Prolific singer-songwriter Jerry Leger penned one of Exclaim!'s favourite songs about Toronto, so it's only appropriate that his new album is named after a hometown landmark. Donlands, which was recorded at what used to be the Donlands Theatre, is out October 27, and a video for lead single "Three Hours Ahead of Midnight" can be seen now.
The album was produced by Mark Howard (who has worked with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, U2 and many more), with Leger and his band the Situation recording live in the studio while standing in a circle.
"Not a lot of people make records like Mark Howard anymore. After I got to tell him how much Tom Waits's Real Gone meant to me, I fell right into the experience," Leger said in a statement. "To me, it's a record that lives in its own world. Since I was a little kid, I've loved how recordings like the Flamingos' 'I Only Have Eyes for You' and 'Pledging My Love' by Johnny Ace sound so haunting. I knew Mark could get us that, with the right choice of material."
Leger sent Howard 20 demos, and both songwriter and producer picked nearly the same 10 to work on for the album. A press release compares the results to a "film noir soundtrack." It was captured in Gold Standard Recorders, in the former Donlands Theatre.
Watch the video for "Three Hours Ahead of Midnight," directed by Mitch Fillion, below. The Donlands tracklist is below that, along with his tour dates with the Situation.
Donlands:
1. Sort Me Out
2. I Was Right to Doubt Her
3. I'll Stay
4. Three Hours Ahead of Midnight
5. The Flower and the Dirt
6. Wounded Wing
7. You Carry Me
8. I Need Love
9. Out There Like the Rain
10. Slow Night in Nowhere Town
Jerry Leger 2023 Tour Dates:
08/26 Kingston, ON - Limestone City Blues Fest
09/17 Lascelles, QC - Magazin General La Peche (solo)
09/23 Ramara, ON - Fern Resort *
10/21 Utrecht, Netherlands - Ramblin' Roots Fest
10/24 Leiden, Netherlands - Q Bus
10/28 Breda, Netherlands - Rootzz Fest
10/29 Venlo, Netherlands - Grenswerk *
11/03 Groningen, Netherlands - Take Root Fest
11/18 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall (Chest Fever presents The Last Waltz)
11/29 Toronto, ON - TD Music Hall at Massey Hall
* with the Sadies
The album was produced by Mark Howard (who has worked with Neil Young, Bob Dylan, U2 and many more), with Leger and his band the Situation recording live in the studio while standing in a circle.
"Not a lot of people make records like Mark Howard anymore. After I got to tell him how much Tom Waits's Real Gone meant to me, I fell right into the experience," Leger said in a statement. "To me, it's a record that lives in its own world. Since I was a little kid, I've loved how recordings like the Flamingos' 'I Only Have Eyes for You' and 'Pledging My Love' by Johnny Ace sound so haunting. I knew Mark could get us that, with the right choice of material."
Leger sent Howard 20 demos, and both songwriter and producer picked nearly the same 10 to work on for the album. A press release compares the results to a "film noir soundtrack." It was captured in Gold Standard Recorders, in the former Donlands Theatre.
Watch the video for "Three Hours Ahead of Midnight," directed by Mitch Fillion, below. The Donlands tracklist is below that, along with his tour dates with the Situation.
Donlands:
1. Sort Me Out
2. I Was Right to Doubt Her
3. I'll Stay
4. Three Hours Ahead of Midnight
5. The Flower and the Dirt
6. Wounded Wing
7. You Carry Me
8. I Need Love
9. Out There Like the Rain
10. Slow Night in Nowhere Town
Jerry Leger 2023 Tour Dates:
08/26 Kingston, ON - Limestone City Blues Fest
09/17 Lascelles, QC - Magazin General La Peche (solo)
09/23 Ramara, ON - Fern Resort *
10/21 Utrecht, Netherlands - Ramblin' Roots Fest
10/24 Leiden, Netherlands - Q Bus
10/28 Breda, Netherlands - Rootzz Fest
10/29 Venlo, Netherlands - Grenswerk *
11/03 Groningen, Netherlands - Take Root Fest
11/18 Toronto, ON - Massey Hall (Chest Fever presents The Last Waltz)
11/29 Toronto, ON - TD Music Hall at Massey Hall
* with the Sadies
