Cabin fever - it's what we all felt this winter as the snow locked us in. The cover of The Echo Hunters' CD, Cabin Fever, depicts a rusted trailer on a grassy ridge, then explains that the entire album was recorded in a cabin in a small Quebec town starting in winter 2006.
The Echo Hunters, a Montreal roots rock band that features down-to-earth songs of mid-life joy and angst will be part of a roots music extravaganza entitled Cabin Fever on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. at the Raven's Cry Theatre in Sechelt, brought to the Coast by Heather Miller and Leslee Cooper in collaboration with Caravan World Rhythms and CBC Radio 2.
The Echo Hunters will be playing with one of Canada's most loved folk singers, Penny Lang, who moved to Madeira Park several years ago and has been performing around the community: as feature artist for the Pender Harbour Music Society, at the Copper Sky Café and entertaining seniors in care homes. Lang released her eighth album, Stone+ Sand+ Sea+ Sky in 2006, capping a four-decade career that has taken her from the coffee houses of Montreal to international festivals and has earned her honours at national folk music awards. Her songs draw widely from folk, blues and gospel traditions. Reached at home in Madeira Park recently, Lang dispels the accolades that are heaped on her such as "living legend" and "icon."
"I don't feel like a folk blues icon," she laughs during our Coast Reporter interview. "I've just been around for a while."
She first met The Echo Hunters during a recording session and they have shared stages for a few blues numbers. The group was later to use one of Lang's songs, Ain't Life Sweet, on their Cabin Fever album.
"They're reminiscent of Crosby Stills Nash and Young for their ability with harmonies," she said.
Also on the concert bill is Yukon country-folk singer Kim Beggs.
"I met her at music festivals and in the Yukon years ago," Lang said. "We had a great time singing together. She's very folksy, country and original in her own way."
Beggs' music has been described as distinctive, old-time, tinged roots music - a style that draws inspiration from old country and bluegrass. The theme of community is one that runs throughout Beggs' life and music. Born in Val d'Or, Quebec, and raised in mining towns in Northern Ontario, she is the second youngest of six children from a mixed-heritage household. She has a strong sense of connection to Aboriginal communities.
The concert on Jan. 31 will be recorded by CBC Radio 2 for future broadcast - it promises to be an inspired merging of three great acts."It will be good, with lots of variety," Lang promises.
Tickets are $20 adult/$15 students, available at Coast Princess Books (Gibsons), MELOmania (Roberts Creek), Wind-Song Gallery (Sechelt) and Harbour Insurance (Madeira Park). For more information, see www.caravanbc.com, or call 778-886-8908.
The Echo Hunters will also perform solo on the previous evening, Friday, Jan. 30, at the Copper Sky Café in Madeira Park.
