Reviews
RASPUTIN'S FOLK CAFE, OTTAWA'S FOLK CLUB, OTTAWA, ON
Ken is a wonderful singer/songwriter!
FOLK EXPOSURES, CFRU RADIO, GUELPH, ON
Ken Dunn's album "Precious Life" is a rare example of the fine musical balance between
traditional folk and relevant contemporary commentary. The lyrics show a command of both poetic
verse and thoughtful meaning, with carefully knit acoustic guitar, harmonica, and mandolin melodies
that consummate the eleven songs on this album. Ken's voice echos a feeling of mature strength,
with a prevailing calm that makes these songs enjoyable again and again. Two thumbs up to Ken!
WORDS AND MUSIC, SOCAN, TORONTO
...quietly self-assured and filled with all the love and rage one expects from a good folk
album, Precious Life is a welcome rumination on life, love and politics from Ontario's Ken Dunn.
JOHN O'REGAN, ROCK 'N REEL, LONDON, UK
Insidious melodies carve a niche in the grey matter easily... his strong, distinctive vocals make their own claim of
authority on the songs. Creating quality acoustic music is Ken Dunn's mission and Precious Life fulfills that demand.
Investigate it... you won't be sorry.
GENE WILBURN, NORTHERN JOURNEY 2
...songs of love and life punctuated with blues riffs and tasty harmonica...lyrics somewhat reminiscent of Valdy...Precious Life is an album that bears repeated listening.
BRYAN HUGHES, CFFF RADIO,
PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO
"A+"
MARK MCNEIL, THE CEILIDH PLANET,
HAMILTON, ONTARIO
...the songs and the sound quality are excellent. Ken is a uniquely-talented performer and he has a lot to say with his
music.
DOUG GIBSON, SONGS FROM THE WOOD,
CKWR RADIO, WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Ken is an authentic and original folksinger and songwriter of talent.
SHAWN MALLETT, THE BACK PORCH,
CFMU RADIO, HAMILTON, ONTARIO
Reflective and thought provoking, Winds of Emotion is filled with the human spirit.
JOHN O'REGAN, FOLK ROOTS, LONDON, UK
Canadian songwriter and singer Ken Dunn can make a carefully woven tapestry of sounds. "Muskoka #1" and "Gone
to Gaspe" are both very cleverly worded reflections on nature and unrequited love. The string arrangement on "Burning
Bridges" actually makes the track and his vocals reminiscent of Neil Young and makes for intriguing listening. Ken Wilson's
slide guitar cuts a swath through "Somali Eyes". Dulcimer adds poignancy to the title track and the highly evocative lyrics make
it a stand out. Carefully planned and executed, "Winds of Emotion" is worth searching for.
ARDENE SHAPIRO, CHART: CANADA'S
ALTERNATIVE MUSIC JOURNAL, TORONTO
From "Muskoka #1's" sounds of water and birds (life at the cottage) to the current of terror created by Ken Wilson's
electric slide guitar heard on "Somali Eyes", this release represents the folk tradition with integrity and sincerity. Best
of all, a portion of the money raised from the sale of this CD will be used to help support victims of violence. When
vocalist/player Ken Dunn sings, "Don't let this angry world drag you down", he implores people to think of life as more than
"one long video", harkening back to values that seem lost in the winds of technology and big buck change.
SUSAN BURKE, HOLLOW BODIES,
WATERLOO, ONTARIO
Singer-songwriter Ken Dunn has had a busy summer touring folk clubs, festivals, and coffee-houses in Southwestern
Ontario to promote his latest release, Winds of Emotion... The current recording of twelve original songs conveys the essence
of Dunn's live performances. In a quiet, reflective manner, Winds of Emotion addresses issues common to the folk
tradition: peace and conflict, joy and tumult in human relationships from a personal and global perspective. Yet, a sense of
serenity and the ability to cope are maintained. Dunn's soft voice (somewhat reminiscent of Neil Young) is backed by acoustic
instrumentation, with accompaniment from Ken Wilson. The simply-constructed melodies and the plain language of the lyrics
communicate Dunn's messages clearly.
GENE WILBURN, NORTHERN JOURNEY, TEESWATER, ONTARIO
...singer-songwriter Ken Dunn has released a soft, intimate collection of original songs on Winds of Emotion. The
quiet delivery, maintained with acoustic guitar, lends an introspective, poetic atmosphere to songs like "Pause and
Reflection", "Muskoka #1", "Gone to Gaspe", and "The Rain and The Snow". The simple arrangements allow the lyrics to
come front and centre.
FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS, HAMILTON, ONTARIO
Over the past few years, Ken Dunn has become a popular folk singer/songwriter in the Hamilton area. Whether he's
accompanying himself on guitar, mandolin, or mountain dulcimer, Ken's lyrics reflect refreshing insight into various
human complexities.
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