When General Store was formed in 2001, we were a group of musicians with disparate talents and experiences, with backgrounds that varied from traditional bluegrass and folk to church choirs and musicals. When we “opened for business” with our first CD, we tapped into our collective wealth of songs and realized how difficult it was to pare down to only fourteen songs: after all, we loved singing gospel as much as traditional bluegrass, country as much as newgrass. Furthermore, we now also had a few original tunes to offer into the mix. We are delighted to be including all of these original numbers in this collection, but if you're longing for some gospel or traditional bluegrass as well, check us out because we have “more in store” for you. We hope you enjoy! |
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Samples and song list from "More in Store "
Song Title |
Original Artist | MP3 Sample | |
| 1 | Are You Feeling Blue (2:17) | Haskel McCormick | |
| 2 | Oh My* (2:10) | Helen Lewis | |
| 3 | When You and I Were Young, Maggie (2:35) | George Washington Johnson & James Austin Butterfield | |
| 4 | Seven Bridges Road (3:43) | Steven Young | |
| 5 | When You Say Nothing At All (3:35) | Paul Overstreet & Don Schlitz | |
| 6 | Kentucky Mandolin (2:12) | Bill Monroe | |
| 7 | Kneel Down and Pray Up (2:06) | William Castle | |
| 8 | Til You Come Back Again To Me* (3:37) | Barb Perkins | |
| 9 | Hard Times (2:57) | C. Stanley, C. Jackson & M. Stuart | |
| 10 | Home Kids* (3:25) | Bill Blance | |
| 11 | I Never Knew (3:19) | Jeff White & Billy Thomas | |
| 12 | Caledon Hills* (2:58) | Brian Riseborough | |
| 13 | Summer People* (3:03) | Helen Lewis | |
| 14 | A Beautiful Life (2:25) | Charlie Monroe | |
| 15 | Long Gone (2:26) | Don Reno | |
* denotes original track
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The inspiration behind the original Tracks... Helen draws on her experience as a cottager to explore the love-hate relationship between permanent and temporary residents in a tourist town in “Summer People.” Her memories of the extended family gathering for an evening of singing and playing inspired the toe-tapping “Oh My.” Bill, a former history teacher, presents a poignant chapter in Canada's history in “Home Kids,” an account of the forced emigration from Scotland in 1884 of his grandfather, John Blance, along with his two brothers and two sisters, and the hardships they endured as “Home Children.” Brian is thankful to have lived in the Caledon Hills for far longer than he did in the city. Although his song is not strictly autobiographical, his motivation came from the calmness of spirit that he felt during walks in the hills. Another original song was a contribution by John's talented wife Barb, whose beautiful “'Til You Come Back Again To Me” was inspired by the true story of their nephew sent off to war and his young wife awaiting his safe return. |