As a songwriter, it’s often best to create from your own life experiences, or possibly from those close to you.
But sometimes, a song, like wine, needs some aging before it’s ready.
“Man of God” from John Wort Hannam’s new 11-track album Love Lives On, is one of those songs.
The song, which touches on the issue of Aboriginal children being placed in residential schools during a dark time in Canada’s past, was a long time in the writing; for good reason, said Hannam.
“I wrote half of it about six years ago,” he said. “But I wasn’t sure how to sing it. I wrote it in first person, then I tried it in third person, but it fell flat. And I had a fear of misappropriating a story that wasn’t mine. I wasn’t sure if it would work from a non-native narrative.”
The residential school issue began in the 1880s, while the last one closed in Saskatchewan in 1996. Aboriginal children were removed from their homes and sent to religious schools in other municipalities for assimilation into Euro-Canadian culture.
As a former teacher on a Blood reserve in southern Alberta, Hannam had heard stories of the schools from elders. Having a degree in Native American studies, Hannam was familiar with the issue, but at first didn’t feel comfortable with the song.
“So I took it to the Blood and asked if it would be offensive for me to sing the song,” he said. “They encouraged me and so I finished it. It’s not based on any individual, it includes many stories and history.
“And I didn’t want it to be a song about the bozo at folk festivals who wears a head dress and carries a beer around.”
Hannam, along with the Blue Collars – Scott Duncan (fiddle), Bob Hamilton (lap steel, mandolin, guitar) and Jason Valleau (upright bass) – play the Miners’ Hall as part of Live on 7th, Saturday (Oct. 17). Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.liveon7th.com.
Another reason Hannam had difficulty finishing “Man of God” was that he couldn’t relate personally to the issue. That changed when his son Charlie was born three years ago. “I was not a father then. I am now and the thought of my child being taken away is beyond crushing.”
After the song was completed and in the public realm, CBC’s Shelagh Rogers contacted Hannam to say songs and poems were being gathered for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission finale and his song was included on a compilation CD.
“Right now, it’s the song I’m most proud of,” he said. High praise for an artist with now six albums released.
With the official release of the album on Oct. 2 in his home town of Fort Macleod, Hannam said he can’t wait to get on the road for a 13-gig tour.
Most of the 11 songs on the album were written over the past three years, while he had eased up on touring after the birth of his son.
“To be honest, that (birth) threw me for a loop. I found I wasn’t sure how to balance it all; being a dad and a touring musician. After years of being focused on my career, I realized there was no more John time. There was no more going to Vancouver for a couple of weeks to make a record.
“So I’ve been working on that balance and now I’m ready to tour again, although not as much as I used to. And while this album isn’t a radical departure, people are saying ‘that’s new for John.’
“There are some new lyrical themes, things like being a touring musician who struggles getting back on his feet, and I’m becoming more comfortable as a songwriter. ‘Roll, roll, roll,’ for example, is a classic troubadour song about being on the road, which is actually harder on my wife than me.
“They’re songs from the heart and I realized I’ve done a lot of love songs. Not ‘oooh baby’ love songs, but songs about the love of people, a town, the landscape. It’s a multifaceted look at love.”
Also something of a departure is that under Leeroy Stagger’s guidance as producer, a horn section and lap steel have been introduced, along with many guest appearances.
“The lap steel is new, but it’s ethereal, to set a mood, not just for a solo. We did experiment a bit. When Leeroy said it (‘Chasing the Song,’ a song for his wife after forgetting their anniversary) needed horns, I said, ‘what the …’ Then he said ‘do you have the money to pay for it?’ and I said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’
“I’ve know Leeroy for a decade (they perform together as the Highway 3 Roots Revue with Dave McCann) and a while ago he said, ‘I’ve been on a stage with you 100 times and I guarantee nobody has captured your singing voice yet. I think I can.”
Stagger has now produced three albums for Hannam, who says Stagger is, “a brilliant songwriter and producer.”
Love Lives On was completed over several months, including stopping and starting several times, with Black Hen Music first saying they were full as far as releases went, then making room after Hannam decided to go it alone with the release.
Hannam now has six albums out, a Juno nomination and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Contemporary Album of the Year.
