WATCH AND SHARE “THE BIG SMOKE BLUES” HERE
DOUBLE-ALBUM, NONSENSE AND HEARTACHE, OUT NOW VIA LATENT RECORDINGS
CANADIAN TOUR DATES CONTINUE APR 28
“...it's clear that Nonsense and Heartache is a no-nonsense affair through
and through.” - Exclaim!
“...the striking duality of the album features the textures of a bold, bluesy electric sound in Nonsense simmered by the raw, subdued acoustics of Heartache.” - Spill Magazine
“This album speaks to a lifetime of experience pondering the depths of Townes Van Zandt lyrics and listening to lost Dylan tapes. Whether racing down a desert highway on a shimmering afternoon or drinking whiskey under an old Budweiser neon, Nonsense and Heartache will be your perfect companion.” - Hard Rock RPM
“The only problem with these albums is trying to decide which to play first.” - Bob Mersereau
PHOTO CREDIT : Laura Proctor // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES
Today, celebrated songwriter Jerry Leger is sharing the new video for “The Big Smoke Blues” from the ‘Nonsense’ side of his latest double-album, Nonsense And Heartache. For the video Leger says they “wanted to capture the lead character discovering a more obscure artist and a social circle he relates to, stemming from a record playing in the local shop. We filmed the record store scenes in one of my favourite spots, Discovery Records, which I think is a fitting title.”
WATCH AND SHARE “THE BIG SMOKE BLUES” HERE
Leger recently celebrated the release of Nonsense And Heartache as part of the Latent Lounge, a series of shows at The Monarch Tavern that celebrated the 35th anniversary of Latent Recordings with performances by Skydiggers, Cowboy Junkies, Lee Harvey Osmond, HarpAcash & The Morals, Ivy Mairi, and Thompson Wilson. This week Leger will continue on tour across Canada to support the album. Full tour dates can be found below.
Out now via Latent Recordings, Nonsense And Heartache is equal parts primal rock and roll, and raw, confessional balladry. The separation between the two is evident by the album’s title, and it is in fact two distinct collections of songs presented on two slabs of vinyl. In many ways, Jerry Leger’s artistic path has been leading up to this ambitious display of both sides of his musical personality, fueled by countless nights playing in clubs and bars with a loyal band equally committed to keeping rock and roll’s original flame burning.
Employing his distinctive live-off-the-floor recording approach on Nonsense And Heartache, producer Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) focused on capturing the chemistry between Leger and his core musicians: multi-instrumentalist James McKie, bassist Dan Mock, and drummer Kyle Sullivan, along with guest vocalist Angie Hilts. The ragged-but-right results perfectly complement Leger’s tales of characters on the fringe, attempting to unravel life’s mysteries.
Leger describes the album himself by saying, “Mike Timmins came up with the idea of doing a double album, but it’s really two different records – Nonsense and Heartache – packaged into one. He had the idea to record one album as electric, bluesy, dirty rock and roll, with James and I on electric guitars, Dan on electric bass and Kyle bashing away. The other album was intended to be more of a singer/songwriter record with me on acoustic guitar or piano, James on fiddle or lap steel, Dan on upright and Kyle using brushes and percussion. So, it’s not an ego trip for either of us. It just felt like it made more sense to put them together, plus the fact that neither is overly long, just about 35 minutes each.”
WATCH AND SHARE “TROUBLED MORN” LYRIC VIDEO HERE
JERRY LEGER ON TOUR
04/28 Kemptville, ON - South Branch Bistro *
04/29 Brockville, ON - Spitfire Café *
05/02 Moncton, NB - Plan b *
05/03 Antigonish, NS - The Townhouse *
05/04 Charlottetown, PEI -Back Alley Music (3pm In Store)
05/04 Mount Stewart, PEI - Trailside Inn *
05/05 Halifax, NS - Taz Records (3pm In Store)
05/05 Halifax, NS - The Carleton ^ (opening for Odds and Steven Page)
05/06 Saint John, NB - Backstreet Music (3pm In Store)
05/06 Kingston, NB - House Show *
05/13 Gravenhurst, ON - Sawdust City Brewery ^
06/02 Vankleek Hill, ON - The Windsor Tavern
06/03 Ottawa, ON - Irene's
06/07 Winnipeg, MB - Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club ^
06/08 Portage La Prairie, MB - Cafe On Prince ^
06/09 Dauphin, MB - Bruce's Firehouse House Show ^
06/10 Saskatoon, SK - The Underground^
06/11 Calgary, AB - The Ironwood ^
06/12 Edmonton, AB - The Needle (early show) ^
06/13 Prince George, BC - House Show ^
06/14 Horsefly, BC - House Show ^
06/15 Kelowna, BC - Fernando's ^
06/17 Vancouver, BC - The Wise Hall & Lounge ^
07/21 Thornbury, ON - Bruce Wine Bar
07/22 Collingwood, ON - Crow Bar And Variety
08/09 Toronto, ON - The Horseshoe Tavern
09/08 Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo
09/09 Trenton, ON - Old Church Theatre
* solo
^ duo