One of the enduring images of Canadian history is that of the railroad, which opened up the vast expanse of the country to immigration, created markets for the riches of the prairies and the west and spurred the growth of our cities. In the 1920s the Canadian National Railway installed radio equipment in its trains and hotels and engaged musicians to tour the country to perform for its local radio broadcasts, thereby creating Canada’s first musical stars. This patchwork of independent radio stations eventually became our first national radio broadcasting network. With one eye in the rear-view mirror, True North Brass offers this tribute to “The True North Strong and Free”.

J. SCOTT IRVINE

1. Fanfare for St. Margaret’s

JIM MCGRATH

2-4. Three Miniatures

JOHN KIM BELL (arr. Irvine)

5-7. In the Land of Spirits

ERNEST MACMILLAN (arr. Irvine)

8-9. Two Scetches on French Canadian Airs

TRADITIONAL CANADIAN (arr. Kay)

10. The Red River Valley

TRADITIONAL CHINESE (arr. Irvine)

11. Purple Bamboo Melody

ARTHUR PRYOR (arr. Kay)

12. Air Varie

HOWARD CABLE

13. Cross-Country Holiday

YOUMANS/KAHN/ELISCU (arr. Kay)

14. Carioca

MALCOLM FORSYTH

15. Farielli’s Folly

ALASTAIR KAY

16. True North Blues

CALIXA LAVALLEE

17. O Canada