New Shoes - CD (2016)

On their album New Shoes Luke Fraser and Sarah Frank – partners in music and in life – demonstrate what all the fuss is about.

Luke’s earthy, unadorned voice adds a touch of grit, while Sarah’s beautiful soprano, almost flute-like in its purity and dexterity, floats and dances above the arrangements.

The songs on New Shoes betray its creators’ extensive musical training, endless stylistic curiosity and love of music as a force for community-building – to say nothing of their love of the road.

Sarah wrote “The Fountain” from a friend’s journal entry about travelling in Europe. It’s a beautiful opener for the album, marked by sweet fiddle and charming harmonies.

“Train in the Night” is a nostalgic rhythm-guitar-driven number inspired by the duo’s mutual memories of growing up near railroad tracks.

“Mint Condition” was written by a Nashville-based writer friend named Caroline Spence – and performed by another friend at Sarah and Luke’s wedding reception.

“Lone Journey” is a classically-tinged arrangement of a tune by Doc Watson and his wife, Rosa Lee, that reflects on the death of a long-time partner – a song that resonated with Luke and Sarah as a young couple.

“The Scroll’s Return” was gifted to the duo by Sudbury fiddler Duncan Cameron who has a collection of fiddle tunes written specially for other musicians to borrow from. It features bagpipes by Spencer Murray, an old friend of Sarah’s and one of many members of the duo’s musical community that joins them on the record.

Other guests who stopped by the Bowen Island, B.C. recording sessions include omnipresent Vancouver Island instrumentalist Oliver Swain, CFMA nominee Sarah Jane Scouten, WCMA winner Trent Freeman (of the Fretless), Juno winner Jayme Stone, and cellist Kaitlyn Raitz – who’s been touring with the Bombadils for the past year.

The album was produced by two more musical friends: James Perrella and partner Julia Graff, the daughter of Juno-winner and B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame member Shari Ulrich.

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All songs arranged by The Bombadils and guests
Produced by Julia Graff and James Perrella

The Bombadils are:
Sarah Frank (fiddle, banjo, voice) and Luke Fraser (guitar, mandolin, voice)

Thank you to our guest musicians:
Kaitlyn Raitz - cello (tracks 2, 3, 6)
Oliver Swain - upright bass (tracks 5, 11)
Jayme Stone - banjo (tracks 2, 3)
Anh Phung - flute (tracks 7, 10)
Spencer Murray - Irish flute (tracks 8, 9), Scottish border pipes (track 8), voice (track 10)
Sarah Jane Scouten - voice (track 5)
Anna Scouten - voice (track 10)
Trent Freeman - fiddle, feet (track 8)
Alec Spiegelman - bass clarinet (track 7)
Evan Stewart - upright bass (track 10)
Laurence Mollerup - upright bass (track 7)
Julia Graff - accordion (track 12)

Recorded and mixed by Julia Graff and James Perrella
Mastered by Graemme Brown / Zen Mastering
Artwork and Design by Joe Latham / Lookhappy Design

Thank you:
Canada Council, FACTOR, and the Toronto Arts Council for your generous support. Shari Ulrich, Andrew and Dawyne Derban, Jason, Aileen, Evlan, and Meara Vantomme for providing us with beautiful and comfortable recording spaces in Bowen Island, BC. Eric Reed and Paul Shatto for providing recording equipment. Julia Graff and James Perrella for incredible inspiration, encouragement, hangs, and nightly mug cakes. Glenn McFarlane for coming up with an album title. Friends, family, fans - all our love!!!