I was born too late to experience the hippie movement directly, but I was raised by parents who loved a good song with meaningful lyrics. And while some look at that era with condescension, others like me enjoy the message and the activist passion behind it.
Glenn Chatten can definitely be called a “hippie”. And in true hippie fashion, his music tells stories of peace and self-consciousness. His songs are poetic, uplifting, and bring the listener back to a time when the artistic spirit was about people and not money.
“Where You Need to Be,” Chatten’s new album, is a great piece of Canadiana that boasts a unique variety and mixture of genres. Whether it is Folk, Celtic music or Blues, Chatten’s guitar and occasional harmonica happily echo in your mind, while his voice — a distant cousin of Johnny Cash’s — leaves your heart bathed in a warm embrace.
Overall, I really like this album. In particular, some of the songs (“For the Sake of Oil,” “Adams River Runs,” “The Heart That Is Your Land” and “Embassy”) deserve to be streamed by radio stations and featured in movies. With that being said, I feel that a couple of tracks are a little on the safe side and have been heard before (“Blues Band in Afghanistan” and “Rollin’ to Surrender,” for example). And sometimes, Chatten over enunciates his lyrics.
However, one cannot deny the passion and sincerity of the album. Chatten is an artist on a spiritual mission. He invites us to open our minds and hearts to the beauties of this world, and to take care of one another. And in this day and age, we need more of that.
More about “Where You Need to Be”
Genre: Folk
Songs written and produced by Glenn Chatten
Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko
Track listing:
1. For the Sake of Oil
2. Rollin’ to Surrender
3. Adams River Run
4. Tree of Life
5. The Heart That Is in Your Land
6. Mind Your Forests
7. Turn This Car Around
8. The Door to Bethlehem
9. The Truth Outshines the Lie
10. Embassy
11. Blues Band in Afghanistan
The CD is available for purchase on CDBaby and Amazon.
About Glenn Chatten
Glenn Chatten is a Vancouver-based guitarist and folk singer with over 30 years of performing experience. He toured the US Midwest and Canada at the end of the 1970s. During the following decade, he performed at many Folk festivals across British Columbia and toured with Celtic musician and Hammered Dulcimer player, Paul Haslem. He also joined him on his first recording (“Step Out of Time”).
Chatten appeared several times on television for the entertainment section of the Global Noon Hour News hosted by the late Bob Macadorey.
For the past four seasons, he has been the Musical Director for Vancouver Youth Theatre, a non-profit arts organization.
“Where You Need to Be” is his first album in 25 years.
For more information on the artist, visit www.soaringeaglemusic.com.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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