Chronicle Journal Face the Music Review

August 2004

Reviewed by Brent Linton

The rich tradition of the fur trade takes life in song by Thunder Bay Singer/Songwriter and troubador Rodney Brown on the Big Lonely.

Inspired by Jean Morrison's book 'Superior Rondezvous: Fort William and the Fur Trade", Brown has crafted in song a vivid history that to this day lives on at Fort William Historical Park. Little known tales of Voyageurs, Ojibway, William MacGillvray, David Thompson and Lord Selkirk are played out with skill.

A fantastic group of players, The Northern Roots Band is comprised of Brown(vocals, guitar), Damon Dowbak(mandolin, mandocello, spoons), Dean Hample(electric violin, tin whistle), Jimmy Krawczuk(drums, bodrhan, percussion) and Thom Skinkins(bass).

It's also noteworthy that the disc was recorded locally by Danny Johnson and produced by Ian Tamblyn. This is a slice of history of the Northwest and a testament to the musical talents of Thunder Bay. Not to be missed.