John Prince & A Piece of the Rock is a Toronto band that successfully blends a Celtic sound with pop/rock arrangements and a touch of bluegrass. Behind Prince's rich voice and strong songwriting, the band adds acoustic guitar, harmonica, accordion, mandolin, and tight harmonies. Take Me Back (1994) highlights Prince's songwriting, including "Take Me Back," "Vagabond," "The Schooner Song," "It's Good to Be A Canadian," and "Where Do Old Boats Go." A Piece of the Rock includes ex-Maritimer John Prince, Bruce McDaniel, Joe Sexton, and Paul McKeracher.

The band's second album, From Bristol to Bonavista (1997), is unusual in that it is mainly an album of covers. Many bands start out doing covers then moving to their own material on subsequent albums. John Prince has done the reverse. Whatever the reasons, the album is delightful. Prince has a fine singing voice and the band is excellent. Mixing songs and instrumentals, the album ranges from "Haul Away Joe" to "The Jolly Beggarman" to "The Streets of London." On this album Chad Wenzel takes over as the band's new bass player. An engaging recording.

Take Me Back
1994 Rattle Falls (JP-001)

Take Me Back (To the Good Kind of Livin'); Vagabond; Superman (Ain't What He Used to Be); The Schooner Song (Sail Away); It's Good to Be Canadian; Where Do Old Boats Go; The Ballad of Belfast; Newfoundland Blessing; Let's All Pull Together; Blue Collar Blues; Smokin' in the Kitchen 42:13

From Bristol to Bonavista
1997 Rattle Falls (JP-002)

Haul Away Joe; The Jolly Beggarman; The Voyage of John Cabot; The Legacy of Cabot's Newfoundland; The Love that I Wasted Away; Fools Like Me; Leaning on the Half Door/Lamb Foley's Tune; Streets of London; Heave Away, Haul Away; Pussycat up in the Plum Tree/Feller from Fortune; It All Comes down to You and Me; I'll Be Your Heart (If You'll Be My Wings); Fingers on Fire 47:35