by Sheldon Birnie
It is truly amazing how far a crazy idea can go if you really give it all you got. Case in point is Corin Raymond’s latest album, Paper Nickels. Funded entirely by what Corin calls “The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper of 2012,” the album is possibly the craziest crowd sourcing experiment the world has seen yet, and certainly the most Canadian.
I won’t go too far into details about the album here, as Stylus will be publishing a feature length article on the project in the April/May edition, right in time for the Winnipeg release party at the Times Change(d). But as I get further into my interviews for the article, I’m just too excited about the album to not take a little break here on the Hillbilly Highway to talk it up briefly.
The album itself is a double live one, complete with 20 tracks and the requisite between tune chatter in Corin’s inimitable manner. The performances are inspired, but it really is the songs that take centre stage here. Each tune represents one of Corin’s favourite from the Small Time, including tracks by Winnipeggers like Scott Nolan, Andrew Neville, Ridley Bent, and a few written by, or co-written with, Rob Vaarmeyer. In fact it was Rob’s germ of an idea for “Don’t Spend It Honey” that launched the caper itself, when audiences in beer joints and parlours out west started giving Corin Canadian Tire Money after hearing him play the tune.
All these details are included in the packaging of this killer disc, which in and of itself deserves a couple lines here. The double-disc is housed in a beautifully laid out 144 page colour hardcover book, complete with photos, collages, notes from folks who contributed to the Caper, and a detailed breakdown of where each song comes from, lyrics, and chords to play along. The attention to detail unbelievable, it really is something you need to see to believe. It truly sets the bar high for anyone looking to present their art to the world in an engaging way.
So check this album out, and make sure to look for more info here on the Stylus website and in the April/May edition when it hits streets April 4. The launch party is to be held across 2 nights at the Times Change(d), April 5 & 6. If you can’t wait to get your mitts on a copy, head on over to Corin’s website and order yourself a copy. It’s money well spent, whether in electronic or paper nickel form.