I wanted to include this song (Take it from Day to Day) for
two reasons. Firstly I have always been in awe of Stan's
material. It has been a dream come true to have more of his
songs released. Secondly, my musical friends in the Middle
East immediately related to this particular song upon first
hearing it. Far away from home and having to stick things out
was something we all had in common.
- Jim Hanlon
Jim Hanlon is no stranger to musicians and music lovers of the Maritime
region. Born and raised in Canso town he has been active in the regional
music scene for many years. Jim played in pick up bands as a teen and
later toured the Maritime pub circuit with his brother John as the folk
duo O'Hanlon. A founding member of the popular Lunenburg based group
Starb'ard Side he participated in the early development of the Lunenburg
Folk Harbour Festival. Billed as the host band, Starb'ard Side were
regular performers during the first ten years.
Like many Maritime songwriters Jim held a regular job in order to maintain
heart and home. Unfortunately the job would eventually lead him to the far
off Middle East. He presently lives in the Kingdom of Bahrain where he
travels the bridge to Saudi Arabia each day to work in the fishing
industry there. Since his arrival in the Middle East Jim has continued his
music interests playing in various groups and regularly hosting folk
nights. Each year he takes his annual vacation to attend the Stan Rogers
Folk Festival. He has performed every year except the first when
international flight delays prevented his attendance. He holds the
distinction of being one of only two artists to perform in seven of the
eight Stanfests to date.
A ten year gap in recording was bridged when Jim met and befriended
Canadian folk festival pioneer Mitch Podolak at the second Stan Rogers
Folk Festival. Following that festival Podolak sent Jim's material to
veteran producer Paul Mills. Mills liked what he heard and maintained
regular contact during the following year. Paul and Jim would perform
together during the next festival and the foundation was laid for the
"From the Heart" project. The CD was finally released on the Bogbard label
at the 2004 festival.
Since its release "From the Heart" has received air play across Canada,
the US, Australia and Europe. Reviews and comments from prominent industry
people are consistently endorsing Jim's reputation as a quality song
writer. The CD has been selected for features in several of the leading
folk magazines this summer and several international recording artists are
considering Jim's material for release. Jim is definitely a songwriter to
keep your eye on. As one fan aptly stated "he can reach in and pull the
heart right out of you with a few simple words". I can certainly relate to
that statement.
Jim Hanlon has managed to keep his familiar hometown feel and yet bring a
more urban sound to this new album. A writer who is sensitive to life's
issues, he does not hesitate to give us the goods on the harder side of
living while reminding us of the joys to be found in the seemingly
mundane. His rendition of Take it from Day to Day is wonderful. His voice
is warmer and better than ever - further proof of the vintage wine theory!
I understand that the recording of this CD was done over a greater
time-span than most, due to the constraints of working overseas during the
process, but continuity is certainly not lacking in the production values
of this fine album. Paul Mills has done a superb job, as usual, with
maintaining the intimacy that is so characterisic of the music from our
eastern seaboard. Congrats, Jim!
