Ishdafish - Ish

TO LISTEN TO THE TRACKS AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP, PLEASE CLICK ON THE CD IMAGE OF

"IT TAKES TIME"

Since this recording is not being issued and released as a 10 song CD as originally planned, Ish felt it was very important that all his Musical Friends be acknowledged for their contribution to this endeavor.

Thank you my friends. 

 WALKING SHOES – 4:38 

This song is a funky blues shuffle featuring Ish on lead vocals and Poppa Dawg on guitar and accompanied by Terry Strudwick on bass, Ed Hilliard on drums & Kris Ruston on guitar, piano and Hammond organ as well as Nicole Clay on Backup Vocals. Musically it was inspired by the laid back blues tunes of JJ Cale. 

It has a straight ahead message: Be clear about your objectives, don’t be afraid to choose the road less travelled, be accountable, be kind and keep moving forward. 

IT TAKES TIME – 3:59 

This song features Ish on lead vocals and Poppa Dawg on guitar and includes Grant Jones on bass guitar, Ed Hilliard on drums, Kris Ruston on piano and Hammond organ, as well as showcases a truly talented saxophone player, Oldrich (OZ) Zitek and four very gifted back-up vocalists (Nicole Clay, Cathi Marshall, Richard Graham & Tina Moore), together they bring this inspiring song to life. 

Musically it was motivated by the feel and vibe of Bruce Springsteen, Clarence Clemens and the E Street Band. 

Lyrically it was inspired by a dream Ish had, where Nelson Mandela wrote on his prison wall - Don’t let your struggles defeat you, and he lived by that. 

This song is about patience, kindness and co-operation. It depicts the internal struggle that we sometimes face, whether to be complacent in difficult times or to raise a thoughtful voice and work with others for positive change. 

I WEAR DIFFERENT COLOURED SHADES – 3:02 

This is a rocking blues tune that everyone will enjoy to discover. We all experience heartbreak and betrayal at times that is particularly painful. As is Ish’s nature, he decided to write a lively blues number that helped turn things around. 

The line, “I Wear Different Coloured Shades”, actually refers to the fact that we all get the blues in different ways, yet if we choose to react in a positive way, we can rise above. 

This song features Ish on lead vocals and Poppa Dawg on guitar, and accompanied by Grant Jones on bass, Ed Hilliard on drums and Kris Ruston on piano & Hammond organ. It also showcases a hot horn section; OZ on saxophone, Graham & Kevin Howe on trumpet and trombone respectively reminiscent of the Powder Blues Band as well as our four very gifted back-up vocalists that bring this catchy chorus to life and everyone will find themselves singing along. 

NO SHELTER IN THE STORM – 2:53 

This is an instrumental adaptation of a song previously recorded on Ish’s cd, Up Fish Creek. It depicts an emotional journey through a painful and stormy period, eventually arriving on the other side, under blues skies and feeling hopeful. 

With that in mind, this eclectic instrumental version features the driving backdrop of “Ish” on guitar, Brian Landry on bass and Ed Hilliard on drums.  It features Jason Homey on banjo and Andrey Vinogradov on Hurdy Gurdy, representing goodness and hope; pitted against the evil and dramatic objectives of the Hammond organ that represents all things wrong with the world today, played by the imaginative Kris Ruston. 

Meanwhile the trumpet playing of Graham Howe and the wailing vocals of Mother Nature, Nicole Clay, represents uncertainty, fear, and struggle. This song is intend to inspire inner strength, optimism, and perseverance and is a perfect way to end this hopeful recording.