The 2015 release from The Woodshed Orchestra.

"It all started with one song. 

I’d often say over the P.A. at Woodshed Orchestra gigs that Ron Sexsmith would be the perfect person to sing our song “Starry Eyed”. So, one winter’s day I worked up the puff to email Ron and I asked him if he’d be interested recording “Starry Eyed” with the Woodshed Orchestra. Ron replied quickly, saying he’d like to make the recording with us and that he was free the next Wednesday. Whoa! I was taken aback. I wasn’t all that sure that he would be into it to start with, let alone that he’d be ready for it right away. So, I thanked Ron and said I’d call him soon to make plans to record Starry Eyed” a few months down the line. 

The idea of working Ron inspired me to curate an entire record’s worth of Woodshed tunes with other guest artists. Sarah Harmer, Dani Nash, Kevin and Iris Breit, Sam Cash, Suzie Vinnick, Victor Bateman, Amanda Rheaume, Friendly Rich Marsella, Stephen Fearing, Amanda Balsys, Myk Freedman, Susanna Hood along with Ron Sexsmith became the friendly, inspiring and kind folks who would help “Guest Book” arrive with a smile and a wink. 

Our engineer Joe Lapinski and I agreed that all of our guest artists would be a surprise for the Woodshed Orchestra folks. The band tried to squeeze this info out of Joe and I, but we never relented. Even our pianist Tania Gill had no idea that her husband Victor Bateman was going to be singing lead vocal with us on “Echoes”. It was so much fun to watch it all unfold. 

The Woodshed Orchestra session crew; Tania Gill – piano, Karen Ng – saxophone, Rebecca Hennessy – trumpet, Julia Hambleton – clarinet, Nic Buligan – flugel horn, Scott Thomson – trombone, Michael Herring - bass, Ken McDonald – bass and myself Dave Clark – drums, tracked with our guest artists live in the studio (save for two songs). Later on, Joe Lapinski overdubbed guitars, Jason Kenemy played keyboards on a few numbers and Paul Kolinski joined in with the band singing back ups during a series of overdub sessions. 

Each guest artist came in and honored the band with such joy and musical magic during the “Guest Book” sessions. They fronted the band singing and playing with so much playful expertise. We had such a lovely time of it all. 

It all started with one song." - Dave Clark

Learn more about The Woodshed Orchestra at http://www.thewoodshedorchestra.com.

Previews - Guest Book

01. This World Needs Love (Sarah Harmer) -
02. Starry Eyed (Ron Sexsmith) -
03. Momma Go Talk To Your Daughter (Amanda Rheaume) -
04. You Gotta Shake It (Dani Nash) -
05. Digital Blues (Friendly Rich Marsella & Susanna Hood) -
06. Echoes (Victor Bateman) -
07. U Don't Have 2 Cry (Amanda Balsys) -
08. Unconditional Love (Stephen Fearing) -
09. This World's In Love With You (Suzie Vinnick) -
10. Old Songs (Sam Cash) -
11. Troubadours (Kevin Breit) -
12. Study Of Love (Susanna Hood & Dave Clark) -

Hear all samples at once - Listen!

Bonus - Album package comes with artwork including seven PDF pages.

Album File Size - MP3 Format - 92 MB
Album File Size - CD-quality Lossless FLAC Format - 237 MB