Comments and Reviews

I wrote about my appreciation for Jim Fidler's music, and the friendship between us that grew out of it, in this spot two years ago when I heard his From The Inside Out album. It became one of my favourite records of 2009 and was robbed of the best reggae album Juno Award nomination it deserved.

Jim has a new album titled Up That River coming out in December, but he's introducing it with a trilogy of EPs featuring material from the LP, dub mixes and acoustic versions. I've listened to the first two, and he's on to something good again.

All the material was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jim at his Roots Cellar studio in St. John's, Nfld. He produced, engineered, played most of the instruments and sang lead.

The first EP opens with "Intro (Joesph)," a short number featuring Jamaican-born Newfoundlander Keith (Joseph) Rickman talking about Jim in an excerpt from a forthcoming documentary about this multi-talented man being made by his wife Lillian.

Jim played me "Be Free" and "Leslie Street" in his studio when I was in St. John's for the 2010 Juno Awards. I liked them both right away and I'm glad that more people will finally be able to hear them. "Be Free" is a melodic roots reggae number with female harmonies not unlike those of Bob Marley's I Threes. It also comes in a dub version. "Leslie Street" is lyrically moving and showcases the best of Jim's voice along with some well-played guitar lines.

The EP is rounded out by "Operation Africa," which has a lighter pop funk groove along with jazz and reggae influences.

I've heard Jim perform Marley's "No Woman No Cry" before, but he'd never recorded it until recently for the 2 EP. And he goes one better by including a dub mix along with his interpretation of the reggae classic. Rory Hoffman, the only musician other than Jim to contribute to these two records, adds some sweet saxophone and clarinet to both.

The 45-second "Here Come the Katz" leads into "Cats Will be Katz," a largely instrumental number with jazz elements and the recorded debut of Lillian's voice. I prefer "Me," a rhythmic track with a fun mix of blues, pop and harmonica by Hoffman.

The third EP should be arriving soon, and all of them can be purchased from Jim's website. Each EP purchase entitles the buyer to a three-dollar coupon towards the purchase of Up That River.

The following are comments from people who have heard Jim's latest CD, Revolution Time:

September 6, 2009
Dave Dalton, St. John's

I got Jim Fidler's new reggae CD Revolution Time a little over a week ago and now, after having listened to it three times, I can say that I recommend it to everyone as one of the best reggae CDs I have ever heard.

The CD is full of brilliant original songs with a message plus only two covers: Lively Up Yourself by Bob Marley and War Party by Eddy Grant.

1. Intro (Time a Come) 00:19
2. Ringbang Revolution 04:24
3. Info War 04:14
4. Lively Up Yourself 05:56
5. New World Revolution 04:33
6: Mash it Up 06:24
7. Mash it Dub 02:09
8. Reality Time Intro (Wake Up the Sheeple) 00:22
9. Reality Time 06:09
10. War Party 04:27
11. Busy (Too Busy) 05:31
12. Busy Extra (Take Your Time) 00:18
13. Cherokee Chant Intro (Cherokee Morning Song) 00:33
14. Cherokee Chant 05:35
15. Revolution Time 03:30

In his early days Jim was in the reggae band Pressure Drop. Since then he was involved more in folk, but this CD marks a return to his reggae roots. And he does a good job; this CD has lots of good songwriting plus is danceable.

Some song samples are on http://www.jimfidler.com and you can also order the CD through that web site. It should soon be available on amazon and I-Tunes. Locally it is available at Fred's.

The CD is dedicated to Jim's father James Marley Fidler. Jim is also Christina Aguilera's first cousin; Jim's father is the brother of Christina's mother.

"Yesterday, I presented a Power point presentatioon for my Aboriginal Academic Achievment committee and it hightlighted the drumming at my school and I used Jim's Cherokee Chant as the music for the show.........with credit to him at the end of the show and also sharing his biogrpahy & website info with all of the teachers in my school division...they were so inpsired with his song ~~ my grade 1 students love the song as well!!!!!~~~~ the first time they heard the lyrics...Can you make a difference? They all answered YES!!!! WOW!!! Great stuff!!!!! This is the power of this song!!!"

September 3, 2009
Jerome Greencorn

Growing up in Cape Breton with a Newfie music-lovin' dad had given me a skewed sense of the region's music.

I, however, was introduced to Jim's new album by Sandra Simmons, one of the vocalists on Cherokee Morning. We were on the way to our favourite Manitoban beach when she slipped it into the car's player. I was simultaneously transported to the beaches of Jamaica and to those of my Nova Scotian youth when I contantly played Marley's "Legend."

Jim's music was a perfect accompaniment to our summer day and I'll be ordering a copy.

All hail RastaNewf! Now, get your ass out to the Winnipeg Folk Fest. We need you!

Cheers!

Jerome Greencorn

I just picked up your new CD today - just awesome - so good to hear the reggae roots again...great job...I'll be sure to promote it to all my reggae inspired friends...!!! - Karen Noftall

Check out this blog article by Steve McLean of Toronto on Jim and Newfoundland Reggae!

Okay, so I didn't stay until it was all over due to having to deal with taking a bus home and having to go to class tomorrow, but I enjoyed myself despite that!

Let me start by saying what wonderful and amazing people Jim and his wife Lillian are. They are an absolutely amazing couple and it's been an honour to meet and talk to them both. I first met them not long after I arrived in Newfoundland and to me they personify what this place means to me but don't ask me to describe because I lack the words right now. Amazingly approachable, even for a person who is essentially shy like I am. Warm, friendly, and welcoming. How I wish I could have stayed until the end tonight...damn bus not running late enough and living too far to easily walk home!

I will admit that I was on the fence about going to the release party until I heard the interview with Jim on CHMR the other day. I have enjoyed Jim's music for some time but I was unsure about going to the CD release...but after hearing some of the songs on the radio show I knew I had to go. Even my son told me I had to go because he wanted to hear the album too and because he's too young to get into the bars and pubs he couldn't come with me.

I had never heard Colleen Power, Anne Devine, or the Terri Lynn Eddy band before but I was blown away by their performances at the start of the evening. Colleen was on first and her music is now on my list of must haves. "New Townie Boyfriend" had me almost pissing my pants! Next on the docket was Anne and I was simply blown away by her voice. Her voice was like warm liquid honey from the moment she opened her mouth to sing. And Terri Lynn is a powerhouse vocalist, in my opinion. Killer version of "Black Velvet"!

Then Jim took the stage. I had never seen him perform before and I was amazed. Holy sheep dip...I was so glad that I got to witness this before I had to catch that damn bus home. Jim and his guitar, and his voice. Just...wow. Definitely hooked even more than before.

I did talk to Lillian and Jim before I had to leave to catch my bus, and got a hug from Jim too :) I also recorded a blurb for Lillian, so there is a chance people will hear my voice soon enough. I never know what to say so I can only hope I didn't come across like a complete wingnut!

Thank you to everybody involved in the CD release party tonight, including the lovely bartender who tripped but managed to catch herself before she did a face plant - hopefully you get caught up on sleep soon, m'dear!

Keep on jammin', Jim!

Kevin Kelly, the Newfoundland Herald writes: It's been 10 years since local singer/songwriter JIM FIDLER released his highly-acclaimed album, Gypsy. Now Fidler has recently released his latest CD, Midnight Rover. The new album is filled with Fidler's trademark Celtic sound as well as soothing instrumentals. However, there are some pop influences as well. Included on the album are covers of Roxy Music's '80s classic Avalon and Sting's romantic Fields of Gold, both almost as good as the originals. Fidler recently organized the first-ever Atlantic Crossroads Festival, a musical extravaganza that showcased the best of Irish and Newfoundland singers at various local clubs. Fidler is also involved with a new podcast radio program entitled Republic of Avalon Radio, which showcases local music. You can hear the program by visiting http://www.republicofavalonradio.com

Reviews

Jim Fidler previews new album with three EPs