Jonah's Song
A Passionate Year
More Tender than Tough
On Hearing a Name Long Unspoken
Daughters of Etobicoke
Digital Numbers Don't Change
Instead
Just Proximity
The Farthest Shore
Standing Near
Top of Mind
I
Am with
the Hunters is
an exciting new record from Ottawa
songwriter
and performer Michael Munnik. This record
features Michael’s
intimate and perceptive songwriting, combining it with a diverse range
of instruments
and even a full band.
The
album
title comes from a poem by
Leonard Cohen, from his 1964 collection Flowers
for Hitler. This collection was
written before Cohen began
setting his
poems to music – before “Suzanne” and
everything after. When
Michael read the poem “On Hearing a Name
Long Unspoken”, he was moved by the lyricism and how singable
the lines were.
In an act of pure cheek, he set the verses to music and sent it to
Leonard
Cohen for his blessing, his co-operation, and of course his permission.
The
result captures the power of Cohen’s poetry and images with a
wholly new
musical style. Those familiar with Cohen’s music may be
surprised at the sound,
but when they hear the words, it will all become clear.
I
Am with
the Hunters was
recorded in Ottawa
during the
winter of 2009 at Little
Bullhorn Studios. Michael
produced the record with the
help of Dave Draves (Kathleen Edwards, Jim Bryson, Snaihouse). The two
corralled the energies of a whole host of musicians. Some friends
returned from
the first record,
Long Shadows in the
Afternoon. Jon
McLeod and Peter Rombeek
contribute, as well as Darlene
McLeod on the reflective and whimsical ukulele duet,
“Daughters of Etobicoke.”Michael
looked back to his
Siobhan days to
recruit Jasen “Senor 9.5” Colsen on drums. Neil Gerster
(Kyrie Kristmanson,
Marie-Josee Houle, Melissa Laveaux) brings his five-string fretless and
his unique
voice to two of the songs.And
friends
from his former home on the West Coast make delightful cameos on the
record.
Mandolin wizard Ira
Pelletier (Skagway, The Kerplunks – 2009 Juno
nominees
for Children’s Album of the
Year) brings a subtle and superior touch to “Just
Proximity”. And Mario
Vaira
(DNA6, Flannel Jimmy) adds some funky guitar to the standout ensemble
piece
“The Farthest Shore”. That song was a real treat
for Michael, as he was able to
invite players from a band he admired during his undergrad days in Ottawa
– the
now-defunct Hennessey. The song was written with them in mind, and
Michel
Pariseau on bass and Pamela
Brennan on vocals make the song
come alive.
Long
Shadows in the Afternoon (2006)
High Road
Rita
This Time, I Swear
I've Been Here Before
I'm Going to India
Driving On
The first EP
has a folk heart with various textures added on. From country to
gospel to grunge, the core remains the acoustic guitar and Michael
Munnik's voice and words. Munnik invited a few friends to fill out the
sound: Darrell O'Dea (Bob Egan, Renann, Staggered Crossing) on
guitar,
Jon McLeod (Design of Cities, Crank) on bass, Darlene McLeod on vocals
and
Peter Rombeek on violin and cello. The album was recorded in early
spring of 2006 at Bova
Sound,
with Phillip Victor Bova (Hilotrons, David Wiffen, Clark the Band)
behind the board.
Both
records are available online: check out the shop above, or visit...
