Strong… Free… True North:
The Canadian Songbook
I started with a simple idea. I wanted to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday by reimagining iconic Canadian pop music through orchestral arrangements. My simple idea soon became an epic, multi-year passion project that I was thrilled to unveil in May 2017. I wanted to honour the people, the songwriters, the musicians and the country that I love, and True North: The Canadian Songbook became the most touching tribute I felt I could offer. I was joined on this project by a talented team of artists, performers, and industry experts, and I’m so proud of the final result.
Showcasing 32 of Canada’s most beloved pop and folk songs, True North: The Canadian Songbook is Eleanor McCain’s sixth studio album. Produced by Don Breithaupt and featuring the creations of 14 arrangers, 28 guest artists, and 10 symphony orchestras from across the country, True North: The Canadian Songbook was developed to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. In addition to the recording, the double album is accompanied by an award-winning bilingual 220 page hardcover coffee table book featuring sumptuous full-colour landscape photography by 22 photographers from across Canada, fashion portraits in select Canadian locations by book co-curator V. Tony Hauser, complementary song lyrics, songwriter commentary, and behind-the-scenes shots by Greg Locke, along with a double CD insert. This epic, multi-year passion project is a touching tribute to the people, songwriters, musicians, photographers and landscape of Canada. Eleanor is joined on this project by a talented team of artists, performers, and industry experts all of whom worked passionately to bring this to fruition. True North: The Canadian Songbook was released May 12th, 2017