Music

Stone+Sand+Sea+Sky
[ Borealis Records / Koch Distribution / May 2006 ]
The eighth and newest recording from Canadian folk icon Penny Lang, entitled Stone & Sand & Sea & Sky, and produced with much-appreciated assistance from the Canada Council for the Arts and SODEC. Produced by Grammy and Oscar-nominated producer Roma Baran and Grammy-nominated engineer Vivian Stoll, it is Penny’s second release for Borealis. It is Penny’s first studio recording since 1999 and features accompaniment by Roma Baran, Vivian Stoll, Kate McGarrigle, Ken Pearson, Michael Jerome Browne, Dave Clarke, Gaston Bernard, Rachelle Garniez and Penny’s son Jason Lang, among others… The recording features 13 songs from Penny’s repertoire, plus gems from contemporary songwriters and a song written especially for her. Throughout, Penny delivers stunning performances, squeezing every emotional nuance out of a collection that will surely prove to be timeless. Click on the album cover to learn more and listen to audio samples.

Gather Honey
[ Borealis Records / Koch Distribution / November 2001 ]
JUNO nominated 2002 in the category Best Roots &
Traditional Album/Solo. A labor of love, this CD started out as something entirely different; it was supposed to be an anthology of the recordings that Penny made in the nineties. Then Bill Garrett of Borealis Records, an old Montréal folkie himself, came up with a tape of the Ottawa Opus Coffee House concert. We began hearing about other recordings and a treasure hunt ensued. Penny Lang never recorded in those days, but plenty of folks recorded Penny Lang. Gospel, blues, country, traditional songs, real folk songs, contemporary Canadian songs that give a flavor of the Montréal scene during that period, songs by American writers who were important to Penny, and a couple of Penny’s early originals. More info…

Somebody Else
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / October 1999 ]Produced by David Baxter, with Jason Lang, Michelle Josef, Bazil Donovan, David Baxter,Lori Yates, Linda Feijo.
“Powerful, soulful voice and rootsy music with apparent traces of Memphis (and occasionally Detroit) soul, Louisiana gumbo music. Bo Diddley unplugged, middle period Dylan, and a host of other influences… a very listenable album…” Folk on Tap, UK “A take on Dylan’s love Minus Zero No Limit’ doesn’t stand out in any way in a collection of self-penned songs, which says it all”. Record Buyer, UK “..and secondly the quite brilliant Penny Lang. Part folk-keen, part blues-growl, her voice is an extraordinarily charismatic instrument- album of the month by a country mile.” Joe Cushley, MOJO Filter, UK

Penny & Friends Live
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / November 1998 ]Producers: Heidi Fleming, Penny Lang and Simon Pressey. With Jason Lang, Michael Browne, Bill Gossage, Bob Stagg, Ken & Chris Whiteley, Jody Golick, Martin Boodman, Linda Morisson, Kim Richardson, Michael Lessard, Michael Ball, Pam Hodges and John McColgan. “She draws strength and power from the songs, the musicians, and the audience to turn in inspired, and often inspiring performances… soaring…” Sing Out! Magazine “…Penny Lang is not only a great singer-songwriter but also a superb performer…a CD to enjoy over and over again”. Int’l Dr. Nina Simone Society, Antwerp, Belgium

Carry On Children
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / May 1999 ]Producer: Ken Whiteley. With special guests: Moxy Früvous, Colin Linden, Quartette, Ken and Chris Whiteley, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, Garnet Rogers and others. ”Emotional power rarely equalled… she is able to generate more emotion with her voice than probably 90 per cent of practising musician… Carry On Children enhances one’s respect of her musical and songwriting skill.” Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen, August 1996 ”With this follow-up (to her gem-filled Ain’t Life Sweet) Lang is sure to cement her reputation as a compassionate chronicler of the human condition.” Mike Regenstrief, Sing Out! February 1997. “Lang is a wonderful blues performer, a stellar cast of Canada’s finest bring out a casual elegance in her work.” Paul-Émile Comeau, Dirty Linen, July 1997 ”Featuring country, gospel and blues influences, this rare anthology of ballads and hymns flows with riveting acoustic and electric harmonies” Raniero De Martiis, JAM, Milano, Italy, March 1997 (tr) “An intimate but powerful sound…stories veiled in ironic sweetness of her…path to success…highly recommended.” Mauro Eufrosini, Soul’n Jazz Plus, Italy, Winter 1997 (tr) ”I dream of seeing, listening to, and of hearing the sweet vibrations and musicality of Penny Lang some warm evening…her music reminds me of …Paul Simon, with its choruses and heartfelt rhythms.” Pierre Jobin, Les Amis du Blues, Québec, October 1997 (tr) ”A fresh, bluesy feel, with jazzier elements… uncompromising” Delta Snake online ‘zine, Women in Blues, Fall 1997 ”(she) posesses a greatness of spirit, which…(while she is) so clearly identified with the 60s, her music is well anchored in the present…” Claude Côté, Paroles & Musique, SOCAN, October 1996 (tr)

Ain’t Life Sweet
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / 1993]With Jason and Scot Lang, Ray Bonneville, Rick Haworth, Danielle Martineau, Michel Donato, Linda Morrison and many more. ”Lang’s throaty voice carries the sweet edge of Rory Block or of Bonnie Raitt’s early years a great find eminently tuneful”. Michael Parrish, Dirty Linen, August 1995 ”Lang’s voice is like a caress, strong and sweet. She is at her instrumental best in the blues idiom, and her songwriting is full of hope and insight.” Rebecca Cohen, Victory Review, February 1994 (headline) ”Worth the wait: Penny Lang’s first CD is a keeper” Mary Lamey, The Gazette, Montréal, December 1993 ”A hidden gem… I am a big fan of Penny’s work.” Suzi Wollenberg, WVUD, Delaware ”The driving blues and uptempo swing and country-folk rhythms…would be certain to bring the audience to their feet…” Mike Ballantyne, Canadian Folk Music Bulletin, March 1995 ‘’superbly simple and simply superb songs… The combination is quite arresting and enjoyable” Bill Watt, News/Post, Toronto, March 1994

Yes
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / 1991, 1997 ]With Jason Lang, Scot Lang, Ken Pearson, Linda Morrison, Pat Donaldson, Michel Donato, Miche Pouliot, Jody Golick, Prod. Scot Lang/Jody Golick; Penny’s first originals and songs by close friends.

Live at the Yellow Door
[ SheWolf / Festival Distribution / 1992, 1997 ]Solo, live at the Yellow Door’s 25th anniversary. Prod. Simon Pressey, Heidi Fleming ’60s era classics, new and old. “A unique performer of special calibre and impeccable credentials… a cultural treasure, representing a long and deep tradition of troubadours who uplift through their musical art…” Craig Morrison, ethnomusicologist, author: Go Cat Go