My band most often consists of DAVID BAXTER (Justin Rutledge, Hey Stella-- David is a killer producer, my favourite guitar player in Toronto, and leader of his own band, featuring his own songs); TREASA LEVASSEUR (Claire Jenkins Avec Band, David Baxter-- Treasa is a sidegal supreme, and she is also Treasa Levasseur, soul diva and leader of her own band, writer of her own amazing songs, with two fantastic records to her name); BRIAN KOBAYAKAWA (The Creaking Tree String Quartet is Brian's main act, catch them any chance you get... you can also see Brian at The Local on Sunday nights with Elvis Bossanova-- Brian Kobayakawa and Joe Phillips are my favourite bass players, and I've been fortunate enough to play with them both). Musicians who have been known to stop by The Cameron and sit in, or have played with me in the past: Sean Cotton, Marc Roy, John Showman, Derek Downham, Darcy Yates... I just did a CD release and my band that night also featured Chris Bartos and Adam Warner... yeah, I'm pretty damned lucky.
Influences
Rod Serling, Ray Bradbury, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Howlin' Wolf, Robert Frost, Alan Jay Lerner, Lorenz Hart, Sam Cooke, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, NIE, Marvel Comics, Sunday Afternoon Twilight Zones on City TV, Claire Jenkins, The D. Rangers, the songs of Jaxon Haldane, Doug Norquay, Justin Rutledge, Bob Snider, Tom Waits, Jesse Winchester, Evalyn Parry, Nancy Dutra, Romi Mayes, The SunParlour Players, The Swiftys, The Perpetrators. Dennis Potter. Movies. Keith Maillard's books. Ontario North of Superior. Charles Frazier, James Ellroy, Arthur Conan Doyle, Raymond Chandler, Ridley Bent, John Steinbeck, Mervyn Peake. Anything from Stax. Ann Peebles (anything from Hi). Ursula Le Guin. Dylan Thomas. William Stafford. James Fenton. Paul Newman. Gregory Peck. Ned Washington. Elvis Presley. The Stones, Keith Richards. The Mighty Boosh. Russell Brand. Treasa Levasseur. Roger Miller, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen. Cormac McCarthy. Andrew Neville and The Poor Choices. Michael Laderoute, Jon Brooks, Greg Hobbs. Jonathan Byrd, Jonathan Byrd. David Ross Macdonald. Trevor Raymond. Adam Olmstead. Stephen King. Dr. Seuss. T.E. Lawrence. I could go on, but that's a pretty good start.
Sounds Like
Something I wish I'd written, which is why I am happy.
This Toronto, ON-based troubadour has a parallel career as half of the Undesirables, an in-demand act on the roots circuit. His second solo album, There Will Always Be A Small Time, has a more direct country/folk approach, and it's an impressive work. Raymond has a robust and serviceable voice (John Prine comparisons often come his way) but his true strength is as a songwriter. Within Canadian roots music circles word of that is quickly spreading, as other artists have begun covering his tunes. They'll find plenty to work with here, with "Better Him Than Me" and the poetic "Blue Mermaid Dress" possessing commercial potential. Assisting Raymond's cause is his top-calibre band the Sundowners, comprised of David Baxter, Treasa Levasseur and Brian Kobayakawa (Creaking Tree Quartet), while Undesirables accomplice Sean Cotton adds backing vocals, fluent guitar and co-produces. There's refreshing variety here, from the Cajun feel of "Micheline" to the autobiographical barroom odes "Paid To Party" and the title track to the tender sentiments of "Winter Is The Warmest Time Of Year." There's nothing small time about this cat's talent.
Kerry Doole: Your songs are being performed by other artists but you also enjoy covering the songs of your peers.
Corin Raymond: That is how my heroes operated, the outlaws that came out of Nashville and those guys from Texas, like Billy Joe Shaver and Willie Nelson. The song was king. If the song was good, everybody sang it. I believe what Willie said: "Good art is good art." It's even better if you can find it on your own sidewalk. There are writers out there like Ridley Bent, Dustin Bentall, the Swiftys, Schuyler Jansen, Andrew Neville, Scott Nolan, John Borra. Some may even become famous but most will be best-kept secrets. I'll probably end up maintaining my status as a best-kept secret but along the way I'll be singing and recording songs by people like them. I want to make a whole album comprised of songs by my peers from coast to coast.
Kerry Doole: Can you describe your concept of the small time?
Corin Raymond: The small time is us doing it ourselves. It comes down to these alliances between artists and the community itself taking care of its own. Look at the Undesirables. We're touring Australia because of our alliance with David Ross MacDonald of the Waifs, not because of an agent booking us or a record company. I don't even know what the music business is. It just doesn't exist the way it used to. I don't know if I'll ever have any truck with a record label. The thing to celebrate with the small time is that the middleman is removed from the situation. It's about the relationship between the artist and their audience. That's pure, and that's what we're all in it for. (Independent)
CORIN RAYMOND BIO:
Warning: you should never attempt your own bio when your blood sugar is low. Then again, it might be the perfect time for such a feat. Here goes: I was born in Winnipeg, and my mother died there (twice). I started my life in Cochenour, Ontario, a town I still return to, but back then too many bad memories chased my father south, and me along with him. My father was a history teacher and found work in Peel County. I wound up spending the bulk of my deformative years (low blood sugar, I get facetious) in Georgetown, which lies an hour northwest of Toronto. It was there I met Sean Cotton. Sean and I attended the same schools but didn't become friends until we we had both made our respective escapes from that institution. When I first saw Sean Cotton, in a grade eight airband performing 'Sweet Emotion' for the entire school at an assembly (I was in grade six), how could I have known that with this man I would fashion a career and make my way in the adult world? Sean has been my musical co-conspirator for nearly twenty years, he is the other half of The Undesirables (which is the other half of my personality and how I pay my rent), and incidentally Sean produced my latest album with me. More bio later. Leftover Ghazale's now.
Corin! Thanks for the add. I wish I could come to your Calgary show. I will be performing in Calgary a week later... Take Care out there on the road. XOX, The Illustrious Industrious, Djenny Heart.
Just breezing in with my cup of tea to say hello, and to listen to your wonderful songs. I start to miss them after a while, you know. Your schedule is insane, Corin Raymond! Busy times ahead! Laura Loo x
wow, Corin. what a beautiful album you have made. wow wow wow. thank you for your passion and your sense of community, those 2 things together will change the world. xoxo
Hope you're well, Corin! How does one go about the purchase of your new CD? Where's your pay-pal, pal? I can think of a few (R)adelaidians who would love to get their hands on one... Perhaps I can tee it up so you could post a few at once? Cheers from your friends down-under :-)
Hey Corin, Just by listening to the new tunes and man why you and Sean aren't big stars making zillions of dollars I have no idea - oh wait maybe it's because every boring big time started out as inspired small time. Stay well, Inspiring stuff - thanks to all involved. Mario
Hey Corin, Thanks for the friend request. We're taking requests for our music player at the moment if there is a song you'd like to hear up there. Cheers CB HQ
I had a listen to the rebalanced tunes..."That's life" is my fave...it has joy in it. "Paid to party" and "Better him than me" are uptempo, but tinged with sadness (nothing wrong with that). "I wish I was in love" is easily the most commerical (that's a good thing in my books). All in all a successful rebalancing I'd say. I'd really appreciate your views on my version of 'morning has broken', 'are you thinking of me' and maybe 'fiance or finance'. Thanks for getting in touch again. Robert.
Hope you had a hoot at your CD launch Corin. I can't stop with the animation in my head when I hear 'That's Life' - I'll have to do something about that. Stay warm. Katie :-)
Lol. I actually live in Washington, NW U.S.A. Sorry to let you down - Living in Australia would be amazing, wouldn't it though? I've always wanted to go visit - I actually have some friends that live in Sydney. I've never heard that "Chelly" sounds Australian. It's just a shortening of Chelsey. I actually found you on accident - I was looking for a band that I heard when I was in Idaho, but you popped up first so I took time to listen and liked the music. :) - Chelsey
thanks so much for your amazing note. I've just been listening to your tunes over and over and I so wish I could be at the record release show tonight!
I love your songs - and your delivery - so much. There's honesty and rawness in your voice that is captivating, and so rare.
Like you said, I'm sure we'll cross paths down the line. Can't wait to hear the new record.
Really like "I Wish..." Loved your Undesirables concert in Beechworth. Great you have a YouTube clip of the night. Thanks again for that night - the other night had friends around for a meal and started telling them about you guys and the Bus Stop song etc. and found myself jumping up and playing your CD for them. Nice meeting you Corin. If you get a chance have a listen to my John Lennon - I Lost A Friend song. It's earmarked for the next www.songsalive.org CD#10. Hope the release of your new "RECORD" goes down well.
