Same Latitude As Rome
Album: Early Days
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.samelatitudeasrome.com/

Same Latitude As Rome is a Southern Ontario based folk group that has just released its 5th CD of original music, called "Early Days".

"Early Days" continues the theme of Canadian history in song, and follows up the success of the bands previous CD "1812". It kicks off with the title track which recounts Canada's early and colourful history in a vast land with many European settlers coming to escape religious persecution, poverty, hunger and recounting the harsh life of clearing the forest's, working the land and fishing the rivers for a better existence. It includes the stand out tracks ' David Thompson ' who was recently recognized as Canada's greatest explorer and a track about one of The Metis People's greatest leaders ' Song For Louis Riel ' . All songs are based on very interesting stories of historical facts and characters who were prominent figures in the shaping of what is modern day Canada. Chief songwriter Peter Boyer has to be commended for his thorough research and the putting into song of stories of epic proportion.

With exquisite musicianship, songs strong in the oral tradition and produced by legendary musician and songwriter JK Gully it's no wonder three of the songs, "Song for Louis Riel", "The Ghost of Bullock's Tavern" and "Union Man" have received songwriting awards from Folk Music Ontario and the UK Songwriting Competition.

"I chose these stories because they each contribute in their own way, towards our national identity as Canadians, and a surprising few of us know much about these stories" says the groups songwriter, Peter Boyer. " The early days of Canada were remarkable times, and as I began researching them, the stories told themselves. You can't make up stuff like this! "

You certainly can't make it up, and Same Latitude As Rome have captured the murder, mystery, massacres, hangings, good times and bad in an album that should be a national treasure to be played for history classes across the provinces, or be taught to today's arriving immigrants to explain to them the history of what went before, and be used as a tool to remind us who carved out the nation that is Canada, As the liner notes say ' They dreamt what we now live ! '

This album will make you think, research, listen again and wonder at the old and ancient art of storytelling in song brought to you by some of Southern Ontario's finest.

Stevie Connor