Working on a new crop of songs with Colin Noel at Electric Treehouse Studio in Edmonton. Among other things, I’ve had the opportunity to record my grandfather’s banjo. This instrument is probably close to 100-years old. John Gow played it in dance bands in the 1920s in Southern Ontario. This may be the first time it’s ever been recorded.
It’s been a long time coming, but it will be nice to get back on stage and perform live. I’m excited to be returning to Edmonton’s Heart of the City festival this year.
SELKIRK RANGE · Riding The Canadian
The Canadian (Le Canadien) is a transcontinental passenger train operated by Via Rail Canada with service between Union Station in Toronto, Ontario, and Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia. From west to east, east to west, enjoy the view ’cause it’s the best …
All aboard in Toronto, please take your seat-
have a good look around you, these are the people you will meet
on your way across the country to the coast of BC-
we’re all here as friends
Let’s get this train a-rolling, let’s get out on our way-
the first stop is Washago but we ain’t gonna stay
we’ll be passing through Parry Sound and I know one thing for shor’-
that’s a great hockey town and the home of Bobby Orr
We’re riding the Canadian now
Capreol to Gogama, Hornepayne to Nakina-
Savant Lake to Sioux Lookout, there goes Minaki as I shout out
we’re heading for Winnitoba but don’t be shocked if we don’t stop-
’cause it ain’t what you might have thought
Now calling on the Forks where the Cree, Nakota, and Metis met-
The Guess Who formed here in ’65, then Hedberg, Nilsson and the Golden Jet
Winnipeg in its glory, the Dominion at its best-
Union Station 1912, from where the settlers moved west
We’re riding the Canadian now
From west to east, from east to west-
enjoy the view, ’cause it’s the best
Riding the Canadian
Melville Saskatchewan, then on to Saskatoon-
where temperance came to set up shop and spend an afternoon
we’ll grab a big yellow taxi if you will allow-
and spin ’round to Floral for the ghost of Gordie Howe
We’re riding the Canadian now
Edmonton and the Great One, that’s the pairing you’ve all heard-
but the women Grads of basketball were the winningest in the world
Jasper is spectacular and the Rockies how they shine-
we’ll soon be crossing the Great Divide on this mighty CN line
From west to east, from east to west-
enjoy the view, ’cause it’s the best
Riding the Canadian
Kamloops, Boston Bar, Hope is close at hand-
whistle stop, Chilliwack (isn’t that a band?)
65 stops in almost 4 days-
5 provinces and 4500k
for those who want to get a bit sentimental-
this northern train used to be called the Supercontinental
Final stop Vancouver, Stanley Park, the Sea to Sky-
well folks I’m sad to say, it’s time to say goodbye
From west to east, from east to west-
enjoy the view, ’cause it’s the best
Riding the Canadian
Words and music by Gordon Gow, copyright 2020
Written for VIA Rail’s Artists on Board program.
I’m really pleased to have worked with Long Sleeve Productions on the video for Yellowhead West. Drazen and Kathleen were great creative partners in this undertaking and I think the results speak for themselves.
The interiors were shot on location at Maggie’s Hill Heritage Loghouse (where we recorded the song and much of the album) in Sherwood Park, Alberta. The driving scenes were shot on the Yellowhead Highway between Edmonton and Jasper on a beautiful autumn day. (Look for the drone shots of the truck). The “empty mountain pass” is Talbot Lake at the east end of Jasper National Park.
Thank you to Martha Conrad for use of Maggie’s Hill and to Doug Elniski for loaning us his truck for this project.
What a wonderfully intimate evening with friends and new fans at the The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse. Thank you to all who came out and helped us raise funds for Edmonton’s Food Bank.
I’m excited to be performing at The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse in Edmonton on Friday, October 13.
Show starts at 7:30pm I will be donating all of the artist’s proceeds to Edmonton’s Food Bank. We need 50 fans to fill the house. Let’s make it happen.
There is nothing quite like playing an outdoor show on a beautiful summer afternoon. This was taken at the Beats N’ Eats Festival at Baturyn Park in north Edmonton a couple weeks ago.
Selkirk Range will be performing a CD release show in Edmonton at Cafe Blackbird on April 6.
Yes, I know, it’s been a few months since we released the album but we decided to wait until Spring to celebrate it.
Join us for family-friendly show at a wonderful venue that supports local music in Edmonton.
The holidays can be a difficult time for those away from home. Here’s a new single from the album that conveys the loneliness of Christmas amidst the stark beauty of a northern Canadian winter. Dedicated to all those who will be away from their families this year.
SELKIRK RANGE 