Don Freed

Last updated
Don Freed
Birth nameDonald Freed
Born1949 (age 7374)
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Genres Folk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocal, harmonica
Years active1966-present

Donald Freed (born 1949 in New Westminster) is a Canadian singer-songwriter best known for his works about life on the prairies of western-Canada and the province of Saskatchewan in particular. [1]

Contents

Life and career

Don Freed was born of Métis descent in New Westminster, British Columbia, and raised in Saskatoon. [2]

Beginning his musical career in 1966, he appeared with Johnny Cash in the 1969 documentary Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, His Music . [3] In the film, Freed is shown visiting Cash backstage where he performs two songs, after which Cash promised to get the singer an audition with Columbia Records. He was subsequently signed by Capitol and recorded an album for them in 1972, which was never released.

In 1975 Freed toured in western Canada as the opening act for Lightnin' Hopkins. [4]

Freed went on to record a number of albums in the early 1980s which were regionally popular in western Canada including Off in All Directions and Pith and Pathos. Many of Freed's songs about prairie life have been incorporated into high school curricula throughout Saskatchewan.

Among performers who have collaborated with Freed on his recordings have been Colin James (who made some of his earliest recordings with Freed), Jane Siberry and actress Linda Griffiths. He also collaborated with Joni Mitchell on her album Taming the Tiger , co-writing the song "Crazy Cries of Love". Mitchell and Freed were romantically linked in the mid-1990s. [5]

Beginning in the early 1990s, Freed began to shift his musical focus from that of being a solo performer to being a promoter of Métis and First Nations culture, particularly involving children. His work in teaching songwriting to children in northern Saskatchewan was covered nationally by CBC Newsworld and even earned an article in the American Billboard magazine. Several albums have been released of Freed's collaborations with children, as well as an album of songs called Mystery Boyz created in collaboration with young offenders incarcerated at the North Battleford Youth Centre in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

In 1999, Freed co-wrote Sasquatch Exterminator, a book (with accompanying CD) aimed at teaching Aboriginal language to children. It was produced in conjunction with the Gabriel Dumont Institute.

In recent years, Freed has brought his songwriting workshops to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and to venues throughout the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Freed's most recent CD release is 2005's The Valley of Green and Blue, which celebrates his Métis heritage.

Album discography

Early pressings of Off in All Directions included a comic book entitled Scratchatune Comics, featuring illustrated adaptations of Freed's songs. The title of the comic is taken from Freed's music publishing company, which in turn is a play on the name Saskatoon.

In addition, Freed released a cassette single, "Saskatchewan" in 1988. (The song was originally to have been released on a 45 rpm vinyl single a year earlier, however a production problem resulted in its release being cancelled at the last minute.)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North-West Rebellion</span> 1885 rebellion by the Métis and Cree peoples against Canada

The North-West Rebellion, also known as the North-West Resistance, was an armed resistance movement by the Métis under Louis Riel and an associated uprising by First Nations Cree and Assiniboine of the District of Saskatchewan against the Canadian government. Many Métis felt that Canada was not protecting their rights, their land, and their survival as a distinct people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan River</span> River in Canada

The Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada. It stretches about 550 kilometres (340 mi) from where it is formed by the joining together of the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan Rivers to Lake Winnipeg. It flows roughly eastward across Saskatchewan and Manitoba to empty into Lake Winnipeg. Through its tributaries the North Saskatchewan and South Saskatchewan, its watershed encompasses much of the prairie regions of Canada, stretching westward to the Rocky Mountains in Alberta and north-western Montana in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellowhead Highway</span> Highway in Canada

The Yellowhead Highway is a major interprovincial highway in Western Canada that runs from Winnipeg to Graham Island off the coast of British Columbia via Saskatoon and Edmonton. It stretches across the four western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba and is part of the Trans-Canada Highway system and the larger National Highway System, but should not be confused with the more southerly, originally-designated Trans-Canada Highway. The highway was officially opened in 1970. Beginning in 1990, the green and white Trans-Canada logo was used to designate the roadway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batoche, Saskatchewan</span> National Historic Site of Canada in Saskatchewan

Batoche, Saskatchewan, which lies between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, was the site of the historic Battle of Batoche during the North-West Rebellion of 1885. The battle resulted in the defeat of Louis Riel and his Métis forces by Major General Frederick Middleton and his Northwest Field Force. Batoche was then a small village of some 500 residents. The site has since become depopulated and now has few residents. The 1885 church building and a few other historic buildings have been preserved, and the site is a National Historic Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Batoche</span> 1885 decisive battle of the North-West Rebellion

The Battle of Batoche was the decisive battle of the North-West Rebellion, which pitted the Canadian authorities against a force of First Nations and Métis people. Fought from May 9 to 12, 1885, at the ad hoc Provisional Government of Saskatchewan capital of Batoche, the greater numbers and superior firepower of General Frederick Middleton's force eventually overwhelmed the Métis fighters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">District of Saskatchewan</span> Canadian administrative district (1882–1905)

The District of Saskatchewan was a regional administrative district of Canada's North-West Territories. It was formed in 1882 was later enlarged then abolished with the creation of the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1905. Much of the area was incorporated into the province of Saskatchewan. The western part became part of Alberta, and the eastern part is now part of Manitoba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League</span> Ice hockey league in Saskatchewan, Canada

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and one of nine member leagues of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saskatchewan Highway 16</span> Highway in Saskatchewan, Canada

Highway 16 is a provincial highway in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is the Saskatchewan section of the Yellowhead Highway, and also the Trans-Canada Highway Yellowhead section. The main purpose of this highway is to connect Saskatchewan with Canadian cities such as Edmonton and Winnipeg. The highway runs from the Alberta boundary in Lloydminster to the Manitoba boundary near Marchwell. Major cities it passes through are Saskatoon, North Battleford in the central part of the province, Yorkton in the far east and Lloydminster to the far west.

Allen Sapp was a Canadian Cree painter, who resided in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. His art and his story have become known throughout Canada. His paintings tell a personal story, and many feature images of his grandmother. His work and life story have been the subject of a number of books and television documentaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Provisional Government of Saskatchewan</span>

The Provisional Government of Saskatchewan was an independent state declared during the North-West Rebellion of 1885 in the District of Saskatchewan of the North-West Territories. It included parts of the present-day Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The name was given by Louis Riel. Although Riel initially hoped to rally the Countryborn, Cree, and European settlers of the Saskatchewan Valley to his banner, this did not occur. The government, with the exception of Honoré Jaxon and Chief White Cap, had an entirely French-speaking and Métis leadership. Gabriel Dumont was proclaimed adjutant general in which capacity he became supreme military commander, although Riel could, and did, override his tactical decisions. The Provisional Government was declared by Riel on March 19, 1885. It ceased to exist following the defeat of the Métis militarily during the Battle of Batoche, which concluded on May 20, 1885. During its existence the government only exercised authority over the Southbranch Settlements along the South Saskatchewan River. Other major centres in the area such as Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and most First Nations reserves remained outside of its control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Chamber Choir</span>

The Canadian Chamber Choir 's mission is to build community through choral singing. The CCC is a national ensemble that provides a professional choral environment for Canadian singers, conductors and composers, and travels across Canada promoting Canadian choral music. Under the artistic direction of Julia Davids, the CCC convenes in different regions of Canada twice a year, offering concerts and mentoring choral practitioners of all ages and stages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday</span> 1975 single by G. C. Cameron

"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" is an R&B song written by Motown husband-and-wife songwriting team Freddie Perren and Christine Yarian for the 1975 film Cooley High. In the film, the song is performed by Motown artist G.C. Cameron, whose rendition peaked at number 38 on the Billboard R&B singles chart that same year. Perren also composed the instrumental score for Cooley High, and the B-side to "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" features two of his score compositions from the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duck Lake, Saskatchewan</span> Town in Saskatchewan, Canada

Duck Lake is a town in the boreal forest of central Saskatchewan, Canada. Its location is 88 km (55 mi) north of Saskatoon and 44 km (27 mi) south of Prince Albert on highway 11, in the rural municipality of Duck Lake. Immediately to the north of Duck Lake is the south block of the Nisbet Provincial Forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Saskatchewan</span> Patterns of human activity in a province of Canada

Culture of Saskatchewan views the patterns of human activity in the central prairie province of Canada examining the way people live in the geography, climate, and social context of Saskatchewan.

Jewel & Blaire Restaneo are an American acting, songwriting team, and pop duo MUJYBELA from Houston, Pennsylvania. They have been in Broadway Shows such as Annie Get Your Gun and A Christmas Carol. They have had starring and co-starring roles in many TV shows.

Transport in Saskatchewan includes an infrastructure system of roads, highways, freeways, airports, ferries, pipelines, trails, waterways, and railway systems serving a population of approximately 1,098,352 inhabitants year-round.

Jean Baptiste "John" Arcand, is a Canadian fiddler, composer, teacher, and luthier. Arcand has been composing and performing since childhood, having learned the traditional Métis tunes from his father Victor and his grandfather Jean-Baptiste. John Arcand has said, "I knew from childhood I would be a fiddler." "I love the constant challenge because you cannot ever master the fiddle." He is known for the impeccable sense of timing in his music, a skill that is necessary when guiding dancers.

Maxime Lépine was a Métis businessman and political figure from Canada. Lépine joined Louis Riel's provisional government in Red River in 1869. A founding member of the Union Saint-Alexandre, Lépine sought to bring together Métis of French-Canadian and Catholic origins. Later, Lépine represented St. Francois Xavier East in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1874 to 1878.

Sherry Farrell Racette is a Métis-Canadian feminist scholar, author, curator, and artist. She is best known for her contributions to Indigenous and Canadian art histories. She is currently an associate professor of Visual Arts at the University of Regina.

References

  1. Feliciter - Volume 41; Volume 4, Issue 1 - Page 30
  2. "Canada's Children Find their Voices", Billboard, August 12, 2000, page 77.
  3. Dan Zakreski (Jan 20, 2019). "Sask. folk singer who played with the greats helped connect Indigenous kids to their culture". CBC News.
  4. Timothy J. O'Brien, David Ensminger, Mojo Hand: The Life and Music of Lightnin' Hopkins, 2013. page 224
  5. "Much Music". Archived from the original on December 31, 2005. Retrieved December 31, 2005.
  6. "Don Freed". Winnipeg, Manitoba: Manitoba Music Industry Association. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2009.