Congratulations to our friends Amelia Curran, Fortunate Ones, The Once, Matthew Byrne, and The Swinging Belles on your well-deserved recognition and nominations for the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Good luck and thank you for all your amazing works.

-The Staff

On Saturday, August 29th, Watefront Fire performed a spirited and impassioned set at Fred`s Records in celebration of the release of their new, full-length album `First Light`(available in store and on-line). In case you missed it, here are some shots of the their set.

Searching for the perfect gift for Father’s Day? Well, look no further! Fred’s Records has everything from Alabama Shakes to Republic of Doyle. We got the deals for you and your dad too. Click the image to enlarge.

Musicians & music industry visitors are now arriving, and there are lots of new faces at the store! On Thursday night, the Awards Gala kicks everything into high gear.

Friday from 5-7, Fred’s hosts a great show at the store: Rose Cousins’ Old Farm Pony Records & Friends. Two Juno Award winners – Rose Cousins & Catherine Maclellan – plus local darlings The Fortunate Ones and a great roster of artists will perform. Please join us!

East Coast Music Award Nominees and showcasing artists’ music is available at the store. We’ve got tons of new records and we’ve just reloaded our used vinyl bin.

It’s going to be a time! Drop by for a visit.

Fred’s is thrilled to receive the honorary “Industry Builder” award, announced by the East Coast Music Awards on March 18th.

In business since 1972, Fred’s will be presented the award at the Gala in St. John’s on April 9th.

We look forward to the big celebration and all our visitors from the maritimes and across the province during East Coast Music Week!

There’s a sense of a welcoming, that an invitation has been extended to the opening track of the long awaited CD by the FORTUNATE ONES. “Solitary Sparks” builds to a full-throttle and introduces the listener to the key qualities explored, developed and achieved on “THE BLISS”. Themes of hope, reflection, desire and discovery are delved into with a positive conclusion often waiting somewhat knowingly at the path’s end.

“Wherever You Go” well represents the core message addressed throughout this pure pop/folk collection, a ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’/be true to yourself theme.

Late edition to the album, “Lay Me Down” might leave you thinking you’ve been swept back to Buckingham/Nicks debut with Fleetwood Mac with its hippie-blues element. It also provides a jolt to what is essentially a melancholy album..

“Without A Name” is one of the album’s finest tracks. The strings fill the melody with a nice balance of the lush and the delicate. Catherine Allan’s piano part is sweetly reminiscent of Neil Drinkwater’s work with Van Morrison; sounding like raindrops on a pond on a warm summer day.

“A Light Will Come” delivers one of those melodies so comfortable and sublime it sounds familiar… as if you’ve known it your whole life. Andrew James O’Brien gives us one of his finest vocal performances to date, nuanced and incredibly moving in a subtle manner, creating all the more impact as a result.

“I’d Wait For Anyone Who Would Wait For Me” is a catchy number penned by Mick Davis and serves up a pleasant tempo-shift before a pair of dirge-like tunes direct the listener to a more ponderous and reflective frame of mind. Catherine Allan’s ‘late vocals’ on this number is attractive and a technique often employed by THE BAND on some vintage classics.

A suitably pensive rendering of “Picture In A Frame”(Tom Waits) highlights the duos close harmonies.

In the true literary sense, “Oaks And Willows” is the most romantic of the album’s songs. Permeations of sadness adorn its theme, relatable and effective.

“Someday Love” is certainly one the strongest tracks; a shuffling mid-tempo number with a McCartney-esque change, jaw-dropping in its beauty and weightlessness while the title track, “The Bliss” is another highlight piece; a Paul Simon like percussive-driven tune, beautifully arranged and a message particularly potent and resonant for the young at the journeys start.

The blue note laden “Carry On” is a poignant song, a gentle cathartic-anthem that fittingly closes this most promising album.

FORTUNATE ONES are one of the key acts to hear, watch and follow from Newfoundland And Labrador.

-Tony Ploughman

Limited availability.

Fred’s Exclusive!

Just arrived!

Quintessential Ron Hynes Solo directed by Moya Walsh and Featuring Amelia Curran.

Available exclusively at Fred’s.

Enter our Contest to see Hey Rosetta! at an intimate Up Close & Personal Concert at the store Sunday December 14th at 6 PM.

Admission is extremely limited so we’re having a contest! Enter at the store.

There are 3 ways to win:
1. Anyone can enter.
2. If you buy any Hey Rosetta! album you have an extra chance to win.
3. If you share or re-tweet this event on Facebook or Twitter you’ll also have a special chance to win.

If you’re a loyal Fred’s customer who pre-ordered “Second Sight”, Hey Rosetta!’s new album, you’re already entered.

Further details available at store.

The contest ends 9 PM Thursday Dec. 11.

Winners will be contacted Friday Dec. 12.

A sterling performance by Toronto’s “The Wooden Sky” drew a strong turn-out of supporters and fans Saturday afternoon here at Fred’s.

30 minutes of blissful vocal harmonies, introspective lyrics, flawlessly subtle instrumental arrangements, and an appreciative audience. Gavin Gardiner possesses one of the most soulful voices on the Canadian folk-rock scene, often leaving the crowd in amazement.

Thanks for sharing your songs with us at Fred’s. We’ll make it a Hat Trick next time you pass this way.