One of Canada's premier singer-songwriters, James Keelaghan's fine baritone voice and strong twelve- and six-string acoustic guitar arrangements accompany some of the most captivating lyrics written north of the 49th Parallel. A native of Calgary, Keelaghan studied history at the University of Calgary where he began playing in local folk venues during the mid-1980's. Keelaghan's interest in history is borne out strongly in his debut album, Timelines. The opening song, "Fires of Calais," relates the fictional account of a participant rescuing British soldiers across the English Channel in the retreat from Dunkirk. "Boom Gone to Bust," recounts the hard times of Canadians in the 1930's, crossing the country to find work. The haunting "Jenny Bryce" was written after a conversation with his mother about conditions for women under the reign of Peter the Great. By his second album, Small Rebellions, Keelaghan achieves a high level of consistency and maturity. The songs continue to reflect historical themes. The opening song, "Hillcrest Mine," documents Canada's worst mining disaster. "Red River Rising" is set during the Riel Rebellion. "Rebecca's Lament," chronicles the ill-fated love between Tecumseh and Rebecca Galloway. "Small Rebellion," about the Bienfait Massacre, relates an attempt to organize miners in the coal field. In addition to these historically-based compositions, Keelaghan pays respects to other songwriters, notably Tony Kaduck and Ferron, with "Princes of The Clouds" and "Misty Mountain," respectively.

With his third album, My Skies, Keelaghan began recording for the American Green Linnet label. Winner of a Juno award in the "Roots & Traditional" category in 1994, My Skies reflects a turn from the explicit, historical songwriting of his earlier works to more introspective, indirect lyrics. The result is some of the strongest material Keelaghan has yet created. Highlights include the title song, "My Skies," "Hold Your Ground," "River Run," "Kiri's Piano," and "Orion." Keelaghan's fourth album, A Recent Future, is different enough from his previous releases that it may catch a few fans off-guard on first listen. The opener, "Sweetgrass Moon," with its moody intro and haunting melody tells you this album's going to be unique. This is followed by a bouncy Colleen Eccleston song, "Dance As You Go." "Turn of the Wheel," "Get To You," and "A Recent Future" are similar in feel to material on My Skies. Keelaghan has not abandoned historical writing altogether. The highlights of the album are its two historical songs, "Cold Missouri Waters," about the survivor of a forest-fire-fighting team at the Man Gulch fire in 1949, and "Lament for the Passing of Honoré Jaxon," Riel's English secretary during the 1885 Rebellion. Keelaghan received the Stan Rogers Golden Quill Porcupine Award in 1995 for "Cold Missouri Waters."

Timelines
1987, 1992 Tranquilla Music / Dirty Linen (CDL103)

Fires of Calais; Boom Gone to Bust; Railway Tune; Jenny Bryce; Follow Me up to Carlow/Morison's Jig; Refugee; Roll Down; Lost; Snap the Line Tight; Sea for the Shore/Stephen Behind the Eight Ball 44:24

Small Rebellions *
1990 Tranquilla Music (TMCD-002)

Hillcrest Mine; Princes of the Clouds; Red River Rising; The Ones Who Made Home; Rebecca's Lament; Timeless Love; Small Rebellion; Misty Mountain; Somewhere Ahead; Country Faire; Departure Bay; Gladys Ridge 44:56

My Skies *
1993 Green Linnet (CLCD 2112)

My Skies; Hold Your Ground; I Would I Were; River Run; Big Picture; Glory Bound; Kiri's Piano; Hope Princeton Road; Orion; Abraham; Tomorrow Is Another Day 40:29

A Recent Future
1995 Green Linnet / Justin Time (JTR 8453-2)

Sweetgrass Moon; Dance As You Go; Hero on the Straightaway; Get to You; Turn of the Wheel; Cold Missouri Waters; Sweet Lorraine; A Recent Future; Honoré; Lazarus; Never Gonna Stop This Train 48:00