Penny Lang: Gather Honey The Borealis Recording Company Reviewed by Diane Wells
This 18-track collection of unreleased and CBC archival recordings from 1963 to 1978 of guitarist/songwriter Penny Lang, dubbed the "first lady of Canadian folk (music)", is definitely worthy of being included in the recent resurgent popularity of this music genre.
With a voice reminiscent of the late Peggy Cass (of the Mamas and the Papas), Ms. Lang's debut rendition of the traditional 'In the Pines' (popularized by Long John Baldry and accredited to the legendary Lead Belly), as well as covers written by Bonnie Raitt ('Give It Up or Let It Go'), Janis Ian ('Bright Lights and Promises'), and Buffy Sainte-Marie ('Broke Down Girl') are sparkling examples of acoustic brilliance from a long-forgotten era in mainstream radio broadcasting.
There are several outstanding compositions by Canadian and American songwriters, with the title track being composed by Tom Campbell. My favourites are 'Come Across to You', by Bruce Murdoch, 'Howl You Winds', by Chris Rawlings, 'No Place Left to Go', by Chris Kearney, and 'Three O'Clock Ride', by Ronney Abramson.