Introduction – The Life and Work of Stan Rogers
Stan Rogers was one of Canada’s greatest singer-songwriters, despite his music having never had major distribution or significant radio playtime. In this episode, I discuss the (tragically short) life of the impressive baritone and dissect his songs in order to answer this question: What makes his songs such instant folk classics?
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Credits
Host: Olivia Harding
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Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton
Musical Excerpts
Stan Rogers
“Northwest Passage”
https://youtu.be/a9-ZGfidpow?si=M-eJujtzBp88Jccg
Great Big Sea
“When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down)”
https://youtu.be/f-oC-kNtPTs?si=0OhKrWikJoOdYdc1
Jimmie Rodgers
“In The Jailhouse Now”
https://youtu.be/p3L2qf3q-ok?si=0vqX_OGBxbcIEmR4
Stan Rogers
“Make and Break Harbour”
https://youtu.be/KdV0P8Zz3f4?si=ycayeEnM_9ffV72W
Stan Rogers
“Here’s to You, Santa Claus”
https://youtu.be/4-g9EY0p0cg?si=wAo4e3VyP8kj0Wbn
Stan Rogers
“Lock-Keeper”
https://youtu.be/40lKUaZVZjA?si=uIXL5gIL1ftywEpj
Stan Rogers
“Guysborough Train”
https://youtu.be/36e-beZZjZ4?si=m1Q2_5AMquKa8wh2
Stan Rogers
“Barrett’s Privateers”
https://youtu.be/s0CvSIhF_tA?si=V0gDpnHTxYWfKO1A
Stan Rogers
“Flowers of Bermuda”
https://youtu.be/-3kRhtuiq-M?si=naCCVmrKwUX_0DDR
Stan Rogers
“The Mary Ellen Carter”
https://youtu.be/FJQkKof3opg?si=wvCTcuc3kK70TIg5
Wonderful episode (as always!!) I love Stan Rogers, but I truly only knew a few of his original songs. I mostly knew of him first through his definitive cover of the late, great Archie Fisher’s “Witch of the West-Mer-Lands.” Though I also love Archie Fisher’s original, it is Stan Rogers’ “Witch of the Westmoreland” that made me fall in love with the song. I had never heard “The Mary Helen Carter,” but your story and that fabulous last chorus makes me want to sing it with my duo, Colleens and Lassies. Again, terrific episode. And as a side note, I would love for you to do an episode on Archie Fisher. I met him in 2019, and will never forget being in the audience and singing along to “The Final Trawl” with him.
Best to you always,
Kathy, from Albuquerque, New Mexico
I also LOVE Stan Rogers’ cover of that song! I only recently learned that he didn’t write it, and I’ve been meaning to learn more about Archie Fisher after discovering he was the writer (also because Final Trawl is SO good), so I’ll definitely add him to my possible theme list! Thank you for the suggestion. And you should definitely cover “The Mary Ellen Carter” with your group! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂
Excellent work, Olivia!
Thanks so much, Daniel!
I discovered Stan Rogers just a few years ago when my son introduced me to Stan’s songs. I had never heard of him, and I had studied music in college and played guitar and ukulele for years. I am hooked now and so sorry that he died so young. I have also become a fan of Garnet Rogers, snd have gone to see his performances a few times now. Such talented brothers, and songwriters!
I’m so glad you discovered Stan Rogers! And Garnet – such a talented musician in his own right! I’m jealous you’ve been able to see him live 😉