Canadian Folk Artist James Gordon Releases “Lonesome As Hank Williams Tonight” From Wrinkles and Scars Album
“I’m not prone to loneliness,” Canadian folkie James Gordon says of his new single, “Lonesome As Hank Williams Tonight.” Given the deep, convincing wistfulness of the song, and that of some of the other tracks on his new, live album, Wrinkles and Scars, it’s almost hard to believe him.
On the other hand, Gordon has kept himself so extraordinarily busy working on so many wide-ranging endeavors for so many years, that it’s possible that he simply hasn’t had the time to feel lonely. But he got the opportunity one night in 2022 when he attended his last meeting of the Guelph City Council, of which he’d been a member for eight years. He was happy to have gotten one of his initiatives passed — a satisfying coda for his political career — and was ready to celebrate. The problem was that he was alone in a shabby motel room on Vancouver Island (he was on tour; the meeting was conducted over Zoom) and there was no one there to help him mark the occasion. He looked out the window at the wildfire haze then pervading the island, and thought of his favorite “lonely” song, Hank Williams’ all-time classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”
One of two songs from the album directly inspired by that year’s wildfires – the other being “Wild Wind Blows,” “Lonesome As Hank Williams Tonight” quotes from the Hank song, but makes it clear that the two men are lonely in different ways. Where Williams’ loneliness was existential, for Gordon — whose songs over the past four decades have tended to be upbeat — it’s more temporal. It will pass. That doesn’t make him feel any less lonesome in the moment, though. Tonight, he’s lonesome:
It’s knowing that you’re just not there
The ominous smoke that fills the air
The uncertainty that’s everywhere
Tonight it’s just too hard to bear
No midnight train to lowly whine
No robins weeping, no moon that’s cryin’
No endless night, and no leaves dyin’
But I’m as lonesome as Hank Williams tonight
As lonesome as Hank Williams tonight
I’m so lonesome I could cry
The single is a follow-up to another namechecking song from the album, “Leonard’s Secret Chord,” a reference to a lyric from the great Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
As the title suggests Wrinkles and Scars has Gordon taking a look back to assess how his jam-packed life has shaped his years. As a founding member of the folk trio Tamarack, with whom he performed from 1978 to 2000, and subsequently as a solo artist, he’s made dozens of albums. He’s composed for symphony orchestras, musical theatre, and dance troupes, written film scores, and served as a songwriter-in-residence on CBC radio for over a decade. As a record producer, he’s credited on CDs by numerous Canadian folk artists, and his mentorship programs have spurred the careers of countless youth and adult songwriters alike. That’s not to mention his accomplishments as a published author, playwright, theatrical director, podcast host, and his stint in politics. He’s earned every wrinkle and scar
Recorded at Guelph’s River Run Centre in January 2024, the album finds Gordon backed by his “Exceptional Ensemble” of Ian Bell, Randall Coryell, Anne Lindsay, Katherine Wheatley, and David Woodhead. The 14 songs run the gamut from personal musings on aging and loneliness to some of the more politically charged material for which Gordon is known—including musical protestations against climate change, religious fundamentalism, and the Rwandan genocide.
“I try to stay optimistic despite our current challenges,” he says. “As an activist, I want to hold onto hope, otherwise there’s no point investing energy into ‘the cause.’ That often feels pretty unrealistic in my moments of despair.”
Gordon’s moments of despair, though, amount to blessings for the rest of us.
Hi James, good to see you again. What have you been up to since you released the last song?
“ Getting the Wrinkles and Scars” album out into the world is an interesting challenge at a time when the music business is in such a state of flux. I’ve been touring in support of the record, and since I’m a songaholic, I’m already working on the next one. I’m also directing a play in a small community about an hour from you. Also an interesting challenge!
Tell me about the song, “Lonesome As Hank Williams Tonight?”
Here’s the back story to this country-tinged song. I did my civic duty for eight years as a Guelph City Councillor. It was a part-time gig so I was still touring when I could. For my very last council meeting, I found myself attending over Zoom from a run-down Vancouver Island motel. I had just introduced a significant motion as my last hurrah in that role. (Didn’t run again. You try it sometime :)) It passed unanimously to great applause. Naturally, I wanted to celebrate and looked around to find that it was just me and the bed bugs in my sad little room. Together with the ominous wildfire haze looming over the island, this normally upbeat songwriter had a rare spell of loneliness and isolation. My favourite ‘lonely’ song of all-time is Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, and my wistful waltz quotes from that great song and emulates its country feel, since Country music knows how to do lonesome, that’s for sure. The sonic lonesome treat on the track a whining lap steel solo from David Woodhead.
Why do you think sad songs can make us feel better?
Well in this case, At least we can make the observation that our lives aren’t quite as sad as Hank’s was! I wouldn’t necessarily say that sad songs make you feel ‘better’- instead they often trigger some serious reflection. Looking inward while listening, we often get insights that can take us down a more positive path.
For those not familiar with Hank Williams, where should we start?
Well, he practically invented country music as we know it today. I’m like a lot of guitar pickers- Hank’s songs were so simple to play that it got a lot of us started. Listen to “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”, “Jambalaya”, “Hey Good Lookin’” and “You’re Cheating Heart” and you’ll get the picture. He’s been gone for 70 years but those songs will live forever.
You were involved in local politics in Guelph, too. What lessons did you learn there that helped you in music, or the other way around?
It was Jack Layton who talked me into running for politics. He explained that it was essentially the same gig as being a performing musician. You have to be a good listener, a good communicator, a good collaborator, and you have to have a message that resonates with constituents or music listeners…. So I think my music experience helped my political ‘persona’ and the politics helped inform my songwriting. I DID learn that, in general, people much prefer a song than a speech, and they don’t want a song that is preachy!
Connect with James Gordon:
Website