Formed in 1981, while employed at Wakami Provincial Park, near Chapleau Ontario, the Wakami Wailers have concentrated their musical efforts interpreting Canada's history, through song and stories. Commissioned in 1984 to develop a musical show telling the tale of Ontario's rich lumbering past, they toured throughout the province with their first recording The Last of the White Pine Loggers. This popular recording, previously available only on cassette, was reissued on CD in 1997.

White Pine Loggers is a delight. With jaunty rhythms and excellent vocal harmony the Wailers have dug out some treasures of Canadian folk music from the archives and brought them to life. The polished performances, similar in style to Tamarack and Tanglefoot, make great listening and the songs should find new life in school classrooms and song circles.

Their second album Waltz with The Woods, was "inspired by the natural beauty and stories of Ontario's provincial parks"--liner notes. The solid playing and earthy vocals make this another very charming album. Highlights include Wade Hemsworth's "Log Driver's Waltz," "The Riverman," "One Last Spike," "Land of the Silver Birch," "White Lake Swamp Stomp," and "Waltz with the Woods."

The Wakami Wailers are Robert Hollett, guitar, vocals; Michael Bernier, fiddle, mandolin, vocals; Mark Despault, guitar, banjo, concertina, vocals; and Jeff Allen, spoons, story telling. Guest musicians include Andy Thompson, bass, accordion, keyboards, and Bernie Martin, accordion, bodhran.

The Last of the White Pine Loggers *
[1985, reissued 1998] Wakami Wailers (Imakaw-CD002)

The Lumbercamp Song; The Badger Drive; A Shantyman's Life; Les Raftsmen; Peter Emberley; The Gatineau Girls; Lost Jimmy Whelan/Julia Delaney; The Backwoodsman; How We Got up to the Woods Last Year; Save Your Money When You're Young; The Jam on Gerry's Rocks; The Winter Camp; A Lumberjack's Legend; The Last of the White Pine Loggers 39:42

Waltz with the Woods
1993 Wakami Wailers (no catalogue number)

Log Driver's Waltz; John Denison; The Riverman; Wakami; The Castle of White Otter Lake; One Last Spike; Take This Land; A Legend of Nanabozho; Land of the Silver Birch; Run to the Bay; Shan's Song; White Lake Swamp Stomp; Waltz with the Woods 47:02