tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:/blogs/latest-news?p=4
Latest News
2024-03-07T14:05:29-05:00
DAVID LEASK
false
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7363348
2024-03-07T14:05:29-05:00
2024-03-16T10:07:52-04:00
TEAMWORK
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/4ecb48c0b3080874f5873cdcf668ac8e7ef7fe3f/original/20240307teamworkblog2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="590" width="1506" /><p><span class="text-big">I thought I would take this opportunity to celebrate March 7th as Teamwork Day. I’m sure many of you might celebrate this in different ways and for different situations. For me, on this day 32 years ago, I married my wife Mary Ellen and I am grateful that she has stuck with me through some crazy times. As I said at a recent gig, the roller coaster of 32 years of marriage to a musician might be the equivalent of nearly 100 normal married years! While some of you may know her, most of you won’t but she is the MVP of my team, she not only inspires me, she helps with website graphics, content, gig sound and packing down gear, and she even presses the record button when I’m trying to get into the moment, laying down a vocal in our home studio. So thank you Mary Ellen!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Speaking of being in the home studio, I have been busy working on my new record <strong>“One Ray Of Light At A Time.”</strong> Half the songs are now mixed and my co-producer <strong>Justin Abedin</strong> and I are making great progress finishing up the final instrument and vocal overdubs for the remaining tunes. I cannot tell you how much this record means to me and my wife says it will be my <i>“magnum opus”</i> or should I say <i>“Hope-Us”</i>! Anyway, expect a more regular report on all the excitement over the next few months!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">In the meantime, I am also excited to have some shows for those of you in Ontario. Here are a couple of spring dates you might want to check out.</span></p><p><span class="text-big"><strong>April 6th, 7pm - Knox Hall, Sudbury, ON.</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><i>An Evening of Celtic Soul featuring special guest Sean O’Connor</i></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>May 23, 7pm - Kawartha Art Gallery Music Series, Lindsay, ON.</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><i>Live in concert at the Pie Eyed Monk Brewery</i></span><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://davidleask.com/shows" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="SHOWS"><span class="text-big"><i><strong><u>Find more details and ticket links here</u></strong></i></span></a></p><p style="text-align:center;"><span class="text-big"><strong>MUSIC CARE</strong></span></p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/44e9a6e4c67b86ae1b265f09be84788ebbae40ae/original/room217edit.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" height="402" /><p><br><span class="text-big">Finally, I want to mention a wonderful organization, <strong>Music Care by Room 217</strong>, who invited me last month to be a part of a special evening of meaning and music. They are doing amazing work to make music a more primary approach to health and well being. I am looking forward to doing another presentation at their annual conference in November. Do check them out and consider helping out with their work if you can. </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.musiccare.org/about-room-217" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong><u>You can learn more here</u></strong></span></a><span class="text-big">.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Thanks as always for following and listening.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Meet you in the music,</span><br><span class="text-big">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7305593
2023-11-18T12:01:45-05:00
2023-11-18T12:10:45-05:00
MUSIC, NATURE & JOY
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<tr><td id="header-graphic"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/b19022f57eaaaf34bf9e1a137d57d4b620ef124e/original/20231116quebecsnowscene.jpeg/!!/b%3AW1sic2NhbGUiLDI1XSxbImV4dHJhY3QiLHsibGVmdCI6MCwidG9wIjowLCJ3aWR0aCI6NjAwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjI0MH1dXQ%3D%3D/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpeg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="DAVID LEASK" /></td></tr>
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<p><span class="text-big">Hello folks,</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">How are you doing? We’re getting ready for winter here in the hills of Quebec, where winter tires are compulsory and firewood is our new best friend. I’ve always felt something magical about winter though, something in the seasonal shift. Maybe it’s the sonic change with the soft powdered snow around you that brings you closer to nature, and the driveway that needs to be shovelled! Anyway, I’m trying to see the positives in the things that life keeps throwing my way. </span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><strong>A JUBILANT EVENING OF SONGS & STORIES</strong> </span><br><span class="text-big">Speaking of positivity, I’m delighted to be joining forces with the talented </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://jacobmoon.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>Jacob Moon</strong></span></a><span class="text-big"> and </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://alimatthews.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>Ali Matthews</strong></span></a><span class="text-big"><strong> </strong>for a jubilant evening of songs and stories in Toronto on November 30th. The evening will be presented by a wonderful charity called </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.marysmeals.ca/en/who-we-are/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>Mary’s Meals</strong></span></a><span class="text-big"> and is in support of children around the world. Check out the details below and you’ll find more information about this and other upcoming gigs on my website.</span><br><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/f0c537186aac84696aae07789c366bc6b7985d70/original/toronto-handbill-final-5-x-7-in.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><strong>GOING UNDERNEATH - TEN YEARS ON</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">For those of you who may not have seen it on social media, I recently spent some time celebrating the 10 year “Albumversary” of Underneath. Hard to believe I know, but if you want to walk down the backroads of that record, you can </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://davidleask.com/underneath" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>find all the original song blogs featuring stories behind the writing and recording of each song and listen to the tracks here.</strong></span></a></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><strong>ALBUM UPDATE</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">The new songs are still coming through so it feels like there may be a few more things to be added to my new record and it may need to bake in the oven for a bit longer. I hope you’ll bear with me until it feels perfectly done. In the meantime, thanks for still reading and listening, coming to the gigs and supporting my music.</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">Peace,</span><br><span class="text-big">David</span></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7251477
2023-08-03T12:50:27-04:00
2023-11-06T07:21:21-05:00
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
<p><span class="text-big">I hope you’re finding some joy in the summer days and nights. I must admit there has been an excess of dark clouds of sadness in the skies recently with some heavy cumulative losses in the music community including Sinead O’Connor, Tony Bennett and our local champion of song and owner of the </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.themoonshinecafe.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>Moonshine Cafe</strong></span></a><span class="text-big">, John Marlatt. As if that’s not enough, there’s been an uptick of alarming news, between weather warnings, blistering temperatures and wildfires.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Where do I go with all this grief and alarm? I do my best to open my receptors and let a song sing me through. Recently I went on an interesting emotional journey tagging moods and themes to over 200 song recordings in my catalog which now makes it searchable. If you feel like you could use a song - in a happy or sad or somewhere in between space - write and tell me what’s up and maybe I can find and send you some musical synergy.</span></p><p><span class="text-big">I have some live shows coming up, so come on out if you can and experience the music live and in person and of course, the hugs are always FREE : ) Here’s my schedule for August, click below for more details. </span></p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/0723386c0d8b4f2d8b149d9eb1101b7cf028e09d/original/20230802gigs.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">Don’t forget you can also send out a FREE customizable e-Card to anyone that’s on your mind. As well as “<strong>Feet In Your Shoes”, </strong>I recently added the song, “<strong>When You Think No One Loves You</strong>”, so go ahead and send someone a musical message!</span><a class="no-pjax" href="/ecards" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="eCards"><span class="text-big"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/b4cb2a6bf611e9e80dbe1b6fa931626dfeec9be3/original/wytnolyfinalimage.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span></a></p><p><span class="text-big">Meet you in the music,</span><br><span class="text-big">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7223785
2023-06-09T10:31:49-04:00
2023-07-25T13:02:37-04:00
MUSICAL E-CARD
<p><span class="text-big"><span>Well, it’s been a rich journey with this song from when it started as a flicker in my brain in 2019, to its release today into the world. I’m excited to reveal the first song, “<strong>Feet In Your Shoes</strong>”, from my upcoming album “<strong>One Ray of Light At A Time</strong>.”</span></span></p><p><span class="text-big"><span>After releasing 71 songs over the last 25 years, it felt like time to try something different. “<strong>Feet In Your Shoes</strong>” is a song about empathy and that inspired me to release it as a <strong>free shareable e(Empathy) Card</strong> - a way for people to send a customized message with some musical encouragement to someone they think could use it. I hope you'll give it try and be a part of the song’s continued journey. <strong>Click on the image below to experience the song in this new format.</strong></span></span></p><p><span class="text-big"><strong>STORY BEHIND THE SONG</strong></span><br><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);">I was honoured to be asked to write a blog for MUSIC CARE by Room 217, an amazing organization that puts the “music” in caring across all kinds of situations. </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.musiccare.org/feet-in-your-shoes" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="You can read about my personal story of where the song came from in the blog here."><span class="text-big"><strong><u>You can read about my personal story of where the song came from in the blog here.</u></strong></span></a></p><script type="text/javascript" src="https://app.ecardwidget.com/embed/ecard/20059"></script><p><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://ecardwidget.com/">Powered by eCardWidget</a></p><p>Photo by Pam Bell</p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7209438
2023-05-15T17:23:39-04:00
2023-08-24T13:24:13-04:00
NEW SINGLE - A SONG ABOUT EMPATHY
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<p><span class="text-big"><span>I’m excited to be releasing the first single from my upcoming album on June 9th called, <strong>“Feet In Your Shoes”</strong> It was last year’s Sauga Summer Song Contest winner.</span><i><span> </span></i><span>A song about empathy, I decided to reach out to other artists to create the artwork for the single through a competition of graphic artists from around the world. It was a thrilling experience to see the visual representations of my lyrical ideas. Look out for the music coming very soon, with </span></span><span class="text-big" style="color:black;"><span lang="EN-GB">a <strong>shareable mobile e(Empathy)Card.</strong> </span>I hope this <span lang="EN-GB"><strong>e(Empathy)Card </strong></span>will inspire listeners to </span><span class="text-big"><span>think of people in their life who could use some encouragement and will send them this customizable musical message. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><span>In the meantime, here are the song lyrics and winning artwork design. </span></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><strong>Feet In Your Shoes </strong><span><strong> </strong></span></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>CHORUS</strong></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Let me put a little bit of my feet in your shoes </strong></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Take a little bit of the heat before you blow that fuse</strong></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>I’ll find a way to make you smile</strong></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Take some weight off every mile</strong></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Put a little bit of my feet in your shoes</strong></i></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="text-big">You wrestle with your day</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">Then you toss and turn all night</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">This world’s got you more spaced out than a satelite</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">C’mon back to earth</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">I wanna let you know you’re seen</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">Get you dreaming bigger than you’ve ever dreamed</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>CHORUS</strong></i></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="text-big">You wanna to dance with joy</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">But you can’t shake the pain</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">If you could etch a sketch your world, you’d start over again</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">But no one get’s control</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">Nothing goes as planned<span> </span></span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">You’ve been working your heart out baby and I understand</span></p>
<p><br><span class="text-big"><i><strong>CHORUS</strong></i></span></p>
<p><br><span class="text-big">Just when you think nothing’s gonna change</span></p>
<p><span class="text-big">That’s the time when lives get rearranged so</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>CHORUS</strong></i></span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/60872/19b52bd3f0dce912131797729692c486f57c0ca6/original/shoes-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7063061
2022-09-18T16:49:09-04:00
2023-10-29T15:47:47-04:00
SAUGA SONG OF THE SUMMER
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4b9eb718ac334b0defcaab3a07ad3e17810fa4ea/original/mac.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><span class="text-big">My heart is filled with joy and gratitude to learn that “A Little Bit of My Feet In Your Shoes” has been chosen by the judges as the 2022 Sauga Summer Song contest winner!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">Thanks to the </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Mississauga Arts Council"><span class="text-big"><strong>Mississauga Arts Council</strong></span></a><span class="text-big"> for this wonderful contest opportunity which was the catalyst for me to finish up the song - on the day of the deadline! Thanks also to </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://metalworksstudios.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Metalworks Studios"><span class="text-big"><strong>Metalworks Studios</strong></span></a><span class="text-big"> for the amazing prize package to come and record and mix the song at their world class facility. I can’t wait to let you hear the finished track when it’s done!</span></p><p><span class="text-big">You can check out the full press release </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://bit.ly/2022SaugasSummerSongWinner" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="here"><span class="text-big"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span class="text-big">.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7027210
2022-07-30T12:16:13-04:00
2022-07-30T12:30:44-04:00
A PLACE IN MY HEART CALLED HOME
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4b6a794c5e48b5289545b46116461ebe775b017e/original/20220727tartankiss.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We’ve all heard of the phrase, “<em>it takes a village</em>”, and I’ve certainly felt that kind of support over the years from the fans who help make things happen with my music. One place in my heart that I’ve taken inspiration from for that “village spirit” is the team of people who run the <a contents="Scottish Festival in Fergus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fergusscottishfestival.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Scottish Festival in Fergus</strong></a> Ontario. They have over 300 volunteers in a small town of 20,000, all pulling together to put on a Festival that can sometimes host as many as 30,000 visitors. Having played the Festival a dozen times, it’s a big part of what inspired me to write the song, <a contents="“The Tartan Kiss”" data-link-label="tartankiss" data-link-type="page" href="/tartankiss" target="_blank"><strong>“The Tartan Kiss”</strong></a>. After hearing the song, the Festival commissioned a production and I enlisted producer Justin Abedin and an all star cast of musical alumni from past festivals. After a year’s delay, I am delighted to be able to be there in person on Friday August 12th at the Tattoo to sing “The Tartan Kiss” live in a special presentation with 80 dancers choreographed by Sandra Bald Jones and Dana Gamache from the <a contents="SBJ Dance Studio" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sbjdancestudio.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>SBJ Dance Studio</strong></a>. It’s gonna be something truly special. I’ll also be performing at the Festival throughout the weekend so if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, do check it out. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To celebrate the Festival and the volunteers, I've released “The Tartan Kiss” as a single which is now available as a FREE download as well as on all the main streaming platforms. There’s even a ringtone you can purchase via iTunes and money raised from ringtone sales will go to a scholarship fund at the local high school. <a contents="You’ll find all the info and links here on this page" data-link-label="tartankiss" data-link-type="page" href="/tartankiss" target="_blank"><strong>You’ll find all the info and links here on this page</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/7013759
2022-07-13T11:34:01-04:00
2022-07-18T13:09:15-04:00
MADE IN CANADA
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/aa583f6ee0692afd2c39868fdb8ccb3af1940e63/original/20220628canadaday.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><span class="font_large">This time of year, around Canada Day, it’s a time of reflection for those of us who call Canada home. Like each of us as individuals, Canada is a work in progress. And like all of us, that progress involves an engagement with all the stories - happy and sad, light and dark - that comprise our makeup. As a transplanted Scot, I feel very fortunate to have taken a creative and culturally immersive journey with the Six String Nation guitar, nicknamed Voyageur. Thanks to project creator Jowi Taylor, I had the opportunity to dig into some of the stories and history embedded in the guitar and gained a better understanding of the kind of diversity, pain and beauty that <em>is</em> Canada. It’s helped me grow in my relationship with Canada and in my relationship with myself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Reflecting on the past few years, it felt like a good idea to bring together all that I’ve created with Voyageur - the songs, the interviews, live performance and music videos - on a single webpage called <a contents="Made In Canada" data-link-label="MadeInCanada" data-link-type="page" href="/madeincanada" target="_blank"><strong>Made In Canada</strong></a>. As my Canada Day gift to you, there’s a <a contents="free download of the “Voyageur In Song” EP" data-link-label="MadeInCanada" data-link-type="page" href="/madeincanada" target="_blank"><strong>free download of the “Voyageur In Song” EP</strong></a> - to hear some of the stories of Canada and hopefully to inspire your own remembering and sharing of your own stories, perhaps seeing them in a new light. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">To quote my mother-in-law at the tender age of 95, “<em>The greatest thing in all creation is evolution, the act of becoming.</em>” Here’s to the celebration of all of us continuing to evolve. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6975835
2022-05-20T11:08:13-04:00
2022-05-20T17:21:44-04:00
MARTY AWARDS 2022
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c9216c2264cb546c5713f9f131a86956ec079523/original/20220519martys.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="David wins a Marty" /><span class="font_large">I had a big time on May 19th at the beautifully diverse <a contents="Mississauga Arts Awards" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/05/19/2022martyawardswinnersannounced/" target="_blank"><strong>Mississauga Arts Awards</strong></a>, winning the Established Solo Vocalist Award. As I’m sure you can imagine, there are lots of hills and valleys on this dizzying journey of chasing songs and chasing your tail so it feels good to celebrate and have some more fuel in the tank to help climb the next mountain. I want to say a heartfelt thanks to all of you that continue to follow and support my music. It really does take a village to raise a song! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>CBC SEARCHLIGHT</strong> <br>Speaking of songs and climbing mountains, I’ve entered the new <a contents="“Take A Seat” music video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/MiPuqjL45SA" target="_blank">“Take A Seat” music video</a> in the <strong>CBC Searchlight Contest</strong>. The entries that make it through the first round will mostly be decided by the judges but there are also some spots decided by public voting. If you feel so inclined, you can <a contents="show some searchlight love for “Take A Seat” here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cbc.ca/music/searchlight/#/vote/david-leask" target="_blank">s<strong>how some searchlight love for “Take A Seat” here.</strong></a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6969499
2022-05-12T12:10:07-04:00
2022-05-12T12:16:01-04:00
TAKE A SEAT - WATCH THE VIDEO
<p><span class="font_large">So many people have favourite memories of concerts they’ve seen at <a contents="Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.masseyhall.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall</strong></a>. It’s a venue that's been impacting audiences for well over a century with inspiring sounds “from the stage to the back of every chair.” My song, “Take A Seat”, is a tribute to that hallowed hall and to the headstock of the <a contents="Six String Nation" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sixstringnation.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Six String Nation</strong></a> guitar which was made from seat 69, way up in Massey Hall's gallery section. I’m delighted to present this fun new music video that captures a dreamer’s tale and a walk down memory lane - including historic video footage of <strong>Gordon Lightfoot</strong> - directed by the masterful Alistair Simpson and produced by <a contents="Big Red Oak Films" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bigredoak.com" target="_blank"><strong>Big Red Oak Films</strong></a>. Let me know what you think in the comments section on Youtube</span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MiPuqjL45SA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MiPuqjL45SA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MiPuqjL45SA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6884719
2022-01-31T15:33:21-05:00
2022-01-31T15:53:25-05:00
NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR FIRE & ICE
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rLq1lN7IFFM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/rLq1lN7IFFM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rLq1lN7IFFM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>I'm excited to share the brand new music video for the song “Fire & Ice”. It’s an adventurous production from the folks at <a contents="Big Red Oak Films" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bigredoak.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Big Red Oak Films</strong></a> that’s been in the works for the last three months and I’m delighted with how this inspired mini music movie turned out. I’m fortunate to have worked with Director, Alistair Simpson who also previously directed my video for “When You Think No One Loves You”. His vision, storytelling and cinematography beautifully represent the “Fire & Ice” quality of the Labradorite pieces in Voyageur’s fretboard. I am also delighted to feature the wonderfully talented dancers from the <a contents="Mississauga Ballet Association" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mississaugaballet.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Mississauga Ballet Association</strong></a> whose performances really shine in the video. If you feel moved to do so please share the luminescence with your friends on your socials!</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6778662
2021-10-17T12:16:20-04:00
2022-11-06T05:59:01-05:00
MUSICAL WELL-BEING
<p><a contents="Mental health matters" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.artscare.ca/resources/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/7c04d0ceb3fb4cb1014e109406e0ff107a20a581/original/20211015.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Mental health matters" /></a><span class="font_large">Last week I attended an <strong>Arts 4 Mental Health</strong> conference put on by Mississauga Arts Council and Mass Culture and it was a powerful think tank for how we might be able to utilize the arts in the face of a desperate upsurge of care needs in a stressed out world. Pilot programs have already been running in the UK where doctor-prescribed creativity and arts treatment options are available to those experiencing mental well-being issues. This makes a lot of sense to me as I firmly believe the arts can be a healer, particularly when it is something that can be participatory and co-creative. I’ll keep you posted on how things evolve and you can <a contents="learn more here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.artscare.ca/resources/" target="_blank"><strong>learn more here</strong></a>. </span><br><br><a contents="When You Think No One Loves You" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/C9xLGIMWkoE" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3fea38c5cd740695bb8479f6412b54bf8fcbf051/original/youtubeharpergreen.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="When You Think No One Loves You" /></a><span class="font_large">In the meantime, it warmed my heart to see how this group of students from Harper Green High School, with the help of their music teacher Malcolm Wilson, made their own beautiful recording and video of “When You Think No One Loves You”. It was enough to bring a tear to this stoic Scot’s eye!<br>Meet you in the music,<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6768348
2021-10-06T21:29:34-04:00
2021-10-09T10:22:18-04:00
CFMA ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINATION
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/7a134514dd8a1b8cccf7b65ce099d4cb74568038/original/instagramcfma2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="CFMA Contemporary Album of the Year" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I was delighted to learn that "Voyageur In Song" was nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year at the <a contents="Canadian Folk Music Awards" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://folkawards.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>Canadian Folk Music Awards</strong></a>. The little album that could is keeping some pretty impressive company. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It has been an amazing journey writing and recording with Voyageur, the incredible <a contents="Six String Nation Guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_String_Nation" target="_blank"><strong>Six String Nation Guitar</strong></a>. You can learn more about this special project <a contents="here" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>. Thanks to all the inspiring people and stories hidden in the pieces of the guitar. And thanks to Jowi Taylor for creating the whole Six String Nation project. See you in PEI!</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6742248
2021-09-10T11:59:24-04:00
2021-10-27T03:52:03-04:00
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/dc261b83a1fb1cc5beac1fe49e30b225c4cad1b8/original/instagrammma2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />Thank you to <a contents="Mississauga Music Awards" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr8CXPc6F9U" target="_blank"><strong>Mississauga Music Awards</strong></a> for the great honour of <span style="color:#ffff99;">Songwriter of the Year</span>. It’s very meaningful to be recognized for songs on my latest record, <a contents="“Voyageur In Song”" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>“Voyageur In Song”</strong></a>. </span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6719335
2021-08-17T11:37:16-04:00
2023-10-31T10:25:30-04:00
THE TARTAN KISS
<p><span class="font_large">I first had the opportunity to play at the <a contents="Fergus Scottish Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fergusscottishfestival.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Fergus Scottish Festival</strong></a> back in 2007. Over the 12 times I’ve played there since, I’ve gotten to know a wonderful group of organizers, fellow musicians and regular attendees and the Festival has come to feel like “a place in my heart called home.” In 2019, I was inspired to write a song called “<strong>The Tartan Kiss”</strong> which celebrates all that goes on at the Festival and Games and the Festival asked me to produce a recording of “The Tartan Kiss” of Fergus. I worked with an incredible array of musicians and the recording has been beautifully rendered in video by Ryan Joyce of <a contents="Fergus Filming" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fergusfilming.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>Fergus Filming</strong></a>. In this the second year of COVID cancellation, you can check out <strong>“The Tartan Kiss”</strong> music video which has an honoured place as part of their Wee Digital Ceilidh.</span></p>
<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z8Ru_B1M_co" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v3d9Np0nsQQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6659998
2021-06-15T10:42:34-04:00
2021-06-16T16:22:23-04:00
VOYAGEUR IN SONG HITS #8 IN CANADA!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/fc4c5a8453e5c68ded2b3b991b61855aea68cea8/original/facebookchartphotoposts0616.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_medium" alt="" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks to all the DJ’s and programmers for spinning my latest record "Voyageur In Song" up to number 8 in the Roots Music Charts in Canada this week. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the record you can <a contents="learn more here" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank">learn more here</a> or <a contents="stream it here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://lnk.to/voyageurinsong" target="_blank">stream it here</a> on your preferred platform.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6622381
2021-05-05T15:49:36-04:00
2021-05-05T15:53:49-04:00
FIRE & ICE LIVE VIDEO
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm1JWloX5Pk" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/63587b48ef98abd61d3a288e83c61f6119bec0d2/original/fire-iceyoutubeblogthumbnail.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Here is the third in a series of live performance videos from my latest record <a contents="Voyageur In Song" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>Voyageur In Song</strong></a>. It's a song inspired by the piece of the Labradorite used on the inlay of 3rd and 9th frets of the <a contents="Six String Nation guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sixstringnation.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Six String Nation guitar</strong></a>.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The live performance of “Fire & Ice” was shot at <a contents="Catherine North studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://catherinenorth.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Catherine North studios</strong></a> by the wonderful film makers at <a contents="Big Red Oak" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bigredoak.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Big Red Oak</strong></a> and features me on vocals and acoustic guitar and Justin Abedin on electric guitar. There's a brief introduction with Jowi Taylor and I talking about the inspiring legends behind the song, the unusual time signature and how it’s voiced from the point of view of the billion year old piece of rock.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A couple of strange synchronicities happened around "Fire & Ice”. The first was when I was returning the Six String Nation guitar to Jowi Taylor after having written this song in a crazy 5/4 time signature. Jowi told me about a poem he had commissioned by renowned poet Robert Dickson about Voyageur called “Générations”. He proceeded to play it for me and to my amazement I heard Robert recite these words: “<em>This playing is work this work is playing with time space laughter friendship all shared and shored up with crazy love from 5/4 time to immemorial.</em>” It was as if Voyageur had sent out a request for a song in 5/4 time and it had been delivered. The second synchronicity happened after writing the song and learning that a piece of “Rocket Richard’s” Stanley cup ring had been inlaid into one of the pieces of Labradorite in the guitar. “Fire & Ice” could have been just as good a title for a song about Canada’s iconic hockey legend Maurice Richard!</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6618116
2021-04-30T10:38:48-04:00
2021-04-30T10:59:07-04:00
"A DELIGHT ON SO MANY LEVELS"
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/DavidLeask2/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/6ad4bd1ab91e78927b25673ddcd4a57e508684d2/original/fatealogo-full.gif/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="FATEA" /></a><span class="font_large">Thanks to FATEA magazine's Marc Higgins for this wonderful review of "Voyageur In Song". It's so gratifying to have someone experience your work deeply. Here are some highlights.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/d827f389e962f5c4ba8e3ced613eb5afd868e7eb/original/davidleaskvoyageurinsong.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Voyageur In Song" />"<em>This concept mini album, with its extensive notes to guide you and thoughtful cover art is a delight on so many levels.</em>"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>"These are folk songs in the making, delivered with warmth and love on a truly folk instrumen</em>t<em>...a quirky and rich object that explores, entertains and enriches, deepening the concept of this unique guitar by using it as a vehicle to examine Canada.</em>"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">"<em>Les Chansons Du Voyageur" is possibly the strongest song and performance in the set. It opens with evocative almost shamanistic guitar tapping, every sound on this track, percussive or melodic, except for Davids voice comes from the guitar and its different voices. Kind of like a wood and wire Bobby McFerrin. Like an instrument that channels the different emotions of the musician, the song celebrates Canada's diverse, rich and sometimes turbulent history.</em>"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">"<em>Lyrically my favourite song is "Take A Seat", telling the story of a seat in the legendary Massey Hall in Toronto, famously the site of a 53 seminal bebop concert by Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charlie Mingus and Max Roach and many many other events. Leask's word play is razor-sharp, he manages to smoothly string together a who's who of entertainers and make it flow.</em>"</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="Read the full review at FATEA here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/DavidLeask2/" target="_blank"><strong>Read the full review at FATEA here</strong></a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6593176
2021-04-03T12:53:42-04:00
2021-04-29T14:12:25-04:00
LIVE SPIRIT WRESTLERS!
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/9JAJofg1K4c" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/72cacf408e5bb290b6cb576bc78726228c544c0e/original/screen-shot-2021-04-03-at-1-45-40-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="Spirit Wrestlers Live Performance Youtube" /></a><span class="font_large">Here is the second in a series of live performance videos from my latest record <a contents="Voyageur In Song" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>Voyageur In Song</strong></a>. It's a song about an inspiring group of immigrants to Canada, the Doukhobors from Veregin SK, who escaped Russia with the help of Leo Tolstoy and a royalty from his book Resurrection. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The live performance of “Spirit Wrestlers” was shot at <a contents="Catherine North studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://catherinenorth.com" target="_blank"><strong>Catherine North studios</strong></a> by the wonderful film makers at <a contents="Big Red Oak" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bigredoak.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Big Red Oak</strong></a> and features me on vocals and acoustic guitar and Justin Abedin on electric guitar. There's a brief introduction with Jowi Taylor and I talking about the origin of the piece of the Doukhobor grain elevator which is featured in four places in the <strong><a contents="Six String Nation guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sixstringnation.com" target="_blank">Six String Nation guitar</a></strong> and how it inspired the song “Spirit Wrestlers”.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6577872
2021-03-18T12:21:10-04:00
2022-04-18T17:54:14-04:00
ROCK 'N REEL MAGAZINE FEATURE
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks to Jeremy Searle for this wonderful feature & review in the UK. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#ecf0f1;"><em><span class="font_large">“Voyageur In Song is something truly special… the album is a unique and uplifting, almost spiritual listening experience and “really worth hearing.” </span></em></span><a contents="RNR Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://rock-n-reel.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>RNR Magazine</strong></a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c6df8217a866b7e7758e1ac64a5a54a3ff448465/original/rnr-editorial.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6561997
2021-03-01T16:10:47-05:00
2021-03-01T16:34:10-05:00
NEW LIVE VIDEO FOR AGAINST THE GRAIN
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/el6PXULw7LA" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/020119bb5d2f32a5449fbb56dcc39ba1c743febd/original/youtubethumnail.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_medium" alt="" /></a></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I’m excited to share a live performance video of <strong>“Against the Grain”</strong>. It’s a song inspired by the mythical power of the <strong><a contents="Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiidk'yaas" style="" target="_blank">Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii</a></strong>, its tragic story and the regenerative spirit found in the piece from this amazing tree that became the top of the <a contents="Six String Nation guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sixstringnation.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Six String Nation guitar</strong></a>. For me, it represents the idea of letting light come in, against all odds, as this remarkable sitka spruce tree had done, without photosynthesizing, for 300 years. The live performance was recorded live off the floor, with three cameras focused on our every move. I think we captured some magic in the moment bouncing the tunes off the wonderful room at <a contents="Catherine North Studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://catherinenorth.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Catherine North Studios</strong></a>. There’s a moving interview with Jowi Taylor & I at the beginning of the video and I am extremely grateful to him and all the personnel involved who helped make this video happen. I hope you enjoy the video. David</span></p>
<p> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6530065
2021-01-25T13:28:34-05:00
2022-04-03T11:28:03-04:00
MEET ME IN THE MUSIC
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/6ac21526b2c1c60b0708c5939b4d92911835ca38/original/202101onlineconcertsignupweegee.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Happy Rabbie Burns Day! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This time of year, I’d usually be out on the tartan trail addressing the haggis and singing Burns’ songs in celebration of Scotland’s famous poet and song collector. Sadly, things are a little different these days. However, I am looking forward to being part of an online Burns concert with some great Scottish artists like <strong><a contents="Boo Hewerdine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://boohewerdine.net/" target="_blank">Boo Hewerdine</a></strong>, <a contents="Iona Fyfe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ionafyfe.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Iona Fyfe</strong></a> & <a contents="Archie McAllister " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ufp9bAC2ZsB9YDL18L854" target="_blank"><strong>Archie McAllister </strong></a>happening this <strong>Thursday 28th Jan at 3pm EST (8pm if you are in the UK)</strong>. It’s all part of a fundraiser for a great charity called <a contents="Refuweegee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.refuweegee.co.uk/" target="_blank"><strong>Refuweegee</strong></a>. Find out more and how to <a contents="register for the concert here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.refuweegee.co.uk/events-1/were-all-jock-tamsons-bairns" target="_blank"><strong>register for the concert here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>MUSIC CAN BRING US TOGETHER</strong> <br>It’s been fun doing <a contents="private online concerts" data-link-label="Meet Me In The Music" data-link-type="page" href="/meet-me-in-the-music" target="_blank"><strong>private online concerts</strong></a>. We are all set up and ready to rock right into your home. It’s a powerful experience to watch families and friends come together and all of us meet in the music. But hey, don’t take my word for it, here’s feedback from someone who experienced it from the other side of the screen! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>“What a fantastic idea to have your own private LIVE concert from the comfort of your own living room during these difficult times. Our concert linked 4 family households and all participants (22-74 yrs old!) loved the selection of the music and the ease of flow of the evening. There were some original Leask masterpieces as well as some sing-a-long favourites where we could all join in. The beauty of this concert medium, is that each one is unique. Live music is just what we needed! Can’t wait to book the next one!”</em> ~ P. McArthur </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">For more information on how to book your own private online concert visit <a contents="meetmeinthemusic.com" data-link-label="Meet Me In The Music" data-link-type="page" href="/meet-me-in-the-music" target="_blank"><strong>meetmeinthemusic.com</strong></a> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>SEND YOUR FRIENDS A FREEBIE</strong> <br>Music in these strange and strained times can feel like a friend who can comfort and encourage. I believe I have songs that can sing into many different spaces and I want to be able offer that to as many people as possible. I have a <a contents="FREE sampler" data-link-label="Sign-Up" data-link-type="page" href="/sign-up" target="_blank"><strong>FREE sampler</strong></a> that might have some songs you don’t have yet, so help yourself. And if you have a friend who you think might enjoy my music, please forward the <strong><a contents="FREE sampler link" data-link-label="Sign-Up" data-link-type="page" href="/sign-up" target="_blank">FREE sampler link</a></strong> where they can join my Email newsletter, get 6 free songs and keep tabs on my musical musings. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Glad you’re here. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6447141
2020-10-02T12:57:06-04:00
2022-02-20T08:56:47-05:00
PRESS FOR "VOYAGEUR IN SONG"
<p><span class="font_large">The story of <a contents="Voyageur In Song" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>Voyageur In Song</strong></a> seems to be catching on and I’m delighted to have had coverage in a number of different magazine, radio and TV stations across the country. You can check out some of them at the links below. Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/10/07/true-north-strong-free-flawed-and-complex-the-unique-story-of-a-most-canadian-guitar.html" style="" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/axe-across-the-land-572814442.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/057f1db918cf725009a8fd8ca173baa37146cab7/original/winnipegfreepress.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpeg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></span></a><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.rootsmusic.ca/2020/09/30/david-leask-has-released-a-new-project-written-and-performed-on-the-six-string-nation-guitar/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/1db12152ab26c9f66512b06050f8c0dc083733c5/original/rootsmusiccanadalogo.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2020/10/13/this-guitar-is-finding-its-voice-almontes-james-naismiths-contribution-to-iconic-voyageur.html" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/8037f907b407c0f35337f6b50ce86c485f49fb45/original/torontostar.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/true-north-strong-free-flawed-and-complex-the-unique-story-of-a-most-canadian-guitar-2775100" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/2893d1abddb135ce2ebe4bf442f1cf0c4b1de688/original/untitled-1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100-ottawa-morning/clip/15806033-voyageur-song-album" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/94626ce1b00cc63a65ffce7bac517f9fda030509/original/cbcottawamorning.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-130-mainstreet-pei/clip/15799249-david-leasks-voyageur-song" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3f821dbd91ecbf29b06a7ce5f3996cf0f8f7d49b/original/cbcmainstreetpei.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://paherald.sk.ca/2020/09/24/david-leask-uses-musical-museum-to-tell-story-of-sask-doukhobors/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/86ad66ebdc2a2b72364ed9ca2d4398b9f5262c1a/original/pa-dailyherald.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a></p>
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<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=697818597512295" style="" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/87be1aebe548b0fd1e611270524c0a67f6af1e9e/original/globalnews.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a> <br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.visiontv.ca/videos/znews-six-string-nation-guitar/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/e06455ac42c9e5e9ff327bc2c2a6a65ff181d24a/original/screen-shot-2020-12-05-at-10-08-59-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NUpcPXOG04" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/ce10392ba56050596e43790b5b3ce40b7112c8b4/original/screen-shot-2020-12-05-at-10-13-26-am.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://saskatoon.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2045159" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/598540f713a1af47ed046ee6234ef3bf2024451b/original/ctv-news-saskatoon.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2054677" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/8f6a30dc767e1e957e984a9907c72f4540ea0ffd/original/ctvnewswinnipeg.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://pulsemusicmagazine.com/2020/09/18/david-leasks-voyageur-in-song-track-by-track-review/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/74925439661df71b5dea0c4746e9ed9e8f3f67f0/original/pulsemusicmagazine.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://519magazine.com/david-leask-playing-the-only-guitar-more-canadian-than-wayne-gretzky-the-full-interview/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/8fd2ebe2c55b1bae9af8cab77ca18fa0fa18c1c8/original/screen-shot-2020-11-22-at-12-19-17-pm.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a></p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/42419540791ef62ecb0c82e626d5b0e7b37ea164/original/factor-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c411c171853de4cb787162e14368f1cdb017d0eb/original/canadawordmark-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6437348
2020-09-18T13:06:53-04:00
2022-04-18T06:27:02-04:00
LET IT GO
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/7bfcc3a37d6f62ed3fc939b6b61042c744f1ee42/original/guitarfrontbanner.jpg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" />Today is the release of my new record, “<strong>Voyageur In Song</strong>”, songs written on and with the <a contents="Six String Nation guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sixstringnation.com" target="_blank"><strong>Six String Nation guitar</strong></a>, nick-named <strong>Voyageur.</strong> This incredible instrument is made of 64 pieces of Canadian history and culture. I have written songs about a group of those pieces and their inspiring stories. There’s a reason they call this record “release” day. It’s a time to finally let the songs go, to let them make their own way in the world and have all those vibrations, melodies and lyrics slowly land on people’s ears. <a contents="Find out more about the project and order a copy or download here" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more about the project and order a copy or download here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>GOOD VIBRATIONS</strong> <br>Speaking of vibrations, one interesting fact about the new record is that every song was recorded at A = 432 Hz. What does that mean, I hear you say? Well, every instrument on this recording is <strong><a contents="tuned" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mindvibrations.com/432-hz/" target="_blank">tuned</a></strong> 8 cycles per second lower than regular concert pitch which is A = 440 Hz. It’s a tuning that apparently was used for thousands of years by Egyptians, Greeks, Tibetan monks and indeed, Verdi composed his operas in A = 432. I first heard about it from world renowned bassist, Victor Wooten at a camp he held outside of Nashville. I decided to try it out and have been using it frequently while playing live. It always feels good to me, something different, more relaxed than regular pitch. I guess you’ll have to have a listen to the new record and find out for yourself! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>NOTHING BUT A STREAMER</strong> <br>If you’re wondering if the new record is available on streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, the answer is yes and you can <a contents="find links here" data-link-label="feedthestream" data-link-type="page" href="/feedthestream" target="_blank"><strong>find links here</strong></a>. I do understand the convenience of these services but I would be remiss if I didn’t say they have gone a long way to gutting music sales for independent artists like myself, making it harder to survive. If you stream my music, please consider making a donation directly to me at <a contents="paypal.me/davidleaskmusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://paypal.me/davidleaskmusic" target="_blank"><strong>paypal.me/davidleaskmusic</strong></a> or order a CD for yourself or as a gift. It's a beautiful package wrapped in an original painting and colourful booklet with background stories and lyrics. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>IN THE NEWS</strong> <br>The press machine is in full swing and I’ve done a couple of regional CBC interviews in BC & PEI that will air on Monday. If you want to keep tabs on where the music is taking me, please consider following me at any of these social media sites <strong><a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.facebook.com/davidleaskmusic" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a contents="Twitter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.twitter.com/leaskexpected" target="_blank">Twitter</a> & <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.instagram.com/leaskexpected" target="_blank">Instagram</a></strong><a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.instagram.com/leaskexpected" target="_blank"> </a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading and listening. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Six String Nation guitar image by <a contents="Doug Nicholson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://dougnicholsonimages.com" target="_blank"><strong>Doug Nicholson</strong></a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6421043
2020-08-31T10:25:32-04:00
2020-11-12T09:31:21-05:00
THE VOICES OF VOYAGEUR
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/092ada1981092cb08f18b8a10cc4efeddba17dd2/original/youtubethumbnail3.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Let me share with you a “behind the scenes” sneak peek at a unique recording session for the last track on the record. I wanted to do something special, something that showcased the different voices hidden in the Six String Nation guitar. And I wanted it performed by the core group of musicians that played on all the other songs. In one beautiful creative day at Loud Mouse Studios we set about building up the tracks from scratch - Gary Craig finding his own orchestra of percussive tones from different points on the guitar, Drew Birston transforming Voyageur into a bass guitar with the help of an octave pedal and amp, and Justin Abedin and I using the more traditional strings and fretboard. The song, “Les Chansons Du Voyageur”, is about my journey of discovery on this amazing songwriting expedition and a tribute to the guitar and all its diverse, fascinating and conflicting pieces of Canadian history and culture - the pain and the beauty. I hope you enjoy this brief look at that wonderful day. Watch the video below and if you enjoy it <strong><a contents="please consider pre-ordering" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank">please consider ordering</a></strong>. And of course, spreading the digital word is always helpful.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uxnXK7jJS1Y" width="560"></iframe></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6391016
2020-07-23T14:50:05-04:00
2020-07-23T15:06:54-04:00
MUSIC HELPS ME SURVIVE
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/f7715b190b9aa158a302aa25b21ab7e9464551d3/original/202007musicheartsurvive2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In these crazy times I hope you’ve been able to find some sanity in-between the sanitization and daily panic of the pandemic. To coin a word from Robbie Burns, the whole world has gone “tapsalteerie”! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>HEART-FELT </strong><br>Speaking of “tapsalteerie”, my own world was turned upside down earlier in the year, even before COVID arrived. After experiencing chest pains, I ended up having to go in for open heart surgery. Thankfully, the surgeons were successfully able to re-plumb and supercharge my heart and now I’m getting ready to rock again! I’m massively grateful for the amazing medical care I received. I know my story could have ended very differently and I feel beyond blessed to have survived. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>MUSIC HELPS ME SURVIVE</strong> <br>If there’s been a constant thought in my mind these past six months, it’s that I know I have so much more music left in me. Even in the days building up to my surgery, I stayed deeply immersed in the songs, recording vocals for my next album project. Suffice to say, the performances I recorded during that time are extremely “heart-felt” and it was a great way for me to keep my own sanity before the operation. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Since my recovery, with the invaluable guidance from producer Justin Abedin, I’ve been putting the finishing touches on my new record <strong>“Voyageur In Song”</strong> and I’m delighted to announce it will be released on <strong>September 18th</strong>. I know it’s clichéd to say, but this record feels more meaningful to me than anything I’ve done previously. The songs & stories I lovingly pulled from the amazing Six String Nation guitar, nicknamed Voyageur, took me on a remarkable journey and I can’t wait to take you on a stroll down some of these roads. In the meantime, please <a contents="visit this web page" data-link-label="Voyageur" data-link-type="page" href="/voyageur" target="_blank"><strong>visit this web page</strong></a> to learn more about the project and consider pre-ordering a copy. As you can imagine, these times have virtually rendered all musicians unemployed and it’s hard to know when live music will come back so any support you can offer by ordering the new record would be much appreciated. And of course, spreading the digital word is always very helpful. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>ONLINE CONCERTS</strong> <br>While it’s not yet possible these days to see me performing live in person you can, however, check out an online concert recorded recently with Justin Abedin for the City of Pickering which will premiere <a contents="here on Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/pickeringevents/videos/4031683336906609" target="_blank"><strong>here on Facebook</strong></a> this coming <strong>Sunday July 26th at 2pm (EST.)</strong> I’ll be there in person in the chat area so please drop by and say hello. I also have a solo livestream coming up on August 7th sponsored by the Mississauga Arts Council and the Music Performance Trust Fund so keep checking out my <a contents="SHOWS" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">SHOWS</a> page. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading this and for listening. Stay safe and sane. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.factor.ca" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/42419540791ef62ecb0c82e626d5b0e7b37ea164/original/factor-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="FACTOR logo" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.canada.ca/en.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c411c171853de4cb787162e14368f1cdb017d0eb/original/canadawordmark-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">heart image in banner by </span><a contents="aka Tman" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rundwolf/3340365309/in/photolist-66bfek-dTuwZ9-5jkJz7-7PWk3f-dHsSA6-nxdbn3-2NSNK-hzBqKD-jfZsF-F6cnFt-2i3ExGC-62Z63u-8eueWX-5UYYjs-zH2wdQ-2bneDf6-Rujwn8-6sABpi-4hBMxr-CXpgWX-Mdr3j1-EvHik-9e6A1q-kNL5a-avCS1T-7oxsBG-77CKj9-AyTUKB-rq3Hk7-7Bq6fR-6nLvu2-7AjajB-SZpRAC-aBruTX-6iZ4VT-a8htE-bjCgPX-4rUXac-5ZSop3-aHTBpT-pEAxPB-2cV3mbm-DjNEdz-cKgfT-dksWdk-bfyYV8-9jWGW9-o8scnD-5wM7SL-4rDC8Z" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 1.4em;">aka Tman</span></a></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6284265
2020-04-16T12:27:08-04:00
2020-04-16T12:35:25-04:00
When You Think No One Loves You.... the ISC & IMA do
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/e22091f3a1398f4c301ccb5577aa09475227753f/original/imaisc.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="IMA and ISC finalist" />It feels like a long while since we stood in a windy Thompson Memorial Park in Scarborough last September for the first day of the video shoot for “When You Think No One Loves You” but it’s been a beautiful ride of reactions and comments, 22,000 Youtube views and now the video’s been recognized with an <a contents="Independent Music Award nomination" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://independentmusicawards.com/the-18th-independent-music-awards-nominees/#shortform" target="_blank">Independent Music Award nomination</a> in the Video Short Narrative category as well as a finalist in the Music Video category of the <a contents="International Songwriting Competition" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://songwritingcompetition.com/winners" target="_blank">International Songwriting Competition</a>. A big thanks to the amazing production crew at <a contents="Big Red Oak" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bigredoak.com/" target="_blank">Big Red Oak</a>. Watching the song and video resonate with people and give some comfort since its release in November is the real reward for me. But the recognition by the IMA and ISC is a happy bonus. You can check out the video <strong><a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/zhG0FYoHZPg" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/6239871
2020-03-06T14:55:17-05:00
2022-04-04T13:04:18-04:00
MANDATORY HIBERNATION
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/91fdca0521a2b1ea241c4713612a06ca2e416f1e/original/hibernation.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="David hibernating" /><span class="font_large">Hi folks, <br>I’ve been on a bit of a mandatory hibernation for the past few months due to some health issues that had to be dealt with. But I’m happy to say that I am coming out the other side! Keep checking in with the <a contents="shows page" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><strong>shows page</strong></a> for upcoming dates which are obviously all conditional on what happens with COVID 19. I hope to see you out there at one of the shows at some point. In the meantime, the other thing that’s been going on is the exciting process of recording my next record which is getting very close to completion. This recording feels like something really special - 6 songs written and recorded on the amazing <strong><a contents="Six String Nation Guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sixstringnation.com" style="outline-width: 0px !important; user-select: auto !important;" target="_blank">Six String Nation Guitar</a></strong>, nicknamed Voyageur. It’s been a transporting experience for me, inspired by the amazing pieces and stories inside this guitar. I better not give any more away but I thought I’d at least whet your whistle as to what’s coming up this year. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for checking out what’s going on. Be safe out there!</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a contents="Image by Don O'Brien" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dok1/9607753315/in/photolist-fD1fke-8WewXd-95THB8-aWQiPR-FaM5C-n8zmF6-cwkZ2W-D9hU2T-fXmiN-7NKvkq-HJW49z-96Yp6z-6qj7nw-2ihvfo1-7z77pQ-Br498m-98urSz-agoNcJ-gXhQ-mBi7pc-ueUc2-2bCVXPz-36zaB-ejHbAM-9d66Pq-aYqwf-bf17wp-h97DyA-7L4CA4-oZuL9L-8YGhZp-MHKnZp-n8zbZz-6cTori-39nkc-FSWUzZ-6mbui8-24gokkB-AiGtHN-4nyizU-4hi6MU-7oA5My-4kPfTp-re9GGX-gWgwUz-Dxcp26-24VFYjc-p8HuS4-4CE7Na-6qj95m" target="_blank">Image by Don O'Brien</a></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5946461
2019-11-01T12:19:54-04:00
2022-05-10T16:27:28-04:00
NEW MUSIC VIDEO - WHEN YOU THINK NO ONE LOVES YOU
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zhG0FYoHZPg" width="560"></iframe>I’ve been talking about this song and video for a while. It’s been months of planning, days of shooting and hours of editing with the talented folks at Big Red Oak to bring it all together and now it’s finally making its way into the world. We are living in a time where there’s an epidemic of loneliness out there and so many people on this planet who feel unloved. This song and video is for them. I hope it moves you in a way to share it widely and spread some hope around the world. </span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5882487
2019-09-05T22:06:39-04:00
2022-05-22T07:45:52-04:00
UK TOUR DATES
<p><span class="font_large">Scotland, England & Wales, I’m heading your way. Is there a date anywhere near you?<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/2e24a4a83889d4a7dfdc1db0b1aa98bd16253613/original/tourdates2.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5790624
2019-06-13T14:48:45-04:00
2019-07-11T11:42:06-04:00
SOMETHING NEW & SOMETHING TRUE
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/edc974962533680efdb25542b92b02f734050548/original/travelingthroughshadows.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>NEW VIDEO IN THE WORKS FOR “WHEN YOU THINK NO ONE LOVES YOU” </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I am delighted to let you know that over the next few months I’ll be shooting a music video for the song “When You Think No One Loves You” with a local video production company. They have crafted a beautiful story to tie into the song and lyric and our goal is to maximize the impact of this song and widen its reach. Songs have a life of their own and this one feels like it’s got some work to do in the world. As you may recall me mentioning previously, this tune has connected with a lot of people at a profound level around how we can struggle with a sense of worth. I appreciate many of you writing me personally to tell me of your own experiences. I really want to bring you along with me on the journey as this song gets a big push out to people’s hearts and ears so I’ll be sure to keep you posted. For now, <a contents="here’s a link to hear the song" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://song.link/i/1349382663" target="_blank"><strong>here’s a link to hear the song</strong></a> on whatever pipeline you use for your digital tunes. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>SUMMER GIGS AND UK TOUR</strong> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The summer dates have been filling up and there are of plenty places to see me live in the GTA & southern Ontario over the next few months so come on out and enjoy some sunshine and music. In September, I’m excited to be heading over to the UK to play some shows in Scotland, England and Wales. Some of them I’m opening up for a couple of Americana artists - Nathan Bell and Letitia Van Sant - and some on my own. Please check <a contents="the Shows Page" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><strong>the Shows Page</strong></a> here to find out when I’ll be in your neighbourhood and make sure you drop by to say hello! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>WHAT’S TRUE</strong> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">After more than 25 years and nearly 2700 gigs, as hard as it is to keep rockin’ & rollin’ through this crazy world of making a life in music, I am grateful to still experience moments that fill me up from the inside when I’m playing and singing. In between the loading in and out the gear, I’m continuing to discover something new about myself and the songs I’m singing that keeps me keepin' on. I thank all of you who drop by at the gigs or drop me a note from time to time and help generate some of that magic that happens during the process of musicking. May you all find some of those moments in whatever creative endeavours you encounter in your own life!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">image of Didgeridoo taken by <a contents="Francois de Halleux" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fanz/127012194/in/photolist-cdYiq-XerUhE-c8ihiu-5J62N2-qJhtDh-s83jdv-8FeMLH-dWW6LV-baTME6-7C4262-f7MfVL-Jnupt3-G9Mgo5-giVdcx-Yz9Tyy-d4VvWq-W2gQxP-TxUnw1-6XV3Nk-ecjkKp-efEDFH-dFtiZx-5xvipm-obVoWB-5kRdLj-6RNg1s-nJFik6-2pzjDD-qcRook-4WBxAa-jvAoJB-YZAesC-4GWYfh-nbqYQG-nkCWY-vutSSw-5io99m-8dZUtw-4wxrVe-fL8Thx-r3dS3-dn9yXP-28oKpCW-75EP5k-qQSvPv-ed2J32-khBKcP-EgYBmg-phzQRG-pCYDxY" target="_blank"><strong>Francois de </strong></a></span><span class="font_large"><a contents="Francois de Halleux" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fanz/127012194/in/photolist-cdYiq-XerUhE-c8ihiu-5J62N2-qJhtDh-s83jdv-8FeMLH-dWW6LV-baTME6-7C4262-f7MfVL-Jnupt3-G9Mgo5-giVdcx-Yz9Tyy-d4VvWq-W2gQxP-TxUnw1-6XV3Nk-ecjkKp-efEDFH-dFtiZx-5xvipm-obVoWB-5kRdLj-6RNg1s-nJFik6-2pzjDD-qcRook-4WBxAa-jvAoJB-YZAesC-4GWYfh-nbqYQG-nkCWY-vutSSw-5io99m-8dZUtw-4wxrVe-fL8Thx-r3dS3-dn9yXP-28oKpCW-75EP5k-qQSvPv-ed2J32-khBKcP-EgYBmg-phzQRG-pCYDxY" target="_blank"><strong>Halleux</strong></a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/42419540791ef62ecb0c82e626d5b0e7b37ea164/original/factor-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></strong></span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c411c171853de4cb787162e14368f1cdb017d0eb/original/canadawordmark-combined-cmyk-white.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5536048
2018-12-02T13:53:56-05:00
2019-07-15T11:19:04-04:00
ROCKIN' & A REELIN'
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><em>"the 6/8 time signature..underpins six beautifully mature songs, naturally & ingeniously"</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks to David Innes and the UK's Rock'n Reel Magazine for the 4 star review in their Nov/Dec issue</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/a16c5b1169b3d661051440d149f55f5fc57c37b4/original/fbrnrquotesidebanner.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/a16c5b1169b3d661051440d149f55f5fc57c37b4/original/fbrnrquotesidebanner.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5484076
2018-10-24T11:05:41-04:00
2020-01-23T11:22:44-05:00
MAGAZINE REVIEW FROM THE UK
<p style="text-align: center;"><em style="font-size: 1.4em;"><strong>“little known outside of Canada, but this is a persuasive argument for spreading the word.”</strong></em><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/17abafb671feeeeff229774b3258a7980f4fbc46/original/fatealogo2-399x260.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><br><span class="font_large">Thanks to <strong>Mike Davies</strong> and <a contents="FATEA&nbsp;Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/DavidLeask/" target="_blank"><strong>FATEA Magazine</strong></a> for the positive ink! Check out the full review below.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">An ex-pat Scot now based in Toronto, Leask has made quite a name for himself in his adopted country, trading life as a financial adviser for a career as a singer-songwriter, notching up five albums and a stack of awards along the way. This is his sixth release and, as it would suggest contains six numbers all in 6/8 time, the music steeped in a mix of Celtic and Americana influences. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">EP opener <a contents="'Indescribable'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420810/indescribable" target="_blank">'Indescribable'</a> is a love song waltzer, but it's as a storyteller that he's at his strongest, case in point being <a contents="'Red Balloon'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420813/red-balloon" target="_blank">'Red Balloon'</a>. Given Celtic colours by Loretto Reid on flute, whistle and concertina with added dobro and accordion, it's a cycle of life story about a woman who, when faced with the end of a relationship and a parent's passing, remembers her mother's words to "let it go, let it fly" when she lost her balloon as a child. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Likewise, the cello-adorned <a contents="'Can't Make It Back Home'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420849/can-t-make-it-back-home" target="_blank">'Can't Make It Back Home'</a> is ballad about a veteran, "a ghost of myself", unable to adjust back into society because of PTSD, while <a contents="'Between Him &amp; Me'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420851/between-him-me" target="_blank">'Between Him & Me'</a>, written over 16 years, addresses religious intolerance. Musically, it doesn't stray from its comfort zone of melodic ballads, but Leask's warm, catch in the voice vocals, soaring on the choruses, keep you engaged, the loneliness-themed <a contents="'When You Think No One Loves You'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420827/when-you-think-no-one-loves-you" target="_blank">'When You Think No One Loves You'</a> given a sparse piano arrangement and, arguably the strongest track, '<a contents="Caught In The Tide'" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/track/1420818/caught-in-the-tide" target="_blank">Caught In The Tide'</a>, about finding the strength to swim and not sink when you're in over your heads and looking for a lifeline, leaning more towards country soul. He's little known outside of Canada, but this is a persuasive argument for spreading the word. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Mike Davies</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5412400
2018-09-02T13:33:57-04:00
2021-04-21T13:01:51-04:00
ON A DIFFERENT PLANET
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/1e1df04461d64faf36c974ea6b7edfb5295132bc/original/logositta-nocavallo.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><span class="font_large">Some folks say everything sounds better in Italian - particularly food or a romantic movie dialogue. Happy to have my album reviewed by Remo Ricaldone for Planet Country in Italy. Check out the <strong><a contents="online version in Italian here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.planetcountry.it/david-leask-six-in-6-8/" target="_blank">online version in Italian here</a> </strong> or read the English translation of the Planet Country Review below. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">"<em>It’s definitely not an easy task recording an album with just six tracks, with a total of a little more than twenty three minutes and to succeed in telling you six poignant and profound stories of humanity in the widest and most varied meaning, and to do it with excellent melodic taste, including country, traditional Irish sounds, classic songwriting styles and pop music. David Leask, a Canadian with Scottish roots, is already well known by the songwriting community for his outstanding composition skills and for his ability to effortlessly combine serious topics with pleasurable and enjoyable sounds. “Six in 6/8” showcases all these qualities in the best and sharpest way. The the first track of the record “Indescribable”, is a modern country song with great impact, a love song told in a never banal or obvious way. “Red Balloon”, a Celtic-inspired tune using flute and tin whistle, is about a dear friend of his, affected by ALS, who passed away at the age of 49. It is a painful tribute with a truly memorable melody. “Caught In The Tide” is about the problems and the stress caused by the world economic crisis, that has dramatically changed lives, a track that uplifts and dignifies songwriting with intensity and poetic force, between country and pop influences. Depression and mental disorders are the topic of “When You Think No One Loves You”, performed with truly uncommon passion and interior strength. To close this record, the sufferings and the emotions of the war veterans in “Can’t Make It Back Home” and the personal considerations regarding the (many) religious intolerances across the globe in “Between Him & Me”, are two tracks where pop, rock and country sounds come together to form intense movements, blended with taste and wisdom. This record is worth listening to.</em>" <strong>Remo Ricaldone</strong></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5307056
2018-06-20T14:11:48-04:00
2018-09-02T21:14:51-04:00
SWEET HOME & CHICAGO
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/0bdcb554f582629eb3bc312f70a5c9ce1e2ed667/original/chicagolexie2018.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/f0f88687f3b09eb9ac193156c6d6fd810889c422/original/smallhill.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><span class="font_large">I hope your summer is off to a superb start. The last couple of weeks have kept me guessing what time zone I’m in. I flew home to bonnie Scotland where I played at a touching memorial for <strong>Grahame Thomson</strong>, my musical compadre from our band back in the late 80’s, “<strong>Panic No More</strong>”. While I was there, I was also invited to perform a song I wrote for the local rugby club, <a contents="Jedforest" data-link-label="jedforestsong" data-link-type="page" href="/jedforestsong" style="" target="_blank"><span style="color:null;"><strong>Jedforest</strong></span></a>, as part of their 30 year re-union of winning the Border League. I spent some great time with my folks and some friends I hadn’t seen for a while. It was good to take the Highway Home :) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">A couple of days after getting back to Canada, I was back on the road, this time to Chicago to perform at the <strong>Chicago Scottish Festival</strong>. With temperatures reaching over 100 F, I have to say, there were moments on stage in my kilt where it felt like a new form of “Scottish Hot Yoga”. Despite the heat, it was a fun festival to play and an honour to be asked to sing the Canadian and Scottish National Anthems at the opening ceremonies. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Lots of Summer Gigs Coming Up</strong> <br>Now that I am back in Ontario, I am looking forward to an action-packed summer full of gigs. Please check the <a contents="Shows Page" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><strong>Shows Page</strong></a> here and maybe there’s a gig you’d like to mark on your calendar. It’d be great to see you! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>The Latest on “SIX IN 6/8”</strong> <br>I am excited to hear from my radio tracker in the US that he’s making strong headway into the Americana, Adult Album Alternative and College formats with nearly 50 stations playing the record including some pretty major markets. If you’ve not yet heard the new record, please <a contents="check it out here" data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music" target="_blank"><strong>check it out here</strong></a> and if you are a streamer, <a contents="find your link here" data-link-label="feedthestream" data-link-type="page" href="/feedthestream" target="_blank"><strong>find your link here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>How Can You Help “SIX IN 6/8” reach peoples’ ears?</strong> <br>Apart from purchasing & sharing my music via email & social media networks, it’s also helpful if you become a follower or subscriber of <a contents="my Spotify channel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/15LH4ogJyfEaUsmWzODyZ4?si=cfw38Rt2SfmHNg-6dnjqaw" target="_blank"><strong>my Spotify channel</strong></a> or <a contents="my YouTube channel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFS9NYk7xeULFJe2ZTBMU3Q" target="_blank"><strong>my YouTube channel</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading this. Stay cool and we’ll see you somewhere down the road. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Peace, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Chicago Scottish Festival photograph with Darcy Furniss and Ewan Brown of the Glengarry Buoys taken by Lexie B. Sommer Brown</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5265827
2018-05-30T14:15:59-04:00
2018-07-05T15:10:19-04:00
"ONLY SIX SONGS, BUT STILL 4 STARS - I'LL TAKE IT!"
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Thanks to <a contents="Maverick Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.maverick-country.com/david-leask-six-68-review/" target="_blank"><strong>Maverick Magazine</strong></a> for the positive ink below! After all the hours of writing & recording to deliver these songs, it’s extremely gratifying when your record hits a reviewer’s finely tuned ears and they like it so much, they wish there was more! </em> DL </span><a contents="Click here to check out the songs on Six in 6/8" data-link-label="" data-link-type="album" href="/album/684953/six-in-6-8-album-download" target="_blank"><strong><span class="font_large">Click here to check out the songs on Six in 6/8</span></strong></a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3288f081a75f0d5eb37025390d9157b0e417f469/original/maverickquotesidebanner.jpg" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5217300
2018-05-04T13:52:10-04:00
2018-05-27T13:53:35-04:00
SONG CONTESTS & SONG CONTEXTS
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/6c09541374574c27d2013db4f84c121560cf99d9/original/mayblogiscrace.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As some of you know, I have a tendency to trot out my tunes and see how they fare in the furlongs of song contests. Over the years I’ve had my share of winners and losers and recently I was heartened to have a few pats on the back from the <a contents="International Songwriting Competition" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songwritingcompetition.com" target="_blank"><strong>International Songwriting Competition</strong></a> for 3 tunes from the new record. “When You Think No One Loves You” was a finalist and “Red Balloon” & “Between Him & Me” were both semi finalists. As well as song contests, I’ve also been thinking about song “context” - how these songs find a context in the story of other people’s lives. A number of people have been kind enough to tell me how their own personal stories have mapped on to my songs. Like <strong>Jen McDonald</strong>, who publishes her own blog and highlighted the song Red Balloon, as she put it, as a “message from the universe” to “Let it go, Let it fly”. <strong><a contents="Check out her amazing story here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://epiphanycommunication.com.au/2018/04/let-go-or-be-dragged/" target="_blank">Check out her amazing story</a>.</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>The “Pressing” Need for Publicity</strong> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3a2625c7b25a23f23d076a9c82c1ed4963478c4f/original/radiodistributionmap.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />We’ve been working our butts off here, trying to get the word out about the new record and spread these songs around the globe and people are taking notice. Here’s a cool little map of worldwide airplay from stations playing the first single “Red Balloon.”</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We've also just sent out 200 CD's to Americana & AAA stations and are excited to see how many DJ’s get the music and decide to give the tunes some airtime. It’s an ongoing struggle to get anyone’s attention these days so I certainly appreciate when anyone takes it to heart. Someone else who has resonated with the new record is music blogger <strong>Makeda Taylor</strong> who recently conducted an in depth Q & A with me about “Six in 6/8”. <a contents="Check it out here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.makedataylor.com/site/david-leask-interview-regarding-new-album-6-in-68/" target="_blank"><strong>Check it out here </strong></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Radio Radio</strong><br>I’ve also recently had a few encounters of the radio kind! Here are a few podcasts you can check out when you want to hear a bit more banter and heartfelt havering :) </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/413345265&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true" width="100%"></iframe><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/438830370&color=ff5500" width="100%"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Upcoming Summer Dates</strong> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The summer calendar is slowly filling in so be sure to check out the <a contents="Shows Page" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><strong>Shows Page</strong></a> if you want come out to a gig near you. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Racehorse image by <a contents="Thomas Hawk" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/38463104010/in/photolist-21ARsMG-ourZdD-QQ9rQE-jzBnx3-9USyDp-GTx3Lt-22DWur1-VEZV2P-qY87gS-238HNQp-9UW1Fv-dodrV-T7ddX5-6cCJfS-gEg6Ep-4NfGh8-a3777d-SRZoW5-523mq9-54h5Y1-aEp9aB-TCA6bL-fSTEP1-opRzbG-8QZgjq-dAYTR9-7oTxSC-2erggW-bL3M1D-bL3GuF-5xTsQq-zVQBko-mpyFAV-9UY8BE-7BwqX8-JNiphY-bvjHfQ-dxSeNa-5wPuC-2tmEfa-8Rcp7W-r8TnB2-j36Qex-fSUKYa-8RcaRL-bERuaS-21inpTt-daRJZh-4Tsapt-7HJA7g" target="_blank">Thomas Hawk</a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5074923
2018-02-12T18:35:23-05:00
2018-07-24T03:41:16-04:00
PAINTING THE MUSIC
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="Sixin68" data-link-type="page" href="/sixin68" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/a5b3224ea0c479651045a09b58b76964e7d9edde/original/compositecoverart.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>It’s not uncommon to get a peak “behind the scenes” of a studio recording session but I thought you might enjoy this little 1min 30 sec video look "behind the evolution" of the cover artwork by <a contents="Paul W. Thompson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pwtfinearts.com" target="_blank"><strong>Paul W. Thompson</strong></a> on my new CD “Six in 6/8”. You can <a contents="check it out here" data-link-label="Sixin68" data-link-type="page" href="/sixin68" target="_blank"><strong>check it out here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks for the emails cheering me on and for those who pre-ordered so far. I appreciate all your encouragement. </span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music,</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/5050351
2018-01-29T16:19:52-05:00
2018-05-06T11:22:31-04:00
LET IT GO, LET IT FLY
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/f00d7751fd15c559eeb5a3de24e1d2c7d2a6c7ab/medium/finalcdcover.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>“There’s so many things we can’t hold, let it go”</em> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As some of you may know, I’ve been holding on to my latest record <strong>“Six in 6/8” </strong>for the last wee while. Well, I’m excited that the time has almost come to let it go. The above words are actually from the song <strong>“Red Balloon”</strong> which was released last week as the first single to radio and the album will be officially launched in the world on <strong>Feb. 23rd</strong>. </span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large"><strong>Tell me a bit about your new record?</strong> <br>I feel this may be the most powerful record I’ve ever made. There’s something timely and emotional about it, six tunes that flow from celtic, country, folk, rock and soul all wrapped up in my favourite time signature, 6/8. It was co-produced with the wonderfully talented Justin Abedin and involved a cast of 19 incredible musicians recorded by ten different engineers in 11 different studios from Toronto to Montreal & Nashville to Alabama. Last month I invited a small group of people to Canterbury Music to have their first listen and get their reactions. <a contents="Check out this video" data-link-label="Sixin68" data-link-type="page" href="/sixin68"><strong>Check out this video</strong></a> to see what they had to say. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>It takes a village to raise a song</strong> <br>A lot of you have been with me on this journey over the last 20 years and 5 CD releases. I’d be delighted to have your continued support by pre-ordering the new album <a contents="directly from my website" data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music"><strong>directly from my website</strong></a>. The record is only ten dollars and I feel confident that if you are moved to buy it, you'll find something meaningful there.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading this and for coming along for the ride so far. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Album Cover Artwork by <a contents="Paul W. Thompson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pwtfinearts.com/index.html" target="_blank"><strong>Paul W. Thompson</strong></a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4902720
2017-10-23T09:49:47-04:00
2018-05-11T15:14:51-04:00
GIGS OUT OF THE ORDINARY
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c821d7b58476990ab56a63f52023c1c6ce96acb4/original/sixstringglenngould201710.jpg?1508699987/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" />Happy autumn everyone. I hope you’re enjoying the seasonal colour changes wherever you are. I wanted to give you a wee update on a few interesting gigs in the GTA and let you know what’s up with the new record. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>PERFORMING SONGS WRITTEN WITH THE SIX STRING NATION GUITAR</strong> <br>This coming Thursday October 26th, I have a pretty unusual gig! I’ll be at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts performing on the <a contents="Six String Nation Guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.sixstringnation.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Six String Nation Guitar</strong></span></a> as a guest of Jowi Taylor. Jowi is the brainchild and driving force behind the creation of an extraordinary musical instrument - a guitar containing 64 pieces of powerful Canadiana. The guitar’s name is Voyageur and I was fortunate enough to get to spend some time with her. It’s the first time I’ve had the experience of co-writing with a musical instrument but it kind of felt like that, writing four songs inspired by different historic pieces in the guitar. Jowi presents a fascinating multimedia presentation about the creation and history literally residing in this amazing instrument and I look forward to performing my songs live on the guitar as part of that presentation. <a contents="You can find tickets here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.oakvillecentre.ca/whats-on/jowi-taylor.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>You can find tickets here.</strong></span></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF CANADA</strong> <br>Some of you may remember I was invited last year to perform “Can’t Make It Back Home” with the <a contents="Band Of The Royal Regiment Of Canada" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://band.rregtc.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Band Of The Royal Regiment Of Canada</strong></span></a>. It was a very powerful experience for me to perform my song about a soldier returning with PTSD for the military community and to hear it rendered by this wonderful band. Well, they invited me back as a guest again this year for their concert at Glenn Gould Studio Theatre in the CBC in Toronto next Sunday October 29th. This year, as part of their “Musical Portrait of Canada at 150”, I’ll be performing my tribute to Terry Fox, “Run Fox Run”, with a special band arrangement by Bill Mighton as well as the song “A Land So Far.” <a contents="Here’s the ticket link." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.artsboxoffice.ca/scripts/max/2000/maxweb.exe?ACTION=ORDER&MAXWEB_127.0.0.1_2213=#NATION" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Here’s the ticket link.</strong></span></a> </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR NEW RECORD, YOU ASK?</strong> <br>A good question! The front cover original artwork by <a contents="Paul W. Thompson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.pwtfinearts.com/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Paul W. Thompson</strong></span></a> is done and it looks amazing. I’ve been slowly putting together a team to help this album reach as many ears, hearts and minds as possible. All I can say at this point is, it’s getting closer and I’ll be letting more out of the bag very soon. I promise you, it'll be worth the wait. In the meantime, thanks for your continuing interest in my music. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4788763
2017-07-22T12:50:33-04:00
2018-05-06T11:24:45-04:00
CCMA SONGWRITER'S SERIES SLOT IN SASKATOON
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/bdec11f75ec3aedfd79e696774324506048db439/original/ccmasongwritersseries.jpg?1500742189/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I’m delighted to have been selected to perform at The Songwriter’s Series at <strong>Canadian Country Music Week</strong> in Saskatoon this September. Looking forward to sharing some songs and listening to the other performers. <a contents="Check out this link " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ccma.org/cgi/page.cgi/_article.html/News/CCMA_Songwriters_Series_and_CCMA_Discovery_Showcase" target="_blank">Check out this link </a>to learn about the amazing line-up of songwriters and how you can get tickets to the event. I'm grateful to the <a contents="SOCAN Foundation " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://socanfoundation.ca" target="_blank">SOCAN Foundation </a>and the <a contents="Radio Starmaker Fund" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.starmaker.ca" target="_blank">Radio Starmaker Fund</a> for their financial support for this showcase.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4761247
2017-06-29T11:52:51-04:00
2018-07-06T08:22:49-04:00
SUMMER GIGS AND A NEW RECORD
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/6f0c8ffd46aec283ea3380a2ae14ae54ee26627f/original/summer2017.jpg?1498749165/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hope you are embracing some of the many joys of summer. For me, maybe it’s the wandering I did through the glens as a wee boy but this year I’ve had great fun sighting almost 30 different birds in our backyard. Like Rabbie Burns & Lamont Dozier, I’m listening harder to catch those beautiful songbird melodies & get inspired! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Summer gigs </strong><br>Speaking of outdoors, it’s the time of year for festivals and outdoor concerts so please <a contents="check out my schedule" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><strong>check out my schedule</strong></a> to find out if I’m coming to your neighbourhood. I do have <em>free</em> concerts in the “villes”- Yorkville & Unionville as well as performances at the Fergus Scottish Festival, Canadian National Exhibition, Killarney Provincial Park amongst others. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>A new record </strong><br>I’m delighted to say I’ve just finished up my 6th recording and it is now tightly sealed in the digital can! I know your latest creation is always gonna be your favourite but there is something timely about this particular group of songs. I’m really excited to share it and I’m presently in the process of working out the release details. Stay tuned to find out how you can get your ears on it! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Goodbye to our friend Bill Gosling </strong><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/aa2930bed18973bbd30c5837336eef20468c2eee/original/billsmemorial.jpg?1498751227/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />25 years ago this month I played my first show in Toronto. Shortly thereafter, I got a regular gig in Paupers Pub where I met Bill Gosling & Nick Furgiuele. Together with Sean Keating we became the four legs of the band “Chalk Horse, releasing our album “Postcards From Walters Falls” about a year later. Recently I was shocked to learn that our musical pal Bill died suddenly. He was a lovely talented human who made many friends along the way as a sound engineer in the theatre world. Nick and I were honoured to play a few of Bill’s tunes at a celebration of his life down at The Revival House in Stratford along with many talented artists. It was poignant and touching that the day before Bill suffered a heart attack he posted this on Facebook. “<em>At the end of the day it is all about the music in your life.</em>” Thanks for the reminder Bill and all the great memories. Godspeed. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Take care out there. <br>Peace, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David Banner Photo by P.J. Bell</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4601604
2017-02-22T09:42:28-05:00
2018-05-06T11:28:00-04:00
TWENTY YEARS AGO
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4f86892576cd50429795609414f237a8a3969f43/original/100camels2017.jpg?1487772212/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="100 Camels" />It was February 22nd, 1997. Some of you may have been there, some of you may have since bought the album. But 20 years ago today my first solo record <strong>100 Camels</strong> was launched at Twiggy's on Queen West in Toronto. I know what you are thinking, how can that be, you haven't changed a bit :) Well, time flies when you're having fun and it has been a crazy ride ever since. It seemed fitting that only last week I recorded the final song for my upcoming record with one of the original cast members from 100 Camels all those years ago. For those of you who don't have a copy of 100 Camels or do and simply want to have a little trip down memory lane, you can stream the whole record and even download it for the bargain price of only $5 by <a contents="following this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://davidleask.com/album/61372/100-camels-digital-album-download" style="" target="_blank"><span style="color:#FF8C00;"><strong>following this link</strong></span></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Hope to see you down the road some time soon. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Nostalgically yours, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4491816
2016-12-01T11:03:26-05:00
2018-05-06T11:26:55-04:00
NEW VIDEO FOR "STRONGER BACK"
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/d94b5609d25a7eedea09d8f24b72d8e56e47178f/original/clarkehallnewsletterbanner.jpg?1456867119/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" />As our world seems to show more and more cracks everyday, I thought you might find a little light from this wonderful song written by Doug Gill. “Stronger Back” was on my <strong>UNDERNEATH</strong> record and I recorded this live video during the <strong>CLARKE HALL SESSIONS</strong> which didn't make it onto that CD, but I decided to put up the video. Please share it with anyone you think might enjoy it. <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="hDkbPKYn8lo" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/hDkbPKYn8lo/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hDkbPKYn8lo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Well the silly season is upon us and I’m certainly not encouraging anyone to buy something they don't need but if you think some David Leask music might bring some joy to someone, I have a special bundle for you to <a contents="check out - 3 CD's for $30 for 30 days only! " data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music" style="" target="_blank"><strong>check out - 3 CD's for $30 for 30 days only! </strong></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4431259
2016-10-21T18:33:13-04:00
2020-09-23T06:30:16-04:00
FALL TOUR 2016
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/8ed79c40a47b8f2c68dda80412b0ab4397053f07/original/sasktour2016b.jpg?1476989556/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />I’m just back from a wonderful tour adding 7,000 km’s to the car and lots of memories to the memory bank. We made our way through the rugged beauty of northern Ontario’s water, rocks n’ trees to the straight roads and mesmerizing skies of Manitoba and traveled up and down the golden fields and scattered wetlands of Saskatchewan. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/e7021cf61e73f5b49288b4a7e7ce5fbc631403d1/original/davesaskatoon16.jpg?1476992866/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />We saw black bears, cougars, wolves, elk, deer and almost every season while we were away exploring this vast country called Canada. We brought our music to many new places, met lots of new folks and took away some wonderful memories, hopefully leaving some behind. Thanks to everyone who came out to the shows and played a role in presenting the concerts and to Sean O’ Connor who flew out to add his musical magic to the Saskatchewan leg of the tour. Check out the little video montage below.<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="188360802" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/598411646_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/188360802" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Some cool upcoming gigs</strong> <br>For those of you in the Toronto area, on <span style="color:#DAA520;"><strong>Friday October 28th</strong></span> I’ll be performing a concert at the <span style="color:#DAA520;"><strong>Brampton Folk Club</strong> </span>with two very talented singing songwriters, <strong>Kirsten Jones and David Storey</strong>. It’s called “Roots in the Round” and we’ll be sharing our tunes and spinning yarns in Sanderson Hall at St. Paul's United Church, 30 Main Street South, Brampton at 7.30pm. Also, on <span style="color:#DAA520;"><strong>Sunday October 30th</strong></span> at 2 pm I’ll be a <span style="color:#DAA520;"><strong>featured guest of the Band of The Royal Regiment of Canada</strong></span> at <strong>Glenn Gould Studio in the CBC building in Toronto</strong>, performing “Can’t Make It Back Home", a song about a soldier's struggle with PTSD. Some of you may remember the song from an earlier blog about it being written at a songwriting camp in Montreal with Patrick Bouchard and Lora Ryan. For more details on these and all my other shows go to the<span style="color:#008080;"> </span><a contents="SHOWS" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" style="" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3399cc;"><strong>SHOWS</strong></span></a><span style="color:#008080;"> </span>page. </span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4371535
2016-09-14T07:48:11-04:00
2018-05-06T12:52:59-04:00
THANK YOU ITALY!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/d9b563afea14cc27e04ba8fd95a92beb817f7f79/original/italian2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You never know who is going to respond to your music. I recently received this music review from Italy. Some of the Italian words looked positive and so I got my friend Manny to translate it. Some of what you experience as a musician and songwriter is what the Scots poet Robbie Burns would call “toils obscure” - striving for something that's unseen. When you get feedback like this, it feels someone else has met you in the music and that's a nice feeling. <br>David</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>REVIEW OF "THE CLARKE HALL SESSIONS" by Remo Ricaldone</strong></span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, currently living in Canada, David Leask is a solid, talented singer and songwriter who has his musical roots in country and pop-rock, with direct and clear influences from the traditional music of his native land. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This album, a collection of songs recorded live in the historical Clarke Memorial Hall, in Port Credit, ON., manages to capture his spirit beautifully, his most truthful and direct essence, which is lean but extremely vital and honest. Along with his rich and strong voice and his acoustic guitar, there is the excellent rhythmic and harmonic support of the electric guitar played by Justin Abedin. In addition, the flute, sax and tin whistle played by Sean O’Connor provide the right note to a great quality selection of songs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Introduced by the proud and intense “The Good Fight”, the record shows great inner strength, passion and truthfulness, qualities in which David Leask excels, describing personal experiences, dreams, aspirations and disappointments in a very honest way. “Working on Faith”, the emotional and full-bodied, “Blow Over”, the honorable echo of “Into the Mystic” of Van Morrison, brought by the folk melody of “Roger Sherlock’s Dream”, “Stronger In Broken Places” opening with wonderful folk influences and, on an equally great level, “Ancestor’s Eyes” make the back-bone of this song collection which explores the depth, roots and growth of David Leask’s music. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">All these songs will hold and move any listener thanks to a musical sensitivity which, nowadays, is rare to find.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4285228
2016-07-21T15:06:28-04:00
2020-03-23T14:02:59-04:00
SOCAN Article & BLUES & ROOTS RADIO Interview
<p><span class="font_large"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.socanmagazine.ca/features/four-lifers-in-canadian-music/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/5ee5bfb25cd3e04e07ef9650b9e217a724771581/original/socanarticle.jpg?1469129149/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>FOUR LIFERS IN CANADIAN MUSIC </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I was recently profiled in SOCAN’s Words & Music Magazine as a “Lifer” in Canadian Music! <a contents="Check out the article by following this link." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.socanmagazine.ca/features/four-lifers-in-canadian-music/" target="_blank"><strong>Check out the article by following this link.</strong></a></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/29c251b5a8ac40bc2903587c49275ed537073467/original/brr-logo-web.png?1468946943/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />ALBUM OF THE WEEK<br>“The Clarke Hall Sessions” was recently Album of the Week on Blues & Roots Radio. Listen below to the whole interview.</span><br> </p>
59:50
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4196126
2016-05-25T11:12:29-04:00
2018-05-06T11:32:48-04:00
ANCESTORS' EYES - Track 12 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/090a4df7f04e86a29c1aa5c0770fd07737ba9046/original/newsletterbannerancestoreyes.jpg?1464186594/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This week's song, the final track on "The Clarke Hall Sessions" is a song that lead me to a personal discovery about my own ancestors. Co-written with my wife Mary Ellen, <strong>Ancestors' Eyes</strong> has been a fan favourite over the years and this stripped down live version with Justin and Sean's sensitive accompaniment seemed like a good place to sign off the record. Check out the video performance below and the story behind the song.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="guGEP8u2X84" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/guGEP8u2X84/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/guGEP8u2X84?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><a contents="click to buy the CD and bonus DVD or a digital copy" data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music" target="_blank"><strong>Click here to buy the CD and bonus DVD or download the album</strong></a>.<br><br>- BEHIND THE SONG -<br>Not long after moving to Canada I read a book about the legend of Prince Henry Sinclair. This Scottish adventurer traveled with an Italian navigator named Antonio Zeno, and a party of two hundred men from the Orkney Islands in Scotland to Guysborough Nova Scotia in 1398 - 90 years before Columbus came to the shores of North America. From Nova Scotia, they explored the land and waterways traveling as far as Massachusetts. They came in peace and made no claims upon the lands of the Micmac Indians with whom they lived. Indeed, the legends of these native people recount their harmonious relations with the visiting Earl of Orkney. It may be that their peaceful approach to the new land and its people contributed to their being overlooked by the pages of history. I was fascinated by this story, perhaps because of my own journey across the Atlantic some 600 years later and wanted to write a song about the legend. The song "Prince Henry" was co-written with Kristi Magraw. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">After it had been recorded, it was circulated amongst the Sinclair Clan and eventually made it overseas to the UK where it reached Niven Sinclair. Niven had devoted a lot of effort publicizing the adventurer's story and was so moved by the song he phoned me. After discussing the Sinclair story he drew attention to my own surname Leask and mentioned that there was a lot of Leask's on the Orkney Islands. He offered to search my own ancestry through his contacts on the island. I was absolutely flabbergasted when Niven faxed me evidence to show that a Thomas Leask was very close to Prince Henry and in all likelihood sailed with him to the new world. Niven concluded his fax by saying, "There's a reason you wrote this song, for what is born in the bone is not lost in the blood." It sent shivers down my spine and this experience of discovering my roots inspired the song "Ancestors' Eyes". </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">- LYRIC -<br>I found a dusty photo <br>With a black and white expression <br>Staring back at me <br>I knew his only grandson <br>Since he was my father <br>Who was this man to me? </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I took a good look at life, <br>Through my ancestors' eyes <br>Learning from the wayward and the wise </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I heard of one called Thomas <br>Who loved the open water <br>And longed to be at sea <br>He sailed out with Prince Henry <br>Sought a new horizon <br>And found a whole new world for me </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I took a good look at life, <br>Through my ancestors' eyes <br>Learning from the wayward and the wise <br>I took a good look at life, <br>Through my ancestors' eyes <br>Looking back to where the future lies </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I left my home and family <br>The safety of the harbour <br>And faced a lonely sea <br>Through all the storm and struggle <br>I found the kind of courage <br>That's been handed down to me </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Looking, learning, loving through their eyes <br>Through ancestors' eyes <br>I found some dusty photos <br>I heard forgotten stories <br>All, all part of me </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Written by David Leask, Mary Ellen Beatty © 1999 Power Of Song</span></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4188007
2016-05-19T12:36:05-04:00
2018-05-06T11:34:13-04:00
ALL MY LOVE - Track 11 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/80119c74b8e622a8920745bbc7691355ff42d18d/original/newsletterbannerallmylove.jpg?1463674044/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />This week’s "Clarke Hall Sessions" video - <strong>All My Love</strong> - is the penultimate track and it was penned with the soulful Daryl Burgess down in Nashville. Some of you may remember the rhythm & bluegrass version I did on my “Underneath” record. This time, I decided to soup it up with the playful soprano saxophone of Sean O'Connor. I hope you like it. <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RRdYl-rdR60" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/RRdYl-rdR60/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRdYl-rdR60?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">REVIEWS <br>I'm grateful to blogger Makeda Taylor for her kind review and Q & A she did for the "Clarke Hall Sessions". <a contents="Click here to check it out" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.makedataylor.com/site/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc9966;"><strong>Click here to check it out</strong></span></a> and read my take on her thoughtful questions. While I'm on the subject of reviews, for those of you who have heard the full record, I'd love if you would take a few minutes to go to iTunes and post a review - whether you love it or not! <a contents="Here's a link to iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/the-clarke-hall-sessions/id1110536967?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc9966;"><strong>Here's a link to iTunes</strong></span></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading and listening, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David <br><strong><a contents="www.davidleask.com" data-link-label="HOME" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc9966;">www.davidleask.com</span></a></strong><br><br>Beach photograph by<strong> <a contents="Dasha Bonderava" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/funtik/1175522045/in/photolist-2MSRKt-b8nXBz-bXoz5v-8T2Ck6-aksgs4-qmmiKD-4P2q52-boeeFn-8wqNQH-eUgT6s-4S2KxA-3g5BvB-cpTCWm-4ZvxvC-65VR4z-6pELpp-anRRbp-fA81Y2-8m7bRQ-8eTSN9-4hRb3r-8KcuhM-5hxzNo-9oTxu-5ZrPqc-nDirwc-5BbQNt-eFwQV1-jcsWXZ-7LQgko-5wMWGY-7JL4j9-ehdeVn-bpj7Bs-ZY5pH-7AX98T-627zKg-af3APo-dCm4A4-8T5Ju9-ddzcy7-4Y5cTR-aLmA1H-8oB4pe-789cvf-bXoyaF-8CatVH-e8QUbS-5Mf21r-aAVvU7" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc9966;">Dasha Bonderava</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large"><strong>LYRICS</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">All my love, all my faith <br>All my love I wanna give to you <br>All my love is yours to take <br>Let every day start and end with you <br> <br>I’ll hold you when the nighttime falls <br>I wanna be the smile in the memories you recall <br>All my love, all my love <br>All my love is true and it’s all coming home to you <br> <br>All my time is standing still <br>And all I am is hanging on a kiss <br>All my heart is yours to thrill <br>'Cause you’re all the things I know I can’t resist <br> <br>I wanna be the moon in your sky <br>The message that you find that just rolled in on the tide saying <br>All my love, all my love <br>All my love is true and it’s all coming home to you <br> <br>'Til all my days are gone <br>My love will always find its way back into your arms <br>I'll bring it home to you <br>'Cause you know what to do with <br> <br>All my love, all my love, <br>all my love is coming on home, coming on home <br>All my love, all my love, all my love is true and it’s all coming home to you<br> <br>Written by David Leask & Daryl Burgess</span></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4174022
2016-05-12T11:56:42-04:00
2020-06-27T08:58:52-04:00
STRONGER IN BROKEN PLACES - Track 10 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/e44f0398ff2ada1a9e8328ef7379870daa429abd/original/newsletterbannerstronger2.jpg?1462982197/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">"<em>The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places.</em>"<br><br>That's an Ernest Hemingway quote from "A Farewell to Arms" and it was this insightful and intriguing line that inspired Track #10, <strong>Stronger In Broken Places</strong>. It was co-written with my wife Mary Ellen - who's pretty inspiring herself! Growing stronger in the broken places seems to me like an inescapable part of living, whether it's navigating the crumbling music business or confronting the illusions of ego. It's a song about struggle and hope. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Some of you may remember, I recorded a version of this tune on my "Tightrope of Dreams" record in 2004. Not long after that recording, we re-wrote a couple of lines in verse 2 and since then I've always wanted to re-capture the song. "The Clarke Hall Sessions" seemed like the right time and place to do it. This week has me flanked by the wonderful side players Justin Abedin and Sean O'Connor. Check out the video below. <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="zQPhMtGezK8" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/zQPhMtGezK8/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zQPhMtGezK8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><strong>ARE YOU LIVING IN AN iTUNES WORLD?</strong> <br>For those of you who live in an iTunes world, you can now download your digital copy of "The Clarke Hall Sessions" from the <a contents="Itunes store by following this link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/the-clarke-hall-sessions/id1110536967?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank"><span style="color:#EE82EE;"><strong>Itunes store by following this link</strong></span></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks again for following the music. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you at shows throughout the summer so don't forget to <a contents="check the live dates on the website" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><span style="color:#EE82EE;"><strong>check the live dates on the website</strong></span></a> in case I'm "musicking" in your neighbourhood! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David</span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">Flower Photograph by <a contents="Fuzzy Gerdes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzy/2879999910/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#EE82EE;"><strong>Fuzzy Gerdes</strong></span></a><br><br><strong>LYRICS</strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Growing stronger in broken places <br>Growing wise where we were blind <br>Finding love where amazing grace is <br>We're growing stronger in broken places </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This crazy world breaks everyone <br>From the highest priest to the prodigal son <br>But when we face what we’ve become <br>The healing has begun </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Growing stronger in broken places <br>Growing wise where we were blind <br>Finding love where amazing grace is <br>We're growing stronger in broken places </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I believe in a promised land <br>Beyond the greed and the hate of man <br>We all can get there hand in hand <br>Slowly marching on </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Growing stronger in broken places <br>Growing wise where we were blind <br>Finding love where amazing grace is <br>We're growing stronger in broken places </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">In the darkest hour, I'm like a frightened kid <br>But I won’t be scared to fight to live </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Growing stronger in broken places <br>Growing wise where we were blind <br>Finding love where amazing grace is <br>We're growing stronger, we're growing wiser <br>We're growing stronger in broken places </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">© 2002 David Leask/Power Of Song & M.E. Beatty/Power Of Song</span></p>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4164466
2016-05-04T12:18:50-04:00
2018-05-06T11:37:18-04:00
PHOTOSYNTHESIS - Track 9 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/d165894ec4e292030b17a247aacda0e333bea671/original/newsletterphotosynthesis.jpg?1462313549/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />As I look out my window right now, the buds are bursting with life and there's a whole lot of "Photosynthesis" going on! That just happens to be the name of this week's track from "The Clarke Hall Sessions". It's a tune I've recorded previously on my "Underneath" record but I wanted to capture it live on "The Clarke Hall Sessions" and take it further down a Jazz path with the wonderful saxophone playing of Sean O'Connor. Co-written with the talented Debra Alexander, it's a song that reminds us of how we bring different elements to a relationship, discovering our own chemistry and providing the fuel to help us grow in the process. Click below to watch the video</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="CPNRPFV4rY8" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/CPNRPFV4rY8/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CPNRPFV4rY8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for listening, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David<br><a contents="" data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3910d596fe0b9c2dec86ec56a268e22774a0a0a3/original/salesgraphic.jpg?1462378425/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a></span></p>
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<p><br><span class="font_large">Photosynthesis photograph by <a contents="Andreas Levers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/96dpi/3428945496/in/photolist-6e1f2W-4sSKXm-aeNaMJ-fmH5Zz-6NrpVc-fiCShh-fioDJD-4tmRkf-fiCSpd-fioEvr-fiCSEC-fiCSK1-fiCSv9-dZCM8y-arf5pJ-p1qkvJ-bAUb2W-nq63hM-baLsQB-BZYcJB-6e432r-bsNFf8-ecFL5L-oCmcFu-4P3onJ-gVi9tz-oeTNM3-p5u3to-2Vursc-dSfgZt-9MNrwG-dct6M-4Lz2BM-hFNf7C-dZCLcW-egQH6k-6VdNWc-4KXQpt-bCSoCs-bNLDer-Hb4op-bCnyNJ-9T22Y9-5ZYJhm-gCSS2b-6smVfx-9vkrfo-a3mkBP-6CP4vr-aFimrn" target="_blank"><span style="color:#008000;"><strong>Andreas Levers</strong></span></a><br><br><br><strong>LYRICS </strong></span></p>
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<p><span class="font_large">A little rain a little sun <br>Is all a flower needs <br>A little pain a little love <br>Keeps changing you and me <br> <br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do <br>You keep growing on me I keep growing on you <br> <br>A little time a little space <br>A blossom comes alive <br>A little give a little take <br>That’s how our love survives cause <br> <br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do <br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you <br> <br>Through every dark night we can hold on <br>Wake up to the light <br>Shining on this garden we have grown <br> <br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do <br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you <br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you<br><br>© 2008 David Leask/Power Of Song & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music </span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4156170
2016-04-28T09:54:00-04:00
2018-05-06T11:39:19-04:00
INTO THE MYSTIC - Track 8 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/55b5656b4047c789be061aacf048e24f84a5054a/original/intothemysticnewsletterbanner.jpg?1461784679/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As you can see, I am a proud daddy again and we had a very special night last Saturday back at Clarke Hall "wettin' the bairn's heed" :) We were blessed by the historic walls and a century's worth of musical vibrations as I sent my songs out into the air with the amazing Justin Abedin & Sean O'Connor. Thanks so much to everyone who came out for the celebration.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/9cff1d7d479ca61a48b5f202c8558afbeed1b619/original/dscn0571.jpg?1461784927/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />For those who were unable to attend and don't have the CD/bonus DVD in hand yet, I am continuing the video previews this week with the only cover on the record, Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic". It features multi-instrumentalist Sean O'Connor on flute & saxophone. Sean & I concocted this mash-up with a traditional tune called Roger Sherlock's Dream during a spontaneous session at Feathers Pub last year and I liked it so much, I decided to record it. Hope you enjoy the video below.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>DIGITAL DOWNLOADS NOW AVAILABLE</strong> <br>All the Pre-Sale CD orders have been shipped with the DVD and the good news is the bonus DVD offer has been extended. Also, if you live in the digital world and just want MP3's, you can now order them directly from my site. <a contents="A CD/bonus DVD or digital album can be purchased here" data-link-label="MUSIC " data-link-type="page" href="/music" target="_blank"><strong>A CD/bonus DVD or digital album can be purchased here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="06X7vsrEIX4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/06X7vsrEIX4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/06X7vsrEIX4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><strong>Misty ship image by <a contents="Daniel Davis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/danielpauldavis/5306910865/in/photolist-gPS2sa-8iD17x-gPQ4V2-7DRMvB-gPP8o6-CcM6KY-3eNQFb-6nMDAE-gPQAo6-7DVrBq-NE6Hp-6fNYiw-3qNGDC-6kMQ9e-dk5SNQ-akTbo-c3isNq-95XiHc-5qh4z8-gPPBki-uiysNy-Gb21Eb-GdiPzZ-G59xpW-FhRRu9-Gb21A3-G7ssZ4-GdiPB2-G59xm9-if5RZM-Fi3uDD-Fi3uFH-zUjVRa-tiBRYi-G7ssUV-G59xoy-G7ssU4-eXRD5-mebRNV-mecAcv-uCwVS4-pYM7b7-x6HnPh-yrYmWq-zpS2n8-pxumqT-mfpE7q-mfoCAa-FPGF2q-uN1Zr4" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc3300;">Daniel Davis</span></a></strong></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4143243
2016-04-20T10:42:05-04:00
2018-05-06T11:39:53-04:00
YOU & I & THE UNIVERSE - Track 7 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/ed02ed662f46e568215f5efd9ebaaee2b056e5a9/original/universebanner.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />I'm confident this week's song will have some "universe-al appeal" :) It's a song co-written on a road trip in Northern Alberta with the talented Dana Blayone. It was inspired by the experience of the vast, open plains we were passing through on my way to the writing appointment at Dana's house. I said at the time that the feeling made we want to write a "big love song". It's also the most sick I've ever been, trying to croak out a song in a writing session and I'll be forever grateful for Dana's tenacity in keeping me going into the wee hours as we wrote this song from the ground up. For me, I love the idea at the end of the chorus that our world together keeps on expanding in tandem with the way the universe expands. It makes me think of how we are all connected and reminds me of a mind-blowing interview I heard with cosmologist Richard Tarnas on CBC Radio's Tapestry - <a contents="worth checking out here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cosmosandpsyche.com/interviews/" target="_blank"><strong>worth checking out here</strong></a> when you have a moment. <br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="r-0MPUg0LTw" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/r-0MPUg0LTw/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-0MPUg0LTw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN</strong> <br>This Saturday we'll be back in Clarke Hall to officially launch the CD. It's gonna be a crackin' night with my talented pals Justin Abedin and Sean O'Connor. Hope to see some of you there. <a contents="Tickets available here" data-link-label="Tickets" data-link-type="page" href="/tickets" target="_blank"><strong>Tickets available here</strong></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks as always for reading & listening, David</span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">Moon & Stars Image by <a contents="Jose Alvarado Munguia" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/07victor84/13934349562/in/photolist-najjvx-nekbEf-X7uTB-rYa8mh-py8S5q-a4Pb8A-q7Kxzz-9evqmt-oeh5b4-63WEtt-4tv6yt-7PuCQQ-6NYibo-efhawB-5mx5T7-8PDi5A-8umdUg-8umeqH-dxPBXS-6UKyVk-tQy1F-nXd82B-dxJa9H-8DRfso-bEX1Py-vsysHc-bxXzzm-98L6wC-pjMYs6-74MKG8-74RDWQ-aTwzFn-byx36j-ecTRRs-74RB5Q-dWiHnK-8LbAQ5-74MJSV-74MHXp-74RDb5-dxPCcN-74RBtE-mK539P-a5bDCH-mK55c6-5BBVd6-dWcTBf-njvXZu-pRZ9op-ZHcwm" target="_blank"><strong>Jose Alvarado Munguia</strong></a></span><br> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>LYRIC </strong><br>You And I And The Universe </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The world was spinning I was in but it felt like the earth was flat <br>So I sent out my heart on a satellite and it brought you back <br>We were light years apart, <br>Now you're in my arms and when I hold you </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You bring the moon in closer <br>Make the sun burn hotter <br>And I swear I saw the stars dance a tango in the sky <br>You make my heart feel lighter, defying gravity <br>I don't understand it, how the world keeps on expanding beyond the earth <br>With you & I And the Universe </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My thoughts exploded, didn't know that you would change the atmosphere <br>Now I'm breathing deeper, seeing clearer ever since you landed here <br>When I look into your eyes, <br>Our energies collide, I can't stop smiling </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You bring the moon in closer <br>Make the sun burn hotter <br>And I swear I saw the stars dance a tango in the sky <br>You make my heart feel lighter, defying gravity <br>I don't understand it, how the world keeps on expanding beyond the earth <br>With you & I And the Universe </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Somethings you can't explain science just gets in the way. <br>All I know Inside this time and space. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You bring the moon in closer <br>Make the sun burn hotter <br>And I swear I saw the stars dance a tango in the sky <br>You make my heart feel lighter, defying gravity <br>I don't understand it, how the world keeps on expanding beyond the earth <br>With you & I And the Universe </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Written by David Leask & Dana Blayone © 2014</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4134222
2016-04-14T09:54:56-04:00
2018-05-06T11:40:52-04:00
WHILE I STILL BREATHE - Track 6 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/fc95c7ffbf1c17f170e0f7c446e72d0830f31d11/original/clarkewhile.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />I've got an award-winning song this week that I'm delighted to have finally recorded. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">You may remember me giving away a demo version of this week's track, "While I Still Breathe", as part of last summer's Freebie Friday. I decided to take this tune into "The Clarke Hall Sessions" and capture it live and in the moment and I'm so glad I did. I've always found something very haunting about this track, ever since my co-writer, Bruce Madole, sent along the lyric and I spontaneously reacted with the music. I love Justin Abedin's haunting accompaniment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>BEHIND THE SONG</strong> <br>Bruce had been inspired while sitting in his kitchen. He noticed the linen sail of his toy wooden sailboat move in a passing breeze and he had a stirring thought, "What if every breeze is the sum of the dying breath of every sailor lost at sea?" As his imagination floated on that breeze, he envisioned a haunting tale of honour and gallantry and wrote the lyric. The first time I read it through I could immediately hear the ghosts singing to me and the full melody came within minutes. The song won us the Folk Music Ontario "Songs From the Heart" Contest. I hope you enjoy the video.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="PdDIgK9-X7w" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/PdDIgK9-X7w/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PdDIgK9-X7w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><strong>CAN YOU JOIN US FOR THE CD RELEASE CONCERT? IT'S GONNA BE A RARE NIGHT</strong><br>We are just over a week away from the CD release concert at Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit on Saturday April 23rd and we still have tickets available. For anybody in the Great Toronto Area & even beyond, please consider coming out to the celebration. If it's anything like the recording, it's gonna be a memorable night. <a contents="Tickets can be purchased online here" data-link-label="Tickets" data-link-type="page" href="/tickets" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc3333;"><strong>Tickets can be purchased online here</strong></span></a> using either paypal or credit card or in person (in cash) from Impressionable Gifts at 74 Lakeshore Road E. in Port Credit. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/381b47adea5179dd8a600ba6fcafdb5856445d95/medium/frontcoverlorez.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Finally, I promised you a look at the CD cover and here it is. By the miracle of "photoshop time travel", I've been transported back in time to Clarke Hall of yesteryear! </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks for reading and listening. <br>Meet you in the music, </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">David</span><br><br> </p>
<p><br><br><br><span class="font_large"><strong>LYRIC </strong><br> <br>There’s a ship out in the harbour patient on that glassy green <br>As the last boat rowing slowly carries her away from me <br>I know her heart was heavy, heavy as these iron chains <br>And her face was stained with sorrow as she turned her eyes away <br> <br>Hold the wind, don’t let it blow <br>Gentle as a babe asleep, silent as a stone <br>Hold the wind, calm the seas <br>Quiet every single breath while I still breathe <br> <br>Soon the jailer will collect me, march me down that one-way street <br>Hang me like a flag of freedom while she sails out to sea <br>What I did I did for honour, not for lust and not for gold <br>For to see that villain strike her made my blood turn freezing cold <br> <br>Hold the wind, don’t let it blow <br>Gentle as a babe asleep, silent as a stone <br>Hold the wind, calm the seas <br>Quiet every single breath while I still breathe <br> <br>There’s justice now and judgement later <br>Here's the price that must be paid <br>Now I go to meet my maker <br>Longing for one last look at her sweet, sweet face <br> <br>Hold the wind, don’t let it blow <br>Gentle as a babe asleep, silent as a stone <br>Hold the wind, calm the seas <br>Quiet every single breath while I still breathe <br> <br>Written by David Leask & Bruce Madole</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4125308
2016-04-07T13:50:22-04:00
2018-05-06T11:41:39-04:00
BLOW OVER - Track 5 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/840430036f1ea2b87554052229a609d0c56606ae/original/blowovernewsletterbanner2.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />We've been burning the midnight oil putting the finishing touches on the new CD and audio engineer Dave Vanderploeg and I are pretty pumped about it. Here's a picture of us at <a contents="Naturally Digital" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://naturallydigital.ca" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0033;">Naturally Digital</span></a> with our celebratory Vitamin G in hand :) The graphics department has also been busy and the CD design is looking cool so I'll maybe share some of that with you next week. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4dd8a454b033d9ceedd41c0cdf51405773e3a85f/medium/davedave.jpg?0" class="size_m justify_left border_" />In the meantime, if you are enjoying the tunes and can lend a hand in bringing it into the world, <a contents="please drop by the website and pre-order the CD" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0033;">please drop by the website and pre-order the CD</span></a>. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Blow Over <br>This week's 5th song was written with the talented Tim Taylor. We had fun writing this playful tune about relationships and the weather:) Check out the live video below, with Justin Abedin smoking' on electric guitar. Hope you enjoy the ride!<br><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RVlbKv3dBHI" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/RVlbKv3dBHI/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RVlbKv3dBHI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><br><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David<br><a contents="" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/e7be69b8a7752a4623efa30520d9dfae47d49bf2/small/ticket.jpg?0" class="size_s justify_left border_" /></a><br><br><br><br>Storm Photograph by <a contents="Jeff Wallace" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherezjeff/20036358882/in/photolist-wwxzru-vCJ9eu-ryDbpK-rKEaVX-cXZVxy-6kunkS-nSZ9Gr-6kunDU-dSjWgN-nG9cM7-okEEg7-oaYKyY-o2MkeD-bptMVd-xXS6C-8hKtVp-5N3anw-a9oAcK-5N3aXC-dRRj1D-4Pf2N-skyUJ-pVo5Ax-5N3cxq-4CmYqr-4YHL1f-oCBK6n-anrEM6-KLAvR-3ErwUt-5MXTwD-4cMesc-7KzpYk-7KDo11-pf3koB-4igHpy-cT6FSy-dF7fNw-ceNB2L-ghiAL-q4pzis-gV9CeU-77oSDf-8jsaPc-8YyRwH-atTV8J-8Cb1Zt-amQ1Bg-mMqkU4-4qmnDe" target="_blank"><span style="color:#cc0033;"><strong>Jeff Wallace</strong></span></a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4099527
2016-03-30T10:30:57-04:00
2018-05-06T11:42:13-04:00
RIVER ROAD - Track 4 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/519b4de6c8cc429033fe4e2ae5bd960dd99c9a19/original/riverroadnewsletterbanner2.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font_large">"<strong>River Road</strong>" was co-written with <strong><a contents="Thomm Jutz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thommjutz.com/" target="_blank">Thomm Jutz</a></strong> on a trip to Nashville last year. I grew up in the small town of Jedburgh in the south of Scotland where the Jed Water has flowed for thousands of years. Recently I read a historical book by Alastair Moffat and he described how rivers were seen by the ancients as sentient. Rivers, in those times, were named to describe the size and sounds of the water running through the place. My hometown was likely named after the word "Jekti" which described the water as "talking" or "babbling". To me there's always been something comforting in the sound of a moving river, something alive and yet peaceful at the same time. I hope you find a bit of that in the latest tune "<strong>River Road</strong>". David<br>Click on the image below to play the video.<br><a contents="Click here to go to the video " data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="IkbYY4PoYjk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/IkbYY4PoYjk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IkbYY4PoYjk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></strong></a><br><a contents="Order your CD &amp; Concert Tickets Here" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong>Order your CD & Concert Tickets Here</strong></a><br><br><br><br>River Road Photograph by <a contents="John Butler" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jbutler.org.uk/e2e/ssw/w3/index.shtml" target="_blank"><strong>John Butler</strong></a></span></p></div>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4098089
2016-03-23T12:07:15-04:00
2018-05-06T11:45:11-04:00
MEANT TO BE - Track 3 video
<div><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c18fd42f67e7bcf8901b3edce9a8d416e35e6261/original/meanttobenewsletterbanner.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></div>
<div>
<p><span class="font_large">"<strong>Meant To Be</strong>" is a song that to me represents the rather naked way my latest record, "<a contents="The Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><em><strong>The Clarke Hall Sessions</strong></em></span></a>”, was recorded. The song was co-written with <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.debraalexandermusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>Debra Alexander</strong></span></a><span style="color:#669933;"> </span>and talks about peeling away the layers, breaking out of a shell that hides our true essence. While most records today - including my previous recordings - are made with multiple overdubs, many hours of edits & fix ups, this one was made in the moment captured entirely live in one take (save for one song where I forgot the lyrics and had a rare second take that I could cut from.) If you've ever had the chance to see me live, you'll know that this is the closest it gets to that experience, peeling away the layers of production to give you the true essence, of the song, of me and my amazing players, and of the room we played in<strong> click below to watch the video </strong><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="fUn68JBbdIc" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/fUn68JBbdIc/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fUn68JBbdIc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>- SUPPORT THE CAUSE - </strong><br>I hope you are digging the videos from the last few weeks. In the vast online sea of content, it's sometimes tough for the creators to stay afloat. More than ever, we rely on support from people who enjoy the music to help pay for the songwriters, musicians, audio engineers & video editors. We’ll keep making the music whether we get support or not, but it sure does help along the way. One way you can do this is by <a contents="ordering the CD or coming to concert" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>ordering the CD or coming to concert</strong></span></a><span style="color:#669933;"> </span>. Thanks for your help. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Meet you in the music, <br>David</span></p>
<span class="font_large"><strong>- LYRIC -</strong><br>I’ve been twisting in my skin<br>And the chrysalis I’m in<br>Is holding back my heart<br><br>I’ve been locked out from the sky<br>Like an unborn butterfly<br>Shut up in the dark </span>
<p><span class="font_large"> <br> But I’ve got wings beneath my fear <br> They’re gonna break me outta here <br> <br> I’ve decided I can’t hide this crazy part of me <br> That kicks and screams and knows the dream <br> Of who I’m meant to be, meant to be <br> <br>I’m gonna learn what life is for <br>Ride the wind and soar <br>Let it guide me home <br> <br>Yeah I’ve known it all along <br>Only I can sing this song <br>And make it my own <br> <br>So I’ll keep wrestling this tune <br> Howling at the moon </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> I’ve decided I can’t hide this crazy part of me <br> That kicks and screams and knows the dream <br> Of who I’m meant to be, meant to be <br> <br>INSTRUMENTAL <br> <br> I’ll keep wrestling this tune <br> Wave my freak flag at the moon <br> <br> I’ve decided I can’t hide this crazy part of me <br> That kicks and screams and knows the dream <br> Of who I’m meant to be, meant to be<br><br>Written by David Leask & Debra Alexander</span></p>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br><span class="font_large">Chrysalis Photograph by <strong><a contents="Sid Mosdell" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sidm/7026077865/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Sid Mosdell</span></a></strong></span>
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DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4086860
2016-03-16T10:19:14-04:00
2018-05-06T11:43:42-04:00
WORKING ON FAITH - Track 2 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/246c682f1c357b3fbb530b321ba2bfb97fab517f/original/newsletterbannerworkingonfaith.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />"<em>Sometimes you gotta close your eyes, jump off, hold on, you'll reach it….</em>" </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">This is a lyric line from “Working On Faith”, the 2nd song from my <a contents="upcoming live CD" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong>upcoming live CD</strong></a>. As a full-time musician and songwriter, I seem to live in the middle of that leap of faith every day. It's part of how your skin grows thicker & you keep on keepin’ on, learning how the music can feed you and change your shape into the most true representation of yourself. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">- BEHIND THE SONG - <br>I happened to hear someone being interviewed on the radio who had come through a really rough time. When the interviewer asked how they were doing, their response was, "I'm working on faith". It seemed like a powerful line so I brought the idea to a co-writing session with <a contents="Bill DiLuigi" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://reverbnation.com/billdiluigi" target="_blank"><strong>Bill DiLuigi</strong></a> while on a trip to Nashville. The idea seemed to click because it was written in a couple of hours. For me, it’s a song about being a work in progress and having hope. <a contents="Click here check out the video performance." data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="B4YT0GT4Q9s" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/B4YT0GT4Q9s/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B4YT0GT4Q9s?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></a><strong>Click on the video</strong> to watch the live performance. Hope you enjoy it. If you know someone who might find encouragement in the song, please share.<br> <br><a contents="Click here to pre-order" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong>Click here to pre-order</strong></a> the CD or for CD Release Concert tickets at Clarke Memorial Hall on April 23rd.<br><br><br><br>- LYRICS -<br>I've got a lot of troubles and a few good friends <br>Who tell me the truth and love me for who I am <br>But late at night when they're not around <br>My worries all come sneaking out <br>And try to weigh me down but <br> <br> I'm working on faith, I'm diggin’ down deep <br> I'm learning to fly by hitting my knees <br> I'm losing my doubts, changing my shape <br> A little more each day <br> I'm working on faith, I'm working on faith <br> <br>I'm fighting hard to believe <br>In the kind of man that I want to be <br>Any minute he'll show up <br>I'm pretty sure he won't give up on me <br>Don't give up on me ‘cause <br> <br> I'm working on faith, I'm diggin’ down deep <br> I'm learning to fly by hitting my knees <br> I'm losing my doubts, changing my shape <br> A little more each day <br> I'm working on faith, I'm working on faith <br> <br>It doesn't mean it's gone if you can't feel it <br>You know sometimes you just gotta close your eyes <br>And jump off, hold on, you'll reach it </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"> I'm working on faith, I'm diggin’ down deep <br> I'm learning to fly by hitting my knees <br> I'm losing my doubts, changing my shape <br> A little more each day <br> I'm working on faith, it won't do me wrong <br> It's killing the blues right here in this song <br> I'm getting over myself getting out my way <br> A little more each day <br> I'm working on faith, I'm working on faith <br> <br>Written by David Leask & Bill Di Luigi</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Photograph by <a contents="Eric Chan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/maveric2003/2917870129/in/photolist-5rQR8F-FASD2-aV9Qq8-x42qL-5cjUa8-4YuQ3v-ahmUGL-yzRWF-7z2xyb-qTWJk4-4L8XvF-8psgin-4Z8yZu-9i4K8v-7VGoHU-FtGBc-6CWbUJ-dWe4Tq-6EBL6e-avkCWn-nE5Ytd-c3XFcQ-34p3kA-PJyu9-7cZgi2-ab7ye9-fcvdET-ai1kUL-aibray-cWYE19-4KU641-nX39f-2UFQK-gEPqBM-otznRz-s8USm-dWu6wb-5j8ccc-7Q9GJF-sNTQr-fitn5m-EPNG8-8c3sdR-bG6Wmx-8rJmwf-apKYx5-o3HNsQ-4z5BRP-4z5uFp-iWCvF" target="_blank"><strong>Eric Chan</strong></a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4080117
2016-03-09T13:45:00-05:00
2018-05-06T12:54:48-04:00
THE GOOD FIGHT - Track 1 Video
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/82e89fecd3ca6d511415a20d9ad1719a1a134abf/original/newsletterbanner1goodfight.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />My new live CD <span style="color:#3399cc;"><em>"</em></span><a contents='The Clarke Hall Sessions"' data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><em>The Clarke Hall Sessions"</em></a> was recorded during one magical day in Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit, Ontario. Here is the first track, <strong>THE GOOD FIGHT</strong>.<br><br>- BEHIND THE SONG - <br>During a writing trip to Nashville last year, I was woken up at 3 am by a melody whispering in my ear. Reluctantly, I got out of bed and tried my best to follow the song. I wasn't able to finish the song during that encounter but it stayed under my skin for the next couple of weeks, regularly waking me up in the wee hours of the morning. It was like the song was teaching me what it was about, that fighting for what feels true, whether in a song or in a relationship, is painful and hard. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="b_tD_LlPLo4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/b_tD_LlPLo4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b_tD_LlPLo4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><a contents="Click to watch the video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_tD_LlPLo4" target="_blank"><strong>Click to watch the video</strong></a> of the song with the soulful Justin Abedin on electric guitar. As with most of the songs on this record, it was captured in one take and it felt really good. I hope you enjoy it. I love hearing where the song resonates so dash me a note if you feel inclined. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Thanks to the folks who have already jumped in and pre-ordered the CD. It really helps towards the ongoing costs of the recording - mixing and CD manufacturing. <a contents="Click here to Pre-Order." data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong>Click here to Pre-Order.</strong></a> Tickets are also on sale for the CD release concert on Saturday April 23rd. Hope you can join us. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">- LYRICS -<br>There's a fire and a beauty in your eyes <br>When we kiss between the blame and the compromise <br>Go dancing round the anger in the dark <br>I'm holding you like dynamite waiting for the spark <br><br>We make love we make pain and stir it up again <br>But if we're both in the battle we're alive <br>You raise your voice, I speak my mind <br>It takes courage in the trenches to survive every tear <br>Sometimes we have to go to war, <br>Fight the good fight, it's a love worth fighting for <br><br>There's a strength beneath your shoulders and your hands <br>That keeps carrying the wounds the best you can <br>If you peel off those fatigues around your heart <br>Let me pull you closer, we can share the scars <br><br>We make love we make pain and stir it up again <br>But if we're both in the battle we're alive <br>You raise your voice, I speak my mind <br>It takes courage in the trenches to survive every tear <br>Sometimes we have to go to war, <br>Fight the good fight, it's a love worth fighting for <br><br>There is no victory, no defeat <br>No giving up just to keep the peace <br>I don't care if we're loving or fighting, <br>Just as long as it's me and you <br>And we're both fighting for the truth <br><br>We make love we make pain and stir it up again <br>But if we're both in the battle we're alive <br>You raise your voice, I speak my mind <br>It takes courage in the trenches to survive every tear <br>Sometimes we have to go to war, <br>Fight the good fight, it's a love worth fighting for <br><br>Written by David Leask © 2015 Power Of Song</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Photo by <a contents="Meredith Leigh Collins" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mlcollins/3621749313/in/photolist-6w3pTF-8yyJP2-5bKpUm-4EfRMx-qqikPR-5nHpyZ-fWNMkM-bKHD4-8JWYQz-71Eztv-ertUh7-cCmbdj-47qnnR-oimyXY-9iUJht-9FK7Y7-4J8PR2-qrAiwz-qw69SY-9Safe4-q9zBs5-oWQX6H-eqxG7B-BAgkW-e5EtC4-64T96U-6xdZMA-4WFwEL-bqXZme-9PdJCm-cnqUYG-2E9d12-PAAiN-dBBDmj-3q8UL5-GSHfR-qsrtud-pp6n7-3HuFCq-e4HhAD-6DNoKY-419RQo-cSSLSo-4EgMDK-y9eud-8nE7Ag-8vGnwi-dj49Fk-aT3BSR-qF7ff3" target="_blank">Meredith Leigh Collins</a></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/4071352
2016-03-03T15:13:44-05:00
2018-05-06T12:56:54-04:00
MAKING SOMETHING RAW & REAL
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3f5ff41835d39e0eb9686fa9458246b49e97519d/original/clarkehallnewsletterbanner2.jpg?0/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />My art nowadays is songs - writing, recording and performance - it's what I do and who I am and it's really about letting the music write and play me so I become the work of art. I try to live in the moment, inside the song, riding every lyric and vibration along the way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I recently experienced all of this with my new Live CD - "The Clarke Hall Sessions" - recorded during one magical day in Clarke Memorial Hall in Port Credit, live off the centre of the hall floor, interacting with the beautiful acoustics of that historic room and playing off two fabulous musicians, Justin Abedin and Sean O' Connor. Add in the significance of this hall being the place where my wife's parents met, 72 years earlier, when her mother was singing in the Kiwanis Music Festival and it all made for quite an amazing convergence of music and meaning. The recording is raw, real and most importantly, represents the "art and soul" of what I do. Check out some behind-the-scenes video footage below. Over the coming weeks I'll be introducing you to the album, song by song, through a video of each song being recorded and I'll be sharing some of the stories behind the music. If you feel drawn to support this artistic work,<strong> </strong>you can <a contents="pre-order the album by clicking here" data-link-label="Clarke Hall Sessions" data-link-type="page" href="/clarke-hall-sessions" target="_blank"><strong>pre-order the album by clicking here</strong></a>. Pre-orders will ship on April 25th. For the first 100 orders, I'll be including a limited edition DVD of all the performances.<br><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/157335255" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br>I hope we get the chance to meet in the music on this exciting new journey. <br>David</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">"Behind the Scenes" Videographer - Henry Lees</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3968306
2015-12-29T13:37:54-05:00
2018-05-06T12:57:57-04:00
NEW SINGLE & LYRIC VIDEO - HIGHWAY HOME
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/66bbaf249515bb10283a31d2f24f52a760d90ebb/original/highwayhomedec2015.jpg?1451404101/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" /></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Highway Home</strong> is one of my favourite songs from my "Underneath" record and will be my latest single going out to radio. I put together a "lyric" video for you to check out. It was filmed using my Iphone this past November as my wife and I were driving through the hills of Kentucky at sunset on our way to Nashville. It was a November sunset that just wouldn't quit! Whether it's heading to a physical location or a place in your heart that feels like home, I hope this song helps you get there.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/150272624" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3900392
2015-10-16T12:20:40-04:00
2018-05-06T13:02:57-04:00
FROM THE ROLLING HILLS TO THE FLATLANDS
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/7182a35bf8adf72338dbd2926d3166fe9e468987/medium/aviva-west.jpg?1445012154" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Looking out the window of the plane, the stunning vista of candy floss clouds and Saskatchewan flatlands is a far cry from the rollings hills of the Scottish Borders where I grew up. And yet, each has its own distinct beauty. I write this from Regina SK where I am showcasing at the provincial arts conference (OSAC), as well as writing and recording with some local artists. It's been a whirlwind over the last few weeks, partly due to a live performance video shoot that was a memorable experience. You can get a sneak peak of a couple of performances on my <strong><a contents="EPK" data-link-label="EPK" data-link-type="page" href="/epk" target="_blank">EPK</a></strong> page. There were lots of cool musical moments that afternoon and evening. I'll be writing and telling you more about that soon enough but suffice to say, I feel like a lucky guy to have worked with such amazing talents as Sean O'Connor (flutes, whistle, saxophone, accordion), Justin Abedin (electric guitar), Dave Vanderpleog (audio engineer & mixing) and Mike Kirsh (videographer & post production editing.) How was I to know that this October everything would "fall" into place so nicely. Hope things are good with you, whatever you are doing.<br><br>Meet you in the music,<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3824349
2015-08-21T09:31:58-04:00
2018-05-06T13:04:18-04:00
FREEBIE FRIDAY TUNES / SASKATCHEWAN SHOWCASE
<p><span class="font_large">I've enjoyed choosing some tunes as <strong>FREEBIE FRIDAY</strong> giveaways for the past 9 weeks. If you missed out, you can still download a sampler of tunes from each of my 4 CD releases here at <a contents="Noisetrade.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.noisetrade.com/davidleask/sampler-ep" target="_blank"><strong>Noisetrade.com</strong></a>. In the meantime, I'll be heading back into the recording space and getting back to work on new tracks. I'll be checking in from time to time to give you a music progress report as well as let you know about a fresh new event coming up in the fall. <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ru8C5ChaM&feature=em-upload_owner" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/a815faabcb712019528e09fdd1db52fa3f6a97c2/original/ferguscaledonia.jpg?1440163850/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></a><a contents='A highlight of the summer was performing "Caledonia" at Fergus Scottish Festival during the Gathering of the Clans and Lighting of the Hearth Ceremony - you can check out a side stage view of that performance here. ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ru8C5ChaM&feature=em-upload_owner" target="_blank"><strong>A highlight of the summer was performing "Caledonia" at the Fergus Scottish Festival during the Gathering of the Clans and Lighting of the Hearth Ceremony - check out this side stage view of my performance. </strong></a><br><br>In other news, I am delighted to have been selected to showcase in Regina Saskatchewan at OSAC (the Organisation Of Saskatchewan Arts Councils) Conference this coming October. It's a great opportunity to let the presenters out there hear me and hopefully lead to more touring out that way.<br><br>Meet you in the music<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3754595
2015-06-26T00:47:02-04:00
2018-05-06T13:05:46-04:00
"VITAMIN M"
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/20eefa388af61e651e4a21f319039df4e76830a0/original/freebiefriday.jpg?1435262522/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />FREEBIE FRIDAYS</strong><br>My old pal Ian McLean coined the phrase "Vitamin M" when it would come time to get paid for a gig. Now I see my life in music as having two kinds of "Vitamin M", one for money and one for meaning. If I get enough of both, I am doing fine. It's always been important to get my music out there and connect and I realize I may have to do that from time to time without one of the Vitamin M's. With that in mind, over the next few months, I want to give you access to some tunes from my catalogue that I hope you'll find meaningful. Some will be unreleased tunes and some songs will be from previous recordings with a bit of back story on their creation. <a href="http://davidleask.com/freebie" style="color:#00015c;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0066ff;">Follow this link to the <strong>Freebie Fridays</strong></span></a><span style="color:#0066ff;"> </span>page and remember to check back every Friday for a different song. Meeting you in the music is important to me whether it is in person at a gig or in an email about a song - hopefully there will be some "Vitamin M" there for both of us.<br><br><strong>SUMMER SHOWS</strong><br>The summer is shaping up to be a very busy one for me with a bunch of free outdoor concerts in the greater Toronto area including shows at Union Station as part of Union Summer, concerts in the Village of Yorkville Park, Richmond Hill Canada Day Celebrations and Celtic Festivals in Fergus and Unionville. Check the<span style="color:#0066ff;"> </span><a href="http://davidleask.com/shows" style="color:#00015c;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0066ff;"><strong>SHOWS</strong></span></a><span style="color:#0066ff;"> </span>page for more details.<br><br>Happy Summer!<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3634233
2015-03-31T14:34:13-04:00
2018-05-06T13:08:11-04:00
OUT OF HIBERNATION
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4303b7d1c8929934bbb328d18c61f3d458023ce0/medium/cold.jpg?1427829561" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Yes it's the end of hibernation and no it wasn't just the wickedly cold winter that has kept me quiet. The last 6 months have been a busy creative time - keeping my head down inside my songwriting notepads and my head down staring at my loop pedals working on my performance chops. Here’s what I've been up to:<br> </span><br> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>ADVENTURES ALONG MY CRAZY PATH IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC</strong><br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> A productive songwriting trip to Nashville with 5 cool new baby songs.<br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> Five Robbie Burns gigs, lots of Haggis and elevated cholesterol!<br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> A big birthday milestone – I’m the same age as the Canadian Flag.<br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> Inspiration from writing songs with super talented kids in the schools.<br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> Excited to be working in the studio alongside producer <strong>Justin Abedin</strong> on some new material.<br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> Happy to have songs I've co-written coming out on records and going to country radio by talented Country artists <a contents="Mandy Ringdal" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://mandyringdal.com/index/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"><strong>Mandy Ringdal</strong></span></a>, <a contents="Alex Runions" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://alexrunions.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"><strong>Alex Runions</strong></span></a> & <strong><a contents="Twin Kennedy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.twinkennedy.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;">Twin Kennedy</span></a>.</strong><br><span style="color:#00FFFF;">•</span> Honoured to be asked to perform the soldier song I co-wrote in Montreal called "Can't Make It Back Home" with the <strong>Band of The Royal Regiment of Canada</strong> as part of their concert at <strong>Glenn Gould Studio</strong> this fall.<br> <br><strong>CBC SEARCHLIGHT - FREEDOM BY THE BARREL</strong><br>Some of you may be aware of the <strong>CBC Searchlight Song Contest</strong>. I must admit I'm not a fan of the popularity contest format. But I had a weak moment and entered the song "<strong>Freedom By The Barrel</strong>" from my last record because I really want to get this song heard by a wider audience. It's a song with a great lyric written by my friend <strong>Alec Steinwall</strong> and to me it reflects the sad state of the ever-expanding profiteering from global wars. I believe it can speak some truth to power. Please take a listen and if you feel the same way, perhaps you could vote for the cause. <strong><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/david-leask" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;">Here's the link.</span></a></strong><br> <br>I love to hear from you, so let me know how your hibernation has gone. And now that it’s time to re-emerge, I hope to see you somewhere down the road. <br> <br>Meet you in the music,<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3263895
2014-11-03T13:17:10-05:00
2018-05-06T13:08:57-04:00
SONGS IN THE AIR
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/5bb5f192bb9fc61537d2162439af99ebe11f6ec0/medium/bbn-logo-v2-3.jpg?1415140448" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />As someone who has been writing songs for many years, I've always been fascinated by the mystery of pulling songs out of the air. If you read Paul Zollo's book, "<strong><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com/Songwriters-Songwriting-Paul-Zollo/dp/089879451X/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/189-4048166-1094534" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;">Songwriters On Songwriting</span></a></strong>", you'll hear this described in many different ways by the songwriting greats over the years. One of the things I love to do is listen to a group of "songwriters in the round" - 4 on stage at one time - take turns talking about that beautiful struggle of how they danced with the song before it came together, and then, hear them play it. On November 1st, it was my turn. I was honoured to be a part of the <a contents="Bluebird North Show" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.songwriters.ca/bluebirdnorth.aspx" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"><strong>Bluebird North Show</strong></span></a> at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto with Lawrence Gowan (aka Gowan, now frontman for Styx), Gord Deppe (The Spoons) and Blair Packham (The Jitters). This is the northern version of the Bluebird Café in Nashville, where songwriters in the round first began. An evening of "sing and tell" in an inspiring and intimate performance space. Magic.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/42ce12d70e77dc1a2952cb60c7409d0ea59e93b4/original/bluebirdnorthnov2014lite.jpg?1415037869" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></span><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3256735
2014-10-29T16:46:46-04:00
2018-05-06T13:10:11-04:00
ALBERTA, ALBERTA
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="108933689" data-video-thumb-url="http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/492776514_1280.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/108933689" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640"></iframe><br>Alberta, Alberta what a trip you were! Big thanks to all the kind folks who hosted my concerts and looked after us. Steve & Karen Gosse & the Uptown Folk Club in Edmonton, the Blayones in the Big Red House in Peace River and Vic Close and the amazing crew at <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.fishcreekconcerts.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#66ccff;"><strong>Fish Creek Concerts</strong></span></a>. Thanks to<span style="color:#0099ff;"> </span><strong><a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100002308369114" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.ckua.com/programs/celtic-show-the" target="_blank"><span style="color:#66ccff;">Andy Donnelly's Celtic Show</span></a><span style="color:#66ccff;"> at CKUA </span></strong>and Neil & Jerad @ <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.xm105fm.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#66ccff;"><strong>CIXM in Whitecourt.</strong></span></a> I traveled home with many fond memories and three special souvenir songs written with the inspiring and talented Erin Haley, Dana Blayone & Sherry Crawford. The province never looked more beautiful and I couldn't resist jumping out the car just north of Jasper after a long day's drive through the Rocky Mountains for a spontaneous performance of my tune <strong>"River Of Time"</strong> on the banks of the Athabasca River.</span><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3185642
2014-09-13T14:01:24-04:00
2018-05-06T13:12:11-04:00
SIMPLY THE WEST
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/3139ba7fd7da5561a1b4e82cd2aaeea10ae2d027/medium/ccma2014jattrell2.jpg?1410630931" class="size_m justify_left border_medium" alt="" />I recently returned from another action-packed Canadian Country Music Weekend in Edmonton where I am always happy to reconnect with my fun and friendly dysfunctional family:) I performed at the Songwriters Series out there for my fourth time. It's one of my favourite things - to be in the round with other writers as we swap songs and stories in front of such an attentive audience. <br><br>When I get the chance to travel across Canada, sometimes different provinces can feel like entering another country with its own geography, history and culture and I love the adventure of it all. Naturally you'd think with my accent I would be drawn to the east. However, over the years I have actually been to western Canada a lot more than the east. Indeed, next month my road leads me back to Alberta for some dates.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/50bd2d0656f750134fb7400b408c7b41e7f02a47/medium/edmontonposter.jpg?1410632342" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />I'll be playing the Uptown Folk Club in Edmonton on October 3rd, a house concert in Peace River and the Fish Creek Concert Series in Calgary on October 10th, with some inspiring songwriting dates sprinkled along the way. If you're in the vicinity of any of these shows, please come on out and say hello.<br><br>Thanks as always for listening and reading. See you down the road.<br><br>David</span><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3148129
2014-08-21T12:44:41-04:00
2018-05-06T13:13:10-04:00
"FACING THE MUSIC"
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/5ab3a0c0fa1aa39e60a722d962edb43916afc60a/original/facingthemusicheader.jpg?1408632187/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you with these pictures. There's no hiding what I actually look like when I'm diving into the music :)<br><br>I feel very fortunate to have had opportunities to do just that in many different places already this summer, including a mini-tour of the East Coast in July, re-uniting with my old guitar pal Troy McLaggan. Thanks to all the presenters, hosts & agents that have given me the chance to sing my songs over the past few months and make new friends along the way. <br><br>While I have loads of things I'm continually grateful for, I have to admit that being a musician is a strange and difficult choice. The music world I inhabit has been constantly changing over the last decade and despite the romantic notion of having a career in the music business, my experience has seen it go from a good old "shindig" to a regular dig in the shins! Apart from the challenges of the digital landscape that all artists face, it's also an exercise in the thickening of one's skin to parade your new baby songs on the stage, & hustle radio stations & other media in the hope they all love your new baby as much as you do! However, having said that, I still enjoy the wrestlemania of it all, whether it's hunting down the song, taming it in the studio or getting to know it well enough that you can lose yourself to the point that time stands still when you are singing it on stage. What's my point, I hear you asking? Well, after all these years and despite those funny contorted facial expressions, I can honestly say I am enjoying singing and playing more than ever. They say that a career as a musician chooses you. For that, I'm grateful.<br><br><strong>UPCOMING SHOWS</strong><br>If you want to check out what this looks and sounds like, I have a couple of cool local concerts with talented sideman Justin Abedin coming up in and around the Greater Toronto Area and some exciting performances in Western Canada this fall. Check out the <strong><a contents="SHOWS PAGE" data-link-label="SHOWS" data-link-type="page" href="/shows"><span style="color:#ffffff;">SHOWS PAGE</span></a></strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> for details.</span></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3130989
2014-08-11T14:10:23-04:00
2018-05-06T13:14:07-04:00
"ONE SECOND LOOK" is hitting the airwaves
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/011c50e774e1605b2e97d5c62c5f7262d06cd37e/original/dolphinheaderosl.jpg?1407780498/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />"<em><strong>One Second Look</strong></em>" - a song I refer to as three chords and an epiphany - is going out to radioland today. I hope the radio folks will take one second listen & have that epiphany to add it to their playlist! Have a listen on the player at the bottom of the page and <strong><a contents="click here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.davidleask.com/home/blog/track-9-one-second-look" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">click here</span></a></strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span>to read about the story behind this deceptively simple little song in my previous blog. I'll keep you posted on where it's being played on a radio near you. </span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/3041007
2014-06-25T22:52:09-04:00
2018-05-06T13:14:57-04:00
HEARTFELT HAVERING
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/6a189c47fc7be13f62abaf771fc41e33c9b08f68/original/6430headitcbannercm-c.jpg?1403751091/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />Recently I had a magic blether with Dave Woods on his radio show "In The Country". We wandered down a few different roads and you can check out the interview below if you want to hear some heartfelt haverin'!</span></p>
41:49
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/2965896
2014-05-23T15:06:49-04:00
2018-05-06T13:20:00-04:00
TAKE COVER
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/2b0938679af752bd4ad0258f49890075dc308685/original/takecoverheader2.jpg?1400785517/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_left border_none" alt="" />I've had fun over the years playing a variety of cover songs as part of my live performances - songs I wish I'd written and songs I've played so many times it almost feels like I had written them! Certain covers slowly become like old friends through inhabiting the song and experimenting with arrangements. One such song is "Living Years", originally recorded by Mike & The Mechanics. I performed it live at my recent webcast concert below with Justin Abedin and it felt like the song was singing me. There's just something so moving and true about the words and music but it might also have been the fact that we were tuned to A432Hz instead of A440Hz! <br><br>Recently a fan came up to me and said he would love to hear me do a cover of a Rob Thomas song. I didn't know the song and was a little skeptical at first but I checked it out and thought, you know he might be right. It was a cool feeling to connect with a song I'd never thought of playing. So that brings me here, asking you to help me <em>"Take Cover"</em>. What songs do you think would resonate with me and that I'd do justice to? Let me know by leaving a comment below and I'll consider them all and record as many as I can and post them for you over the summer months. Who knows, I might even play it at my next webcast.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="bZkhz61DHEE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/bZkhz61DHEE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZkhz61DHEE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/2881642
2014-04-18T15:05:21-04:00
2021-09-03T11:01:10-04:00
TUNE IN AND BE TUNED TO 432HZ
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stageit.com/david_leask/virtual_house_concert_at_a_computer_near_you_with_david_leask_featuring_justin_abedin_on_electric_guitar/35399" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/8c6204a68c35ec12bb01c60338782b3909e1549e/original/stageitheader0414432.jpg?1397846250" class="size_orig justify_left border_none" alt="" /></a>Justin Abedin and I will be performing our entire concert tuned to <strong>A=432Hz</strong> at my StageIt streaming concert <span class="aQJ">today</span> (<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1830125926" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">Saturday</span></span>). What the heck does <strong>A=432Hz</strong> mean I hear you ask? Well I can't remember exactly where I first learned about tuning to A432Hz but it was re-introduced to me at the <a contents="Victor Wooten music camp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wootenwoods.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;">Victor Wooten music camp</span></a> I attended in Sept 2012. Victor and his brothers Roy & Reggie talked about the phenomenon of tuning to A432 Hz instead of the industry standard of 8 vibrations per second higher at A440Hz. They had guest guitarist <a contents="Muriel Anderson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://murielanderson.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;">Muriel Anderson</span></a> demonstrate by playing the same piece in the two different tunings back to back and I could immediately feel a difference. At that point all I could say is A432Hz felt more relaxing. As time went by I came across more information about the power of this tuning and finally bought a tuner that would allow me to tune to A432 Hz and tried it out at a gig recently without telling anyone and I could definitely feel something quite different. Some argue that this ancient tuning seems to be more in "tune" with the rest of nature and the Universe. I know it sounds like big stuff but I guess for me I've begun experimenting with it and it feels really good. I'd love to have you tune in to the <strong>StageIt Concert <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1830125927" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">on Saturday @ 4.30pm (EDT)</span></span>, that's <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1830125928" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">9.30pm (GMT)</span></span>, </strong>and get your reaction by joining in the chat room discussion with folks from around the globe. <a contents="Follow this link to get your tickets for the show. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stageit.com/david_leask/virtual_house_concert_at_a_computer_near_you_with_david_leask_featuring_justin_abedin_on_electric_guitar/35399" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"><strong>Follow this link to get your tickets for the show.</strong></span></a><a contents="Follow this link to get your tickets for the show. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stageit.com/david_leask/virtual_house_concert_at_a_computer_near_you_with_david_leask_featuring_justin_abedin_on_electric_guitar/35399" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"> </span></a><br><br>In the meantime here's some information from a fellow Scot Brian T. Collins if you want to explore <a contents="More about 432HZ" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://omega432.com/" target="_blank"><strong><font color="#40e0d0">More about 432HZ</font></strong></a><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/2860289
2014-04-10T13:31:37-04:00
2018-05-06T13:21:26-04:00
RADIO CHATS AND UPCOMING VIRTUAL HOUSE CONCERT CHATS APR. 19!
<p><br><span class="font_large"><a contents="Fresh Air with Mary Ito" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/ID/2414436654/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c40245aedae19e324ded88fa356556e2ad99c5ae/small/maryito.jpg?1397148935" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="Fresh Air with Mary Ito" /></a>I've been on the airwaves over the last few months talking about the gang of songs on "Underneath" and about the life of a songwriter - that would be me. Some great chats I thought you might want to listen in on:<br><strong><a contents="Fresh Air on CBC Radio with Mary Ito" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/Radio/Local+Shows/ID/2414436654/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Fresh Air on CBC Radio with Mary Ito</span></a></strong><br><br><a contents="Irons In The Fire on YL Country FM with Anthony Donnelly" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://tinyurl.com/oyz9vsd" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>Irons In The Fire on YL Country FM with Anthony Donnelly</strong></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span><br><br><strong><a contents="In the Studio on CFRB 1010 with Bob Reid &amp; Blair Packham " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/in-the-studio-on-1010/its-podcast-november-9-2013#t=30:05" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">In the Studio on CFRB 1010 with Bob Reid & Blair Packham </span></a></strong><br><br>Looking forward to continuing the conversation around the songs - including some brand new babies and some unreleased gems - at the upcoming virtual House Concert on April 19th at 4:30pm EST at <a contents="STAGEIT.COM " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stageit.com/david_leask/virtual_house_concert_at_a_computer_near_you_with_david_leask_featuring_justin_abedin_on_electric_guitar/35399" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>STAGEIT.COM</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"><strong> </strong></span></a>with the fantastic Justin Abedin on electric guitar. We're going to try out some new things. It's a cool experiment of connection across space and timezones and we all create it together. Tickets are PayWhatYouCan with a suggested $5 cover and its a 30 minute show with a 20 minute encore & you can <a contents="get your tickets here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.stageit.com/david_leask/virtual_house_concert_at_a_computer_near_you_with_david_leask_featuring_justin_abedin_on_electric_guitar/35399" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>get your tickets here</strong></span></a>. To give you a taste of what's in store you can check out some video from the last show below and<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stageit.com/site/what_is_stageit" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>follow this link</strong></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"><strong> </strong></span></a>for more information on how it works. Hope to see you in the chat room on Apr. 19th!<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/2ac250b536e62ca7f01ed8191a0e078927e81e6e/original/stageit.jpg?1392557298" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/2575046
2014-02-13T12:58:33-05:00
2018-05-06T13:22:59-04:00
MY SECOND STREAMING "VIRTUAL HOUSE CONCERT" SUNDAY FEB 16th
<p><span class="font_large">I'd love for you to join us and interact this Sunday for a live streaming concert at <strong><a contents="StageIt.com/davidleask" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stageit.com/david_leask/the_david_leask_virtual_house_concert/31661" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">StageIt.com</span></a></strong> @ 3pm EST (8 pm in UK and 7am in Australia the following day.) Let's meet in the music, all in the comfort of your home. Last time we had folks chatting with each other and me and making requests from Scotland, Germany, USA and across Canada. It's a cool experience we all create together. Tickets are PayWhatYouCan with a suggested $5 cover and its a 30 minute show with a 20 minute encore & you can <a contents="get your tickets here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stageit.com/david_leask/the_david_leask_virtual_house_concert/31661" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>get your tickets here</strong></span></a>. To give you a taste of what's in store you can check out some video from the last show below and<a contents=" follow this link " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stageit.com/site/what_is_stageit" target="_blank"><span style="color:#00FFFF;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>follow this link </strong></span></a>for more information on how it works. Hope to see you in the chat room on Sunday!<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="igRRP-2hHTk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/igRRP-2hHTk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/igRRP-2hHTk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/2152693
2013-12-03T16:32:24-05:00
2018-05-06T13:23:45-04:00
"UNDERNEATH" CD LAUNCH VIDEO
<p><span class="font_large">We had a great launch for "Underneath" with maestro Justin Abedin by my side as well as other special guests. For those of you who were unable to make it, I thought you might like to have a taste of the second concert at C'est What so <a contents="here's some video for you" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4kribN06Xc" target="_blank"><strong>here's some video for you</strong></a>.<br><br><strong>-STAGEIT LIVE STREAM CONCERT SUNDAY DECEMBER 8th @ 3PM -</strong><br>I understand it's not always easy to get to the shows so I've decided to give a concert that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home. On <strong>Sunday Dec 8th</strong> I will be doing a <strong>Stage-It Concert broadcasting live on the web</strong> around the world <strong>3 pm (EST), 8pm (GMT) in UK and 7 am the following day, Dec 9th in Australia.</strong> There'll be a chat room where you can make requests or comments on my funny faces. Hey, I might even make something up on the spur of the moment from the digital heckling! You can find out more by<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stageit.com/david_leask/up_close_personal_live_direct_to_your_home/31372" target="_blank"><span style="color:#3399cc;"><strong> following this link.</strong></span></a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="_4kribN06Xc" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_4kribN06Xc/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_4kribN06Xc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1956570
2013-10-30T14:37:25-04:00
2018-05-06T13:25:29-04:00
Track 13 - THIS TIME 'ROUND
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/5a82a9317b4e9d63cb122947a02bf6c86e689aaa/original/timerounddetail.jpg?1383160118/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>The first time I heard this song on Darrell Scott's record "A Crooked Road" it really spoke to me. Maybe it was something in the melody or the powerful lyric but it stayed with me. I had tracked everything for my record and very late in the game I decided to drop one tune and cut this track. Perhaps it was a line like, "I will dig down to the bottom and fill me right back up", that resonated with my own process of what I had gone through during the process of writing and recording this record. It's never easy to have the objectivity and put aside the ego and drop one of your own songs but I am so glad I did as it has become one of my favourites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.<br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525105&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>As I recall, it was an early session at Canterbury Music in Toronto and Steve O' Connor sat at the grand piano and I was over in the vocal booth. It took us a bit to find our pocket but Steve's beautiful piano playing inspired me and I had another keeper vocal before 11am. Steve's brother Sean added some lovely haunting whistle and Kevin Fox laid down the rich cello textures and that was all we needed.<br><br>Recorded at Canterbury Music in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Additional overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead vocals - David Leask, Piano - Steve O' Connor, Whistle - Sean O' Connor, Cello - Kevin Fox.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>This time ‘round I’ll be like water<br>I have learned to let it flow<br>Oh, there is no need to dam me<br>I will go where I must go<br>I'll drop this suit of armour<br>Put away my thorny crown<br>Gonna lay my heart wide open this time ‘round<br><br>This time ‘round I’ll be a giver<br>I have saved me long enough<br>I will dig down to the bottom<br>And I’ll fill me right back up<br>And I’ll end this search for saviour<br>I’ll be a lost without a found<br>A pilgrim on life’s highway this time ‘round<br><br>Every time I play the game of love I play to win<br>And it always breaks me open<br>And I try to fly but fall and crash and burn<br>That’s how I learn<br><br>This time ‘round I’ll be forgiving<br>I have harmed myself too long<br>I will speak the words of healing<br>And it will fill my heart with song<br>And I’ll sing this song with others<br>Who were born to make the sound<br>A ragged choir of angels this time ‘round<br><br>As I sail out on the ocean<br>And I look back on the shore<br>I can see the sweet perfection<br>Of the ones I’ve loved before<br>In each face I see the lesson<br>That has brought me here and now<br>They will all give me their blessing this time ‘round<br><br>Oh every time we play the game of love we play to win<br>And, it always breaks us open and we try to fly but fall and crash and burn<br>That's how we learn to love again<br>This time ‘round<br><br>Written by Darrell Scott & Beth Neilsen Chapman<br>Published by I Imagine Music & Prismlight Music</span><br><br><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1921871
2013-10-24T18:39:28-04:00
2018-05-06T13:26:53-04:00
Track 12 - ALL MY LOVE
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/c6e2d92e6cbe37200ae5b99dcdff02386ce0f40d/original/allmylovedetail.jpg?1382655529/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>This is another tune co-written with <a contents="Daryl Burgess" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://darylburgess.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">Daryl Burgess</span></a> who also co-wrote <em>You've Got My World</em>. It was written over two fun sessions at SOCAN house in Nashville almost exactly a year apart. I brought a little baby musical idea to the session and as we began working on it, it was cool to hear the way Daryl experimented with the phrasing of my original melody. The idea grew up to be a bouncy little love song with a Rhythm & Bluegrass vibe!<br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525104&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong>- RECORDING -</strong><br>This track was mostly recorded in Nashville, first at <a contents="Steve Brewster's " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://brewbeat.wix.com/brewbeat" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Steve Brewster's</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span></a>studio where we laid down some groovy bass & drums with Steve & <a contents="Clay Krasner" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://claykrasner.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Clay Krasner</span></a>. Then a few months later on a separate trip, I brought in <a contents="Justin Moses" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.justinmoses.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Justin Moses</span></a>, a very talented multi-instrumentalist who added the sweet fiddle, mandolin and Dobro. Back in Toronto, I had Steve O' Connor add his own fine chops on Wurlitzer and B3 organ and it began to wander merrily down the road of Rhythm & Bluegrass. <br><br>Recorded at Brewbeat Studios in Nashville, engineered by Steve Brewster. Additional recording at Jeddart Music & Canterbury Music & Sweetbriar Recording Studio in Nashville. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG vocals & acoustic guitar- David Leask. Fiddle, mandolin & Dobro - Justin Moses. Drums & percussion - Steve Brewster. Electric bass - Clay Krasner. Wurlitzer & B3 Organ - Steve O' Connor.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>All my love, all my faith<br>All my love I wanna give to you<br>All my love, is yours to take<br>Let every day start and end with you<br><br>I’ll hold you when the nighttime falls<br>I wanna be the smile in the memories you recall<br>All my love, all my love<br>All my love is true and it’s all coming home to you<br><br>All my time is standing still<br>And all I am is hanging on a kiss<br>All my heart is yours to thrill<br>'Cause you’re all the things I know I can’t resist<br><br>I wanna be the moon in your sky<br>The message that you find that just rolled in on the tide saying<br>All my love, all my love<br>All my love is true and it’s all coming home to you<br><br>'Til all my days are gone<br>My love will always find its way back into your arms<br>I'll bring it home to you<br>'Cause you know what to do with<br><br>All my love, all my love,<br>all my love is coming on home, coming on home<br>All my love, all my love, all my love, is all coming home to you<br><br>Written by David Leask & Daryl Burgess<br>Published by Songs In The Air & Daryl Burgess © 2011</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1872474
2013-10-17T12:29:43-04:00
2018-05-06T13:27:20-04:00
Track 11 - BURDENS & BLESSINGS
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/b928a5eab2d7c0ee013b144ec790d29a2d590101/original/burdensdetail.jpg?1382028133/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />-THE SONG BLOG - </strong><br>Navigating the path of life involves figuring out who you are. Part of the puzzle can be understanding where you come from - how you've acquired a certain feature, quirkiness or skill handed down from your relatives over generations. Some of them you're able to wear naturally, with pride and others remain uncomfortable, never quite fitting in your skin. Yet both are undeniably part of your DNA. My wife Mary Ellen and I got talking about how what's handed down to us from our personal family and from simply being human is both "a blessing and a burden." When I heard the phrase, I thought it could be a good song title, eventually flipping it around. The musical idea came shortly thereafter while we were up at a family cottage. The song seemed to inhabit us for the next couple of days until it got to the point where it rang true. I like the contrast between the tension in the verses and the open feel in the chorus teasing us with the possibility that the rainbow will show up.<br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525103&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe> <br>You can contrast where I started with the song in the pre-production video below and then hear where the song ended up in its final production on the player above.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="vkrmnrdyBFk" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/vkrmnrdyBFk/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vkrmnrdyBFk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>This track was the last one at the end of two long day sessions at Canterbury Music in Toronto in October 2012. It took a bit to find the right groove but I loved the way Mark Mariash built his drum and percussion parts out and, with Drew Birston on bass, they laid down great bed tracks playing off the rhythm of my acoustic parts. I could hear a fiddle working in this track and brought in James McKie who has played many gigs with me over the years. His fiddle set the vibe beautifully off the top of the song almost taking you back to the old world and then Justin Abedin added some lovely companion mandolin playing off the fiddle part. In a way, the two were almost like the burdens & the blessings. I had a final thought to add some piano and it seemed fitting to use an old upright Heintzman piano that had been in my wife's family since the 1930's.<br><br>Recorded at Canterbury Music in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Additional recording at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead, BG Vocals, Piano & Acoustic Guitar- David Leask, Mandolin & Electric Guitar - Justin Abedin, Fiddle - James McKie, Drums - Mark Mariash, Bass - Drew Birston,<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>Part of me's the enemy of love<br>With a history hidden in the blood<br>And it casts an ugly shadow<br>And follows me around and beats me up<br><br>Part of me's a prisoner of hope<br>A lifer with a lifeline of rope<br>And no matter what I'm facing<br>It's amazing how it keeps this heart afloat and I know<br><br>When the rain is pouring, the sun keeps shining<br>And the rainbows still turn up<br>So weigh me down and raise me up<br>With the burdens and the blessings of love<br><br>All of me is all I'll ever need<br>A doubter who is able to believe<br>An enemy befriended<br>And a prisoner who knows he's free, that's me<br><br>When the rain is pouring, the sun keeps shining<br>And the rainbows still turn up<br>So weigh me down and raise me up<br>With the burdens and the blessings of love<br><br>I know it's true and I'll be alright<br>Let it all shine through and I'll learn to live with<br>The burdens and the blessings of love<br><br>Written by David Leask & Mary Ellen Beatty<br>Published by Songs In The Air © 2012</span><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1817645
2013-10-09T11:58:30-04:00
2018-05-06T13:29:31-04:00
Track 10 - HIGHWAY HOME
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/494a6d21ef532ef5961c24689d59b3db3b6e87f4/original/highwayhomedetail.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>How does the saying go?<em> "You can take the boy out of the small town but you can't take the small town out of the boy."</em> There's no doubt growing up in a small town in the south of Scotland left an indelible impression on me. Even after 20 years of living more than 3,000 miles away, any time I am preparing to make the pilgrimage back to the <em>"auld"</em> country, the involuntary butterflies take flight at the prospect of my memories reuniting with the present day. Maybe it's that powerful mixture of excitement in reconnecting with the people and the landscape combined with a natural anxiety around what has changed. It was during one of these times when I was scheduled to head home that the emotional reverberations began to surface as they do for me, in the form of words and music. I had an encounter with a poignant piano idea with a working title, "Highway Home". Of course I knew what it was about and that it wouldn't be easy to write. I scheduled a writing session with <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a> and we ended up having a writing session in the <a contents="SOCAN" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.socan.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">SOCAN</span></a> headquarters in Toronto. For me this song has a tenderness in the music and lyrics that captures something very true. I love the way the 1st inversion chord in the chorus captures the nervous uncertainty of what's going to happen and then by the time you hit the chord on the line <em>"travelling at the speed of love"</em> it feels like you're already home and everything is going to be OK.<br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525102&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>There was definitely some magic moving in the air when we recorded this . It was tracked at <a contents="Vyner Road" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://vynerroad.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Vyner Road</span></a> in Toronto, engineered by my good friend Michael Banton-Jones who has worked on every one of my CD's. I was recording with Gary Craig, John Dymond and Steve O 'Connor live off the floor. I hadn't intended to keep my vocals or acoustic guitar but I guess I was inspired by the amazing players around me and managed to capture a performance that just felt not only in the pocket but in the right emotional space. It was really quite thrilling. On a later trip to Nashville my friend Jefferson Ross gave me the name of an amazing dobro player, <a contents="Rob Ickes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://robickes.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Rob Ickes</span></a>, who laid down some sweet tracks and it felt like the tune was on it's way home. This was a tougher mix for <a contents="Chad Carlson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.chadcarlsonaudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Chad Carlson</span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span>because of the bleed between my acoustic guitar and vocals that were captured live but he was more than up to the challenge and really brought out the heart of the recording in a lovely organic way.<br><br>Recorded at Vyner Road in Toronto. Engineered by Michael Banton-Jones. Additional recording at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG Vocals & Acoustic Guitar - David Leask, Piano & Accordion - Steve O' Connor, Dobro - Rob Ickes, Electric Guitar - Justin Abedin, Drums - Gary Craig, Bass - John Dymond.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>I can see the town on the top of the hill waiting for me<br>Counting down the miles while I’m looking for signs<br>Burned in my memory<br>Breathing in the sweet meadow air<br>Honeysuckle wind in my hair<br>It’s good to be<br><br>Out on the highway home<br>Taking back the time that’s flown<br>Wondering who I’ll see, going through the things I’ll say<br>Traveling at the speed of love<br>To the place I’ve been thinking of every day<br>Out on the highway home<br><br>Thinking ‘bout the warmth of the arms wrapping ‘round, taking me in<br>Smiling ‘cause I know while my heart’s catching up,<br>My head’s gonna spin<br>I’ll see my picture in a brand new frame<br>A little different, but still the same<br>That’s just me<br><br>Out on the highway home<br>Taking back the time that’s flown<br>Wondering who I’ll see, going through the things I’ll say<br>Traveling at the speed of love<br>To the place I’ve been thinking of every day<br>Out on the highway home<br><br>Have I lived those dreams that they dreamt for me?<br>Have I been gone too long?<br>All I know right here, right now, is that I belong<br><br>Out on the highway home<br>Taking back the time that’s flown<br>Wondering who I’ll see, going through the things I’ll say<br>Traveling at the speed of love<br>To the place I’ve been thinking of every day<br>Out on the highway home<br><br>I can see the town on the top of the hill waiting for me<br><br>© 2006 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Word Maven Music</span><br><br> </p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1769241
2013-10-02T14:40:01-04:00
2018-05-06T13:30:37-04:00
Track 9 - ONE SECOND LOOK
<p><span class="font_large"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/4b5efc996707690240d37a70316465c7bf7a3cfb/original/onesecondlookdetail.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG - </strong><br>I had written down the song title "2nd Look" in my little title ideas book and brought it to a session with <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a>. She said, "What about "One Second Look?" and we were off and running, brainstorming around the idea of an epiphany. It's another lyric that has an underlying big idea so it was a challenge to keep a balance between simplicity and depth. I love the way the epiphany could be as simple as falling in love after taking that second glance or something much bigger and more profound. An interesting note about this song is that it has only three chords, unusual for me and all major chords too! Originally it had a few minors in there and I decided to make it more straight forward and I think it really helps get across the upbeat sentiment.<br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525101&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>With this tune the band had the bed tracks bouncing along nicely out of the gate and I wanted to build on it's cheerful nature even further so I thought it might be cool to combine some rhythmic accordion & banjo, two instruments you don't always see sharing the same stage. You might call it country-zydeco but it seemed to help widen the smile factor. Justin came up with a beautiful spacious electric guitar part with a bit of a nod to Paul Simon. <br><br>Recorded at <a contents="Canterbury Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://canterburymusic.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Canterbury Music</span></a> in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by <a contents="Chad Carlson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.chadcarlsonaudio.com/bio.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Chad Carlson</span></a> at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG Vocals - David Leask. Banjo, acoustic & electric guitar - Justin Abedin. Accordion - Steve O'Connor . Drums - Mark Mariash. Bass - Drew Birston. Percussion - Davide Dorenzo<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>I never used to blink<br>Didn’t even bat an eye<br>Not a ripple in my hazy view<br>Like a stoner on a sweet grass high<br>Then you went and made me think<br>I kind of did a double take<br>I saw a little more than I did before<br>And I came up wide-awake<br><br>Hey hey hey,<br>It’s all good<br>I’m on my way<br>And all it took was one second look<br><br>I’m in a brand new world<br>Floating on a stream of light<br>Got a Technicolor sun and moon<br>An amazing kind of second sight<br>And so I thank my lucky stars<br>You found a way to get to me<br>Showed me how to shine, blew my mind<br>And I love the stuff I see<br><br>Hey hey hey,<br>It’s all good<br>I’m on my way<br>And all it took was one second look<br><br>© 2010 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1717438
2013-09-26T12:24:49-04:00
2023-11-06T07:21:21-05:00
Track 8 - PHOTOSYNTHESIS
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/95108313df2b0232a0d2acead518c1fb4b780cdd/original/photosynthesisdetail.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br>As someone who's been married more than two decades, I've witnessed a lot of change in myself and my partner and I'm not just talking about change in hairstyle and waist size : ) One day my wife and I were chatting about the idea of how the chemistry between two people can help them grow as individuals and as a couple, in a similar way to the chemical reaction that happens between the different elements that make plants grow. I wrote down the title "Photosynthesis" and thought it could be a good idea for a love song. I was going through a phase of exploring my jazzy side and a musical idea bounced out one day with a cheeky little diminished chord or as I sometimes refer to them, "demolished chords". I had a writing session with <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span>and we agreed that the two ideas could marry well together. The struggle was to keep the lyric simple and natural to contrast with the more complex chord movement. We worked hard at it and I'll never forget our last writing session, finishing the song in a friend's back yard looking out at the beautiful garden. Just as we finished, the sunshine turned to rain. <br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525100&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><br>Check out the colourful music video below and feel free to share.<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="jcRg-rSXfik" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/jcRg-rSXfik/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jcRg-rSXfik?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>The tracks were recorded during a session at the Drive Shed studio in Toronto and the idea was to keep the production nice and organic and keep it bouncing and alive. Drew's acoustic bass and Roger's drums and percussion set a fine groove. Justin added some tasty acoustic guitar and then Ron Lopata laid down some vintage Fender Rhodes piano which added a cool vibe. I recorded my lead vocals with the help of my good friend Brian Allen at his studio and he managed to get the performance from me that we needed. <br><br>Recorded at <a contents="The Drive Shed" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thedriveshed.com/Home.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Drive Shed</span></a> in Toronto. Engineered by John Bailey. Additional overdubs at Jeddart Music & <a contents="Dixie South Recording" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amplusproductions.com/studio.php" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Dixie South Recording</span></a> in Mississauga. Mixed by <a contents="Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://chadcarlsonaudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound</span></a> in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG vocals - David Leask. Acoustic & electric guitars - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Roger Travassos. Acoustic bass - Drew Birston. Rhodes Piano & organ - Ron Lopata.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>A little rain a little sun<br>Is all a flower needs<br>A little pain a little love<br>Keeps changing you and me<br><br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do<br>You keep growing on me I keep growing on you<br><br>A little time a little space<br>A blossom comes alive<br>A little give a little take<br>That’s how our love survives cause<br><br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do<br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you<br><br>Through every dark night we can hold on<br>Wake up to the light<br>Shining on this garden we have grown<br><br>We’ve got our own photosynthesis, it’s a natural thing we do<br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you<br>You keep growing on me and I’ll keep growing on you<br><br>© 2008 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Word Maven Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1658225
2013-09-19T11:02:06-04:00
2023-11-04T14:20:10-04:00
Track 7 - STRONGER BACK
<p><span class="text-big"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525099&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/73758173e17cd0581521f823530a75d146a91270/original/strongerdetail2.jpg?1379603755/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">As a songwriter who has written many songs over the years, I'm always on a quest for the true song, one that seems natural & timeless in its combination of words and music. This search takes place not only during my own writing process but also when I'm listening to other writers. To me there's nothing quite like hearing a writer tell the story and then bowl you over with their performance of the song. I was down in Gulf Shores, Alabama at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and heard </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://myspace.com/douggill" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Doug Gill"><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);">Doug Gill</span></a><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);"> </span><span class="text-big">perform Stronger Back. It struck me that this was as true a song as you'll find. Doug Gill wrote the tune 6 weeks after 9/11 while he was going through a tough time and he saw a church sign that read "Don't pray for a lighter load, pray for a stronger back". For me it captures that experience of struggle and hope we all face in life. </span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">In October 2012, I had booked sessions at Canterbury studios to record 6 songs for the album. I decided to track Stronger Back first. The band ran through the song a few times and were sounding great live off the floor and it was only 11am. There was definitely some magic in the air that we captured including a keeper lead vocal. Later on while adding overdubs, I brought in </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.quishawint.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Quisha Wint"><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);">Quisha Wint</span></a><span class="text-big"> who added her own magic with her one woman gospel choir. </span><br><br><span class="text-big">Recorded at </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://canterburymusic.ca/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Canterbury Music "><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);">Canterbury Music </span></a><span class="text-big">in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.chadcarlsonaudio.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Chad Carlson "><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);">Chad Carlson </span></a><span class="text-big">at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead, BG Vocals & acoustic guitar - David Leask. Piano - Steve O'Connor. B3 Organ - Todd Lumley. Electric guitar - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Mark Mariash. Bass - Drew Birston. Pedal steel - Travis Toy. Choir & counter vocals - Quisha Wint.</span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- LYRIC -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">I had everything and lost it all</span><br><span class="text-big">I built towers of gold and watched them fall</span><br><span class="text-big">I tried my best, but I guess my best wasn't good enough</span><br><span class="text-big">I made promises and broke them</span><br><span class="text-big">I've laid loved-ones lives wide open</span><br><span class="text-big">I've got a broken heart, but I've come this far and I ain't giving up</span><br><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a stronger back</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a bigger heart</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for the will to keep on walking</span><br><span class="text-big">When the way is dark</span><br><span class="text-big">I follow that winding road</span><br><span class="text-big">I just try to stay on track</span><br><span class="text-big">I don't pray for a lighter load</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a stronger back</span><br><br><span class="text-big">I've seen losers get a second chance</span><br><span class="text-big">I've seen miracles and happenstance</span><br><span class="text-big">I've seen long shots come from way behind to win the race</span><br><span class="text-big">I've had dreams blow up in a cloud of smoke</span><br><span class="text-big">It's a world of pain, it's a world of hope</span><br><span class="text-big">And it's dark right now, but I know somehow</span><br><span class="text-big">Someday the sun will find a way to shine down on my face</span><br><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a stronger back</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a bigger heart</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for the will to keep on walking</span><br><span class="text-big">When the way is dark</span><br><span class="text-big">I follow that winding road</span><br><span class="text-big">I just try to stay on track</span><br><span class="text-big">I don't pray for a lighter load</span><br><span class="text-big">I pray for a stronger back</span><br><br><span class="text-big">© 2001 C D Gill/Peacehouse Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1605253
2013-09-12T11:51:37-04:00
2023-11-03T13:23:29-04:00
Track 6 - YOU'VE GOT MY WORLD
<p><span class="text-big"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525098&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/d4d3de5b22282b4e04bae4f844d1f3ee969cc620/original/worlddetail.jpg?1379004238" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">You've Got My World was written in Nashville at SOCAN house with </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://darylburgess.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Daryl Burgess"><span class="text-big" style="color:#ffffff;">Daryl Burgess</span></a><span class="text-big">. I brought a sketched idea to the session which was very groove based and I knew Daryl was a pretty groovy guy so I thought he might dig it and I was right! He quickly re-shaped the chorus melody and the lyric hook and it was cool to watch the way another writer can see things from a different angle and help bring the idea home. We worked at building out the verses and then wrote a beatle-esque bridge. I love the imagery in this song, particularly the "magic carpet riding". </span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">I was a couple of weeks away from heading to Nashville for a writing trip in April 2012 and I thought it might be cool to record a couple of tunes while I was there. My bass player friend </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://claykrasner.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Clay Krasner"><span class="text-big" style="color:#ffffff;">Clay Krasner</span></a><span class="text-big" style="color:rgb(0,255,255);"> </span><span class="text-big">had talked to me before about a drummer </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://stevebrewsterdrums.com/" target="_blank" data-link-type="url" contents="Steve Brewster"><span class="text-big" style="color:#ffffff;">Steve Brewster</span></a><span class="text-big"> who had a studio. I called Clay and lucked out that we could fit in the session while I was there. Steve and Clay were the perfect groove machine and caught the right feel straight away as we put down the bed tracks. It already felt infectious with just bass, drums and acoustic. I brought the tracks home and sat with my co-producer Justin Abedin and we decided to rock it up with some electric guitar. I love his solo on this track and how easily I could sing it back after hearing it only once. </span><br><br><span class="text-big">Recorded at Brewbeat Studios in Nashville, engineered by Steve Brewster. Overdubs recorded at Jeddart Music and Canterbury Music. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG vocals & acoustic guitar- David Leask. Electric guitar - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Steve Brewster. Electric bass - Clay Krasner. B3 Organ - Steve O' Connor. BG vocals - Henry Lees.</span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">A big streak of red in a sky so blue</span><br><span class="text-big">Waking up in a rainbow holding you</span><br><span class="text-big">You’ve got my world, you’ve got my world</span><br><span class="text-big">Every dum punch line & crooked smile</span><br><span class="text-big">I’m hoping that your gonna wanna stay a while</span><br><span class="text-big">You’ve got my world, you’ve got my world</span><br><br><span class="text-big">Spinning, flying,</span><br><span class="text-big">Magic carpet riding</span><br><span class="text-big">You’re right where you belong</span><br><span class="text-big">And there’s no denying</span><br><span class="text-big">It's so easy to invite you</span><br><span class="text-big">Right into my world</span><br><br><span class="text-big">Any speck of gold hidden in these veins</span><br><span class="text-big">Any diamond you can find baby you can take</span><br><span class="text-big">You’ve got my world, you’ve got my world</span><br><span class="text-big">It’s got a bigger moon than what there was</span><br><span class="text-big">And it shines so beautiful because</span><br><span class="text-big">You’ve got my world, you’ve got my world</span><br><br><span class="text-big">Spinning, flying,Magic carpet riding</span><br><span class="text-big">You’re right where you belong</span><br><span class="text-big">And there’s no denying</span><br><span class="text-big">It's so easy to invite you</span><br><span class="text-big">Right into my world</span><br><br><span class="text-big">You’ve got my world in your hands</span><br><span class="text-big">You’re the feathers in my wings</span><br><span class="text-big">And I don’t wanna land anywhere tonight</span><br><span class="text-big">Cause loving you is like </span><br><br><span class="text-big">Spinning, flying,</span><br><span class="text-big">Magic carpet riding</span><br><span class="text-big">You’re right where you belong</span><br><span class="text-big">And there’s no denying</span><br><span class="text-big">It's so easy to invite you</span><br><span class="text-big">Right into my world</span><br><br><span class="text-big">©2008 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Daryl Burgess</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1526422
2013-09-04T14:07:08-04:00
2018-05-06T13:36:01-04:00
Track 5 - FREEDOM BY THE BARREL
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525097&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/916f6b8657a703fb4aaa76327704f9f69ff8aff4/original/freedomdetail.jpg?1379189250" class="size_orig justify_left border_" />-THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>It's not every day you get the chance to write a song about the military industrial complex and the billionaires that move like dark shadows behind governments and wars. My friend <a contents="Alec Steinwall" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.alecsteinwall.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Alec Steinwall</span></a> and I were playing a gig together and on our break the subject of conversation got around to politics as it frequently did. He mentioned he had a lyric for me and I had a look. It was incredibly powerful and I could feel something straight away. I took it home and started working on it the following morning and was quickly inspired to write some music. It felt like there were more verses than we needed and I started shaping the tune and tweaking a few words here and there. Alec and I went back and forth for about another month before settling on the final version. Initially I recorded an acoustic demo with a Dylanesque feel which won the political category of the Ontario Council Of Folk Festivals "Songs from the Heart" Contest. In it's present form, it also won first prize in the Rock Category of the Unisong International Song Contest so I guess the tune is a pretty good genre jumper!<br><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>I was fortunate to have the opportunity to record with <a contents="Doug Romanow" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://douglasromanow.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Doug Romanow</span></a> at Fire Escape Studios as part of their indie program. I had four hours recording time and I decided to take in Freedom By The Barrel. I brought in a midi file with the arrangement mapped out on piano. There was a great creative exchange as we worked fast and furious laying down acoustic guitars, Doug adding a bunch of keys and drum loops as well as "rocking the glock". I remember the pressure was on to get my vocals done in the last 15 minutes before the session ended at midnight. We had Justin Abedin come in later adding electric guitars and the track just grew in intensity. <br><br>Recorded at Fire Escape Studios in Toronto. Engineered & Mixed by Doug Romanow and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Doug Romanow & David Leask. Lead & BG vocals & acoustic guitars & piano - David Leask, B3 organ, glock, keys, drum & loop programming - Doug Romanow, Electric guitars - Justin Abedin. Bass - Clay Krasner<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>They got a Jesus face painted on the tank<br>Got democracy and battle plans,<br>The "Bill of Rights" and bombing runs <br>They got a corporate box at the playoff games<br>Travel business class on the gravy train<br>Got lobbyists with great big silver tongues<br>And they got freedom by the barrel<br>Freedom by the barrel of a gun<br><br>Billionaires with high ideals<br>Gonna roll some folks beneath the wheels<br>Better grab your things get set to run<br>'Cause they got freedom by the barrel of a gun<br><br>They got fear campaigns making lots of noise<br>Their own truth laid out full of talking points<br>Got liberty their fathers fought and won<br>They'll bring vote machines with no paper trail<br>Put your country up for a fire sale<br>And after everything is said and done<br>They'll have freedom by the barrel<br>Freedom by the barrel of a gun<br><br>Billionaires with high ideals<br>Gonna roll some folks beneath the wheels<br>Better grab your things get set to run<br>"Cause once they siphon off their fee<br>There'll be nothing left for you and me<br>Just words that they will empty one by one<br>But they’ll have freedom by the barrel<br>Freedom by the barrel, Freedom by the barrel of a gun<br><br>© 2007 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Alec Steinwall</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1498283
2013-08-28T19:17:57-04:00
2018-05-06T13:36:56-04:00
Track 4 - READY TO BUY
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525096&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/589f6be34991e47f6f6c7af6a1e06b4b2f6f8890/original/readytobuydetail.jpg?1379189382/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>I brought this vibey piece of music to a writing session with <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a>. We started chatting about one thing or another, trying to hunt down the lyric. I mentioned I had read a story in the news about Walter Cavanagh, aka Mr Plastic Fantastic, who held the Guinness World Record for having the most number of credit cards. He had collected 1497 cards with a total credit limit of 1.7 million. We both thought this was crazy and talked about our general frustration with the day to day pressure to consume. We felt the lyric should take a shot at a system that entices us to buy stuff we don't need. To explore a bit more on this topic, check out the video below called "The Story of Stuff". It's a twenty minute piece but if you can find the time it will bend your mind. <br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="9GorqroigqM" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/9GorqroigqM/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9GorqroigqM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="480" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>I originally recorded this tune back in 2006 at Metalworks and it was quite slow. As I began to play it live, it got faster and a little bit more edgy. I decided to re-cut it earlier this year and we upped the tempo and went for a more swampy vibe. The band really smoked it and I love the way the track starts where you can almost sense the scene of seduction between the seller and the one who's ready to buy. The electric guitar slide solo ups the ante after the bridge and you're sold.<br><br>Recorded at <a contents="Canterbury Music " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://canterburymusic.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Canterbury Music</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span></a>in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG Vocals & acoustic guitar - David Leask. Electric guitars - Justin Abedin. Drums - Lyle Molzan. Electric Bass - Drew Birston. Wurlizer & B3 Hammond - Kevin Adamson<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>So sleek so fine, never seen such a beautiful line<br>My logic's starting to fray<br>You tempt, you tease, pretty soon I'll be on my knees<br>I wanna take you away hey hey hey<br><br> I'm ready to buy<br> Take me for a ride<br> I want a piece of the dream<br> I'm willing I'm ready to buy<br><br>Alright, okay, make me feel like a king for a day<br>Every fool has his gold<br>No fee's too high, let the plastic slide<br>I'm already sold<br><br> I'm ready to buy<br> Take me for a ride<br> I want a piece of the dream<br> I'm willing I'm ready to buy<br><br>Past the billboards and ShopTV<br>There's a hunger that I gotta feed<br>Sell me something, sell something I need<br><br> I'm ready to buy<br> Take me for a ride<br> You’ve got me drunk on the dream<br> And I'm willing, I’m ready,<br> I'm chillin', I'm ready to buy<br><br>© 2006 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1429797
2013-08-21T10:18:42-04:00
2018-05-06T13:38:08-04:00
Track 3 - BREATHING
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525095&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/b81aef3dc2ff1d1105ad3e7158309d12d5cf5360/original/breathingdetail.jpg?1379189467/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong><br>Breathing. Perhaps not something we give a lot of thought to everyday unless we're running up a flight of stairs or playing sports. But if you didn't breathe, as Monthy Python would say, you would be "no more". With the crazy pace of life these days I'm sure most of you can relate to having times when it's a struggle to keep up. This was the premise my co-writer <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a> and I wanted to capture in a song. We worked on creating a strong contrast in the music and lyrics between the idyllic calm in verse one and the more clenched nature of the chorus. When it came to writing a bridge, always the hardest part of a song, we couldn't get there until we finally went down to a nearby park. The change in scenery and serene environment prompted us to realize that, while a lot of bridges ramped up to a massive musical peak, this one needed to go in the opposite direction, one where you literally stop, sit on the bridge and take in the view of the song. <br><br><strong>- THE RECORDING -</strong><br>This song was tracked at The Drive Shed studio in Toronto and, as I recall, it was a struggle to nail it. There's always a lot of excitement and anticipation when you're recording with a band live off the floor, and, combined with one too many coffees, it wasn't easy for me to get into the moment. I had trouble locking into the rhythmic pushes and pulls with the band. It was like the recording session paralleled the struggle with life's pushes and pulls. When you get stressed, it only makes it worse. I'm happy to say I got there in the end and I love the acoustic vibe we captured, along with Justin Abedin's lovely textural electric guitar parts on this tune. <br><br>Recorded at <a contents="The Drive Shed" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thedriveshed.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">The Drive Shed</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span>in Toronto. Engineered by John Bailey. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. All Vocals, acoustic guitar & piano - David Leask. Electric guitars & mandolin - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Roger Travassos. Upright bass - Drew Birston. B3 organ - Steve O' Connor.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>Well the rollin' tide moves the sea<br>There's wind across the water where the waves run free<br>I wanna catch my breath, feel that flow<br>But I'm caught up in this world I know<br><br>Six-lane life going far too fast<br>Forever changing lanes but I can't get past<br>Feeling choked. What do I need?<br>People tell me just breathe, but<br><br>Breathing's not as simple as it seems<br>This crazy pace is suffocating me<br>It should be automatic when the air is free<br>But breathing's not that easy<br><br>I wanna fly a kite on a sea blue sky<br>Dance it on the breeze; take a long deep sigh<br>But here I am tryin' to keep control<br>This highway's gonna take its toll<br><br>Breathing's not as simple as it seems<br>This crazy pace is suffocating me<br>It should be automatic when the air is free<br>But breathing's not that easy<br><br> Be still, breathe in, breathe out<br><br>Breathing's not as simple as it seems<br>This crazy pace is suffocating me<br>It should be automatic when the air is free<br>But breathing's not that easy<br><br>© 2006 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1415634
2013-08-15T20:20:00-04:00
2023-10-30T20:54:26-04:00
Track 2 - UNDERNEATH
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/101525094&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false" width="100%"></iframe><strong>- THE SONG BLOG - </strong><br>My co-writer <a contents="Debra Alexander" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://wordmavenmusic.com/Debra_Alexander.html" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Debra Alexander</span></a> and I wanted to write a love song that wasn't about falling in love but about being in the middle of a relationship and trying to dive down to a deeper level, one where you look beyond the surface to the beauty underneath and try and help mirror that beauty so you can see it in yourself. Of course, getting there can be a real struggle and I particularly like the way the chords in the bridge and the solo section of the song emphasise this. You can see the lyrics below.<br><br>This struggle was also captured in an unusual experience I had performing the song live for the first time. Back on Feb 28, 2008, I was asked by my artist friend <a contents="Zara Diniz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.zaradiniz.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Zara Diniz</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span>to participate in an art-jam fundraiser taking place in the CBC atrium in Toronto. I performed "Underneath" which had just been written a few weeks earlier while 5 artists reacted to the song. At the end of the performance, one painting caught my eye by Mackenzie Keelor that you can see below. I purchased it and brought it home. The vibrant colours and the combination of the hope of the dove and the risk of the flames captured this process of growing deeper in a relationship. When I decided the album was going to be called "Underneath" I thought it would be cool to incorporate the painting somehow in the design. When I tried to track down Mackenzie I found her on <a contents="Belinda Pattersons' photography site" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://belindaelizabethphotography.4ormat.com/home" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Belinda Pattersons' photography site</span></a> and discovered they worked together. I also discovered Belinda did some unusual photography. Check out the video below to see what happened. We're having fun trying to decide which photos to use!<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/fa5d6a396932a506f4fe93f3af5ba3f6afc3f441/medium/underneathfinal.jpg?1376610700" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" style="margin-top: 30px;" /><br><strong><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="e2ILXAR5zK4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/e2ILXAR5zK4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e2ILXAR5zK4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>- THE RECORDING - </strong><br>Having already done more of a rock version in the live recording at the Rose Theatre, this time I wanted to go for more of a roots vibe on the tune. We went for some driving acoustic guitar, banjo, upright bass and also had John Showman on the fiddle who brought a kind of unpredictable tension in his playing that mapped on to the idea of being on the edge of something new.<br><br>Recorded at <a contents="Canterbury Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://canterburymusic.ca/"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Canterbury Music</span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span>in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by <a contents="Chad Carlson " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.chadcarlsonaudio.com/bio.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffff;">Chad Carlson</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);"> </span></a>at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Lead & BG Vocals - David Leask. Acoustic, Electric guitars, Banjo & Mandolin - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Mark Mariash. Upright bass - Drew Birston. Fiddle - John Showman. BG Vocals - Henry Lees.<br><br><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong><br>It's not the sweep of your lips when I kiss your smile<br>It's not the touch of your perfect skin, when it's been a while<br>It's not the way that you look<br>It's the beauty underneath, the things you wanna let me see and I see<br><br>You turned everything upside down<br>I fell tumbling through the clouds<br>And this time I'm in love<br><br>You've got me deep on a dive beyond a surface love<br>You let me swim with your open soul 'til we're close enough<br>You hold the mirror to me<br>To the beauty underneath, the things I wanna let you see and you'll see<br><br>You turned everything upside down<br>I fell tumbling through the clouds<br>And this time I'm in love<br><br> You’re the gold in the silver lining, you're the love I am re-defining<br> Inside out, right side up<br><br>It's not the sweep of your lips when I kiss your smile<br>It's not the touch of your perfect skin, when it's been a while<br>It's not the way that you look<br>It's the beauty underneath, the things you wanna let me see and I see<br><br>You turned everything upside down<br>I fell tumbling through the clouds<br>And this time I'm in love<br><br>© 2008 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Debra Alexander/Wordmaven Music</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1352039
2013-08-07T06:45:00-04:00
2023-10-29T16:43:34-04:00
Track 1 - WORDS
<p><span class="text-big"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/af114f93f852868e3a8843edc59fbb5c7989185a/original/wordsdetail.jpg?1384393281/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" alt="" />- THE SONG BLOG -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">What comes first, the words or the music? A common question for songwriters. In my case, the majority of times it's the music taking the lead. With this song of course it had to be the "Words" and they came via my talented friend Alec Steinwall who sent me the lyric. It really resonated with me and I was immediately inspired. In fact, I wrote the music and sent him a demo recording within 24 hrs - I wish this happened more often! The song is dense with words and in a way, speaks to how crowded our lives can be with so much talking everywhere you turn. Oops, I guess I should shut up now : ) </span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- THE RECORDING - </strong></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://lnk.to/WordsSong" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span class="text-big"><strong>LISTEN HERE</strong></span></a><br><span class="text-big">When tracking a song live off the floor with a group of musicians, sometimes the way you heard it in your head doesn't always materialize in the studio. This was the case with Words. As we listened back in the control room, producer Justin Abedin said, "let's try something completely different." He told our drummer Mark Mariash to do his "Mariash thing" and grab some stuff from the kitchen for improvised percussion. He came back with a metal dog bowl and dropped his keys in it and started shaking it and grabbed a string of beads and moved them across the drum skin. Drew Birston used a POG effect pedal to add higher and lower octaves on his bass and Todd Lumley looked into his bag of tricks and pulled out a melodica. The band kicked into the song and we were merrily marching down a musical road with a totally different view and I loved it. Thanks to producer Justin Abedin for boldly changing course during the crunch and to the cool cat musicians for being open to letting the song travel where it needed to go.</span><br><br><span class="text-big">Recorded at Canterbury Sound in Toronto. Engineered by Jeremy Darby. Overdubs at Jeddart Music in Mississauga. Mixed by Chad Carlson at Hippo Sound in Nashville and Mastered by Hank Williams. Produced by Justin Abedin & David Leask. Vocals & acoustic guitar- David Leask. Electric guitars - Justin Abedin. Drums & percussion - Mark Mariash. Electric and bowed upright bass - Drew Birston. Piano & melodica - Todd Lumley.</span><br><br><span class="text-big">One of the fun things to do after the track is recorded is to go back and hear it in it's original form. Here's video of the pre-production demo sent to the band before we went into the studio.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sgu_q7wJYS8" width="560"></iframe></span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>- THE LYRIC -</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">Words, words, can't get past the words</span><br><span class="text-big">Phrases like forests, mazes of meanings </span><br><span class="text-big">Masks for our faces, pillows for dreaming</span><br><span class="text-big"> </span><br><span class="text-big">Words, words so crowded with words</span><br><span class="text-big">Stuffed into spaces erasing the wonder</span><br><span class="text-big">Weeds in the garden choking us under</span><br><span class="text-big"> </span><br><span class="text-big">We keep building bridges across dangerous rivers </span><br><span class="text-big">With words that keep bending and breaking in two </span><br><span class="text-big">Stuck on our islands all huddled and frightened </span><br><span class="text-big">Lonely and trying to be heard</span><br><span class="text-big">Screaming out nothing but words</span><br><span class="text-big"> </span><br><span class="text-big">Words, Words carnival words </span><br><span class="text-big">Nuanced and plastic, frowning and grinning </span><br><span class="text-big">Multiple facets, weather vanes spinning</span><br><span class="text-big"> </span><br><span class="text-big">Words, words, spirograph words</span><br><span class="text-big">Campfires dancing, northern lights weaving </span><br><span class="text-big">Kaleidoscopes tumbling, ocean waves breathing</span><br><br><span class="text-big">We keep building bridges across dangerous rivers </span><br><span class="text-big">With words that keep bending and breaking in two </span><br><span class="text-big">Stuck on our islands all huddled and frightened </span><br><span class="text-big">Lonely and trying to be heard</span><br><span class="text-big">Screaming out nothing but words</span><br><br><span class="text-big">Words© 2007 David Leask/Songs In The Air & Alec Steinwall</span><br><br><span class="text-big"><strong>COMING UP NEXT WEEK</strong></span><br><span class="text-big">A preview of the title track, some cool video from the album cover photo shoot and CD pre-sale details including how you can have the songs delivered to your inbox every week.</span></p>
DAVID LEASK
tag:www.davidleask.com,2005:Post/1351873
2013-07-08T06:40:00-04:00
2018-05-06T13:42:57-04:00
RECORDING COMPLETE
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/60872/7a124179a123fa5ff8c413ec812d820e9647d10d/original/chadanddave.jpg?1372971237/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_inline border_none" alt="" height="225" width="300" /><br>Mix engineer Chad Carlson and I finishing the last mix at his studio in Nashville. (Yes that shiny little gold thing on top of the speaker is a Grammy!) Thanks to Chad and my co-producer Justin Abedin as well as all the fantastic musicians, engineers and co-writers for helping me pull this one off. I couldn't be happier. Watch this space or <a href="http://facebook.com/davidleaskmusic" target="_new"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Facebook</span></a> for more information about the upcoming release.<br>David</span></p>
DAVID LEASK