WILLIE P.BENNETT
	Real Audio	Folk

We are very pleased to be associated with Canadian folk music icon Willie P. Bennett. As a songwriter, Willie blends the philosophy of a humanist with the imagery of a dreamer. Songwriting is not however his only talent. With guitar, harmonica and baritone voice, he belts out his words and melodies with captivating variety and non-stop energy.

Willie P. started writing songs in 1966, but he didn't play professionally until 1972. His debut album was a collection of his coffee house favourites in 1975 called Tryin' To Start Out Clean. His 1977 follow-up, Hobo's Taunt, was engineered by a young Daniel Lanois, followed by 1979's Blackie And The Rodeo King. All the albums were critically acclaimed but Bennett's career would idle while the folk music industry suffered through a down time in the 80s.

In 1989, after a ten year recording hiatus, Bennett released his major label debut The Lucky Ones on Duke Street Records. Bennett was signed to Dark Light in 1991 and after receiving many requests for the revival of his old repertoire, decided to release a collection of the best of his back catalogue called Collectibles 1. In 1993 he released his first new album for Dark Light, Take My Own Advice, featuring musical contributions by Colleen Peterson and Colin Linden.

In 1996 Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson banded together and released a tribute album consisting of songs penned by their hero. Bennett's songs, like the album title High or Hurtin' or even the band's moniker Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are folk songs in the strictest tradition, written about life all around him in this huge country.

These days Willie spends most of his time touring relentlessly all over North America with the ever-popular Fred Eaglesmith. He's taken the time to record another album of his own, and will be touring in the new year to promote it. Willie called on a bunch of his musical friends to help him out on this collection of all new, all original tunes, and the results are very rewarding.

Heartstrings features the contributions of Bruce Cockburn, Prairie Oyster, Stephen Fearing, Tony Trishka, Amos Garrett, David Wilcox, Daisy DeBolt, Graham Townsend, Scott Merritt, Ken Whiteley and Melanie Doane. It was produced by Tony Quarrington. In March of 1999, Heartstrings was the recipient of a Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) in the Best Roots Traditional (Solo) category.

Willie decided to release his first three albums in remastered CD format, with the original artwork. Hobo's Taunt (1977) and Tryin' to Start Out Clean (1975) and Blackie and the Rodeo King are now all available again!