We catch up with James Keelaghan while he’s driving. That’s not surprising, since the Canadian singer-songwriter spends a lot of time touring. This time, he’s on his way home after shows in the Maritimes. He says it’s not difficult to stay enthusiastic about a life in music.
“I still really enjoy having a good story to tell. I love having an idea and then working that idea through to fruition. Something that starts as a kernel. Sometimes it’s a chord progression or a melody. It turns into something more.”
Many of Keelaghan’s songs are rooted in history. Songs like “Cold Missouri Waters” and “Kiri’s Piano” demonstrate Keelaghan’s ability to make historical events come alive in song. “A good narrative draws me in,” he says. “And,” he adds, “I’ve always been ruled by history. As a person with an Irish parent and an English parent, I’m always living the James Joyce quote that history is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake.”
The blend of storytelling and music was evident early in Keelaghan’s life. “I was always interested in music and singing,” he says, “and my parents got me a guitar for my 14th birthday. I am self-taught. I never took any formal lessons, but once I got to a certain point and got gigs, I fell in with people who became mentors.”
“I had so many great mentors in Calgary,” he says, mentioning Ron Casat and Bill Eaglesham in particular. “Ron taught me the ropes. He taught me songwriting and chords, and how to arrange things. All those people are part of the process. You end up getting your education on the job, from the people you play with.”
Keelaghan’s upcoming shows in Alberta will include Canadian bass virtuoso David Woodhead. “We’ll play stuff from the newest album, and David is one of the most amazing bass players on the planet. He played on Stan Rogers’ first two albums, and he’s played with Loreena McKennitt. He’s a wonder in the Canadian music scene.”
Audiences can expect to hear many of Keelaghan’s best stories in song when he comes to Alberta for four shows. “I love bending and shaping the story, to fit the musical parameters.”
James Keelaghan has four Alberta concerts with David Woodhead this fall: Fort Macleod on November 28, Medicine Hat on November 29, Calgary November 30, and Sherwood Park December 1. Find details at keelaghan.com.
“Red River Rising” by James Keelaghan:
