“This is the fifth album by a man who really should be a household name thanks to the excellence of his vocal and writing skills and his ability to create atmospheres and arrangements perfectly suited to his writing, something not all great singer songwriters are able to master” AMERICANA ROOTS UK
“Tentrees has created a cohesive collection of images and sounds that hits emotional marks without resorting to manipulation. Heard without advance warning, one could be convinced that this is the new Corb Lund or Hayes Carll album and not be a bit disappointed”
FERVOR COULEE PRESS
“With North Country Heart, Gordie Tentrees has joined an increasingly long list of Canadians who are, somewhat strangely, making some of the most honest Americana music today” POP MATTERS
“Tentrees delivery is so relaxed and unpretentious its impossible to not get drawn into his world, sounding like a young John Prine ”
NO DEPRESSION
“In the rough cut vein of Kelly Joe Phelps or Fred Eaglesmith, Tentrees is gifted” GLOBE & MAIL
“These songs are as real and dusty as any unpaved roads I’ve ever been on. I’m thinkin’ the Yukon might have a lot in common with Texas.” GURF MORLIX
North Country Heart is twelve swampy country folk blues songs layered with the storied delivery of a Texas word slinger. From the north filled with thematic tales of life in the Yukon. Produced by Juno Award-winning Bob Hamilton and featuring Ken Hermanson (banjo, lapsteel, guitar), Bob Hamilton (upright bass, pedal steel), Patrick Hamilton (drums) and Annie Avery (piano, organ) the Canadian road warrior’s fifth full length album is his boldest effort yet.
“I played 220 dates in 8 countries in 2011. Things happen, relationships change. You lose yourself out there, and lose a lot of the safety you once had. I stopped expecting anything, or asking anyone to understand. Your personal life is dead. Most of the dreams I ever had before are gone. You just hold onto different ones. It has taken me a while to accept this and realize how lucky I am.” Livelier than the Tentrees WCMA nominated last album “Mercy or Sin” (2009) the Yukon songwriter feels like he is just getting started.
While humble about the road he has taken to arrive here, Gordie recently signed a publishing deal with Nashville’s Bluewater Music, released his new album on Continental Records (Europe), and capped off 2012 with an 8 country, 140 date, world tour in Europe, UK, CAN, US which also featured concerts with Fred Eaglesmith, Mary Gauthier, Jon Dee Graham, Audrey Auld, Roger Marin, Jon Langford, Danny Michel, Fred Penner, and Jonathon Byrd.
Since the release of North Country Heart, songs have been featured in CBC mini-series “Arctic Air” and Space Channel series “Ring of Fire”. It was also in the top 20 Albums in Canada for 2012 on Ear Shot Colllege Radio Charts, as well as the Top 50 most played albums in Canada in 2012 on the CBC Galaxie Folk/Roots Charts. Incredible for an album released during the last 5 months of 2012 with no label behind it.
He also released a live album “Naked in Scandinavia’ in 2011 recorded at Livegraphy Studios, in Helsinki,Finland, his first solo live recording with porchboard bass, dobro, guitar, harmonica, and highlighting songs & stories with a collection of tunes new and old.
Gordie’s 2010 studio release Mercy or Sin (produced by Juno-winner Bob Hamilton), was nominated for a 2010 Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Solo Album of the Year. The title track was also a finalist in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition, where judges included Tom Waits, Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis. He performed at the New Songs New Voices concert during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, was selected by CBC Radio’s 2009 Song Quest as one of Canada’s top songwriters, and hosted the prestigious SOCAN songwriters circle at the 2009 WCMAs. His earlier studio albums ” Bottleneck to Wire” in 2007 and “29 Loads of Freight” in 2004 also garnered rave reviews and international success.
The former school teacher, break dancer and golden gloves boxer is sure to be coming to a town near you this year.
“The concert kicked off with a strong set by Gordie Tentrees, who has been opening for the band (Fred Eaglesmith) on recent dates, and it is apparent to this listener that Tentrees has been working hard in the couple of years since he opened the same venue for Kelly Joe Phelps. His ease and ability on resophonic slide guitar and rack mount harmonica suggest some serious time spent honing his craft; and the inclusion of an electrified stomp board lends authority to his steady tapping left foot. Killer songs with strong vocals and deft fingerpicking make for a stellar show, Tentrees is a talent on the move, and moving in good company”
Peterborough Examiner
