Description

“Stealing Genius” is the newest studio album from one of Canada’s most talented and critically acclaimed singer/songwriters. Ron Hynes has been writing and performing music for over thirty years. With a songwriting career that spans more than 30 years. He is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner and a past Juno, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. He’s been recipient of both Artist of the Year and the prestigious Arts Achievement Award from the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. John’s Folk Arts Council. Ron Hynes also holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University. In 2011 he took home the Music Newfoundland and Labrador Award for Folk/Roots Recording of the Year and his documentary, “Man of a Thousand Songs” has been garnering serious critical praise at major film and music festivals across Canada. Fans and newcomers alike will be immediately taken in by Ron’s ability to conjure wonderfully imagistic portraits by spinning clever and poignant turns of phrase. He is a wordsmith of the highest order. Themes on the record vary from the pain of having to leave ones home for lack of work and opportunity, the loss of love over time, experiencing the presence of a loved one after they have passed away, life and going for broke before its too late and even a tune about legendary NHL goalie, Terry Sawchuck. At the time of the album’s conception, Ron was going through a period of creative block. Songs weren’t coming to him and he considered taking time off from music. He was in Woody Point for the Writer’s festival and picked up a book called Night Work: the Sawchuck Poems written by Newfoundland author/poet, Randall Maggs. This book completely revitalized Ron and was the basis for the song that kick started the process of writing the album. That tune, aptly titled Sawchuck is an up tempo, lyrically vivid and instantly catchy biographical look at the tragic life and times of one of hockey’s most fabled and infamous players. The tune is an instant standout. Ron’s idea for the rest of the album was to adopt the words of other poets/writers, marry them with his own words and set them to music. Ron would reference the work of artists like Stan Dragland, Donna Morrissey, Des Walsh, Al Pittman and nephew, Joel Thomas Hynes. It goes without saying that the album itself is lyrically outstanding. It is also musically exceptional. There is an uplifting quality to the majority of the record which in some ways is a departure from the Ron albums of late. There is a jump in the step of this record. There are some lovely horn and string arrangements on a number of tunes which is a new element to Ron’s work. Standout tunes include Sawchuck and 30 for 60 a wonderful song with co-writing credit going to Al Pittman. Stealing is a blend of country and folk and is offers up some of Ron’s finest work to date.