESS — Angel / Demon” Toronto Rapper M.Y.A. WRITER Releases Debut Two-Version Track, “…
Bullrider Bullrider Releases New Single that Makes You Think “Happy Where I Am”
Fiona Ross Award-Winning Contemporary Jazz Songstress Fiona Ross Releases The…
Jeff Gay Folk-Country Rocker JEFF GAY Turns His Gaze to Relationships in New…

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 20
  • Page 21
  • Page 22
  • Page 23
  • Current page 24
  • Page 25
  • Page 26
  • Page 27
  • Page 28
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers