Christmas At Home
December 6, 1999
"Christmas At Home" is a new compilation CD that
EMI has put out that features an all-Canadian lineup. The songs/artists on this CD
include Do You Hear What I Hear? - Heather, Cookie and Raylene Rankin;
The First Noel - Bruce Guthro; Silent Night - Damhnait Doyle and Dayna
Manning; Here We Are In Bethlehem - Robert Bell, Church of St. Mary Magdelene; O
Come All Ye Faithful - Anne Murray; I Saw Three Ships - Rik Emmett and Sam Reid;
The Holly - Rita MacNeil; It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Frank Mills;
Hallelujah Chorus - Toronto Mendelson Choir, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis;
The Huron Carol - Toronto Children's Chorus; O Holy Night - John McDermott; The
Three Kings - Vancouver Chamber Choir; The Christmas Song - Quartetto Gelato; What Child
Is This / We Three Kings - Renee Rosnes; Mary Had A Baby - Bruce Cockburn; Away In A
Manger - Susan Aglukark; It's A Marshmallow World - Kim Stockwood; Merry Christmas
Everybody - Stompin' Tom. Email for info on
obtaining this CD.
Parlour Medley used in "Over Canada"
December 6, 1999
Royal Bank's Over Canada
In a millennium tribute to the country and its people, Royal Bank Financial Group is
sponsoring Royal Bank's Over Canada. The
special one-hour high-definition television broadcast takes viewers on a cross-country
aerial tour. It showcases Canada's diverse communities and physical beauty.
The musical soundtrack features local and internationally-renowned Canadian performers.
The CD, along with a home video and coffee table book will be available for sale at the
Bay and Zellers. The original soundtrack is a showcase of award winning Canadian
artists. This collection of Canadian music embodies the very soul and spirit of
Canada, featuring Bruce Cockburn, Loreena McKennitt, Barachois, Tara MacLean, Kevin
Parent, The Rankins, Holly Cole, Connie Kaldor, Jerry Alfred, Soni Moreno
with Hearts of the Nations, Cowboy Junkies, Blue Rodeo, and Bruce Guthro with
Raylene Rankin.. If you are outside of Canada and want info on obtaining this CD,
send in an email.
Airing in Western Washington State and Southern British Columbia on KCTS on the
following dates and times: Thursday December 9th at 8:00pm and Wednesday December 15th at
7:00pm.
Airing in the Albany, New York area on WMHT on Monday December 6 at 10pm.
Airing in Vermont on Public TV's 6 stations on Thursday December 9 at 9pm..
Christmas Cabaret
December 1, 1999
A RANKIN CHRISTMAS CABARET WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 ON CBC-TV. CHRISTMAS CABARET is a
delightful holiday season special starring the magical voices of Cookie, Heather and
Raylene Rankin of the award-winning Rankins group. It airs Wednesday, December 15 at 9
p.m. on CBC-TV. The Rankin sisters sing music both traditional and modern, in English and
Gaelic ranging from their own unique arrangement of Do You Hear to the swinging Cajun beat
of Children Go, to the traditional Joy To The World and Ave Maria. They also sing the
Gaelic songs A Challuin (The New Year Song) and Taladh Chriosda. Cookie, Heather and
Raylene are joined by special guests fiddling sensation Natalie MacMaster, brother John
Morris Rankin, blues guitarist/singer Colin James and the Little Big Band who perform a
swinging Blue Christmas, singer/songwriter Amy Sky who performs O Come Emmanuel, and
singer/songwriter Marc Jordan who entertains with Come The Christmas Day. James and Sky
also join up for a bluesy rendition of Please Be Home for Christmas. CHRISTMAS CABARET is
a production of Salter Street Films.
Timmy's Christmas Telethon
November 22, 1999
Timmy's Christmas Telethon
Michelle Wright & The Rankin Sisters Headline a Host of Canadian Talent at this
Year's Timmy's Christmas Telethon
Canadian recording artists Michele Wright and The Rankin Sisters will highlight this
year's Timmy's Christmas Telethon on December 4th and 5th on CBC Television in Vancouver.
The Telethon hosted by Rock'n Roll of famer, Red Robinson and CBC's Television Broadcast
One anchor, Gloria Macarenko, promises to entertain and warm the hearts of viewers for a
total of 12 hours.
Timmy's Christmas Telethon is the primary fundraising project of the B.C. Lions Society
for Children with Disabilities. The Telethon talent line-up also includes Long John
Baldry, Mae Moore, Doug & The Slugs, Rick Tippe, Bobbi Smith, Laurie Thain, the Welsh
Mens Choir, Wall Street, Sound Sensation, the St. George's Boys Choir, the Darcelles
Dancers, and the Molnar Family. There will also be special celebrity guests and inspiring
stories of some of BC's children with needs and of the dedicated work of the caring
individuals and organizations that support the Society.
Timmy's Christmas Telethon will broadcast live in the Vancouver area on Saturday,
December 4th from 10:00pm until 1:30am, then continue Sunday, December 5th from 9am to
5pm, from CBC Television's Vancouver studios.
Scott MacMillan joins Cookie, Heather and Raylene
Rankin
November 13, 1999
Scott Macmillan is Music Director and Guitarist for Cookie, Heather & Raylene
Rankin and their Western Canadian Christmas Symphony Tour 1999. The tour opens in
Halifax with Symphony Nova Scotia, November 26 and 27, 1999 and then goes out west to Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Brandon.
The Rankin sisters will perform songs from their Christmas recording, "Do You
Hear...". All the orchestrations for this tour were arranged by Scott
Macmillan. They will also be joined on the tour by Vancouver pianist, Michael
Creber.
Scott MacMillan has been active
behind the scenes with the Rankin Family from their inception as the "The Rankin
Family Band" in 1989, when he acted as Musical Director of "Mabou
Jig". With the success of this summer theatre music revue, "Mabou
Jig" launched "The Rankin Family Band" and became the source material
for their first recording. MacMillan has been an active contributor to their
recording projects over the years and has continued his relationship with the Rankin
Family Band, either as a group, as individuals, or in varying permeations thereof.
On their Holiday Recording "Do You Hear..." with Cookie, Heather and Raylene
Rankin in 1997, Scott acted as orchestral arranger and Music Director. In the Spring
of 1999, he embarked on arranging and orchestrating 13 of the 15 songs from this
recording for this up-coming Western Canadian Orchestral tour.
In late April of 2000, (April 27, 28,29,2000), MacMillan in his role as Guest Conductor
with the Kitchener/Waterloo Symphony Orchestra will have the pleasure of presenting
Raylene Rankin in an East Coast Celebration of Scott's orchestrations and Compositions in
Kitchener/Waterloo.
Gordie Sampson Wins Award
November 8, 1999
This past weekend, the 1999 Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia Awards were
handed out in Halifax. Gordie Sampson was on hand to pick up his prize for 'Record
Producer of the Year' (for his work on Natalie MacMaster's new release), and to except the
award for 'Recording Studio of the Year' on behalf of himself and his partner, Fred
Lavery, from Lakewind Sound. In addition to picking up awards, Gordie was one of the
featured performors. The 1999 version of the Awards were held in the darkened
facility at Halifax's Pier 21 and were hosted by Rave Entertainment's Max MacDonald and
Halifax performer Lulu LaBelle.
Rankin Girls Perform with Carly Simon
October 31, 1999 - Halifax Herald (from September 1999)
The Rankin sisters will be recording an album with Carly Simon, the Tattler has
learned. Despite their breakup on Sept. 17 as the group The Rankins, Heather, Cookie and
Raylene headed to Martha's Vineyard Wednesday to sing on Simon's next album. It will be
produced by David Field, who has worked with the Rankins before. He produced the title
song on their limited-edition five-song EP, Grey Dusk of Eve in 1995 and a Lullaby
compilation album, in which the Rankins provided a tune. The gals will be part of a
small group of back-up singers for Arista Records release.
Press Release
September 17, 1999
RANKINS PRESS RELEASE
After a critically acclaimed ten year musical career highlighted by album sales in
excess of two million units, international touring, and numerous hit singles, the multiple
Juno-award winning band, The Rankins, will cease to record and perform as a group in order
to pursue independant careers and interests.
Cookie Rankin will pursue various songwriting and recording projects while sister
Heather will focus on a career in acting (She appears in "The Hanging Garden;"
Jimmy Rankin, a prolific songwriter, will begin work on a solo record; John Morris
Rankin plans to freelance as a multi-instrumentalist and composer.
The group will perform all scheduled engagements in September and October, including a
benefit for Restoration House at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario on October 21st, and
call it a wrap in early November. In late November and December, Heather, Cookie,
and Raylene (who left the band last year), will embark on a Christmas Symphony tour in
various Canadian cities.
The Rankins extend sincere thanks to their many fans, families, band, and crew, and
members of the industry who have been most supportive of their career.
Songs of the Sea
Songs of the Sea on Stephen MacDonald Productions (ASIN B00000I44R) will be released in
the US on September 28, 1999.
The tracks include: Silver Sea (The Garrison Brothers), Fisherman's Son
(The Rankins), Bay Of St. Ann's (Max MacDonald), Black Rock (Rita MacNeil), Let Me
Fish Off Cape St. Mary's (Denis Ryan), Rollin' On The Sea (Brakin' Tradition), Flow Time
(The Barra MacNeils), Atlantic Blue (Ron Hynes), Sea People (Richard Burke), Believing In
Better (Lennie Gallant), Make And Break Harbour (Stan Rogers), Atlantic Queen (Tom
Leadbeater).
This is a unique collection featuring some of the best recording artists and
songwriters in Atlantic Canada. These contemporary works reflect many aspects of life
lived at the edge of the sea. Some tell of the days of sail, others of the proud
fisherfolk who rely on the ocean for their livelihood. There are also songs that speak of
the awesome power of the sea - a power that can heal and inspire, as well as destroy.
Tracks 3, 9 and 12 were recorded especially for this collection.
About the Artists:
The Garrison Brothers made their first public appearance in Boston in 1974 and
continued to entertain audiences in the US and Canada until they disbanded in the early
80's. The group's featured instrumentalist and vocalist was Kevin Evans, now a member of
the folk duo Evans and Doherty who continue to be a popular presence on the Atlantic
Canadian music scene.
The Rankins have had tremendous commercial and critical success in the past eight years
since the group recorded its first independent albums, The Rankin Family and the
platinum-selling smash Fare Thee Well Love. Following that they were signed to EMI and
have released several other best-selling albums and have toured the world to rave reviews.
The group has won four Juno awards and a dozen East Coast Music Awards.
Born in Big Pond, Cape Breton, Rita MacNeil recorded her first album, Born A Woman, in
1975, the first of three recorded independently. Her major label debut came in 1987 with
Flying On Her Own on Virgin Records. She is the only female singer ever to have three
albums in Australia's Top 100 in the same year. In 1990 she sold more records in Canada
than Garth Brooks and Clint Black. In 1991 she was invited to play at Royal Albert Hall in
London, England. In 1992 she was named a member of the Order of Canada by then
Governor-General Ray Hnatyshyn. In the mid-1990's, MacNeil hosted Rita Friends, her own
CBC television show. Max MacDonald has had a varied career as a singer, actor, songwriter
and currently as an entertainment manager. Max was lead vocalist of the hugely popular and
ground breaking group Buddy and the Boys in the late 70s and early 80s and was a perennial
favourite in the touring music and comedy revues 'The Rise and Follies of Cape Breton' and
'The Cape Breton Summertime Revue' from 1977 until 1995.
Growing up in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, the Barra MacNeils were exposed to Cape Breton
traditional music at a young age. They began playing professionally in the early 1980's
and recorded three independent albums before signing with PolyGram. The band also won the
Roots/Traditional Artist Category at the East Coast Music Awards. In 1996 the Barra
MacNeils won Pop-Rock Artists of the Year and in 1997 they were nominated for Group of the
Year as well as Entertainer of the Year.
Led by the clear rich tenor of singer-songwriter Cyril MacPhee, Brakin' Tradition
delivers a blend of traditional Celtic Acadian sounds with rootsy maritime folk,
contemporary country and rock in unexpected yet pleasant ways. They produce a marriage of
traditional styles and modern instrumentation that is both lively and enjoyable. The music
provides glimpses into the Cape Breton experience real stories set against melodies that
call up images of the rugged coastline and sea. Not your typical Celtic band by any
stretch of the imagination.
Denis Ryan was for years a member of the popular Irish/Maritime group Ryan's Fancy
which had its own television show and entertained in pubs and on concert stages across
Canada. His crystal clear tenor voice is featured at its best on his solo album Mist
Covered Mountains from which this compilation's selection is taken. Ron Hynes began his
career as a singer/songwriter in his home province of Newfoundland in the early 70s plying
the coffeehouse circuit through the Maritimes and Ontario. In '76 he composed a song
called Sonny's Dream that would go on to become a folk classic recorded by dozens of
artists worldwide. Ron is a five time Peoples Choice winner, a three time East Coast Music
award winner, a Juno and CCMA nominee and in 1992 was awarded the Newfoundland/Labrador
Arts Council artist of the year award. Recent awards include the 1997 MIA awards for Song
of the Year (Godspeed) and Male Artist. He has recorded two original albums for EMI Music
Canada (Cryer's Paradise and Face To The Gale), and recently released 1111 Newfoundland
Women Sing, a collection of songs co-written with Connie Hynes and sung by the
province's best female artists.
Backed by a band made up of the best folk, rock and country players in Atlantic Canada,
Lennie Gallant sings passionately about subjects that cut to the heart. An interest in
human rights has taken him to Guatemala, Mexico and the Middle East while his music has
earned him several East Coast Music awards and a Juno nomination. Intertwining roots of
Celtic and Acadian music underlie his tunes about the working class heroes of his home
province, Prince Edward Island, and the world beyond. Lennie won the 1998 ECMA Award for
Male Artist of the Year.
A child of Maritime stock on both sides of his family, Stan Rogers grew to be a big man
-six feet four- built like a fire truck and possessed of a voice that rumbled from his
toes. His early songwriting efforts found their way onto Stan's first album, Fogarty's
Cove, and he was on his way. His songs gave a new voice to ordinary folks who worked the
fisheries, mines and farms of this vast country. Stan died in a fire on Air Canada flight
797 at Cincinnati, Ohio airport on June 2nd, 1983. His legacy of songs has been referred
to as "one of the touchstones of modern Canadian history."
Richard Burke is one of the Maritimes most talented vocalists and instrumentalists. For
year's he was a mainstay of the popular roadshow 'The Cape Breton Summertime Revue' and
has travelled with Denny Doherty in his Mamas and Papas retrospective Dream A Little
Dream. Richard continues to make his home in New Waterford, Cape Breton with his wife
Darlene and their four children.
Another New Waterford native, Tom Leadbeater, has one of those voices that come along
only once in a long, long while. He has loaned his efforts to musical theatre, fronted
several bands and is currently working as a popular performer for nightclubs and
conventions.
Rankins debut on CMT in the United States
Finally, the Rankins video for "Movin' On" has been added to the CMT playlist
in the United States. For airtimes, vist CMT's website.
Rankins on CMT Canada
Since I'm giving the times you can see The Rankins videos in the US, I thought I should
give the times you can see them on CMT Canada as
well.
Rankins Headline Big Pond Festival
Sydney, N.S. - The Rankins are the headliners for the Big Pond Summer Festival
this year, which organizers expect will provide another boost for the already popular
event.
"We've had big names before, but we expect having the Rankins this year
will help secure our reputation for attracting high calibre North American talent even
more," said Robert Sampson.
In the past, entertainers have included Rita MacNeil, Rawlin's Cross, the Barra
MacNeils, Bruce Guthro, and Ashley MacIsaac.
The 35th annual Big Pond Festival runs from July 11 to 18. (Source: CP Newswire, May
26, 1999).
Rankins Headline Apple Blossom Festival Concert
NEWS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE - Rankins Headline Concert
The 67th annual Apple Blossom Festival is pleased to present the world renown
"Rankins" as the featured artists for this years outdoor concert at Acadia
University's Raymond Field, Friday, May 28th.
The award-winning Rankins have not toured their home province in the past three years
and are looking forward to their appearance at the Apple Blossom Festival.
Opening for the Rankins is another consummate Canadian performer, the 1999 ECMA Winner
of the Newcomer Of The Year Award, Gordie Sampson.
Raymond Field will be set up once again with a state-of-the-art covered stage ensuring
this exciting outdoor concert will take place rain or shine.
Tickets for "On The Field With The Rankins" will be available April 19 at the
Acadia Box Office at $16.50 plus HST. Call 542-5500 or 1-800-542-8425. You're encouraged
to buy your tickets early. Tickets will also be available at the door, priced at 19.50
plus HST. "On The Field With The Rankins" begins at 8:00 sharp, Friday, May
28th.
Tears of Stone
The Chieftains new album "Tears of Stone" features a wonderful array of
musicians. Celtic, pop, country, instrumental, etc. are all represented on this album. The
album was released on February 23, 1999.
The track listing for the CD is: "Never Give All The Heart" with Brenda
Fricker and Anuna, "A Stor Mo Chroi" with Bonnie Raitt, "The Lowlands Of
Holland" with Natalie Merchant, "The Magdalene Laundries" with Joni
Mitchell, "Jimmy Mo Mhile Stor" with The Rankins, "I Know My
Love" with the Corrs, "Factory Girl" with Sinead O'Connor, "Deserted
Soldier" with Mary Chapin Carpenter, "Ye Rambling Boys Of Pleasure" with
Loreena McKennitt, "Sake In The Jar" with Akiko Yang, "Raglan Road"
with Joan Osborne, "Siuil A Run" with Sissel, "The Fiddling Ladies"
with Eileen Ivers, Natalie MacMaster, Marie Breatnach and Annbjorg Lien, "Danny
Boy" with Diana Krall.
Celtic Tides airing in the United States
In Canada, we got to see the TV special "Celtic Tides" a few months back. Now
people in the United States are going to get a chance to see it. Celtic Tides. It's going
to air on Bravo TV on (all times are Eastern) March
17 at 12am, March 18th at 9pm and March 21st at 12pm. The following is the bio from the
Bravo TV website:
"In its earliest years, Gaelic songs were meant to teach, comfort and entertain.
Now, centuries later, Celtic music is captivating audiences worldwide. Travel to Ireland,
Scotland and Eastern Canada to visit with The Chieftains, Loreena McKennitt, Clannad,
Altan, Mary Black, Dougie MacLean and Capercaillie when Bravo premieres Celtic Tides for
Bravo's tribute to St. Patrick's Day. Celtic Tides is a one-hour musical odyssey, hosted
by [Cookie, Raylene, and Heather Rankin], exploring the force and phenomenon of Celtic
music's renaissance in the early 1990s. These artists and others are filmed in
performances and interviews against the dramatic backdrops of beautiful landscapes and
ancient Celtic ruins."
The video, CD, DVD, and book "Celtic Tides" are available for purchase from Putumayo World Music. ISBN #1885265689.
1999 ECMA Group of the Year
Congratulations to The Rankins who won the Group of the Year award at the 1999 ECMA's
on Sunday February 14 in St. John's, Newfoundland. The Rankins closed the awards show by
performing "Let It Go." Great way to wrap up the show! Gordie Sampson, who has
been playing guitar for the Rankins for the past couple of years, won Best New Artist..
1999 Junos
The nominees for the 1999 Junos were announced Wednesday January 27th. The Rankins are
up for Best Group of the Year. The other nominees in this category are Barenaked Ladies,
Matthew Good Band, The Philosopher Kings and The Tragically Hip. It's certainly a
difference for the Rankins to be nominated in this group this year instead of Country
Group of the Year. The awards will be handed out March 7, 1999 at Hamilton Place and will
be broadcast on CBC. The awards show is SOLD OUT. For a complete list of nominees, check
out Juno Awards Online.
Raylene Rankin has left the group
Family has come between Raylene Rankin and the Rankins. "Raylene Rankin has
decided to take an indefinite leave of absence to raise her new family," stated a
brief news release from EMI this weekend. The news comes as the popular Cape Breton
musicians are preparing to embark on a tour of Britain, Europe and the United States. The
group's latest video, Maybe You're Right, has recently hit No.1 on Much More Music's
chart. (Source: Halifax Herald, November 9, 1998).
CMT Collection 99
After the success of CMT Canada 96, 97 and 98, CMT has released CMT
'99 on November 10th. It features 17 hit songs from country music's biggest
stars. The tracks included on this CD are Jo Dee Messina "Bye, Bye," Brooks and
Dunn "How Long Gone," LeAnn Rimes "The Light In Your Eyes," Deana
Carter "Did I Shave My Legs For This," Jason McCoy "Born Again in
Dixieland," Pam Tillis "I Said A Prayer," Dixie Chicks "I Can Love You
Better," Terri Clark "Now That I Found You," Tim McGraw "One Of These
Days," Leahy "The Call To Dance (Medley)," The Rankins "Movin'
On," Julian Austin "Little Ol' Kisses," Diamond Rio "How You
Love Makes Me Feel," Mindy McCready "The Other Side Of This Kiss," Patty
Loveless "You Don't Seem To Miss Me," Jim Brickman/Michelle Wright "Your
Love," and Alan Jackson "Who's Cheatin' Who (Extended Mix)."
The Rankins are "Movin' On" to their
7th EMI Music Canada release entitled "Uprooted"
Over the years, The Rankins have created music that features stunning harmonies,
incredible melodies and meaningful lyrics. It is with this amazing combination that they
have sold close to 2 million units in Canada alone!!
The Rankins have adopted an entirely fresh approach to recording "Uprooted"
thanks in part to the album's Grammy award winning producer George Massenburg (Little
Feat, Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, Aaron Neville). Alth ough
a departure from The Rankins' previous recordings, Uprooted still contains
all the elements that you would expect from a Rankins release. Without question, Uprooted
is the record that will take The Rankins to the ne xt step in Canada and
internationally. It is being released on Tuesday, April 28th!
Regardless of the new developments in The Rankins' recording techniques and
instrumental arrangements, there is no mistaking its creators. With a refreshing boldness
and an up-front edge, Uprooted elevates the Rankin sound by weavi ng
trademark harmonies, stunning melodies and original lyrics. Although a departure from The
Rankins' previous recordings, Uprooted still contains all the Gaelic ballads
and dance hall beats that you would expect from a Rankins release.
Uprooted contains all the necessary elements to break new ground on previously
uncharted territory. Beginning with the new country sound of the first single Moving On,
to the solid pop vocals on "Maybe You're Right", to the funky s treet
beats and the poetry of spoken word on "Weddings, Wakes and Funerals" to
the incredible enriched vocals on "Cold Winds and Bells". The Rankins
have always had overwhelming support at Country radio but never before has the crosso ver
potential at A/C and CHR been so evident. Uprooted will offer loyal Rankin
fans an exciting new sound and at the same time it opens the doors to a younger
demographic. (Source: EMI Music).
The Single - "Movin' On"
The carefree stylings of The Rankins' first single "Movin' On"
evoke memories of traveling along stretches of desert highways. It is imbued with the
spirit of a drifter, while evoking images of life on the road. Canadian radio has embra
ced this track and is quickly moving up the charts! In fact, it is already a TOP 20 HIT!!
(Source: EMI Music).
Name Change
The Rankin Family is no more...sort of. Rankin Family's management has confirmed that
as of April 28th, when their new album comes out, they will be known simply as The
Rankins.
Music History
According to "The Record," for the week of May 24, 1994, The Rankin Family's
"Border and Times" video was number 10. (Source: CMT Canada, May 24, 1998)
According to "The Record," for the week of February 15, 1993, The Rankin
Family received their first number one song with Fare Thee Well Love. (Source: CMT Canada,
March 2nd, 1998)
Rankin Family's mom, Kaye, remembered by
community
"Mabou - The mother of Nova Scotia's most famous singing family has died. Kaye
Rankin, mother of The Rankin Family died Thursday after a battle with breast cancer. She
was 60. She was instrumental in advancing the musical career of her family, encouraging
their talents and transporting her step-dancing daughters and fiddle-playing sons to
performances while selling their records from the back of her car. Over the years she ran
The Rankin's fan club from her home in Mabou and as recently as this summer, drove around
the island, distributing Rankin Family tapes and CDs to shops and stores. " (Source:
Halifax Herald, December 13, 1997)
Background Info to "Do You Hear"
"The recently released album of Christmas songs by Heather, Cookie and
Raylene Rankin of The Rankin Family titled Do You Hear . . .
Christmas with Heather, Cookie and Raylene Rankin, couldn't have been recorded in
less Yuletide-like conditions. In the spring of this year, the trio travelled to the
Armoury Studios in Vancouver to lay down bed tracks with producer Jim Rondinelli
and then headed home to the Maritimes in April to record the vocal tracks in a seaside
home in Hubbards, N.S. where Laura Smith had previously recorded her album, It's a
Personal Thing." (Source: The Record, November ?, 1997).
The Hanging Garden
Halifax-based filmmaker Thom Fitzgerald's first feature film, The Hanging
Garden will be released in theatres in Canada on November 14th. The drama follows
a man's return to Nova Scotia to celebrate his sister's wedding, and stars Chris Leavins
(Traders), and Kerry Fox, with special appearances by Ashley MacIsaac and Heather
Rankin. The film's soundtrack includes Ashley MacIsaac, The Rankin Family,
Leahy, Holy Cole and Jane Siberry.
Rankin Solo Work
Here is one of the solo projects one of the Rankin women has done. John Chiasson
(the Rankins' bassist) has a new recording out, In the Moonlight. It's an
independent release so you might have to do some searching for it. The cut of John
Chiasson and Raylene Rankin doing a rendition of the classic
"Misty" was heard on CBC radio on September 17th. There are eleven cuts on this
CD. (Source: George Seto - September 17, 1997).
Collection goes Platinum
The Rankin Family capped a strong 1996 by the platinum sales of their
"best-of" album, Collection. (Source: Country Magazine, Summer 1997
issue).
Update: After The Rankin Family's Toronto concert on August 8th, 1997,
they were presented with an award for having their Collection CD go double
platinum.
The Planet Sleeps
Take a look in your record stores for a CD called The Planet Sleeps.
The CD was released in the USA April 1st, 1997 and in Canada May 8, 1997. It's a record of
lullabies from around the world and The Rankin Family have contributed
their song Chi Mi Ni Na Morbheanna (Mist Covered Mountains) from their
self-titled debut album. More info on this CD can be found at Sony Music's
Web Page.
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