Stream Blackie and The Rodeo Kings New CD

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, or BARK as they are code-named, are releasing their new CD "South" which should be another hit for them. You can stream the CD on CBC in pre-release.

"North" from Blackie and The Rodeo Kings "South"

I can never get enough of BARK since I first saw them at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto about 10 years ago.

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings sneak up on you. You listen and go yeah, that's good. Then the CD ends up on your phone. Someone leaves it in the car and it's on rotation. BARK is the story of which Blackie and the Rodeo CD are we listening to this trip. Hint – have two in the car to avoid arguments.

Colin Linden, guitar player and Nashville producer, Tom Wilson  singer/songwriter and Stephen Fearing, singer songwriter are all great musicians. Colin Linden has the sweetest blues country guitar sound. Tom Wilson, self-proclaimed bad boy, is a giant of a singer with a deep baritone and Stephen Fearing is sensitive almost tender balladeer. Each time they put out a CD, it's the sum is greater than the parts all over again.

—

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, Tom Wilson

"South is a fresh creative step for songwriters Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden, and Tom Wilson.  Blackie and the Rodeo Kings' latest album builds on their consistently energetic performances with largely acoustic yet reliably punchy arrangements, showcasing the multiple strengths of the alt-country super group.

Following the January 14 release of South on File Under: Music, the band will support their new album with a string of tour dates in Canada and the United States.

Outside of Blackie, the three have maintained their careers. Fearing is a widely respected solo artist, and is half of the duo Fearing and White with noted Irish artist Andy White.

Wilson has worked solo, as well as leading the bands Junkhouse and Lee Harvey Osmond.

Linden, who relocated to Nashville in 1996, has released several solo albums and recently played guitar in Bob Dylan's touring band. As guitarist, songwriter and/or producer, he's also worked with the likes of The Band, T-Bone Burnett, Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, Leon Redbone, and Lucinda Williams."

BARK "was formed as a one-off side project by three successful solo artists (Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson) made an album that was lauded critically. Eighteen years later, the band returns with their eighth studio album, South.

Boasting mainly acoustic songs, South is a celebration of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings' songwriting ability, bringing together their folk and rock roots to create an output that is reflective of the band's chemistry.

Written while the band was touring to support their 2011 release, Kings and Queens, South is a bit of a departure for the group – a new direction for a band that was very focused on its go-to five-piece arrangements."

You can "South" from Amazon.ca and Amazon.com, here and iTunes.

Canadian tour dates

If you are anywhere near a Blackie and the Rodeo Kings show, get tickets a babysitter and go. It's not flashy just really entertaining.

They haven't been back to the Maritimes for years – hint hint – and I'd make a trip to see them again.

Jan. 22: Ajax, Ont., Annandale Golf & Curling Club
Jan. 23: Peterborough, Ont., Market Hall
Jan. 24: Guelph, Ont., River Run Centre
Jan. 25: Kingston, Ont., Grand Theatre
Jan. 26: London, Ont., Aeolian Hall
Jan. 27: Port Dover, Ont., The Lighthouse Theatre
Jan. 29: Burlington, Ont., Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Jan. 30: Meaford, Ont., Meaford Hall, Arts, and Cultural Centre
Jan. 31: Mississauga, Ont., Mississauga Living Arts Centre
Feb. 1: Thunder Bay, Ont., Finlandia Hall
Feb. 2: Fort Frances, Ont., Townshend Theatre
Feb. 3: Sioux Lookout, Ont., Queen Elizabeth District High School
Feb. 4: Dryden, Ont., Dryden Performing Arts Centre
Feb. 5: Red Lake, Ont., Red Lake High School
Feb. 7: Airdrie, Alta., Bert Church Theatre
Feb. 8: Sherwood Park, Alta., Festival Place
Feb. 11: Salt Spring Island, B.C., Salt Spring Island Folk Club
Feb. 12: Duncan, B.C., Cowichan Theatre

With content from the press release, except my enthusiasm for BARK.

By Stephen Pate, NJN Network