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Murray Street Christmas

from Ode to Gerry Barber by Paul Weber

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Inspired by a fire and born during a pandemic, Paul Weber's new album “Ode to Gerry Barber” is full of stuff that doesn't always make it into the history books. This is a heartfelt album about Ottawa area communities and stories past and present. Song subjects range from a famous local bouncer, the collapse of the Heron Road Bridge, the building of the Rideau Canal, Ottawa's first train, homeless people on Murray Street, why Ottawa isn't "Ottawa”, growing up in Vanier/Eastview, the days of the circus parade, the Great Fire of 1870, what it’s like to live in an Ottawa rooming house, and how to mansplain.

    HIGHLIGHTS

    - In January 2020 the song “Dans un mile carré” won Paul a L'Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario (AFO) award for contributions to Francophone culture by an Anglophone.
    - The song “The Great Fire (of 1870)” has a video that was filmed in the Burnt Lands in Almonte where the fire once raged. www.youtube.com/watch?v=184IAQG-K8A
    - The song, "Ode to Gerry Barber" includes a special guest appearance by Gerry Barber Junior saying the words his dad once spoke.

    The album was recorded and mixed at Ottawa’s Gallery Recording Studio by Dean Watson, produced by singer-songwriter/producer/videographer North Easton and mastered by Grammy-nominated Philip Shaw Bova. The CD was designed by Marc Audet.

    Principal accompanying musicians on the album are Marie Soleil Fecteau on vocals and Rob Lethbridge on upright bass. Special guest Ottawa musicians include: Sylvio Modolo, Angel Araos, Kelly Craig, Ryan Purchase, Zeek Gross, Kim Kaskiw, Patrick Pharand, Christine Fagan, Dan Artuso, Jason Sonier, and Stuart Rutherford.

    The CD comes with a 12-page booklet about the songs, not available with the digital version. The digital version of the album, available on Bandcamp, contains a bonus track, comes with an uncensored version of “Ode to Gerry Barber”, where Gerry Barber Junior speaks a more accurate version of what his dad would have said.

    If you're in Ottawa I will hand deliver the CD to you for free if you like. If you would like this option, email directly at info@paulweber.ca.

    THANKS
    In addition to my musical collaborators I wanted to especially thank the following people who have supported me in this project: Adri Anna, Alexandra Gruca-Macaulay, Amelia Brown, Andre Bouchard, Bernard Chartand, Bill Dare, Bruce Deachman, Carly Dybka, Chris White, Dave and Sherri Macki, Denise Legare Donald Clark, Janet and Dennis, Heather Weinrich, Jean Ouellette, Jim Sutherland, Kathy Cook and Mike Blanchfield, Ken Moore, Ken Risdon, Lalith Gunaratne, Lynn Chairelli , Marie-Eve Filteau, Mary Moreland, Maude Downey, Michael Rutherford, Michelle Gariepy, Mike and Gail, Nancy Shaver, Nicole Findlay, Paul Crete, Pierre Tardiff, Ramine Shaw, Rebecca Aird, Scott McNess, Sharon Tapp,, Sybil Grace

    Apologies for anyone I missed!

    Includes unlimited streaming of Ode to Gerry Barber via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.     ... more
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $20 CAD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1.50 CAD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • T-Shirt/Shirt

    High quality, black t-shirts available in all sizes. With original multi-coloured design by Ottawa artist An Nguyen. Due to high shipping costs, Ottawa-area orders can be hand-delivered on request for $3. To arrange this purchase contact me directly at info@paulweber.ca (don't order here)

    An Nguyen uses vibrant colours and intricate composition to illustrate the rhythms and joys of modern life. Inspired by her travels and love of music, her geometric contemporary paintings capture musical concepts of cadence and rhythm in the movement of their fluid lines and shifting shapes. Simple moments of modern life are transformed in her paintings via the convergence of music and culture, while thematic elements of jazz and urban architecture intermingle throughout her work. An hopes that her art serves as an escape and source of happiness. She is motivated by a desire to be a female voice in the world of jazz culture, and hopes that her whimsical landscapes can celebrate the explorer in all of us. ... more
    ships out within 10 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $30 CAD or more 

     

about

In the 1990's I spent some time working with homeless street kids in the market area. The Shepherds of Good Hope operate the shelter of last resort on Murray Street in Ottawa. Dedicated to the people on the street and those who work with them.

lyrics

When I was a child, on Christmas day
I dreamed that Jesus’d come take me away
Far from this family, who never cared for me
We’d leave in the night

And go walking down Murray Street on Christmas Eve
This alley’s a manger where a baby might sleep
We’d see the Shepherds, angels would appear
Singing in voices so clear….

Ha, ha la la la

In school I was angry and I could not sit still
So they loaded my body with little blue pills
They took the pain away but at the end of day
I was hungry for more

So I went down to Murray Street on Christmas Eve
To find what I needed in this dirty alley
I saw the Shepherds but there’s no angels there
And Jesus has yet to appear

Ha, ha la la la

Now I’m living out on the street
Panning for food to eat
Living my life fix to fix
High on fentanyl
I heard the angels call
Distant voices grow clear

Now I’m flying down Murray Street on Christmas Eve
This alley’s my manger where I’ll OD
I see the Shepherds but there’s no angels here
And Jesus has yet to appear

Ha, ha la la la

credits

from Ode to Gerry Barber, released September 13, 2020
Paul Weber - vocals and guitar
Marie-Soleil Fecteau - vocals

license

all rights reserved

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Paul Weber Ottawa, Ontario

Paul Weber is an Ottawa-based singer-songwriter, guiar picker, story teller, video maker, hell bent on telling stories of his town, Ottawa--stories that don't make it into the history books.

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