Peninsula audiences will be treated to a first view of a unique slice of classic Canadiana on Saturday, as White Rock's Blue Frog Studios presents the debut of The Great Canadian Songbook.
In an ambitious show inspired by Canada's 150th birthday, Surrey-based folk artists Tiller's Folly (Laurence Knight, Bruce Coughlan, Nolan Murray) are joining with the classically trained tenor and pop singer Ken Lavigne, aboriginal/multicultural singer-songwriter Diyet and One Horse Blue keyboardist Larry Pink to provide a broad stylistic overview of Canada's greatest hits.
And the concert – offering fresh versions of songs by such iconic figures as Leonard Cohen, Stan Rogers, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Buffy St. Marie, Anne Murray and Stompin' Tom Connors – seems to have struck a chord with the local market. A 7 p.m. show has already sold-out, necessitating a second show at 9:15 p.m.
"There's an incredible buzz," Knight said, noting that a scheduled tour of B.C. in November is adding to interest from venues across Canada.
Lavigne has a big fan base in Ontario, he added, while Dyet, based in the Yukon, has regions of support across the country, adding to the established appeal of Tiller's Folly in B.C. and the Pacific Northwest.
"And American buyers seem just as excited about it as Canadians," Knight said. "This was inspired by Canada 150, but… right now we have bookings into February of 2018. I think it's going to have legs – particularly in multi-dimensional venues."
None of the artists were unknown to one another, Knight said. Lavigne, also a songwriter, has frequently discussed collaboration with Tiller's Folly's Coughlan and Nolan, while Diyet shared the stage with the band in Regina last year and Pink did likewise at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.
"Ken is such a beautiful singer – to hear him sing something like Hallelujah, it's world-class; and Diyet has this unique energy and drive," Knight said. "When Bruce does a Gordon Lightfoot or a Neil Young song, or something by Stompin' Tom, it's just amazing."
Listeners can expect a 'dueling Gordons,' Knight said – "both Ken and Bruce have their favourite Lightfood songs" – while Lavigne and Diyet will sing some numbers in French. All will do original songs.
"Tiller's Folly has always been about Canadiana, but now we've added a French piece, an indigenous piece and a classical piece to the mix," he said
The venue is located at 1328 Johnston Rd.; tickets are available at 604-542-3055 and online at www.bluefrogstudios.ca