Ken Whiteley – Long Time Travelling
Ken Whiteley’s 2022 album, Long Time Travelling, reinvigorates 11 old folk songs and takes them out of the sonic wallpaper they are sometimes confined to. Drawing on his decades of musical immersion and exploration, Whiteley is on a path to deepen our experience of well known classics like the Water Is Wide, Shenandoah, Michael Row, Farewell To Nova Scotia and others. His versatility shines as he combines traditional instruments like autoharp, dulcimer and fretless banjo with electric guitars, lap steel, vibraphone and Hammond organ while singing up to four part harmony himself. He’s superbly assisted by his son Ben Whiteley (The Weather Station, Julia Jacklin, Basia Bulat, etc.) on drums, percussion and bass. The album was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award – Best Traditional Album in 2023. You can watch Ken and Ben play the title track live here on Youtube.
Long Time Travelling, is distributed internationally by Distrokids and is available now on all major streaming services and download sites as well as directly from www.kenwhiteley.com. The cover features a drawing from 1510 by old master (and mandolin player) Leonardo da Vinci. Instead of extensive written liner notes, Ken has been making 21st century video introductions to songs on the recording and those can be seen here.
Ken Whiteley is a Canadian Folk Music Award winner, Genie Award winner (Best Song in a Canadian film), 7 time Juno nominee, 17 time Maple Blues Award Nominee and recipient of Lifetime Achievement honours from Folk Music Ontario, the Mariposa Folk Festival and the Maple Blues Awards. He released his first recording with the Original Sloth Band almost 50 years ago and Long Time Travelling is his 33rd full length album.
Ken Whiteley Long Time Travelling – Credits
1. Long Time Travelling 2:52 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, fretless banjo, electric guitars, vibraphone. Ben Whiteley – drums.
2. Shenandoah 3:35 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, mandocello, mandolins, vibraphone.
3. Man Of Constant Sorrow 3:30 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, autoharp, lap steel, Hammond organ. Ben Whiteley – string bass, drums.
4. Farewell To Nova Scotia 4:30 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, slide guitar, banjo, Hammond organ, accordion bass. Ben Whiteley – drums.
5. Wondrous Love 3:16 – public domain
Ken Whiteley – vocals (tenor, alto, soprano, bass)
6. Michael Row 2:29 – traditional, arranged, adapted Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, percussion.
7. Shady Grove 3:15 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, dulcimer, fretless banjo, Hammond organ. Ben Whiteley – drums.
8. Un Canadien Errant 3:21 – arranged, adapted Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocal, piano, electric guitar, lap steel. Ben Whiteley – string bass, drums.
9. It Takes A Worried Man 4:55 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, fretless banjo, electric guitar, harmonica, vibraphone. Ben Whiteley – drums, shaker.
10. Precious Memories 5:19 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, sruti box, twelve string guitar.
11. The Water Is Wide 4:49 – traditional, arranged, new lyrics Ken Whiteley
Ken Whiteley – vocals, electric guitar, autoharp, vibraphone. Ben Whiteley – string bass, drums.
Recorded by Ken Whiteley.
Mixed by Ken Whiteley, Ben Whiteley and Nik Tjelios.
Mastered by Harris Newman, Grey Market Mastering.
Cover drawing (1510) by Leonardo da Vinci.
Package design by Mallet Wallace.
For more information contact ken@kenwhiteley.com
Catalogue #PD 020