On the eve of the 2nd anniversary of the passing of Gord Downie, Terry David Mulligan talks with Kevin Hearn and Tom Wilson about ‘Secret Path Live’. In the last few months of his life, The Tragically Hip’s leader gathered his friends in studio and recorded his last solo album, ‘Secret Path’ as a tribute to Chanie (Charlie) Wenjack, a 12-year old Ojibwa boy who died trying to escape a residential school.
This weekend at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, The Secret Path band will reassemble for a benefit – featuring Kevin Drew, Kevin Hearn, Buffy Sainte Marie, July Talk, Sam Roberts Band, Tanya Tagaq, Whitehorse, William Prince, Serena Ryder, Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and many others.
Tom Wilson returns with his fourth LeE HARVeY OsMOND release, Mohawk, out this week. Tom shares stories behind five tracks from the album – “Forty Light Years,” “Mohawk,” “Colours,” “BAM,” and “Kingdom Come.” Plus, Terry gets the scoop on the forthcoming play based on Tom’s autobiography ‘Beautiful Scars’, and how he hopes to inspire others by telling the story about discovering his heritage.
It took 6 minutes for Tom to answer the first question…
I said something about
“Mohawk is your 4th album as Lee harvey OsMOND….in the beginning was it serious or just fooling around?” and off he went.
He’s just finished an exhibition of his art Mohawk Warriors and Chiefs, he’s planning a play (Musical) called Beautiful Scars.
Writing a second book is in his immediate future as is writing and recording the next Blackie and the Rodeo Kings album in Nashville.
On the cover of Mohawk is Tom’s painting The Long Road Home to Kahnawake. There are crosses embedded into the clothing.
How are you and religion I asked?
The storytelling that followed was fantastic.
That’s what Toms true gift is – storytelling.
Since discovering after 50 plus years that he was adopted and was, in fact, a Mohawk, Tom character has changed. We all would change with news like that.
It shows itself in his words ..
“Over the course of discovering my true identity, the intention of my writing, my music and my art is to reduce the gap between my indigenous culture and colonialists to make a more patient, loving community.”
Mulligan Stew Radio will air Saturday 5-7Pm Mtn on CKUA RADIO province-wide in Alberta
Mulligan Stew Podcast drops on Saturday as well – the complete interview. Subscribe at Google Play – Apple Podcasts or Spotify
From the archives, Tom Wilson (LeE HARVeY OsMOND) joins Terry to discuss his book Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home. Tom talks about his recovery from alcoholism, the dark moments he experienced during the heights of success with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings & Junkhouse, and discovering the family secret that changed everything.
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Album+week+From+Cover+Cover+Years+Nettwerk/10762004/story.html
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The Tom Wilson people got in touch..he was touring out west as Lee Harvey Osmond..and their new LP Beautiful Scars.
ANY opportunity to talk to Tom is to be cherished and cuddled.
Like a puppy. So we talked on the ohone about a Wide range of subjects.
The Junos in Hamilton
Discovering he wasn’t who he tought he was.
His warm and fuzzy relationship with his BARK pals..
Blackies next Lp Kings and Kings and the amazing line up
Lee Harvey Osmond on the road with Colin james..
His book he’s thinking on..
Then Montreals Bobby Bazini is on tour through Alberta and the West..supporting his fine album Where I belong.
He’s just flat out going to be a star..
He got the songs..the voice..the looks and knows his music.
He recorded old school at Village recorder is LA..
Where Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Elvis, Dylan have all recorded there.
He worked with producer Larry Klein..Booker T..guys from The funk brothers..The /Waters on background vocals.. Old School indeed.
This is a short cut interview in order to get him in the show..a longer interview later this spring.
Sunday March 29th in Canmore at /Communitea Cafe Tuesday March 31 at Festival Place Sherwood Park Wednesday April 1 at Festival Hall in Calgary
“Acid folk” was born in an old garage off Clinton Avenue in Toronto, concocted by Tom Wilson from Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, a few Cowboy Junkies, and some Skydiggers.
Allowing bass, hypnotic rhythms and a lot of groove into their songwriting circle, the artist collective LeE HARVeY OsMOND created a sound that would creep out of the Northern woods and across the Great Lakes into the South, the same way The Band did forty years before them. Tom Wilson (guitar and vocals) struck Canadian rock gold in the ‘90s as the leader of the much-loved Junkhouse, and then found a whole new audience as a crucial component of roots-rock super-group Blackie and the Rodeo Kings! LeE HARVeY OsMOND released this very week their second LP ,. It’s called The Folk Sinner and features a list of friends that’s very impressive. Colin James, Colin Linden, Colin Cripps, Oh Suzanna, Hawksley Workman, Paul Reddick, Producer Michael Timmons, his sis Margo, Andy Maize and more. THIS is music head and shoulders above most releases on both sides of the Border. Great tracks Gord Lightfoots Oh Linda Devil’s Load Break your body – what a track Two co-writes from Colin James Leave this House Freedom
